Reactions To Budget 2000

A Chara, - Having listened to the annual complaints from the various groups and organisations regarding the Budget "give-away…

A Chara, - Having listened to the annual complaints from the various groups and organisations regarding the Budget "give-away", I have become even more aware of how the country perceives the taxpayer.

I was delighted when I heard that as an average PAYE worker, I would be £20 a week better off. Let me the set record straight. I am an average PAYE worker, earning £12,000 a year. I pay PRSI and 24 per cent tax. I will not be £20 a week better off. I will be £20.46 a MONTH better off.

It makes me sick to listen to people on the dole complaining about their £4 a week pay-rise and cribbing about "how well the taxpayers did". I am £4.77 a week better off AND have to contribute to the tax that funds the dole payments. I don't see how I have benefitted more than social welfare recipients. - Yours, etc.,

Lisa Daly, Glanmire, Co Cork.