Brennan pledges Budget increases for children, pensioners

The Minister for Social and Family Affairs has promised that Wednesday's Budget will contain significant increases in benefits for children and pensioners.

Seamus Brennan was speaking following the Taoiseach's comments yesterday that the Government wants to help the less well-off and that the bulk of spending next year will go on social welfare, health and education.

Child benefit is expected to rise by only €6 to €8 per month in this week's Budget, but Mr Brennan said today that he was planning a new welfare payment specifically targeting children at risk of poverty.

He said he was committed to making real progress in honouring his objective of ending child poverty.