ESRI calls for 20% cut in child benefit

THE Government thinktank the ESRI has called for a 20% cut in child benefit as part of the Government’s drive to slash €4 billion in spending from the next budget.

The report also recommends that social welfare payments should be frozen and not cut as part of that drive to stabilise the national finances.

Alan Barrett, chief author of the ESRI’s quarterly bulletin, stressed the Government has to stick to its pledge to deliver on its €4bn savings target.