EU blocks linking child benefit to school days

Attempts to save the State money and replace child benefit payments with a school attendance allowance would be frustrated by EU regulations, the social protection minister has warned.

Joan Burton has received cost-saving proposals which would also remove payments to parents who may be resident in Ireland but whose children are in education abroad.

However, radical proposals by Independent TD Denis Naughten have been shot down by Ms Burton, ahead of her own budget plans, which are expected to seek millions of euro in savings.