This article is from page 10 of the 2011-12-06 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 10 JPG
THE REDUCTION in child benefit for the third and fourth child, allied to cuts in the cold weather allowance, will create huge problems for families in Clare.
Those measures, announced in yesterday’s budget, will spell trouble for those already under pressure, according to St Vincent de Paul in Clare.
Demand for support from the voluntary organisation has surged in the run-up to Christmas as families struggle to make ends meet.
The President of St Vincent de Paul in Clare, Cathal Oakes, said, “The reduction in the childrens’ allowance (child benefit) for the third and fourth child is going to hit families. We would be dealing with quite a few families where there are a number of children. It will put further pressure on them especially coming up to Christmas,” he said.
Mr Oakes said that cuts to the cold weather allowance will affect several elderly people across Clare.
“People who are on State benefit who don’t have specific outgoings are fine but there are a lot of elderly people with a lot of outgoings. They are dependent on small allowances,” said Mr Oakes.
“In rural parts the elderly rely on public transport like taxis. Any cuts will have a huge effect on them,” he added.