Madam, - If "crafty and cunning" are the best buzz-words that Fine Gael can conjure up to describe Mr Cowen's Budget (The Irish Times, December 1st), it must be a good Budget for the country and a bad one for Fine Gael. - Yours, etc.,
BARRY FOLEY,
Blarney Street,
Cork.
Madam, - We welcome the Budget increase of €14 a week in One-parent Family Payment, but we greatly regret that the Minister for Social and Family Affairs did not increase the "income disregard" - the amount one can earn without having the payment reduced.
The fact that this has not been increased since l997 calls into question the Government's commitment to encouraging lone parents to return to work.
Cohabiting couples, where one parent is caring for a child or children, continue to suffer discrimination in the income tax system. The Revenue Commissioners treat cohabiting couples as two single individuals and do not allow any tax credit for a dependant partner caring for children. The Department of Social and Family Affairs treats cohabiting couples in the same way as married couples - i.e., it pays an adult rate plus an adult dependent rate for the couple. In both cases, couples are treated in a manner which is most beneficial to the State.
Government departments should be consistent in the treatment of families and the Budget was an opportunity to address the anomaly.
Much of the emphasis in social welfare was on redressing the cuts implemented by the previous Minister for Social and Family Affairs. - Yours, etc.,
MARGARET DROMEY,
Treoir (Federation of Services
for Unmarried Parents),
Custom House Square,
Dublin 1.
Madam, - I refer to your profile of a single worker and the benefits accruing to him or her as a result of the Budget (December 2nd). "Margaret", the 30-year-old single worker on a gross salary of €35,000, with the use of a company car valued at €25,000, owns a two-bedroom apartment in Dublin. Has there been a property crash? - Yours, etc.,
CAROLINE WHARTON,
East Wall,
Dublin 3.