Targeting teachers is simply not fair

YOUR recent editorial comment (Nov 30) relating to teachers is a curious mix of inaccuracy, misinformation and omissions.

A combination of pay cuts, levies and charges has seen my take home pay drop by almost 24%. I do not object to this, but I do believe in a progressive tax system where those who earn most should contribute the most.

Simply targeting one section of the workforce while ignoring much higher earners is simply not fair or equitable, no matter how much your editorial suggests that it is. As has been pointed out by many commentators, such as Fergus Finlay and the late Garret FitzGerald, our tax take is one of the lowest in the EU.

The cuts are even deeper for newly-appointed teachers. Like all public servants they start on a salary 10% lower again, then suffer a further 4% reduction for simply being teachers. They will be forced to contribute to a pension scheme for well over 40 years in order to receive a pension which in actuarial terms will be less than they originally contributed.

One must also not forget that the majority of teachers under 30 are not in permanent positions but survive on part-time and casual work.

Kevin P McCarthy

Meadowlands

Ardteegalvan

Killarney,

Co Kerry