Barnardos challenges plan to cut child benefit to fund pre-schooling

Any further cuts to child benefit to fund an extra year of pre-schooling would not be welcome without wider reform of the benefit system and improved quality in current provision, says children’s charity Barnardos.

The organisation’s chief executive Fergus Finlay was responding to suggestions by Education Minister Ruairi Quinn that a second year of the free early childhood education scheme be rolled out, but that the €150m- plus cost be taken out of the child benefit budget.

The minister insists it would have long-term benefits particularly for those from disadvantaged backgrounds. He is in discussions with Children’s Minister Frances Fitzgerald and Social Protection Minister Joan Burton, who have both said they favour an extension of the early childhood scheme.