Benefit-in-kind increase
Deputy O'Sullivan warned that the rise in benefit-in-kind rates would cost some workers thousands of euro, including in health and medical device jobs. The Minister said the Finance Minister was aware and would examine the issue as the Finance Bill progresses.
I raised this issue last week with the Tánaiste but I believe it merits being raised here again. It relates to changes in benefit-in-kind in the new year. In January, the benefit-in-kind rate will increase from 6% to 9%, which means certain car owners will have to pay thousands of euro more to do their jobs. I am not just talking about private employers and employees here. I am speaking about people in medical device companies, nurses and others doing very important work. When the Minister assumes his new role in the new year, I hope he can give this issue the proper scrutiny it deserves.
Comment on this
I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I have seen some correspondence coming to my constituency office about this from people pointing to individual examples of what this means for them. It is an issue that the Minister for Finance is very conscious of and will be engaging with over the course of the progression of the finance Bill.
I ask the Deputy to engage directly with the Minister for Finance as that Bill is published and on Committee and Report Stages but I will raise the issue with him and relay the concerns expressed by the Deputy.