High tax rates at relatively modest income levels create a strange reality in Ireland: very few people are truly poor, but very few people feel truly rich either
Ireland has a progressive tax system in which the rate of tax rises with an increase in income. Photo: Getty
Sitting in a restaurant in Carrigaholt, Co Clare recently, my older son looked through the menu and said, “Is it OK if I have the surf and turf?” Having a quick browse of the menu, I noticed the cost of the meal was €37. “Ummm, could you have a burger?” was my initial reaction.
This was one of those money crossroads: do I push back here and make money an issue, or do we enjoy the experience, knowing it is a rare night out as a family?