Centra's "Children's Allowance Day" Beer Offer

[busby]

"CENTRA HAS APOLOGISED and said that it is withdrawing its controversial promotional leaflet advertising beer offers as part of its ‘Children’s Allowance Day Deals’.

The company said in a statement that it has instructed the retailers who had been distributing the leaflet, two in Dublin and one each in Wicklow and Offaly, to withdraw the promotion immediately.

It follows heavy criticism from retail groups, alcohol awareness groups, politicians and customers for the distribution of a leaflet entitled ‘Children’s Allowance Day Deals’ which contained offers for crates of Miller and Budweiser beer among other groceries.

In a statement the company said: “Centra takes the sale and promotion of alcohol extremely seriously and has instructed the Centra retailers concerned to immediately withdraw the promotion.”

The promotion had been running in four Centra stores in Leinster including Courtney’s Centra shops in East Wall and Fairview in north Dublin, Aherne’s Centra in Kilcoole, Co Wicklow and Leavy’s Centra in Tullamore, Co Offaly."

More here http://www.thejournal.ie/centra-chil...08398-Jul2012/

Welfare state how are ya?

[rathbaner]

No story.

For most working parents the child benefit is the only disposable income. All the salary has already gone on childcare, mortgage and debt servicing by the time the child benefit arrives. Nothing wrong with a few beers for dad.

[scotscor]

No story.

For most working parents the child benefit is the only disposable income. All the salary has already gone on childcare, mortgage and debt servicing by the time the child benefit arrives. Nothing wrong with a few beers for dad.

I'd largely agree.
For me the story is the way that Barnardos and others can create a moral high ground from which people are forced to change their behaviour.

[busby]

No story.

For most working parents the child benefit is the only disposable income. All the salary has already gone on childcare, mortgage and debt servicing by the time the child benefit arrives. Nothing wrong with a few beers for dad.

For most working parents its the only disposable income? No its not. That's a farcical statement. And for those that are in that situation (working parents, not unemployed) because of morgage and debt servicing, why should the state by helping them pay back for a house/car/etc. they can't afford?

They could have at least included free condoms in the offer.

[Boo-boo]

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/new...-1226415044967


Heres how you do it.

[bazzyg]

For most working parents its the only disposable income? No its not. That's a farcical statement. And for those that are in that situation (working parents, not unemployed) because of morgage and debt servicing, why should the state by helping them pay back for a house/car/etc. they can't afford?

They could have at least included free condoms in the offer.

That lippy FF senator Averil Power was on 1.00 news with Sean O'Rourke and after she got all high and mighty he was asking was it ok for shops to advertise deals for cheese and crisps for the kids considering the health implications..umm.. aah.. well sean....ahh.


The money is to be spent by the parent, they are entitled to spend as they see fit, are some parents fit to be parents and entitled to this money is another issue altogether.

[jmccoy]

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/new...-1226415044967


Heres how you do it.

If they were to do that here I'd probably be out of the job along with another 150,000 barmen nationwide.

[Hugged Rugger]

Roisin Shortall will explode

(do it again)

[busby]

That lippy FF senator Averil Power was on 1.00 news with Sean O'Rourke and after she got all high and mighty he was asking was it ok for shops to advertise deals for cheese and crisps for the kids considering the health implications..umm.. aah.. well sean....ahh.


The money is to be spent by the parent, they are entitled to spend as they see fit, are some parents fit to be parents and entitled to this money is another issue altogether.

Parents can spend what money they get anyway they want. My point is that this allowance is now being shown up for the joke that it is.

For all people talk about the Daily Mail type herranging of 'spongers', but i think we're suffering far more from an attitude which looks to protect the welfare system as it currently is at all costs. We can't even do anything that may in some way offend people on welfare, never mind actually make the system more efficient. Take the finger print for dole collection system that was proposed, but which met with massive opposition. I have to use my finger print to get into the library and gym FFS, yet apparently it would be disgraceful if it was used for somebody to pick up a few hundred a week just to make fully sure that it's actually them.

Everybody should be entitled to a minimum standard of living in this country - acceptable housing, healthcare, ability to provide for their children, access to education, etc. But the system as it is at present takes far too many resources than necessary to do that. We now have Joan Burton suggesting that PRSI will have to be paid for this grossly inefficient system.

In Toronto where they've just suggested a tax increase to pay for a massive upgrade of the subway system, and it's meeting with a lot of support on the ground. That's the type of progressive policy we could be pursuing in this country if we sorted out this crap. It's sad that even with the Germans running the show we still have this joke shop of a taxation/public service/werlfare system.

