Budget 2013 Social Protection: Budget ‘targets children just one month after poll’

The Government was accused of issuing a rollercoaster budget hitting children and families only a month after the country voted to better protect children.

Several campaign groups raised concern about cuts to child benefit, school support, and back-to-education schemes.

Monthly child benefit payments will be reduced by €10 for the first and second children, €18 for the third, and €20 for the fourth and subsequent children from the beginning of next year. The changes will leave a family with three children €456 less off.