Campaign to Restore Universal Child Benefit
22 Nov 2007
Child Benefit used to be a universal payment paid to every child living in Ireland, regardless of family income or immigration status. In response to the enlargement of the European Union, on 1 May 2004 the Government introduced the "Habitual Residence Condition", ending the policy of universal Child Benefit payment to all children in the State. This has created an inequality between children living in Ireland. It shows clearly that government immigration policy takes priority over children's rights. It goes against international human rights law and even the government's own stated policy on ending child poverty. FLAC is calling upon the government to restore Child Benefit as universal payment for all children in the State. The campaign is supported by Congress, along with Akidwa, Immigrant Council of Ireland, Integrating Ireland, Irish Refugee Council, Jesuit Refugee Service, Migrants Rights Centre Ireland, SIPTU and the Vincentian Refugee Centre.Further information on the campaign is available on the FLAC Website.