Mayo Sinn Féin Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Leave Child Benefit Alone - Ruane

Published: 8 September, 2009

Sinn Féin Councillor, Thérèse Ruane, responding to the Commission on Taxation proposals to tax child benefit, insists that this is grossly unfair, and would create real difficulties for families as they struggle to make ends meet. She also claims that this would push women out of the workforce and into social welfare dependency and poverty.

Thérèse Ruane said:

"We're already at the bottom of the European league table on child poverty. One fifth of Irish children already live in households at risk of poverty in Ireland today, and a new report published on 1 September last shows that child poverty here is the sixth highest of all 30 developed nations. It would be a scandal to tax child benefit; child benefit is the best means of tackling child poverty. We cannot accept any decision that will drive our children deeper into poverty."

"Families and women in particular depend on child benefit to pay for essential needs of their children. We are already paying exorbitant amounts on childcare in this country. Would the taxation of Child Benefit take this into account?"

"I believe that taxing child benefit would make it even more difficult for women to take up employment and that many women would be forced back into the home. They couldn't afford to go out to work."

"It was Fianna Fáil who said that Child Benefit was for the well being of "all our children". Child benefit is a crucial part of family income. It should leave Child Benefit alone."