Child Benefit Proposals Under Review

Comprehensive suggestions surrounding the issue of child benefit, including the introduction of a Scandinavian-style childcare system, will be considered by the government, Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton has said.

Speaking on Wednesday morning, Mr Burton said a dialogue was underway on the matter with the Department for Public Expenditure and Reform and the office of the Minister for Youth and Children Affairs.

Currently child benefit is paid as a universal welfare payment to all families with children, regardless of their financial circumstances and costs the State an estimated €2 billion a year.

Ms Burton, who has received an expert group’s report on child and family income supports, said she advocated the retention of a “strong universal element” but that it could be combined with additional services in relation to pre-school and after-school services.

“In Ireland we pay relatively high cash payments [to parents]. We don’t for instance recognise children in the tax code. Two spouses both get tax allowances but the children, if they have children, don’t,” she told the Pat Kenny show.

“In Scandinavian countries there is a better mix of cash supports by the State with services available either at no cost or with low cost for instance to children in terms of pre-school and after-school care.”

(H)