Give child benefit to Barnardos and ISPCC

Early news bulletins this week carried the sad news that Barnardos’ extreme financial difficulties has led to the temporary closure of its Irish offices.

But an obvious solution to its financial predicament seemed to present itself in a separate news item within the same updates: Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton, is preparing the way for wealthy parents to be able to decline child benefit payments.

While Minister Burton would seem to favour these unwanted or surplus monies being returned to State coffers, a vastly better solution might be this. Wealthy parents could choose to donate child benefit payments directly to Barnardos, and the ISPCC, also struggling to maintain its vital services to children in need.

When privileged parents directly sign over their child benefit payments to these organisations, who provide invaluable help for children in dire need, they may also feel a greater empathy for less fortunate children, a sense of direct involvement in their lives.

Signing governmental forms to decline payments would be a far more emotionally uplifting and socially beneficial experience.

Imelda O’Connor

29 Castle Hill

Carrigaline

Co Cork