Child & Family Payments
- Child Benefit is paid at a rate of €166 per month per child if you have 1 or 2 children. If you have 3 or more children the rate increases to €203 for each additional child. Payment is made for children in full time education until they reach 18 years. Half-rate payment paid for children aged 18 years.
- Early Childcare Supplement of €41.50 per month is paid for children under 5 years
- Family Income Supplement (FIS) can be applied for if you are working a minimum of 38 hours per fortnight and on a low wage. You may qualify for a weekly FIS payment if you have one child and your family income is below €500,. You may earn more than this if you have two or more children.
- One-Parent Family Payment is a weekly means-tested payment that can be applied for if you are a single parent and your child lives with you.
- Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance for children aged 2-22can be applied for at your local Health Office before the new school year begins in September 2009. It is open to parents on social welfare and low incomes whose children are still in education.
- Higher Education Grants are payable to students who are pursuing full time postgraduate courses or undergraduate courses of 2 years or more in duration and whose family income are below certain thresholds. Further information can be found on http://www.studentfinance.ie/
More information and application forms for all these payments can be found at http://www.citizensinformation.ie/