Madam, - In respect of the Budget's attempt to deal with childcare, would it not have been better to have gone straight to the root of the problem - the private creches that are charging extortionate prices to parents, and then have the contempt to insist on payment for the duration of summer and school holidays to "hold a place for next year"?
Surely the extra €1,000 will simply go to this interest group? - Yours, etc,
PAUL FAUGHNAN,
Kiltoy,
Letterkenny,
Co Donegal.
Madam, - The general welcome for the Budget announcements in relation to childcare has disguised one fundamental shortcoming.While paid and unpaid maternity leave have been extended, there is still no provision in law for paid paternity leave - a glaring omission in a budget which is supposed to assist childcare. Expert opinion tells us that the first year is crucial in a child's life - but only, apparently, in relation to the mother and not the father! - Yours, etc,
MICHAEL McLOUGHLIN,
Riverwood Heath,
Dublin 15.