Ógra Aontú Reiterate Need for Child Benfit to Begin During Pregnancy

Ógra Aontú have called on the Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys, to consider extending child benefit payments to kick in from 27 weeks gestation.

Speaking today, spokesperson for the group, Lúcas Meehan said: “As a student nurse I see daily the pressure that pregnancy can put on a mother and her partner. From the minute a woman finds out she’s pregnant, both her and her partner begin to worry about finances. There is massive pressure to get everything ready for the new baby. These pressures are heightened all the more by cost of living and housing crisis currently gripping the nation”.

Mr Meehan continued “The costs of clothes and babyfood alone for the newborn can be a massive expense for families. Ógra Aontú believe that the government cannot burry it’s head in the sand when it comes to these issues and needs to face the reality of the costs involved in pregnancy and in the preparation for childbirth. For this reason, we are proposing that the child benefit should begin from 27 weeks gestation. This would result in three child benefit payments prior to the birth of the baby”

“If followed through in this year's budget, this policy would greatly improve the lives of women and their children in our country. It will help alleviate some of the financial pressure involved in having a child and help give peace of mind during the pregnancy. The state must do everything it can to protect families. Aontú is a pro life party - we believe that human rights begin in the womb - and so should child benefit” concluded Mr Meehan.

CRÍOCH

The Irish political system is radically broken

In Ireland the vast majority of elected representatives put a finger in the air to check which way the political wind is blowing. They have one eye on their leaders – seeking brownie points – and another eye keeping their seat safe. If elected reps shut up and do as they’re told, they are promoted; if they stand up for what they believe in, they are demoted. No wonder we have the political class we have. No wonder one point one billion euro is being buried in a hole under the National Children’s Hospital and that Stormont is in stalemate.

Throughout Ireland, many people are now afraid to say what they feel, many are afraid to respectfully engage on a range of different topics. Many feel there is a new censorship and a new political correctness in Ireland, that opposition to the establishment is being deleted.

Respectful opposition is not the enemy. Respectful opposition is a critical element of a functional democracy. Aontú will have the backbone to stand up, without fear, for you.