‘Give welfare savings from rich to poor’

MONEY saved from cuts to child benefit paid to those on higher incomes should be used to increase payment to those on lower incomes, Barnardos chief executive Fergus Finlay said yesterday.

“Those who have higher incomes and are still getting child benefit should make a contribution to increasing child benefit for those who have nothing,” he suggested.

Social and Family Affairs Minister Mary Hanafin has indicated three levels of child benefit may be introduced in the December budget. She said people on lower incomes were identifiable and Revenue would be asked to identify those on higher incomes.