Menu
07/06/2016
Clarification Needed On Child Benefit Link To School Attendance
The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Katherine Zappone, has been urged to clarify "once and for all" if child benefit is to be linked to school attendance.
Making the call, Sinn Féin's spokesperson for children Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire, said: "This rumour has spun on for long enough. The government needs to issue a statement and provide some clarity around its future plans regarding the linking of child benefit to school attendance. Minister Denis Naughton has said that it is a proposal that Fine Gael TD's have indicated they will support. This needs to be qualified, or put to bed.
"I'm surprised that this proposal has once again emerged as a possibility. It has been a remarkably poor idea from the beginning as it would disproportionally affect those children who already find themselves at a distinct disadvantage, and that come from already heavily marginalised backgrounds.
"I have oral questions with the Minister later this week and I shall be using my time to raise this issue with Minister Zappone, with the expectation of a satisfactory answer which either qualifies or quashes this ridiculous proposal. I am both hopeful and expectant that it will be the latter."
(MH)
Making the call, Sinn Féin's spokesperson for children Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire, said: "This rumour has spun on for long enough. The government needs to issue a statement and provide some clarity around its future plans regarding the linking of child benefit to school attendance. Minister Denis Naughton has said that it is a proposal that Fine Gael TD's have indicated they will support. This needs to be qualified, or put to bed.
"I'm surprised that this proposal has once again emerged as a possibility. It has been a remarkably poor idea from the beginning as it would disproportionally affect those children who already find themselves at a distinct disadvantage, and that come from already heavily marginalised backgrounds.
"I have oral questions with the Minister later this week and I shall be using my time to raise this issue with Minister Zappone, with the expectation of a satisfactory answer which either qualifies or quashes this ridiculous proposal. I am both hopeful and expectant that it will be the latter."
(MH)
Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
13 May 2016
Proposal To Link Child Benefit To School Attendance 'Short Sighted' - FF
The government proposal to link child benefit to school attendance has been described as "short sighted" and should be reconsidered, Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Social Protection Willie O'Dea has said. "The proposal to link Child Benefit to school attendance undermines the fundamental principle of the payment.
Proposal To Link Child Benefit To School Attendance 'Short Sighted' - FF
The government proposal to link child benefit to school attendance has been described as "short sighted" and should be reconsidered, Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Social Protection Willie O'Dea has said. "The proposal to link Child Benefit to school attendance undermines the fundamental principle of the payment.
05 September 2019
25% Of Pupils With Disabilities On Short School Days
One in four children with disabilities in Ireland are missing classes and opportunities to socialise with other children as they are on short school days, a new report has found.
25% Of Pupils With Disabilities On Short School Days
One in four children with disabilities in Ireland are missing classes and opportunities to socialise with other children as they are on short school days, a new report has found.
30 October 2018
Ireland Highly Ranked In Reducing Childhood Educational Inequality
Ireland has been ranked second out of 41 wealthy nations at reducing education inequality between children, according to UNICEF's latest Report Card.
Ireland Highly Ranked In Reducing Childhood Educational Inequality
Ireland has been ranked second out of 41 wealthy nations at reducing education inequality between children, according to UNICEF's latest Report Card.
08 March 2013
Summercove National School Removed From Priority List
Fianna Fáil Senator Denis O'Donovan has slammed the Education Minister for removing Summercove National School from the priority list for a new school building despite the fact it has been on this list for 12 years. Senator O'Donovan commented: "Summercove National School has been on a priority list for a new school building for 12 years.
Summercove National School Removed From Priority List
Fianna Fáil Senator Denis O'Donovan has slammed the Education Minister for removing Summercove National School from the priority list for a new school building despite the fact it has been on this list for 12 years. Senator O'Donovan commented: "Summercove National School has been on a priority list for a new school building for 12 years.
25 September 2012
Minister For Education Commits To 100 New Schools
The Minister for Education has announced that more than 100 new schools are to be built over the next five years to cope in order to cope with a “massive rise” in the number of children who will need school places.
Minister For Education Commits To 100 New Schools
The Minister for Education has announced that more than 100 new schools are to be built over the next five years to cope in order to cope with a “massive rise” in the number of children who will need school places.
-
Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:It will be cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, soon followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
