Sir - What kind of society is Charlie McCreevy trying to create? I am angry because, as a stay-at-home mother, I see my chosen work has been devalued. I choose to nurture my 11-month-old baby and two-year-old child despite the loss of income. I knew it was a job that was undervalued because it is unpaid, but now it's official. According to this Budget we now live in a country where the rearing of children has no value because it does not contribute to GNP.
Is money and wealth creation all we now value? Is the idea to get all out into the workforce so we can raise the standard of living and diminish our quality of life?
Mr McCreevy wants to draw people into the workforce, but there are so many people who want to work but find it difficult to get jobs. What about doing something to give these people the skills, experience and encouragement to get into the workforce. Give people high-quality training and don't underestimate their ability. Stop patronising them and invest in them. As it is , very many able, intelligent, talented people are excluded from the system and from the benefits of the Celtic Tiger.
Give choice to a parent who wants to invest time in the development of her/his child; and give choice to those who are excluded from the generation of wealth in the country. - Yours, etc.,
Anne Kelly, Forglen Terrace, Fermoy, Co Cork.