Proposed Cuts in Child Benefit Deeply Worrying – O’Brien

Proposed Cuts in Child Benefit Deeply Worrying – O’Brien

Sinn Féin TD Jonathan O’Brien has described reports that the government is considering a €10 cut in child benefit as deeply worrying, saying that if introduced it will lead to more children living in poverty.

Deputy O’Brien said:

“The suggestion that child benefit might be cut across the board by €10 is deeply worrying. While child benefit is a universal payment, a cut of this nature would disproportionately affect poor families with large households who are already struggling.”

“In 2009 over 40% of those living in consistent poverty were children. This measure would push even more children into poverty. It would pile more pressure on struggling families who have already been hard-hit by the Universal Service Charge, rising utility bills, and cuts in social welfare payments.”

“The Irish state provides among the lowest levels of support for childcare in Europe, and as a result we have some of the highest childcare costs. Child benefit should be retained at its current rate as a universal benefit. There are other ways of closing the deficit – taxing those like the 18,000 “high net worth individuals” in the state who can afford to pay more or cutting out state subsidies to private healthcare and education.”

For further information or comment contact Deputy Jonathan O’Brien @ 085-2133907