'Santa Cowen turns into Scrooge'

The Children’s Rights Alliance has disagreed with Brian Cowen that 'important thresholds have been met' with regard to eliminating child poverty in this afternoon's Budget.

The Alliance said: "If the Tánaiste was serious about eliminating consistent child poverty, a promise already broken this year, he would have targeted the most vulnerable children in our society in today’s budget. We do not agree with the Tánaiste that ‘important thresholds have been met’ as he has failed to protect the ‘poor and vulnerable’; the one in nine children living in consistent poverty."

According to the alliance, the Budget brought no increase in medical cards, while the cost of healthcare is increasing.

They also said the €2 increase in the Qualified Child Allowance is not good enough and will barely pay for a block of cheese - €13 was the minimum sought by experts in the field, while the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance will increase by €20, when what was really needed was €50-100 increase.

They said they had recommended a €60 rise in Family Income Supplement income thresholds, whereas Mr Cowen increased it by €10.

They said: "The Tánaiste’s actions this afternoon have fallen well short of what has been promised and has left us wondering if this Government only trades in empty words. We are disappointed and he’s proved himself to be more of a Scrooge than a Santa Cowen."