Margaret Cox (Fianna Fail)

Child benefit was not taxed in this budget and I hope it will not be taxed in the future. It should also not be means tested and should continue to be paid to the person who benefits most from it. Child benefit is a support to the family and, in the society in which we live, families are in greater need of support than ever.

I welcome this year's increases, although I am disappointed that they were not as large as expected. However, the money was available and difficult choices had to be made. An increase of €8 for the first two children and €10 per month for subsequent children brings the rates to €125.60 for the first two children and €157.30 for subsequent children, which is a significant amount on a monthly basis. I look forward to seeing further increases in payments over the next three to four years.

The back to school clothing and footwear allowance is being increased by €30 for children aged 12 and over. This payment is again directed at the family and helps support people in need. We will continue to pay, according to our PPF commitments, the child dependant allowance to persons in receipt of short-term payments for 27 weeks or more where children are in full-time education up to the age of 22 years. People might think that is not important, but one of the great things about this country is that many children from socially disadvantaged areas are now going on to full-time education after the ages of 16 and 17. They are enrolling in PLC courses, institutes of technology and universities.