Sir, - A proposal by The Combat Poverty Agency, advocating a universal child benefit of £25 a week, is to be welcomed. Could such an allowance be aligned to school attendance? I understand that the French operate a system of generous child benefit in conjunction with strict rules on school attendance. A child is certified, by a medical practitioner, as fit to attend school. If the child does not attend school, the benefit is not paid.
Arguments will be forwarded that such a scheme is not feasible, unconstitutional or against EU law, etc. If a fellow-EU member state can operate it, why can't we? - Yours, etc., M. Donnelly (teacher),
Bray, Co Wicklow.