Charities warn against cutting asylum kids' benefits

The Government is threatening to withdraw child benefit from asylum seeking families.

It's one of a number of proposals aimed at drumming up cash for the State. children's charities are warning that the plan will bring only small savings for the exchequer but that massive hardship would be experienced by hundreds of families.

Chief executive of the Children's Rights Alliance, Raymond Dooley, says that it is blatant discrimination.

He said he suspects the move is a deterrent to discourage asylum seekers coming to Ireland. In addition, the organisation maintain that the cuts would be a violation of children's rights.