Labour TD: Burton should consult children's groups over cut

Reports of a proposal to cut €10 from Child Benefit have caused some concern amongst Labour TDs.

One backbencher Aodhan O'Riordain has said it would be a "difficult pill to swallow" if it is not counter-balanced in other ways.

His party colleague Joanna Tuffy has said Minister Joan Burton should speak to children's groups before the Budget.

Ms Tuffy said: "One of the things that I would think what the Minister should do, if she hasn't done so already, is to organise meetings with organisations who have expertise and who are advocates for children, such as Barnardos.

"She should sit down with the groups and look at the options in that regard."

Elsewhere, economist Eoin Fahy, a former member of the Commission on Taxation, said the current child benefit system has to change.

Mr Fahy said: "You have to start a multi-year process to get this sorted out in a fair way.

"A lot of child benefit is going to people who frankly don't need it and the people at the lower end are the ones that do need it, and they are going to be hurt by the same amount.

"Nobody in the country, I think, would argue that that actually makes sense.

"It is simply a way of finding a way around these bureaucratic and administrative difficulties."