Parents and children set to be big Budget winners as new supports for families planned

"We're going to have a cost-of-living package to help people with the cost of living, we can't exclude parents and Child Benefit is helpful," Mr Harris said.

"On whether we increase the overall rate, we haven't yet made a decision on that, so I think the double payment is most likely," Mr Harris commented during the interview.

Both Mr Harris and Mr Martin said they wanted supports such as the Working Family Payment and Increase for a Qualified Child payment to be enhanced to help families on lower incomes.

The Taoiseach also wants the free School Meals Scheme expanded to all primary schools and extended into the summer months to combat 'holiday hunger'.

Read at Irish Independent