Will Budget 2012 mean €8 off dole payments or €10 off child benefit?
Published: Sunday, November 20, 2011
FINANCE Minister Michael Noonan today dismissed reports of a €10 cut in child benefit as speculation and said the government had not made final decisions on the Budget yet.
The Budget, in two weeks time, would be pro-growth, pro-growth and fair he said, but did not comment on reports that a dole cut of €8 is being considered too.
Social Protection Minister Joan Bruton neither confirmed nor denied child benefit rates may be cut today.
She said this rate along with all other social welfare rates was being looked at, but no final decisions had been made.
Protecting child benefit is a red line issue, Fianna Fail social welfare spokesman Barry Cowen, said.
A dole cut of €8 a week is being considered in a desperate attempt to bridge the Budget deficit, The Irish Independent has learned.
Ministers have discussed reducing unemployment benefit despite numerous pledges from Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore that basic welfare rates would not be touched.