The Children’s Rights Alliance believes that the existing child income supports are not sufficiently targeted at the poorest children.  The same three instruments – Child Benefit, Qualified Child Increase and the Family Income Supplement – have made up income support payments for children in Ireland since the 1980s, yet this scenario was, from the outset, considered a temporary measure.   Now, as the country faces tough economic choices, the case for fundamental reform is stronger than ever.  Tinkering with existing payments will no longer do.