Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

On 23 February 2011, the Tánaiste stated "Labour will not cut child benefit because", as Labour's policy document noted, "it is the State's only recognition that Ireland remains a very expensive place to raise a child. To do so will create poverty traps, work disincentives and increase the number of children in poverty". The Tánaiste went on to break that promise, as the Government cut child benefit by €10 per month. The Government now is introducing a new tax on mothers and families, namely, the maternity tax. Women will wonder what they did to the Tánaiste or to the Government to deserve this latest attack because pregnant women will lose up to €2,500 per year to save €40 million. Women do not go on maternity leave to earn extra money and that suggestion and assertion by the Government should be withdrawn because in essence, coming on top of child benefit cuts, the property tax and cuts to family income supplement, particularly for families in receipt of carer's allowance, these are savage attacks on families and children. In some cases, this involves €450 per month for up to six months. For working women who already have made a significant contribution through PRSI and have paid substantial amounts to it, this is highly unfair because there are additional significant costs associated with pregnancy and childbirth and this particular maternity benefit always has been a cushion to protect mothers and families against such costs. The Government had choices but has made a wrong choice in this case. I ask the Tánaiste to reverse it.

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