The largest share - nearly 2,700 children - are based in the UK, followed by over 1,300 in Romania and 1,100 in Poland.
Thousands of parents of children living outside Ireland are receiving Irish child benefit payments.
In a parliamentary question, Fine Gael TD John Paul O’Shea asked for a full breakdown.
The reply revealed that, as of April 30th 2025, child benefit was being paid for over 6,100 children who do not live in the country.
The largest share - nearly 2,700 children - are based in the UK, followed by over 1,300 in Romania and 1,100 in Poland.
Social Protection Minister Dara Calleary defended the payments, saying EU rules require Ireland to pay if a parent works here, even if their children live abroad.
Meanwhile, a two-tier child benefit system is being considered by the government.
A recent report shows the number of children in consistent poverty has increased by more than 45 thousand in one year.
A new tier of child benefit is now being considered for those in poverty in October's Budget.
Three Decades Later, Search For Answers In Jo Jo Dullard Case Continues
Kildare County Council Targets Unused Housing Sites With Planning Permission To Speed Up Construction
EU Environment Commissioner Visits Kildare Farm Ahead Of Nitrates Derogation Talks
Defence Forces Conduct Readiness Exercise At Whitewater Shopping Centre In Newbridge
Call For Sanitary Bins In Men’s Toilets To Support Prostate Cancer Survivors
Own-Brand Foods Often Produced By Same Factories As Big Labels, Says Money Doctor John Lowe
Kfm Strengthens Position As Kildare’s Most Listened-To Station, According To Latest Ipsos/MRBI Report
Quarter Of Uisce Éireann Staff Earned Over €100k Last Year
