An increase in child benefits for new parents is a “good idea,” according to a Fine Gael minister, reports Breaking News.
Heather Humphreys, the minister of social protection, stated her support for a one-time, triple payment of early childhood support.
Additionally, Ms. Humphreys stated that she wished to increase the eligibility for the gasoline allowance.
It follows Green Party leader Roderic O’Gorman’s declaration of support for a 560 euro one-time child benefit payment to parents during the first month of the kid’s life.
The standard child benefit is €140 for each kid, reports Breaking News.
When asked if she agreed with Mr. O’Gorman’s suggestion, Ms. Humphreys said that she had spoken with representatives from her department about it.
“I actually think it’s a good idea,” she said to reporters at the Fine Gael think-in in Tullamore, County Offaly.
“But once more, all of these factors need to be taken into account within the framework of the Budget, and a lot of kites will be flown in the interim between now and the Budget, reports Breaking News.
“So I guess I’ll try to catch as many as I can, put them in my pocket, and then we’ll pull them out again on Budget Day – and we’ll see what comes out.”
When asked if the plan was truly feasible, Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe said that he would not highlight any specific plan before the Budget is released on October 1.
“A lot of different options will be floated in the run-up to the Budget,” he stated, reports Breaking News.
Ms. Humphreys stated that a double payment made in December of previous year was “very popular” in the lead-up to Christmas in other child benefit-related areas.
“It’s quite expensive by the time you get to the table, and people are feeling it in their pocket,” I know this from my own purchasing experience.
Thus, “I will be looking at all of those measures as we put together a Budget. What we want to do is, we want to help people and put more money back in their pockets,” reports Breaking News.
Ms. Humphreys mentioned elsewhere that she was considering lowering the eligibility age for the gasoline stipend.
The extension of the allowance to those over 70 last year, according to her, was a “very welcome measure.”
“I may lower that age to those who are over 66 when you retire this year,” she continued, reports Breaking News.
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