Sir, – I cannot understand the Government’s decision to cut the back-to-school allowance in the Budget. Having cut children’s allowance regardless of family income, this extra cut affects only those who genuinely need the children’s allowance in the first place. This Government tells us that means testing children’s allowance is beyond its capability, yet here was an ideal opportunity to introduce it in some form by increasing the back-to-school allowance to ensure that money goes to families who need it most. It did the opposite and now it looks like the people who stand to lose most from means-testing are the poor. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – Emboldened no doubt by recent gains in opinion polls, it is noticeable that Micheál Martin and Willie O’Dea et al are once again beginning to rediscover their voices and their form. It’s as if the memory of the 14 years they spent as Government ministers presiding over and legislating for the economic ruination of our country has been eroded by the 22 months they have so far spent on the Opposition benches. Having bequeathed us the troika, the loss of our economic sovereignty, a gigantic budget deficit, mass emigration and record unemployment, common decency would require a much lengthier period of atonement and chastening. How brazen.The anger which these people now affect in protesting at the harshest budgetary provisions is deeply cynical and offensive to the most needy and marginalised whose plight Mr Martin and Mr O’Dea bear direct responsibility for as members of the last reckless and irresponsible government. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – There are no words to describe how shocking, abhorrent and unjust this Budget is. By reducing the disability grant and increasing the dispensing charge the Government is taking money from the most vulnerable, defenceless and pretty much voiceless people in our society.
If the Government is so desperate for money why not raise the universal tax for high earners to 10 per cent? Which, incidentally the self-employed are already paying at this level. It is all too obvious why.
Unfortunately no one with special needs is sitting at the cabinet table or sitting beside the Minister for Finance when he is drawing up the Budget. Mr Noonan and Howlin should hang their heads in shame. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – Regarding John Fitzgerald’s letter on the horse racing industry (December 13th). As one who follows horse racing as a hobby I would like to point out that horse racing provides much employment in this country as it is very labour intensive, attracts tourists to this country for the major meetings and our thoroughbreds are in demand all over the world.
I, like many others can enjoy racing without gambling, although I must admit to having a very occasional “flutter”. – Yours, etc,