Welfare rates safe but child benefit could be cut

CUTS in headline social welfare rates are being ruled out, but reductions in child benefit and an increased phasing out of payments for unco-operative jobseekers are being lined up.

A menu of options are being discussed at Cabinet to drive down the annual €21 billion spend at the Department of Social Protection, the biggest spender in government.

It is understood that slightly less than €700m will be saved through cuts and an overhaul of welfare schemes. But Social Protection Minister Joan Burton said yesterday that final decisions had still to be made.