PRESS RELEASE

Deputy Kelleher Welcomes Pro Family Measures in Budget

This years Budget is the most pro family budget in our history and does more for Children and parents then ever before," said Deputy Billy Kelleher. "I am particularly pleased by the Minister for Finance's decision to increase the children's allowance by £25 per week for the first and second children and by £30 per month for third and subsequent children. This increase is unprecedented and will go a long way in ensuring that parents are given proper assistance in providing for their children and help eliminate child poverty," said the Cork TD. "Parents should not have to struggle in order to bring up children in today's society. Proper allowances for children are a hallmark of a healthy and caring society. This Fianna Fáil led Government has shown itself to be the most caring and pro-family this country has ever had. It is not just about spending money. It is about how you choose to spend it. The areas in which a Government chooses to spend it's money demonstrates the issues it regards as important. Fianna Fáil's record on helping children and families over the last four years demonstrates the type of caring society we want to create," continued Deputy Kelleher. "When this Government took office in 1997, child benefit was payable at a rate of £30 per month for the first and second child and at £39 for third and subsequent children. This budget means that child benefit will now be payable at a rate of £67.50 for the first and second child and £86 for the third and subsequent children. We have promised to increase child benefit to £117.50 and £146 respectively by 2003," he said. "The budget also includes other measures designed to help children and parents. Paid maternity leave has been extended by 4 weeks, as has adoptive leave entitlement. This allows mothers a total of 26 weeks leave in the period surrounding the birth or adoption of their child. We should not forget that the reductions in both tax rates by 2% and the widening of tax bands will also greatly benefit parents and families," concluded Billy Kelleher TD.