Parents across Ireland will receive an early double boost this week

Parents across Ireland will be in for a surprise early this week as two universal social welfare benefits, which also apply to those working full-time, are set to arrive earlier than usual.

The schedule change comes ahead of St. Brigid’s Day on Monday, February 2, when banks and post offices close. Social care payments that would normally be due on the same day will be issued early and credited to your account on Friday 30th January or Saturday 31st January.

Child benefit, usually paid on the first Tuesday of each month, is a monthly payment of €140 to the parent or guardian of a child under 16 years of age. Payments also apply to children aged 16, 17 and 18 if they are in full-time education or full-time training, or have a disability and are unable to support themselves.

But this early payment isn’t the only bonus for families this week. In the 2025 budget, the Department of Social Protection introduced the New Baby Grant, which provides a lump sum payment of €280 on top of the first month’s child allowance after the birth of a child or adoption.

For a single birth, parents receive €420, which is the regular child allowance of €140 plus a newborn supplement of €280. In the case of twins, the total payment increases to €980, including child benefit and two New Baby Grants for both children. And for triplets, parents will receive a total of 1,680 euros, covering child allowance and three newborn grants. irish mirror I will report.

Parents who already have children and are welcoming a new baby will have the child automatically added to their existing Child Benefit bill, while first-time parents will receive a form to register for the payment.

This year marks the first anniversary of the New Baby Grant. This grant has helped nearly 50,000 families support newborns and newly adopted children over the past year.

Social Protection Minister Dara Callery said in a speech earlier this month: “This week we celebrate the first anniversary of the Newborn Grant, which was introduced as part of the 2025 Budget and is now supporting families across the country. In just one year, these grants have reached tens of thousands of parents across Ireland, helping families mark the arrival of a new member.”

“These payments are making a big difference by giving parents a little extra support when they welcome a new baby, at a happy but expensive time.”

Child allowance and newborn grant are both universal social welfare benefits, which are paid regardless of employment status or income level.