PRESS RELEASE

09/12/2005

Letter to the Examiner re Budget 2006

Dear Sir,

Despite what was widely acknowledged as a balanced and inclusive budget, your paper seems intent on burying good news with misleading and negative headlines.

Under the new childcare package families with 2 children under the age of 6 will receive 5,600 Euro per year in direct financial assistance. The reality is this will do much to address the needs of both working and stay at home parents. Furthermore, funds will be provided to support the creation 50,000 new childcare places will be provided by 2010.

You also chose to headline a record number paying tax at the top rate. This is deeply misleading as the budget changes mean that the proportion paying tax at this rate will fall in 2006. A record number and proportion of earners will be exempt from income tax in 2006.

This government is working to make Ireland a better place to live, work and raise a family.

Yours etc
Billy Kelleher