Ring: child benefit increases not enough
Forthcoming child benefit increases will do nothing to help Irish parents, a Fine Gael TD claimed today.
Next month's €2-a-week hike will be wiped out by runaway inflation, according to Michael Ring, Fine Gael's social and family affairs spokesman.
"The €2 weekly increase in Child Benefit for the first two children is barely enough to buy them a loaf of bread, let alone cover the rising cost of living," he said.
With inflation at 5%, he says a significantly larger increase is needed.
"This is another attack on people on social welfare, the most vulnerable in society. They are feeling the chill winds of recession far more than other people. It is vital that their needs and concerns are addressed in a generous way," he said.
