We know already that 2,000 people die needlessly due to the cold. These deaths would be avoided if people were adequately supported in purchasing fuel. The Minister has tolled the death knell for hundreds more. The Minister chose to cut the back to school allowance by more than €50 despite the fact that the payment already falls far short of the cost of returning to school each year. Barnardos survey shows that the allowance falls short of the €270 it costs to send a child into fourth class or €500 to send a child to secondary school. The Minister is removing the allowance from children under four years of age. Some people questioned why this payment should be made to those not attending school but I remind the Minister that in 2009 the early childhood supplement was removed by the Fianna Fáil-led Government. This was a some €1,000 that many families depended on.

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