Parents in negative equity may avoid cut

Parents with negative equity on their mortgages could be exempt from any cuts to child benefit, one Fine Gael backbencher has suggested.

Dublin South Central TD Catherine Byrne said the Government should be “very cautious” about cuts to child benefit to ensure it was not taken away from those who need it.

Fine Gael TDs are expected to raise concerns at tomorrow’s meeting of the parliamentary party about proposed changes to the allowance being considered by Social Protection Minister Joan Burton.