Child benefit set for €10 cut, medical-card holder prescription charges to double: Leaks

Child benefit is to be cut by €10 in next week's Budget while bills for medical card holders are set to increase with a doubling of prescription charges to €1, according to leaks published this morning.

The cuts mean child benefit will reduce from €140 per month per child to €130.

The doubling of prescription charges will apply on up to a maximum of 10 items per month.

The Irish Independent reports that the old age pension will not be reduced, but that the Government is considering reducing grants for phone, electricity, and television services for the elderly.

Meanwhile, the paper reports that people living in council houses will have to pay higher rents – with rises of €1 or €2 per week to raise and extra €50-€100 a year per house.

Finance Minister Michael Noonan said yesterday that the Budget would be tough but fair, and said there was less fear of the budget because of fewer media leaks this year.

The Cabinet met twice yesterday to discuss the health and social-welfare aspects of the Budget. Ministers will hold another special meeting tomorrow evening.