Lenihan accused of publicity stunt

CHILDREN’S Minister Brian Lenihan was last night accused by Fine Gael of “misusing” up to €250,000 of taxpayers’ money on a publicity stunt.

The party’s family affairs spokesman David Stanton branded a nationwide mail-shot to parents about to receive early childcare supplements as pre-election campaigning at public expense.

Mr Lenihan dismissed the allegations, insisting that such information efforts often pay for themselves through the updated details they return from recipients.