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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 12 Feb 1969

Vol. 238 No. 6

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tax-Free Allowances.

45.

asked the Minister for Finance if in view of the serious depreciation in money values he will immediately consider granting a substantial increase in the tax-free allowance under PAYE.

Alterations in the amounts of the income tax allowances are essentially budgetary matters which will fall to be taken into account together with other considerations at the appropriate time.

In view of the fact that this tax-free allowance has not been adjusted since 1960, and remembering the depreciation in the value of the £ as compared with 1960, would the Minister give favourable consideration to this matter?

I am always anxious to give favourable consideration to anything that will ease the burden on taxpayers, particularly those in the lower income group, but it is simply a question of money.

Would the Minister consider the fact that the basic wage is now below subsistence level and consideration should, therefore, be given to this matter?

I do not quite understand the Deputy.

May I take it the Minister has studied the facts put before this House, in his regretted absence, on a Motion by the Labour Party and, before he makes any decision, would he agree to consider this particular matter very sympathetically before the Budget?

If we have four per cent inflation next year and for the next 20 years, the Minister will have to give it much deeper consideration.

The Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries is helping the farmers to the extent of £80 million in the coming year.

The poor farm workers should be entitled to a little of that.

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