Change the system

I HAVE a grievance with the method used to assess students for higher education grants.

A letter from Education Minister Mary Hanafin’s office states that the system is in operation since 1983 and there are no plans to change it. Under this outdated system, PAYE workers only are assessed on gross income. I know this is extremely unfair as in many cases the gross income is not an accurate indication of actual net earnings.

I propose that the system is changed so that all workers, whether self-employed or PAYE, are assessed on net income only.