Sir, – I realise we are in the political silly season and some politicians like to keep their names in the public domain, but, for The Irish Times to fall for the latest wheeze from Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton with the banner headline “Measure will allow wealthy to hand back child benefit” (August 14th) I find amazing. The Minister knows, and so should you, that child benefit is not compulsory. In fact, if you leave it uncollected for more than three months, you’ve lost it.
The Minister’s suggestion to tax child benefit for those earning over €100,000 is just another appeal to the mob. If she is serious, and in the present financial situation, all social benefits must be seriously assessed, the most equitable method would be to oblige all citizens to file an annual tax return, to include all State benefits. So all those in the tax net would be taxed and those outside it would not. It is not rocket science.
As a pensioner, I benefit greatly from the present system so if it doesn’t alter I won’t shed any tears. – Yours, etc,