Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have only recently become a member of this committee and did not receive notification of today's meeting. Therefore, I apologise for coming in so late and mean no disrespect by that.

With regard to child benefit, particularly for higher earners or households with incomes over €100,000, would it be possible to put in place a mechanism to ensure the obligatory return of child benefit? I understand that in the United Kingdom child benefit is paid, but there is an obligation on a recipient who earns over a certain amount to return that benefit to the exchequer. Are there any figures available on the possible savings for the Department here if child benefit to households earning over €100,000 was returned? Would it be possible to arrange for this and to ensure it works?

On the issue of free travel, a constituent who called to my clinic on Friday asked me whether I would ask the Minister whether she has considered allowing current recipients of free travel the opportunity to contribute to the cost of their travel. This person suggested her travel card should be replaced with a 90% discount card. Therefore, rather than getting a free train to Dublin, she would pay €8 return. She would be happy to do that and such a measure would have significant savings for the State. I would appreciate a response from the Minister on that.