To think this utter madness- child benefit

[stopthebloodylights]

A couple In Ireland have had quads...Irish child benefits is not means tested AND if you have twins you get 1.5 per child BUT if you have other multiples you get DOUBLE the amount so this couple are taking in 140 x 2 PER CHILD!! That's 1120 in child benefits per month!! 🤣🤣🤣

[luckylavender]

I don't suppose it will make life easier for them. Why is it you business anyway?

[Overthebow]

Yes but imagine how much childcare will cost them. Fair enough I think!

[MrsTulipTattsyrup]

But they’ve got to pay for four lots of everything at the same time. Not to mention childcare fees. And a bigger car. And so on. Anyway, if you’re that worried about it, then write to the Irish government and ask them to change the system. What are you being deprived of to pay this family their benefits?

[RedMarauder]

Four children exactly the same age - no thanks.

The extra benefits don't make up for the stress and anxiety of bringing them up.

[FudgeFlake]

That's a bit mean, only giving 50% for the second of a pair of twins! In my experience raising two simultaneously cost more than raising two a couple of years apart. Nothing could be passed on.

[Twickerhun]

That sounds very reasonable to me.

The state needs families to invest in our kids welfare and wellbeing. Saves money in the long run of kids are given a good start in life

[SprayedWithDettol]

I can’t understand your issue with this unless you are personally paying for it.
Even people with substantial incomes will find quads financially challenging.

[ChocOrange1]

@FudgeFlake

That's a bit mean, only giving 50% for the second of a pair of twins! In my experience raising two simultaneously cost more than raising two a couple of years apart. Nothing could be passed on.

No they give 150% for both twins.

So if its £140 for one child, you get £420 for twins, or £280 for two single children. Or that's how I read it anyway.

[DarcyLewis]

If you have quads you need whatever you can get. Utter madness that anyone would begrudge them help.

[Aroundtheworldin80moves]

I doubt they deliberately had Quads just for the Child Benefit!
I hate to think what quad pushchair will cost. Or a car big enough for four baby and toddler seats. Four sets of swimming lessons. 4 lists of school uniform.

If anything it's unfair to families that have small age gaps unexpectedly... They get the same expense without the extra help.

[Thomasina79]

Who cares, it doesn’t affect you or I. We won’t go without because of this and their finances are going to take an enormous hit with so many children.

I wish them all the best personally.

[pointythings]

Nothing mad about it, just sensible support for when things happen. What were the couple supposed to do in your opinion, selectively abort some of them? Why is it your problem anyway?

[JulesM73]

Ridiculous.

[StormzyInaDCup]

How is it any of your business? Jealous maybe?

[DaveDave]

Taxes are much higher in Ireland so they are disadvantaged in other ways. And they pay to see the GP per visit, can you imagine that with quads?!

[topwings]

@Fudgeflake, it's 1.5 times per child so instead of 140 per child, they get €210 for each child.

Depending on where they live, €1120 will cover childcare for one of them.

It's not like every woman has multiple births - it's very small money from a government point of view.

[FilthyforFirth]

How can you possibly begrudge them this? What a mean spirited person you are.

[OhWhyNot]

They should be getting far more so then can pay for support

Now on earth do they manage

[User7312019]

And what would you set as the appropriate amount to give them? Given that that wouldn’t make much of a dint in childcare costs, clothing or feeding them?

[ThatIsMyPotato]

What's with the 🤣🤣?

It seems fair to me, they won't be able to save money by passing things down and will need everything x4 all at once

[stopthebloodylights]

Oh god I'm not begrudging!! Wouldn't it be great if the U.K. did similar!!

[DifficultPifcultLemonDifficult]

Go have quads in Ireland then, watch the cash roll in and then quickly roll back out again because quads will be ridiculously expensive

[MrsTulipTattsyrup]

@stopthebloodylights

Oh god I'm not begrudging!! Wouldn't it be great if the U.K. did similar!!

Well, your thread title describes it as “utter madness”, so how can you now claim you think it’s a good thing?

[Reinventinganna]

Imagine how expensive 4 sets of everything are.

[cupsofcoffee]

I can't imagine how stressful it must be to raise quads - I don't think any amount of money would make up for it

That amount of money wouldn't even cover regular childcare for one of them, let alone the other three!