Varadkar: Government mulling new means-tested higher rate of child benefit

Minister Heather Humphreys has been asked to examine a means-tested payment after the ESRI said the measure could take more than 40,000 children out of poverty

Leo Varadkar said it will not be possible to introduce the system in Budget 2024. Picture: Liam McBurney/PA

The Government is considering a higher, means-tested rate of child benefit, the Taoiseach has confirmed.

However, Leo Varadkar has said it will not be possible to introduce the two-tier system as part of Budget 2024.