£100 Child Benefit target 'completely inadequate'

5 Jun 2001

The Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed has said the current target of £100 for child benefit payments in the PPF is 'completely inadequate'. The Organisation said the Budget increase in Child Benefit that took effect yesterday is welcome progress in the fight against child poverty, and is long overdue. However the child benefit payment was never intended to cover child welfare and the cost of childcare, as Government is now presenting it. The INOU are demanding that new Income Standards for child welfare and for childcare are agreed and met.

Tony Monks, General Secretary of the INOU said
"The Minister for Finance has made it very clear that the increase in child benefit is intended to cover parents for their childcare costs. While the increase will undoubtedly make a substantial difference to many families, the Government's policy fails on two counts.

"Firstly, if the Government reach the PPF target of £100 for child benefit, it will not be adequate. It will not address the childcare costs of parents in work or those trying to get work.

"Secondly, as child benefit is not taxable, parents regardless of their income receive the same benefit. The increase is not targeted at children living in poverty."

The INOU along with other members of the Childcare 2000 Campaign and the Community and Voluntary Pillar had called for a universal taxable childcare payment. By paying childcare support via Child Benefit, very rich parents will get the same amount as those dependent on social welfare. The organisation highlighted that payments that would really help children living in poverty were not increased in the Budget.

" The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance (£63 for children under 11 and £78 for children under 17) was not increased, despite soaring inflation in clothing and footwear. Increasing this payment would have given children in low income families a better start in the new school year."

Issued Tuesday 5th June
ENDS
For further information contact:
Tony Monks, General Secretary
01 856 0088 / 087 249 6066
Noeleen Hartigan, Press Officer
01 856 0088 / 087 61 67689