Almost 12,600 local families get double child benefit this week
A total of 12,582 families in Westmeath will receive a double child benefit payment this week.
The payment of €280 will be received in families’ bank accounts from today.
Minister of State Peter Burke says that "Fine Gael is determined to put money back in people’s pockets and assist them with the rising cost of living".
“My colleague Minister Heather Humphreys recently delivered the largest social protection Budget in the history of the state, with a mix of lump sum supports and increases to weekly payments. I know many people feel that they work hard, pay a lot of tax, are struggling with the cost of living at present yet receive very little in the way of government supports. Child Benefit goes to all families and is a payment that will be felt by all households.
“The double child benefit payment is the second of eight lump sum payments and part of a €1.2 billion package designed to support people over the winter months.
“Child Benefit is an extremely important income support for thousands of hardworking families in Westmeath which is designed to help them at a time when they are really feeling the strain of rising household and energy costs.
“Inflation has put a heavy burden on many households and businesses, and that’s why government responded in Budget 2023 with an €11 billion package.
“Government also announced permanent changes for next year that will help households, including reductions in childcare fees, income tax changes, and increases in social protection payments.
“These measures are all about putting money back into your pocket and ensuring that our economy stays strong, so that we have the resources to continue helping you with the cost of living, with continued investment in vital public services and public infrastructure like housing.”
Announcing the double child benefit payment, Minister Humphreys said: “The double child benefit payment will be received in people’s bank accounts beginning from today.
“It follows the Autumn Double Payment last month, which supported 1.4 million pensioners, carers, people with disabilities and working families.
“And over the course of the next few weeks, I will be announcing the details of further lump sum payments to support people with their household bills.
“These will include the €400 lump sum fuel allowance payment, the €200 payment for people living alone, the €500 payment for carers, the €500 support for people with disabilities and the €500 payment for those n receipt of the Working Family Payment. These will be followed by the payment of the Christmas Bonus in December.”