[No. 16]

O.M.G.! Whatever about the brewskies...They were advertising Cheese in association with children too!
WTF!!??
When will people ever cop on to the serious health risks of chesse consumption especially to growing children!!?? It's been scientifically proven that children who eat cheese suffer a range of problems including....emmm....errrr.....hang on.

What's that? Fats from dairy products are actually good for growing children?

OK...They better do some more research before implementing that plan to ban potatoes. Sure, they're terribly fattening if eaten in massive quantities, but it seems they might actually have some nutritional value.

[Boo-boo]

Parents can spend what money they get anyway they want. My point is that this allowance is now being shown up for the joke that it is.

For all people talk about the Daily Mail type herranging of 'spongers', but i think we're suffering far more from an attitude which looks to protect the welfare system as it currently is at all costs. We can't even do anything that may in some way offend people on welfare, never mind actually make the system more efficient. Take the finger print for dole collection system that was proposed, but which met with massive opposition. I have to use my finger print to get into the library and gym FFS, yet apparently it would be disgraceful if it was used for somebody to pick up a few hundred a week just to make fully sure that it's actually them.

Everybody should be entitled to a minimum standard of living in this country - acceptable housing, healthcare, ability to provide for their children, access to education, etc. But the system as it is at present takes far too many resources than necessary to do that. We now have Joan Burton suggesting that PRSI will have to be paid for this grossly inefficient system.

In Toronto where they've just suggested a tax increase to pay for a massive upgrade of the subway system, and it's meeting with a lot of support on the ground. That's the type of progressive policy we could be pursuing in this country if we sorted out this crap. It's sad that even with the Germans running the show we still have this joke shop of a taxation/public service/werlfare system.

Our mothership building uses a handprint clock-in machine.

Those that object have the most to loose.

[No. 16]

Well, there'll be no beer for us this week. We're Ulcer Bank customers and the Child benefit payment didn't come in and we already spent all the money on cheese and crisps and frozen pizzas for the kid!

[DONC]

For most working parents its the only disposable income? No its not. That's a farcical statement. And for those that are in that situation (working parents, not unemployed) because of morgage and debt servicing, why should the state by helping them pay back for a house/car/etc. they can't afford?

They could have at least included free condoms in the offer.

Bit late at that stage for the free condoms

[Viigand]

Good to see my tax money going to good use, buying beer for other people.

[Grandpasimpson]

Some high and mighty sh11te going on here, an absolute nothing story. If it were the case whereby shops were accepting butter vouchers or the like for beer well then that is a different story, a shop advertises, amongst other things, cheap beer on the day childrens allowance comes out. My family receives childrens allowance, we'd be fairly screwed without it I'll let you know, but if I walked into one of those shops today and seen 20 bottles for €15 and bought them what is the problem? The money in my pocket will most probably be my own that I earned and not directly the money herself collects for the kids. But am I all of a sudden a "sponger" or "welfare cheat"? I am in my feck, most families in this country receives some form of welfare, judging by some of those on here those in receipt of said welfare should have to produce receipts for every penny spent with the appropriate amount of judgement thrown at them for it.

Our rush to the moral high ground these days is trampling over anything and everyone in the way, its nauseating.

[Viigand]

Well, as a point of principle I don't agree with paying people child benefit in the first place, taxpayers should not be subsidising people for having children.

[busby]

Some high and mighty sh11te going on here, an absolute nothing story. If it were the case whereby shops were accepting butter vouchers or the like for beer well then that is a different story, a shop advertises, amongst other things, cheap beer on the day childrens allowance comes out. My family receives childrens allowance, we'd be fairly screwed without it I'll let you know, but if I walked into one of those shops today and seen 20 bottles for €15 and bought them what is the problem? The money in my pocket will most probably be my own that I earned and not directly the money herself collects for the kids. But am I all of a sudden a "sponger" or "welfare cheat"? I am in my feck, most families in this country receives some form of welfare, judging by some of those on here those in receipt of said welfare should have to produce receipts for every penny spent with the appropriate amount of judgement thrown at them for it.

Our rush to the moral high ground these days is trampling over anything and everyone in the way, its nauseating.

Once again, i've said nothing about those getting the benefit (which is everyone) and what they should do with it. Go spend it in a brothel for all i care.

Its just this entire thing shows what a complete joke the payment is, and truth be told the entire welfare system. Those who don't have children are basically paying those who do have children a monthly sum of pocket money, regardless of need. I know of millionaires wives who go out of their way to claim it. It's paints a sad picture of this country that we're talking about raising PRSI before we're talking about totally overhauling this and other social welfare payments. We're pissing around with stupid measures like cutting disability benefit rather than making massive savings in this area. Its nonsense.

[Stanley]

No story.

For most working parents the child benefit is the only disposable income. All the salary has already gone on childcare, mortgage and debt servicing by the time the child benefit arrives. Nothing wrong with a few beers for dad.

