Sir, – The report by the advisory group on tax and social welfare is a welcome development (Mary Minihan, Front page, February 20th). The debate on the reform of child benefit has until recently been taking place in a circular ill-informed vacuum. That said, some of the concepts in the report are not too dissimilar from the proposals made in the National Recovery Plan 2011-2014 by the then Fianna Fáil-led government.
Indeed, like such proposals as property tax and other delicacies that we all now have to endure due the incompetent and reckless management of the economy up to 2009, the reform of child benefit is being disowned as an unwanted orphan by Fianna Fáil.
Reform of child benefit is necessary. It does, however, have to be taken in the context of supports for children and addressing scourge of poverty. It is part of a much wider ongoing reform process in social protection. It seems apt that a white paper on welfare policy and employment activation is now warranted as a matter of urgency.
Further reform has to take place in a policy context that addresses the current economic situation, the direction of employment policy and the fight against poverty. – Yours, etc,