“Campaign by Tara workers’ against Revenue plans to remove allowances will have Sinn Féin’s full support” – Matt Carthy MEP
Sinn Féin MEP Matt Carthy has met with workers’ representatives in the Tara Mines in county Meath to discuss the impact of a proposal from Revenue to abolish existing tax allowances. Carthy, who met with the Tara workers alongside Navan Councillor Sinéad Burke, heard how revenue is carrying out a review of the flat rate expense allowances.
He said: “Revenue is carrying out a review of flat rate expense allowances that cover the cost of equipment needed for work, including things like tools, uniforms and stationery. The review is expected to be completed by the end of this year and it is proposed that many of the allowances will be abolished. This will have the immediate impact of significantly reducing the pay of the workers affected.
“Workers in Tara Mines are organising against the current Revenue proposal to phase out the uniform allowance, other workers will undoubtedly be following suit.
“This suggestion from Revenue is simply a mechanism to take more money out of the pocket of hard-pressed workers and it should be rejected. Revenue should listen to the voice of the Tara Mines employees on this issue and provide assurances that it does not intend to get rid of this uniform allowance which is clearly necessary for these workers.
“Along with Pearse Doherty in the Dáil, who I have been already liaising with, and our local Navan representatives, Sinéad Burke and Eddie Fennessy, Sinn Féin will be leading the opposition to this suggestion from Revenue at political level. The Minister for Finance should immediately intervene to put a halt to this proposal and we will be demanding that he does so.”
ENDS
