Changes announced in Budget 2023 for children are welcome, but it was a 'missed opportunity' to help the most disadvantaged.
That's according to the Children's Rights Alliance, which was responding to measures announced on Tuesday.
This included a double Child Benefit payment of €140 and a lump sum Working Family payment of €500.
The Qualified Child Allowance is also being raised by €2 a week.
While there will be a 25% reduction in the cost of childcare under the National Childcare Scheme.
And there will be free school books for all pupils in recognised primary schools within the Free Education Scheme from September next year.
Julie Ahern is legal policy and services director from the Children's Rights Alliance.
She told Breakfast Briefing they welcome a number of the changes.
"What we really welcome is the long-term investments the Government have made in Budget 2023 - particularly the area of education.
"They've gone further than before to address the cost of education with the introduction of free school books.
"And we know from families that back to school time is a real pressure, and this measure will help families in the coming years.
"But also it's a really historic announcement in childcare; they've gone, for the first time, to €1 billion investment.
"This'll really help families afford childcare, which we know is a huge expense for them".
But she said a lot of the supports do not go as far as they could have.
"For an awful lot of families it will just keep them standing still, and it will keep them moving throughout the winter with the cost of living increases.
"And I suppose you can't turn your head up at that either - that's going to be so important for so many families who are currently really struggling.
"But one of the areas, I suppose, that we would be really concerned about was that there was an opportunity here missed to deliver effective, targeted supports for those most in disadvantage.
"For example, the Qualified Child increases paid to families in receipt of social welfare - and for children and young people there was a €2 increase to children.
"We know that that is not enough to keep up with inflation.
"For example, I checked my local shop last night: a pint of milk is now over €2, so that won't even buy them a pint of milk.
"And really it was a missed opportunity for Government to target their resources at those who we know are living most in poverty".
