329 payments of the New Baby Grant paid in Kildare

A total of 329 payments have been made to Kildare parents in respect of the New Baby Grant, it was revealed in the Dáil recently.

Confirmation came following a question tabled by Fianna Fáil Kildare North TD, Naoise Ó Cearúil, who asked the Minister for Social Protection, Dara Calleary to make a statement on the matter.

Responding to Deputy Ó Cearúil, the Minister explained that a newborn baby grant of €280 was announced in last year's budget to be paid to families of babies born on or after December 1 2024.

This grant is paid alongside, but in addition to, the first month's child benefit of €140, so that parents of newborns will receive a total first payment of €420, he added.

According to the Minister, this increased first payment is in recognition of the additional costs that accompany the birth of a child.

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The Minister said: “The benefit is payable in respect of newborn babies from the month after birth. Parents of children born in one month can, therefore, receive the child benefit payment, including the newborn baby grant, from the next month onwards.

“Given that the newborn baby grant is paid automatically with child benefit payments, there is no additional application for the grant. Therefore, parents of newborns do not need to do anything extra to receive the grant.

“Child benefit, as the Deputy may be aware, is a monthly payment to the parents or guardians of children under 16 years of age. Child benefit can also be claimed for children aged 16, 17 or 18 if they are in full-time education or training or have a disability and cannot support themselves.

“At present, child benefit is in payment to 679,000 families in respect of 1.27 million children, with an estimated expenditure of €2.2 billion for 2025.”

The Minister detailed that the first payments for newborns issued on February 11 to more than 4,400 customers in respect of 4,522 children.

These included 329 payments to parents in County Kildare.

To date, 6,345 customers have been paid the newborn baby grant in respect of 6,448 children, the Minister stated.