Doherty: Coalition are 'going after children'

Sinn Féin says the latest budget leaks about cuts to child benefit shows the coalition is "planning to go after children".

A €10 cut across the board in the payment has been pencilled into Brendan Howlin's portion of the budget for next Wednesday.

Pearse Doherty claimed that: “It was the children’s shoes before, now it’s taking the clothes off their backs. But it doesn’t surprise me.”

Meanwhile, one member of the Cabinet says reports of major rows between ministers are "grossly exaggerated".

Ministers gathered twice yesterday for special budget meetings with health and social protection the main areas for discussion.

Sources say exchanges in the cabinet room have turned into blazing rows at times and although Richard Bruton didn't deny the heated exchanges, he said they have been blown out of proportion

Ministers return to planning the budget at a special meeting tomorrow.

Meanwhile, in a separate statement, Sinn Féin's Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin said cutting child benefit would be a breach of the Labour Party's coalition pledges.

"Any attempt to cut Child Benefit would be a blatant breach of election pledges from the Labour Party which, before the general election, described proposed Child Benefit cuts by Fine Gael as a 'cut too far'. The Labour Party put posters up across the state claiming that it would protect Child Benefit.

"Just a few short weeks ago we had the Children's Referendum to strengthen the rights of children in the constitution. It would be an outrage if, in the wake of the people passing of that amendment, this government were to attack Child Benefit, a cut that would hit the most vulnerable children and families the hardest.

"For his part James Reilly, as Fine Gael Health spokesperson, opposed the imposition by Mary Harney of prescription charges for medical card holders. Not only has he failed to abolish the charges as he demanded in opposition, but he now proposes to increase them."