Burton faces up to divisive plan to tax child benefit

Political Reporter Juno McEnroe on the complications of trying to save €300m.

TARGETING child benefit to boost budget saving measures is viewed by some as an easy option for the Government while others condemn it as a crude measure that causes more pain to the less well-off than the rich.

December’s budget is shaping up to be a combination of spending cuts and tax hikes which will raise at least €3.6 billion. Going further than this has yet to be officially decided.