andMr. Timmins asked the Minister for Finance if it is proposed to increase the tax-free allowances under the income tax code; and, if so, when.
39.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tax-free Allowances.
38.
asked the Minister for Finance if in view of the serious depreciation in money values since the last adjustment he will in framing the coming Budget ensure that the various tax-free allowances are substantially increased.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions 38 and 39 together. Alteration of the personal allowances for income tax purposes would be a budgetary matter and the Deputies will realise that I could not, at this stage, give any indication of what proposals the Budget Statement might or might not contain.
In regard to the Budget it must be borne in mind by the Minister that there is an outcry all over the country against the present level of allowances and surely, in the case of the lower income group, the personal allowances must be increased to at least a minimum of £10 a week? I would like the Minister to bear that in mind when he is framing his Budget Statement for 7th May. I asked a similar question last year but he did not do anything about it.