We could eradicate child poverty in Ireland by targeting Child Benefit instead of offering it out to “everyone in the audience”, Shane Coleman has said.

It emerged this morning that Government is bringing forward plans to extend Child Benefit payments to families of 18-year-olds who are still in school.

The change will affect around 60,000 families, ensuring they are entitled to an extra year of the payment.

The Government had initially planned to make the change in September; however, Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys has decided to move it forward to May 1st.

Child poverty

On Newstalk Breakfast this morning, Shane said the move is the first shot fired by the Government in the run-up to the next general election which is expected to be held at the end of the year.

“Personally, I would either tax or means test Child Benefit,” he said.

“I think giving Child Benefit to people who can afford to buy a new car, who can afford to go on three or four holidays a year, I don't think that's a good use of taxpayers’ money.

“We have a problem with child poverty in this country; It is a small percentage of people affected by it, but you could eradicate that problem if you targeted Child Benefit [that way].

“There's no votes in doing that though. There are more votes in having a broad brush, one for everyone in the audience and that's it.

“It will never change; I'm not under any illusions that it will ever change, but personally, I don't agree with it.”

Child Benefit

Fellow presenter Ciara Kelly said she is quite happy to accept Child Benefit even though she has a well-paid job.

“We're all taxpayers and an awful lot of taxpayers get very little back for their tax,” she said. “A lot of people do feel like they are just the payers in.”

“I pay tax at the same rate as everybody else in this country and I wouldn't mind but the only things I've ever gotten, personally, are Maternity Benefit and Child Benefit and I’m glad of it and I want it and it doesn't feel like I don't need it.

“I recognise there are people worse off, there are always going to be people worse off, but there's an awful lot of people in this country who feel like they pay in all the time and they don't get much out.”

She said she believes in equality of opportunity and doing everything possible to ensure all children have the same start in life – but she rejects the “Communist idea that we all have to have the same”.

“That's not how the world functions; it just simply isn't and look, I recognise the unpopularity of what I'm saying,” she said.

“I think this is not a popular opinion but it doesn’t really matter whether it is or not – I am glad of it and I’ll find a use for it.”