Child benefit cuts - Protect those who need it

Social and Family Affairs Minister Mary Hanafin has indicated that three different levels of child benefit could be introduced in the December budget. Obviously there are going to be some cuts.

The minister stressed that she sees her primary role as protecting the most vulnerable children. But what has been happening does not inspire confidence.

Anecdotal stories of wealthy women simply banking their children’s allowance money for foreign shopping trips have caused a certain amount of exasperation among those who are highly dependent on the children allowance. Many of the stories may not be true, but in the midst of news of outrageous bonus payments, golden handshakes and the abuse of expenses, people are being conditioned to believe that the privileged few are engaged in all kinds of abuses.

There is no doubt some recipients do not need the allowance. Some cuts should afford scope for higher payments for children in need in lower income families.

Denying necessities to children in their formative years could have enormous consequences for them and for society as a whole in later years. It is economic and social lunacy.