Extra Child Benefit would take 55,000 children out of poverty

There are calls to increase Child Benefit payments for 'poorer families'

According to the new report, increasing payments by an average of €285 a month would help tackle child poverty.

The team at the ESRI suggested increasing the current €140 payment to €285 for lower-income families.

They believe this could help tackle the child poverty crisis in Ireland.

Speaking about the impact this change could have on families, Dr Karina Doorley told Newstalk:

“Really, to take a lot of children out of poverty, you need to give low-income households a lot of money. So, that would amount to about an extra €150 million on average for low-income households. 

“But it would vary depending on whether they were on the lower end of the spectrum or the higher end.

“So, that would amount to a payment, on average, of about €285 per child when you account for the universal child benefit, as well as the means-tested payment.”

15% of children are currently living below the poverty line in Ireland.

A second-tier child benefit payment could help so many families living below the poverty line.

"It would reduce the number of children living in income poverty by 4.6% - so, that would lift 55,000 children out of income poverty."

All parents currently receive a monthly payment of €140.