Parents brace for 10% cut in child benefit payment

PARENTS could be facing cuts of up to 10% in child benefit payments in next week’s hairshirt budget.

The Cabinet will meet tonight in an attempt to finalise the €4bn package of savings, and social welfare payments are set for substantial cuts.

Speculation is mounting that child benefit could be cut by as much as 10%, which would reduce the monthly payment for one child from €166 to roughly €149.