Independent TD Denis Naughten says proposals to save €100 million a year by replacing child benefit payments with school attendance payments have been dismissed because the Department of Social Protection is being territorial.

Deputy Naughten says his proposals would put an end to incorrect payments as well as truancy. But he says the Department of Social Protection has dismissed them because of a lack of joined-up thinking in government.

The former Fine Gael politician had proposed that child benefit for school-going age children be removed, and replaced instead with a school-attendance payment - which would continue to be paid during the summer months for children who are in school during the year.

He says the system would eradicate fraud within the system and save the government and bring an end to parents living in Ireland claiming payments for their children who are living abroad.

He told to Breakfast here on Newstalk that he doubts the explanation from the Department that it would contravene EU law.