Give or take, approx 50% of the cost of a 50cl can of beer will go to the Govt on Excist duty and vat, the money just goes around in circles.

[Balla Boy]

Give or take, approx 50% of the cost of a 50cl can of beer will go to the Govt on Excist duty and vat, the money just goes around in circles.

Of the rest, a chunk will be returned in the corporate tax on the retailer. Another chunk will go on wages, a percentage of which will be recovered in direct taxation. Of the rest of that wage cheque, some will be recovered in indirect taxation, the rest will be spent on stuff which will divvy up in the same way.

It would be interesting to know exactly how much of the "welfare euro" comes back to the state within, say, three months. And, when the state cuts a euro from welfare, how many cents are actually ultimately clawed back in a net saving?

The debate around welfare and public spending is so painfully simplistic that it would make your nose bleed. My guess is that the levers we think we're pulling aren't nearly as effective in reducing spending as we'd hope.

[busby]

Of the rest, a chunk will be returned in the corporate tax on the retailer. Another chunk will go on wages, a percentage of which will be recovered in direct taxation. Of the rest of that wage cheque, some will be recovered in indirect taxation, the rest will be spent on stuff which will divvy up in the same way.

It would be interesting to know exactly how much of the "welfare euro" comes back to the state within, say, three months. And, when the state cuts a euro from welfare, how many cents are actually ultimately clawed back in a net saving?

The debate around welfare and public spending is so painfully simplistic that it would make your nose bleed. My guess is that the levers we think we're pulling aren't nearly as effective in reducing spending as we'd hope.

We would be far better off seeking to make significant savings in social welfare by making it a much more efficient in doing what it does, and investing money in the development of essential infrastructure which would help generate employment. For me that would be a much more sustainable way of nurturing economic activity than saying "lets give child benefit to everybody and we'll get a bit of it back tough VAT". That excuse is probably the last stand of the crusade to ring fence the social welfare system.

I'll point you back to a point i made earlier of the City of Toronto seeking to increase their property tax so as to construct a much more substantial subway system. That's a forward thinking and constructive way of generating and using revenue which is totally alien to how we see to do things here.

[Stanley]

We would be far better off seeking to make significant savings in social welfare by making it a much more efficient in doing what it does, and investing money in the development of essential infrastructure which would help generate employment. For me that would be a much more sustainable way of nurturing economic activity than saying "lets give child benefit to everybody and we'll get a bit of it back tough VAT". That excuse is probably the last stand of the crusade to ring fence the social welfare system.

I'll point you back to a point i made earlier of the City of Toronto seeking to increase their property tax so as to construct a much more substantial subway system. That's a forward thinking and constructive way of generating and using revenue which is totally alien to how we see to do things here.

Unfortunately the FF Party was in Govt for too long and the guys at and near the top corrupt, just look at what happened with Metro North + in Dublin, FF have to get all their developers lined up, like the Bailey Bros, agree the route and give their friends a head start on buying up all the land along the route.

Ok, then you could bring in your Toronto idea but the cost will be astronomical as the lads have driven the price up to the Govt knowing they will pay as they control the taxpayer funds through as you say raising a property tax, maybe private/public funding co-op, the mates have bought the land cheap and will sell high to the Govt (their mates).

[Point]

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/new...-1226415044967


Heres how you do it.

The son of a friend of mine is unfortunately married to a drunken tramp who drinks the Children's Allowance money, plus the sick money from being on prolonged PND, with her mother, while her kids go without food. Recently she got him barred from the house by an idiot judge (even her solicitor couldn't believe that she got the barring order, as he has done nothing to warrant a barring order). Most of their kids are in their teens but he is scared of what she might do to their 5 year old.

[Viigand]

Fathers have no rights here, men are discriminated against as a matter of policy and law in this country when it comes to parental rights.

[Balla Boy]

We would be far better off seeking to make significant savings in social welfare by making it a much more efficient in doing what it does, and investing money in the development of essential infrastructure which would help generate employment. For me that would be a much more sustainable way of nurturing economic activity than saying "lets give child benefit to everybody and we'll get a bit of it back tough VAT". That excuse is probably the last stand of the crusade to ring fence the social welfare system.

I'll point you back to a point i made earlier of the City of Toronto seeking to increase their property tax so as to construct a much more substantial subway system. That's a forward thinking and constructive way of generating and using revenue which is totally alien to how we see to do things here.

I wasn't seeking to defend welfare spending - just pointing out that complaining about it as a cost to the tax payer isn't as simple as it appears.

