Sir, – Aisling McNiffe (August 31st) outlines the problems of parents with special needs children. Her six-year-old son who is classed as severe to profound can only receive one hour at school each day due to the shortage of special needs assistants. This situation is totally unacceptable in this day and age. On the same page your Editorial states that Ireland spends only 4.7 per cent of GDP on education which it states is close to the bottom of the OECD league table.
Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn says a debate is required on this. This is what ministers say when they want to do nothing. No debate is required. It is up to the Minister and the Government to properly fund education in this country.
The Minister must put more money into education. He can do this by persuading the Government that income tax on higher and middle earners should be increased. The effective tax rates (total income tax including PRSI, etc, as a percentage of gross pay) paid by high and middle income earners are very low.
This would be a much better option than more cutbacks to items such as blind pensioners’ payments and carers’ allowances. – Yours, etc,