A chara, – Mary Minihan reports that Simon Coveney does not think that “it’s right that somebody who’s on €200,000 gets the same child benefit payments for their children as someone who’s on €20,000” (“Further review of child benefit due, says Coveney”, Home News, December 28th).
While he may have a point at those figures, it is incorrect to make assumptions as to someone’s financial status on their salary alone.
A couple on a combined income of €90,000 may seem like they have a lot more money than a couple on a combined income of €60,000.
But the €90,000 couple may have bought in the bubble, and the €60,000 couple may not have to pay any childcare because a granny is living nearby and is prepared to do it all for free.
In addition, the €60,000 couple may have a defined benefit pension, health insurance and extra days off included in one of their packages.
Determining wealth (or lack thereof) is not a simple matter any more. The only fact is that children cost a lot more than the measly child “benefit”.
Therefore, if two people are on the same income, same mortgage, same pension arrangements, where one person has a child, the person with the child will have a lot less money. – Is mise,