The whole approach to welfare is wrong headed. It's the bill we pay for a disfunctional economy in which we accept broad unemployment, the export of jobs to Asia, the requirement of state subsidy for working incomes and the ever growing concentration of wealth in the hands of the few.

Trying to treat the bottom end of that problem in isolation is unlikely to be successful.

Shutting down every off shore tax haven in the world would achieve a lot more than publicly funded capital schemes, encouraging as the latter would be.

[scotscor]

I wasn't seeking to defend welfare spending - just pointing out that complaining about it as a cost to the tax payer isn't as simple as it appears.

The whole approach to welfare is wrong headed. It's the bill we pay for a disfunctional economy in which we accept broad unemployment, the export of jobs to Asia, the requirement of state subsidy for working incomes and the ever growing concentration of wealth in the hands of the few.

Trying to treat the bottom end of that problem in isolation is unlikely to be successful.

Shutting down every off shore tax haven in the world would achieve a lot more than publicly funded capital schemes, encouraging as the latter would be.

Unfortunately Ireland is effectively an off shore corporate tax haven.

[Cill na Martra]

No story.

For most working parents the child benefit is the only disposable income. All the salary has already gone on childcare, mortgage and debt servicing by the time the child benefit arrives. Nothing wrong with a few beers for dad.

What a truely disgusting comment. Are you Joe Higgins?

Why does dad the lowlife not have the motivation to get off his arse and find a job? Oh yeah, he's p1ssed out of his brain on child benefit beer.

These parasitic, benefit scroungers find every slithering way to fiddle the system, including the endless production of a rabble of feral, snot nosed monsters, just so that they can smoke and drink themselves to death on easy street with free health care paid for by sentient human beings like you and me.

All benefits should be cut by more than 50%. We've got to force these layabouts out of the country. The wrong people are leaving.

Where's a potato famine when you need it?

[No. 16]

What a truely disgusting comment. Are you Joe Higgins?

Why does dad the lowlife not have the motivation to get off his arse and find a job? Oh yeah, he's p1ssed out of his brain on child benefit beer.

These parasitic, benefit scroungers find every slithering way to fiddle the system, including the endless production of a rabble of feral, snot nosed monsters, just so that they can smoke and drink themselves to death on easy street with free health care paid for by sentient human beings like you and me.

All benefits should be cut by more than 50%. We've got to force these layabouts out of the country. The wrong people are leaving.

Where's a potato famine when you need it?

Grandpa Simpson! Look! Take note! This is the first person on the thread giving out about the beer being in the ad! ...I think...? (I'm not sure about viigand's post about tax money buying beer for other people though - I'm surprised he didn't know before this scandalous advertising campaign surfaced that people depended on child allowance day to get a slab of cans...or is it that if you have children you shouldn't drink any beer?)

Well anyway since it seems Cill na Martra doesn't know what the child allowance is, I assume he (?) doesn't have any children so there is still hope he may never reproduce and bring similar others into society.

See. Here's how it can work in a lot of families. Pay cheques go on food, utilities, school uniforms, etc. AND on lots of other things that should be paid for by a proper property tax like school books, school fees, even rubbish collection, etc. The equivalent amount of the benefit payment is also deducted at source and lodged to savings fund for the future financing of the child(ren)'s third level education and possible emigration. Then when the state payment hits the account (unless you are with ulster bank) that money is then used to go get a tank of petrol in the car, a slab of cans, a pack of fags, lotto tickets, a punt in the bookies, sweets for the kid(s), contraception, tabloid newspaper(s)/gossip magazines, a valet job on the BMW, a new sex toy, a bottle of the wife's favourite wine and some Kentucky Fried chicken or Pizza Hut....you get the picture.

This is all depending on the number of children of course. You'd need to have a few kids to cover all of that otherwise you'd have to sacrifice something, but that would be a tough decision and varies with the individual. This is all generally very good for lubricating the overall economy. So you see...your tax money is much more dynamic than Viigand seems to assume.

[Balla Boy]

Then when the state payment hits the account (unless you are with ulster bank) that money is then used to go get a tank of petrol in the car, a slab of cans, a pack of fags, lotto tickets, a punt in the bookies, sweets for the kid(s), contraception, tabloid newspaper(s)/gossip magazines, a valet job on the BMW, a new sex toy, a bottle of the wife's favourite wine and some Kentucky Fried chicken or Pizza Hut....you get the picture.

Sounds like a big night.

[No. 16]

That's like..."hypothetical"?

For instance...we don't have a BMW or read tabloids and gossip magazines or go to the bookies...

[Balla Boy]

That's like..."hypothetical"?

For instance...we don't have a BMW or read tabloids and gossip magazines or go to the bookies...

Don't let Angela Merkel hear that. The latest bail out deal requires us all to buy BMW's and subscriptions to Das Bild.