Child allowance cuts driven by EU agreement

SOCIAL and Family Affairs Minister Mary Hanafin recently confirmed that children’s allowance/child benefit will be affected by budget cuts, something Finance Minister Brian Lenihan first suggested in the last budget.

The threat to children’s allowance in the next budget is causing real concern among families who have already been severely affected by the provisions of the last two budgets.

In exchange for children’s allowance for all children and early child allowance for young children, Mr Lenihan has promised one year’s free preschool for every three-year-old child .

No one who has complained to me is against preschool or the jobs it will create.

In fact, the general feeling seems to be it is long overdue as an option for parents who feel their children would benefit. What parents are against is the loss of the support, flexibility and choice that child-focused payments provide for childrearing.

Parents need the freedom to make decisions for their children and the support — including the financial support — to enable them to do so.

With the children’s allowance under threat, parents have a right to know why the Government proposes largely and permanently to eliminate it for many families in exchange for one year’s free preschool for three-year-olds.

In 2002, the Government signed up to the EU Barcelona Agreement. Among other things, this commits all EU member states to have 90% of children in childcare from their third birthday by 2010.

The Government’s lack of support for childcare, for preschool and for early intervention over the years means it is a long way from meeting its Barcelona commitment.

The clock is now ticking.

The Government has until January next to have 90% of three-year-olds in an out-of-the-home service (whether parents want one or not).

Our leaders, always obedient Europeans, intend to meet their EU target regardless of impact.

This accounts for the one-year free preschool for this Barcelona-targeted age group, beginning when the deadline is reached in January.

Clawing back on children’s allowance has nothing to do with the good of children. It is a way of meeting an EU commitment and making savings in the process.

Kathy Sinnott

Chair

Hope Project

St Joseph

Ballinabearna

Ballinhassig

Co Cork