Without a doubt, the first area on which the Fianna Fáil and Progressive Democrats Government acted in the last five years – hopefully in the next five – was child benefit. The universal payment made directly to families, in most cases to mothers, is the single most effective payment in recognising the contribution women make to the home and parenthood. It also represents a major move towards achieving the goal of ending child poverty. There is nothing worse than seeing our children go hungry or cold, or without money to engage in school or social activities.