A chara, – Our Government is seriously considering cuts in child benefit rates in the same week it was reported that 224 of our 226 TDs and Senators received allowance payments totalling over €750,000 for August, despite there being no meetings of the Dáil, Seanad or any Oireachtas committee.
On top of this disgraceful behaviour, the Comptroller and Auditor General’s annual report for 2011 published last week highlighted a litany of errors, including the fact that 555 contracts worth €266 million were awarded without a competitive procurement process.
There are plenty of obvious areas where our Government can save significant amounts of money. Tony Blair comes to mind: It is not an arrogant government that chooses priorities, it’s an irresponsible government that fails to choose. – Is mise,
A chara, – Considering that the costs of child care are usually €800 per month, it is practically impossible for families to have more than two children unless both parents have very high incomes, did not buy their house or apartment between 2002 and 2009 and have very steady jobs.
Perhaps before the Government considers cutting child “benefit”, it should consider who will be paying our pensions in the years to come. – Is mise,
Sir, – This Government, like the last one, has never had the bottle to take on their bed-fellows, the high-income earners. The proposed cuts to child benefits which will inflict more misery and hardship on the poorer section, is further proof of the Coalition’s cowardice and selfishness. – Yours, etc,