NWCI reaction to proposals on child benefit

Published: Tuesday, November 10, 2009

The National Women's Council of Ireland (NWCI) responded to the Minister of Social and Family Affairs, Mary Hanafin's proposals to create three different bands for Child Benefit payments as fundamentally flawed as there is no recognition for the costs of childcare to families. 'At a time when it is reported that 300million has been lost in the deal to save Anglo Irish Bank, the obsessive focus by the Government on cutting Child Benefit as if it was the only source of savings at this critical time is unacceptable' stated Orla O'Connor, NWCI Head of Policy. The impact of these proposals will be to force many women out of work and leave women working in the home with less support. For families where women are now the main breadwinner, it will cause increased financial strain and stress on the family at a time when they need most support.

Childcare costs of €800 per month must be part of the picture in the decisions that are being made in this Budget. Families in Ireland are experiencing enormous financial strain due to redundancies, reduced working hours and reductions in pay. 'Childcare costs are second to mortgage payments in terms of family expenditure, to consider the incomes of families in relation to cutting Child Benefit without taking this cost into account shows the complete disregard this government has for women, mothers and families. €166 per month Child Benefit barely covers one week childcare for most families' she continued.

'The fact that Child benefit is the only payment that parents have to pay for all of the costs in relation to children is a result of failed Government policy with regard to childcare both inside and outside of the home. The NWCI has long advocated a different approach to establishing a subsidized childcare infrastructure and recognizing the work of mothers in the home on par with other European countries' stated Ms O'Connor.

The NWCI also welcomed the announcements by Enda Kenny , T.D. and Leader of Fine Gael and Eamon Gilmore, T.D. and Leader of the Labour Party that they would ringfence the Child Benefit and find alterative ways to make savings for the Exchequer.