Burton rejects anti-women Budget claims
The Social Protection Minister Joan Burton is rejecting claims Budget 2013 is anti-women and anti-children.
Charities including Barnardos and the National Women's Council are among the organisations condemning today's measures.
Child Benefit is being cut by €10 while the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance is being reduced by €50.
However Burton says her Department is continuing to support over 90,000 lone parents.
"We are maintaining - this is important for women in this country - the principal of a universally paid child benefit at a relatively high level."
In response, Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Social Protection, Willie O’Dea, described the Budget as an attack on mothers.
“The slashing of Child Benefit, taxing of maternity benefit, failure to progress child care provision and cutbacks to the vital Back to School Allowance will be felt most of all by women,” said O’Dea.
“For an ordinary mother rearing a young family she will be hit by reduced supports, new taxes and no substantial new childcare supports. It is clearly an anti- family budget."
