Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)

The living alone allowance, over 80 age allowance and fuel allowance are still in place and are very important. When the carbon tax is introduced a system will be established to assist people who have difficulty with the higher fuel bills that will result. None of this is mentioned by Opposition Deputies who also ignore the fact that the cut in child benefit will not affect hundreds of thousands of children owing to an increase in the qualified child rate. This is a progressive step.

I would have preferred if the Minister had been able to enact a scheme under which many higher earners would no longer be paid child benefit. While this was not possible, I urge the Minister and Minister for Finance to examine this issue over the next year to ascertain what is the fairest and best approach. I am not convinced a universal payment is the fairest or best system.

I support this Bill with a feeling of sadness that these measures must be taken. However, the consequences of shirking our responsibilities would be too great.

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