Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this Private Members' motion. Children simply want to do the things they do, that is play, have friends and grow up safe. Parents want to provide for children as best they can. Child benefit is one of the most important payments for low-income families to ensure they can do that. Yet, 96,000 children go without the essentials needed for an acceptable standard of living in this country.

The CSO survey of income and living conditions in 2010 shows the percentage of those at risk of poverty has grown to almost 16%. Any reduction in child benefit will send these figures rocketing. According to the Constitution, families are the primary and fundamental unit of society and are indispensable to the welfare of the nation and the State. There is a constitutional obligation to protect children. Vulnerable children cannot be scapegoated in this budget. Across-the-board cuts in child benefit will hit every one of the 96,000 children who are currently in danger directly. I urge the Government to make sure in budget 2012 children are not punished further.

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