Grants & Benefits for Irish Parents

Every payment, subsidy, and support you may be entitled to in 2026

Child Benefit

€140/month per child

Who qualifies: All families with children under 18

How to apply: Automatic after birth registration

Official Info

Maternity Benefit

€274/week for 26 weeks

Who qualifies: Employees and self-employed with sufficient PRSI

How to apply: Apply 6 weeks before maternity leave

Official Info

Paternity Benefit

€274/week for 2 weeks

Who qualifies: New fathers/partners with sufficient PRSI

How to apply: Apply within 26 weeks of birth

Official Info

Parent's Benefit

€274/week for 9 weeks per parent

Who qualifies: Each parent with sufficient PRSI (child under 2)

How to apply: Apply to Department of Social Protection

Official Info

National Childcare Scheme (NCS)

Universal: €1.4/hr | Income-assessed: up to €5.1/hr

Who qualifies: All families (universal) or income-assessed

How to apply: Apply online at ncs.gov.ie

Official Info

ECCE Free Pre-School

15 hours/week FREE for 38 weeks/year

Who qualifies: Children aged 2 years 8 months to 5 years 6 months

How to apply: Register through participating service

Official Info

Back to School Allowance

€150 (4-11) / €275 (12-22)

Who qualifies: Families receiving qualifying social welfare payments

How to apply: Automatic for most qualifying families

Official Info

Working Family Payment

Income supplement (means-tested)

Who qualifies: Low-income families where at least one parent works 38+ hrs/fortnight

How to apply: Apply to Department of Social Protection

Official Info

SUSI Grant

Maintenance up to €10,310/yr + fees

Who qualifies: Third-level students (means-tested)

How to apply: Apply at susi.ie before deadline

Official Info

One-Parent Family Payment

Up to €232/week + €48/child

Who qualifies: Single parents with youngest child under 7

How to apply: Apply to local Intreo centre

Official Info

Free GP Care (Under 8)

FREE GP visits

Who qualifies: All children under 8 years

How to apply: Register with participating GP

Official Info

Free School Books Scheme

FREE school books

Who qualifies: All primary and post-primary students

How to apply: Automatic through schools

Official Info

Information sourced from gov.ie and Citizens Information as of 2026. Eligibility criteria and payment amounts may change. Always verify your entitlements with the relevant government department. This is not financial or legal advice.