Sir, - As the self-employed mother of a six-year-old and one-year-old, I was quite shocked with the very high percentage of callers to radio shows who seem to believe that this Budget will somehow cause a breakdown in family values and damage the fabric of our society.
Those expressing this view have very little respect for people like myself who work very hard, whose families are by no means dysfunctional, and who are very proud of our families and our values.
Many of my women friends in their thirties have given up work because they have children, but not because they wanted to. Most of them gave up work because the financial strain of childcare costs was proving to be too much. Given the choice, most of them women wanted to stay in work. Perhaps this Budget actually helps to make that choice for those who are paying anything from £6,000 to £14,000 a year for childcare (after tax).
Finally, I was quite surprised at the total lack of respect from some callers for child-minders and childcare facilities in Ireland and I would like to lend a word of support for the many very professional child-minders out there who take pride in their work also and who make it possible for me to do mine. - Yours, etc.,
Antonina Ni Dhuinn, The Weir, Kilkenny.