Budget u-turn as December newborns to be eligible for €420 'baby boost'

TDs had raised concern that children born in December would miss out on the double child benefit payments in November and December, as well as the 'baby boost'.

The Government has performed a u-turn on a key budget measure, just over 24 hours after it was announced.

TDs had raised concern that children born in December would miss out on the double child benefit payments in November and December, as well as the "baby boost" which will see the first child benefit payment paid at a rate of €420 instead of €140.

Speaking in the Dáil on Wednesday, Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys said she had been contacted by expectant parents due in December.

She said those mothers will be entitled to the Newborn Grant in January.

"As a mother, I do not want to see any woman or baby miss out.

"I am pleased to confirm to the House tonight that babies born in December will be eligible to receive the Newborn Grant when their mother receives their first Child Benefit payment in January.

"So my message to those families is: Don’t worry the Christmas babies will be looked after.

"I want to thank colleagues, particularly Deputy Alan Farrell, who raised this matter with me," she said.

Ms Humphreys said the "good news is when those babies get a little bigger, they can now look forward to receiving a hot dinner when they start primary school", saying the Hot Schools Meals Programme is "one of her proudest achievements".

The programme will move to universal provision in 2025 which will see every primary school child in the country receive a hot dinner in the middle of the day.

"The Hot Dinners is a great leveller, all the children sit down and eat together, there’s no stigma attached to it — all children are treated equally. Not having to think about what goes in the lunchbox every day is one less thing for busy parents to worry about when they’re heading out to work in the morning.

"I will also be working with the Taoiseach’s Department and other stakeholders to deliver a pilot project to tackle holiday hunger over the holiday periods."