Speaking on RTÉ’s This Week programme, Ms Humphreys said that she needs to “target the money where it’s most needed”.
She said child benefit is a priority for her in the upcoming budget and that she is looking at a number of measures to support families.
In relation to suggestions that a bonus child benefit double payment before Christmas has also been agreed, she said: “I think a bit of support before Christmas is a big help.”
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Speaking about whether job seekers allowance should rise at the same rate as the other social welfare payments, she said: “This is one of the issues that we still have to make a decision on.
“My point on job seekers is we’re at full employment, there are business crying out for staff and with the limited resources available to me, my priority is to support our carers, pensioners and people with disabilities
“There’s a range of supports available to help people who are long-term unemployed back to work. As I said, the pot is limited, and I have to prioritise the groups with the greatest needs.
“So, if everyone gets the same then there is less for other measures and at a time of full employment when people are looking for workers why would you give the same payment to the long-term unemployed.”
She also said she is looking at a specific package for family carers and widening the mean’s test so more families can qualify.
Ms Humphreys said the majority of one-off payments will be paid before Christmas.
The minister said she was conscious of the need to support older people in terms of the fuel allowance and the living alone allowance.
“The energy credits don’t fall within my department so I’m not privy to that budget negotiations,” she added.
Meanwhile, the minister said that any knowledge of when the next general election would be called was “above her pay grade”.
“If I had a euro for every time I was asked about an election, then money would be no problem in this budget,” she said.
