Burton suggests high earners face tax on child benefit

Social Protection Minister Joan Burton has suggested the public may have to choose between a child benefit means tests system or a potential new tax on rich families receiving the support.

The claim was put forward in Ms Burton’s latest suggestion on how to help balance the social welfare budget books.

In an interview over the weekend, Ms Burton said her department’s €21bn war-chest must be reduced again in next year’s budget if the country is to survive the financial crisis.