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16/06/2015
Govt Accused Of Targeting One Parent Families
The government has been accused of promising tax breaks for the well-off while cutting essential support to for one parent families, according to Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan-Monaghan Brendan Smith.
Deputy Smith said: "There are almost 1,800 one parent families across Cavan and Monaghan who are dependent on this payment. For many it is the difference between them staying on top of their finances or falling into poverty. Over the last three years, this Government has consistently chipped away at the payment by changing the income thresholds and reducing the age criteria.
Deputy Smith claims that these families are set to be "targeted once again", with parents put under increasing financial pressure.
Deputy Smith added: "On the one hand we have Minister Burton claiming that she hasn’t touched core social protection benefits, when the reality is that over the past 4 years she has cut child benefit, taxed maternity benefit and slashed the Back to School Allowance. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
"The Government needs to reassess its priorities and ensure that those most in need are protected. These latest changes are cruel and unnecessary and will just add to the financial burden that families in Cavan and Monaghan are already under. Instead of plumping up big business interests, the Minister should be arguing the case for directing any extra resources to essential supports and improved services."
(MH/CD)
Deputy Smith said: "There are almost 1,800 one parent families across Cavan and Monaghan who are dependent on this payment. For many it is the difference between them staying on top of their finances or falling into poverty. Over the last three years, this Government has consistently chipped away at the payment by changing the income thresholds and reducing the age criteria.
Deputy Smith claims that these families are set to be "targeted once again", with parents put under increasing financial pressure.
Deputy Smith added: "On the one hand we have Minister Burton claiming that she hasn’t touched core social protection benefits, when the reality is that over the past 4 years she has cut child benefit, taxed maternity benefit and slashed the Back to School Allowance. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
"The Government needs to reassess its priorities and ensure that those most in need are protected. These latest changes are cruel and unnecessary and will just add to the financial burden that families in Cavan and Monaghan are already under. Instead of plumping up big business interests, the Minister should be arguing the case for directing any extra resources to essential supports and improved services."
(MH/CD)
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