Sir, – From memory, albeit somewhat addled by successive years of financial sensory overload, the Universal Social Charge replaced the health and income levies, which were introduced as a temporary measure at a time of national crisis. Now that the economy is more secure and the crisis is over, we should then expect that the Universal Social Charge will be reduced and gradually phased out. It would surely take a cynic to suggest that the Government would hold on to such a device merely as a vehicle to allow it to keep its election promise of not raising income taxes. – Yours, etc,
SÉAMUS McMENAMIN,
An Uaimh,
Co na Mhí.
Sir, – After Budget 2015, primary schools will have just €170 per child per year to pay for heating, electricity, water, waste disposal, insurance, cleaning, toilet rolls, hand towels, maintenance of buildings, maintenance and replacement of equipment, postage, telephone and texting, office and classroom consumables, photocopying, printer ink, first aid supplies, banking fees, security, school tours, staff training, school projects and all the other items that need to be paid for just to keep the school open and functioning.
This is less than €1 per day per child.
Even less again when you consider that primary schools pay VAT at the full rates on everything.
Can you help inform the families of Ireland that the voluntary contribution asked for by some schools is a financial necessity nowadays and along with the compulsory property tax and water fees, families should now budget for a “voluntary tax” to help fund the primary schools their children attend?
Depending on the amount of the “voluntary tax” families choose to give, we could have a discussion on investing in our children, but for now I’m just referring to paying the bills. – Yours, etc,
JOHN FARRELL,
Principal,
Galway Educate Together
National School.