Jillian van Turnhout (Independent) | Oireachtas source

There are many things I would like to be able to say, but I am conscious of the time constraints and the need to allow my colleagues to speak.

The Seanad has had a couple of bad days. Senators Marie Louise O'Donnell and O'Brien expressed views which are very much my own. I listened carefully to what Members had to say and then recalled that on 26 September our group had tabled a Private Members' motion on children with life limiting conditions, which proposal would have saved the State several million euro, but it was parked, as we were asked to give the Government a chance to work on it. I spoke to Senator O'Brien earlier and found out that no movement had been made on the proposal. There are choices. We have brought forward in this House proposals to save the State millions, yet this is the choice we face on the respite care grant.

For several years I have called for reform of the child benefit scheme. Why was there no cushioning for those on low incomes? I understand the children plus initiative, but it will only be based on particular geographical areas and will not cover all low-income families. The Minister has said she will discuss with the House the report of the advisory group on tax and social welfare and family and child income supports in the new year. If, as I understand, the report was sent to her several months ago, why are we waiting until the new year to publish it? Why was it not published in advance of the budget to have the necessary discussions? I will have these hard discussions and have proved myself in the House. I do not object to everything and will take tough decisions. We are very keen on meeting our obligations to the troika, but the State has an obligation also to the United Nations under Article 18 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child which obliges the State to support parents and legal guardians to care and provide for their children. An attack on the child benefit payment is unacceptable because it impacts on children living in poverty.

The cuts to child benefit in the last budget came to ¤44.7 million, but this year the Government proposes cuts amounting to ¤136 million, which is enormous. On Tuesday the Minister told the House that the cut would be ¤10 in respect of the first, second and third child, but that is not true. The rate for the third child will be cut by ¤18 and the fourth by ¤20. These are the facts and they should be given correctly. I welcome plans for reform, but I regret what has happened in the past few days in the House. I have tried to play a constructive role, but we have been dealt with unfairly. I will, however, continue to play my role.