Flat-rate expenses allowance
Deputy Munster urged the Government to abandon plans to rescind flat-rate expenses for workers, particularly at Tara Mines. The Minister said these allowances were decided by Revenue under existing legislative rules and promised to alert the Finance Minister to her concerns.
I call Deputy Munster with an appropriate question on Questions on Promised Legislation.
Comment on this
My question is on Government plans to rescind the flat-rate expenses allowance for workers. Workers in Tara Mines in Meath and trade union officials have raised serious concerns about the Revenue Commissioners' intention to rescind their flat-rate expenses allowance. These workers have had this allowance since 1986. This decision will have a serious impact on the income of all workers in receipt of this allowance. Will the Government give a commitment to abandon the decision to rescind this allowance? The high cost of living is having a serious impact on and is weighing down heavily on workers and their families. Will the Government give a commitment-----
Comment on this
-----to abandon that decision? I am not talking about deferring it or kicking the can down the road-----
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-----but abandoning it, given the effect it will have on working families.
Comment on this
I understand these are issues decided by the Revenue Commissioners from time to time in accordance with the legislative provisions as to whether particular expenses incurred would justify one individual type of worker getting an allowance that others are not getting. I am not aware that this is an issue that comes before us in the Finance Act or any of the Bills that we or the Minister for Finance deals with. I will alert the Minister for Finance to the Deputy's concern on the issue.