Oireachtas Committee to discuss two-tiered child benefit system

The prospect of adopting a two-tiered child benefit system will today be discussed by the Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection.

The prospect of adopting a two-tiered child benefit system will today be discussed by the Oireactais Committee on Social Protection.

It follows the publication of a report last month, which recommends that the current rate of €130 a month per child be slashed to €100 a month, with top-ups for low-income families.

The Advisory Group that compiled the report advised that child benefit should remain a universal payment, with savings from the base rate going towards families who are most in need.

However, the two-tiered option has been criticised on the grounds that it will hit middle income families the hardest and could serve as a disincentive for those on social welfare to return to work.

Ita Mangan - who chaired the group behind the report - will today outline its recommendations and the impact they would have if adopted by Government.