Margaret Cox (Fianna Fail)

—pensions to €200 per week in the lifetime of the Government and we are well on the way to achieving it.

Child benefit is the most significant and universally acknowledged tax free measure directed at relieving child poverty. When Fianna Fáil came into Government, child benefit was €38.09 per child and €49.52 for the third and subsequent children. This year, before the announcement of the increases on budget day, the rate is €125.60 for the first and second child and €157.30 for the third and subsequent children. That is paid from the beginning of the year. Announcements are not made in December with the payments being made in September. It comes through at the beginning of the following year.