Sir, – While the major critique of the current wording was its patriarchal presentation of women, there has been less focus on its impact on the current taxation system (“Referendum on women in the home to be held next March”, News, November 22nd). Ireland is one of few countries which has a marital family-based taxation system. This currently enables couples to transfer their join taxation allowances (and tax bands) to one working spouse. A very high proportion of couples avail of these tax concessions, especially where there is one spouse with a high income.
This concession was seen as helping one-earner families to facilitate care of young children.
However, a couple does not have to have children to avail of it so it traditionally supported a wife for a working husband, making it not “worth their while to work”. It also has had the unintended consequence for a married man (with a non-working spouse) of paying less tax than his single co-worker. This current arrangement may well have influenced the almost 50/50 divide among the citizens’ assembly people for its removal. – Yours, etc,
EVELYN MAHON,
Opinion: ‘It’s time to move on’: Unease is growing among my friends in the tech sector
First Look: Dublin’s newest cocktail bar aims to ‘bring the glamour back to O’Connell Street’
Wisconsin election gives Democrats glimmer of hope as Trump tariff decision looms
UK pension buyback: I cannot find my national insurance number - what should I do?
School of Social Work
and Social Policy,
Trinity College Dublin,
Dublin 2.
Sir, – My suggestion is that wherever “woman” occurs we substitute “men and women”.
This might help to remind us males that we have an equal responsibility to the family and home. – Yours, etc,
DAVID PRENDERGAST,
Cork.
