Madam,
The Minister for Transport, Noel Dempsey, (Home News, August 7th) spent €13,000 to facilitate his recent trip on the Government jet to the MacGill Summer School in Glenties, Co Donegal.
His driver met him to further accommodate his transportation needs. He sees no shame in this and finds his actions easy to defend.
To put this into perspective, one year on the dole amounts to €10,192 (€196 times 52). A few hours of the Minister’s life during which he flippantly charged the public purse at his own discretion cost more than a year’s income of an unemployed person in this State.
A life that comprises week in, week out, scrounging, budgeting and constantly worrying that this is the week you won’t make it.
This is just another action that truly demonstrates the disconnect members of the Government have with the real purchasing power of money and how people are struggling financially in 2010 Ireland. Do they really believe they’re worth it?
Yours,etc,
Caitriona Gleeson,
Gneeveguilla,
Rathmore, Co Kerry.