Sir, - During the various referendums on European Union, the public was assured that the Irish Constitution would not be superceded by these additions. We hope that the Government will remember this and will provide tax relief for childcare for all children, and not just those cared for by paid carers.
With so many still unemployed, it is hard to understand why the EU Commissioner, Mr P. Flynn, wants to induce mothers to work outside the home. The European concept of a home, where the mother returns after a day's work outside and where the house is empty all day while the children are looked after elsewhere, could not appeal to many as a vision of home life.
The child tax-free allowance was for many years 57 per cent to 66 per cent of the single adult tax-free allowance; this was gradually reduced and finally removed altogether, perhaps in acceptance of EU anti-child policies. The monthly child benefit in no way compensated for this deprivation. Even this benefit was increased only every second year, when all other social welfare allowances were increased yearly.
To give tax relief to some parents and ask the one-income family to make a greater contribution in tax to pay for that relief is unjust, inequitable and unconstitutional. - Yours, etc., M. Kennedy,
The Irish Family League, Baile Atha Cliath.