Proposals to cut child benefit will push families further into poverty according to Sinn Féin councillor Rose Conway-Walsh.
According to Cllr Conway-Walsh the current Government does not appear to “understand or care” about how families are struggling to survive.
She has called on all mothers in Mayo to telephone or email Minister Joan Burton’s office to tell her not to cut child benefit.
“This is an essential payment that families are depending on to make ends meet. It is the only help that the ‘working poor’ get. If we don’t make our voices heard now we can be sure that the cuts that are currently mooted will become a reality in December’s budget,” said Cllr Conway-Walsh.
“These are the same families that pay over half their income in tax, PRSI, and the Universal Social Charge. These are the same families that pay €30 to €50 each time they visit their GP; pay up to €3,000 each year for health insurance; pay up to €120 each month on prescriptions; pay up to €650 each year for school transport; pay for school books, uniforms, and materials; pay hundreds each week for childcare; pay household charge; pay septic tank registration and every other charge. They are the ‘working poor’ who pay for everything and are left with nothing.”
Sinn Féin is once again proposing that a third rate of tax should be introduced for those earning over €100,000 to address the issue that the rich are benefiting from this universal payment.
“From an accounting perspective, the cost of trying to means test child benefit will nullify any monetary savings to Government. Currently there is a four month backlog in Supplementary Welfare Assistance applications and a 12 month waiting time for carer’s allowance applications to be assessed. Do we really want to add another waiting list for child benefit?” asked Cllr Conway-Walsh.
