Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)

I stated already that I recognise the value of the universal payment, which is one of the few universal payments in the Irish welfare system. It is particularly valued by those parents providing the care, which is usually the mother, although there are increasing numbers of fathers parenting on a full-time basis. In reforming child benefit we must achieve a targeted system that will utilise a universal payment while regarding other payments, such as child dependant allowances and family income supplement. We must achieve the best of both systems but, importantly, provide a very clear path for parents to be able to be in employment while continuing to receive a level of support.

I acknowledge that some people have indicated they do not require child benefit. They can certainly volunteer to surrender it to the State. People who have held office have done this and I did so during the course of the last Dáil. It is possible to surrender unwanted State payments and salaries to the Minister for Finance. It should be possible for people to surrender the payments if they so wish.

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