Noonan warned not to cut child benefit

The Government has been warned not to hit the “easy targets” of women and children in October’s budget with further cuts to child benefit.

The National Women’s Council is also calling for “more investment in supports for struggling families” including a second free pre-school year.

“Austerity is not working for women and children,” said its director, Orla O’Connor, who wants all spending measures announced in the budget to be assessed for their potential impact on families before being implemented.