Children’s Alliance concerned about child-benefit cuts
The Children's Rights Alliance has expressed major concern about the possible taxing or means-testing of child-benefit payments.
The move is expected to be recommended by the group set up by the Government to examine ways to cut billions of euros in public spending.
The Department of Social and Family Affairs is believed to be examining the feasibility of the measures given the administrative costs that would be involved.
The Children's Rights Alliance, meanwhile, is meeting Minister Mary Hanafin this morning to express its concern about any change to the current system.
It says that, if the Government is genuinely trying to claw back money from the wealthy, then it should do so through the PAYE system and leave child-benefit payments alone.
Jillian van Turnhout, chief executive of the Alliance, says: "A tough economic landscape demands tough decisions on the part of the Government – the Alliance acknowledges this.
"However, it will never, ever make economic sense to tax or means-test the child-benefit system. This payment reflects the value we place on children and on the future of our country and it is sacrosanct.
"Child benefit and its universality demonstrate that children are cherished, that we all, regardless of whether we have children or not, pay into a common pot for the collective good.
"We need to raise our children well, as it is they who will shape our future, including our pensions.
"The Alliance message is clear: leave our kids alone and if you want to tax wealthier families, then raise a tax on the wealthy – don’t raid piggy banks.
"The Alliance is firmly opposed to any change to child-benefit, not least because families have been hit enough – a raft of education budget cuts will come into effect this September and there is no need for further drains on an already depleting income."
