The individualisation of the tax bands introuced a few years ago by Charlie McCreevy is like a fine on 2-parent families where only one goes out to work
The main changes will be as follows:
1. The wife's PAYE credit will be lost as she no longer draws a salary.
2. A Home-carers credit of €900 can be claimed
3. The wife can transfer €9,000 of her tax cut-offs to the husband (the remainder is lost)
Obviously childcare costs are eliminated which is a benefit but by-and-large, it makes more financial sense to have both parents working.
Unless you breed like rabbits!