Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 19 Dec 1996

Vol. 473 No. 3

Written Answers. - Tax Assistant Grade.

Mary Wallace

Question:

36 Miss M. Wallace asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide the full text of a letter written by the Chairman of the Revenue Commissioners during the 1964/1965 negotiations with the Collectors of Taxes in which he stated that the grade of Tax Assistant equates to that of Higher Tax Officer which is next in line to that of Inspector of Taxes and that to place tax assistants on a grade higher than that would have serious repercussions in the service. [24976/96]

Minister for Finance (Mr. Quinn)

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that there was a considerable amount of correspondence in the years 1964-5 relating to the question of the abolition of the office of Collector of Taxes and the negotiation of a compensation scheme and alternative employment for the individuals concerned. From an examination of the available files and records in this office, the following copy of a letter dated 17 Nollaig 1965 from the Chairman's private secretary to the Minister's private secretary appears to be the letter referred to in Deputy Wallace's question. The terms of the letter differ somewhat from the position reflected in the Deputy's question in that the letter states that "the annual remuneration at the rate of £1,600 equates to the maximum salary of the higher tax officer..." rather than "that the grade of tax assistant equates to that of Higher Tax Officer..." as is stated in the question.

Obviously over the last 31 years since the enclosed letter was written, there has been considerable changes in the duties and remuneration of the higher tax officer grade. If the Deputy would consider it helpful, the Revenue Commissioners would be prepared to discuss the position of the tax assistant grade with her and she could contact the Commissioners' Office directly in this regard.

P.S. 933/65.

Rúnaí Aire,

Aire Airgeadais.

I am directed by the Chairman to refer to your minute of 7 December, 1965, enclosing a copy of a letter of 1st December from the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance concerning representations received by him on behalf of certain former Collectors of Taxes.

In reply I am to state that the remuneration of former Collectors of Taxes now employed in unestablished posts in the Civil Service as Tax Assistants is governed by the provisions of paragraph 9 of the Compensation Scheme, as approved by the Government. Similarly the compensation payable is governed by the provisions of paragraphs 1 and 2 of the Compensation Scheme and the deferment of the balance of compensation in certain cases by paragraph 6. The provisions of the authorised Compensation Scheme have been strictly observed by the Revenue Commissioners and the remuneration and compensation of former Collectors of Taxes has been determined accordingly.

The Commissioners have of course no power to vary the provisions of the approved Compensation Scheme. This Scheme was sanctioned by the Minister for Finance and approved by the Government after protracted negotiations and its terms were generous. The Commissioners would strongly oppose any proposals for revision of the Scheme along the lines indicated in the letter from Mr. J.V. Hayes, a copy of which was forwarded with your minute. The annual remuneration at the rate of £1,600 equates to the maximum salary of the Higher Tax Officer which is the highest Taxes rank below the rank of Inspector. To place Tax Assistants on a salary above the maximum of a Higher Tax Officer would have very serious repercussions on the salary structure of the established Taxes grades.

Rúnaí Príobháideach,

Nollaig, 1965.