Dáil Question to the Minister for Finance

To ask the Minister for Finance the feasibility and cost of taxing child benefit for high income earners who may fall over a defined high income threshold; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Finance ( Mr Noonan) :          
As the Deputy will be aware, the position is that there is no specific proposal in the Programme for Government to means test or tax child benefit payments.  

It is a longstanding practice of the Minister for Finance not to comment in advance of the Budget on any tax matters that might be the subject of Budget decisions.