A cut of €40 a month to child benefit payments for middle and high-income families is being looked at by the Government
But ministers appear to be cool on the idea of a lower rate of benefit, which was proposed by a group working for Social Welfare Minister Joan Burton
The internal advisory group in the Department of Social Welfare recommended a two-tiered system, with a flat rate of €100 a month for everybody and a top up payment for low-income families
The measure would save €200m a year. They also looked at taxing the benefit but decided this was too complicated
Child benefit payment is €140 per for each of the first two children, the third child is €148 and for the fourth and subsequent children is €160
On Monday’s Morning Focus John Cooke spoke with Niamh Kelly, spokesperson for PACUB- Protect Against Cuts to Child Benefit
and Ger O’Donnell, a listener from Newmarket on Fergus, to get their views on this potential cut
Economically we may be turning a small corner but injecting positivity and renewed focus into the business community is imperative
Businesses are operating in a new environment and a Clare business forum taking plare tomorrow aims to deliver that information to Clare Businesses
Organiser Sharon Cahir of Cahir and Co. Solicitors encouraged people to attend After the Storm- the New Business Landscape at the Templegate Hotel
Retail Excellence Ireland CEO David Fitzsimmons – one of the guest speakers- also had a word with John.
Last week Pamela O’Connell from Labasheeda was discharged from the Burren ward state of the art facility at Ennis hospital
She had a quick word with John to say that the treatment she received from both the nursing staff and auxiliary staff was second to none
In this week’s Garda Focus Clare Crime Prevention Officer Sergeant Joe Downey warned people to be extra vigilant about allowing unknown persons access to their personal information – it follows several more reported cases of a telephone scam in which the caller is falsely representing themselves as an computer technician
There’s been a substantial increase in burglaries, according to CSO crime figures released last week
If you have any information on Clare Garda appeals and wish to contact Ennis Garda Station call 065 68 48 100
The publication of a new register of every house and apartment sale over the past two years was hailed last night as a key step in instilling confidence in the property market
The new website contains the price paid for all residential properties
For the first time ever, details on the date of sale and the address, including the house number, of each residential property sold since January 2010 have been published at www.propertypriceregister.ie
The Money Doctor John Lowe had a word about this and also about water and property tax costs and PRSI rates hike potential
Bord Gais hires more debt collectors as levels of arrears rise
Renting out your house could burn a big hole in your pocket
Get in touch with your personal finance queries for the Money Doctor
See www.themoneydoctor.ie
Ennistymon native Eamon O’Loughlin has been living in Toronto, Canada for the past few decades
He is Chairman of the new Irish Canadian Emigration Centre in Toronto and publishes a magazine called Irish Connection Canada
He had a word with John before returning to Canada tomorrow after his holidays in his native Clare
Eamon helps Irish immigrants in Toronto to settle into their new surroundings – see www.irishCDN.org
John Murphy, Chairperson of the Clare branch of Birdwatch Ireland was in studio to answer your bird and wildlife queries
If you have a story, comment or query for the Morning Focus team email [email protected]
