A chara, - Tax relief for parents will not add an extra penny for those whose income is less than their tax-free allowances, or who have no income. The reintroduction of tax-free allowances for children would benefit only those parents whose incomes are greater than their present tax-free allowances.
Surely all families should be treated equally. This can best be achieved by the direct payment by the State of an adequate children's allowance to parents, irrespective of their income.
On the basis that all should contribute to society according to their income, and should benefit from society in accordance with their need, State allowances should, for income-tax purposes, be deemed as income of the recipients. On that basis, poor and disadvantaged parents would receive loo per cent benefit from children's allowances, and others would receive less in accordance with their means. - Is mise, le meas,
RUAIDH, Cluain Tarbh, Baile Atha Cliath 3.