News


Irish families have been told to expect two social welfare payments earlier than usual due to the upcoming bank holiday.
Post offices and banks will be closed on Monday due to the St Brigid's Day public holiday. This means parents will receive their Child Benefit payments on Friday, January 30th, or Saturday, January 31st.
Child benefit is a universal social welfare payment, which means it is not means-tested.
If your child is in full-time education, training or has a disability and cannot support themselves financially, you are entitled to claim Child Benefit up until your child turns 19.
The Child Benefit payment isn't the only payment that will be made early this month. Parents can expect to receive the New Baby Grant this weekend, which amounts to €280 per child.
New parents are given the €280 grant as well as their €140 monthly child benefit payment.
In Budget 2025, the Irish Government confirmed a bonus payment would be given to new parents.
They confirmed that parents who welcome babies from December 1st, 2024, would be awarded the New Baby Grant.
It is understood that over 50,000 families have benefited from the New Baby Grant in Ireland since it was launched last year.
The grant aims to help parents with covering baby expenses following their child's birth.
Anyone who welcomes a child from December 1st will receive the payment, but the amount differs depending on how many children you welcome.
The grant of €280 will be paid to new parents born or adopted on or after December 1st, 2024.
The social welfare payment equates to €280 per child, but it will be €560 if you have twins, and €840 for triplets.
Share
29th January 2026
06:00pm GMT