August 16, 2012

Responding to recent media leaks and reports which indicate that the Government may make drastic changes to the child benefit system, Dublin South West Sinn Féin TD Seán Crowe has called on the Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton to ‘lay off’ cutting  child benefit, which is a universal payment, but insure that urgent measures to reform and bring about a fairer more inclusive tax system are introduced and ensure that those who can afford to pay more actually pay more.

Deputy Crowe said:

“Child Benefit is a universal payment and has served Irish mothers and their families extremely well over the years. The payment supplements family incomes and in the majority of cases is used on family essentials like clothes, shoes, bills and other essential family items.

“Surely if  families have  extra or additional income this should be tackled through reform of the taxation system to make it fair, inclusive and more equitable.

“Sinn Féin has consistently called on successive Governments to implement a third rate of tax at 48% for those individuals earning over €100,000.

“The issue of the wealthy not claiming child benefit is a distraction and irrelevant as they have always been able to hand it back or simply not claim for it in the first place.

“We know from the Economic Social  Research Institute (ESRI )figures and reports that the last Budget targeted excessively and unfairly those on low and middle incomes.

“If Minister Burton and her Government colleagues were really serious about implementing progressive societal reform then they should ‘lay off ‘ child benefit and ensure that those on high incomes pay their fair share in taxes.”