Budget 2026: Second targeted child benefit payment 'not off the table' 

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the Government was looking at a number of options to tackle child poverty

Within the 2025 programme for government, there are commitments to 'explore a targeted child benefit payment', Taoiseach Micheál Martin said.

The introduction of a second, targeted child benefit payment is “not off the table” for Budget 2026, the Taoiseach has said.

Micheál Martin said consideration was being given towards the introduction of a second-tier of child benefit.