Vol. 402 No. 4
28 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Finance the present position regarding the trade union embargo in operation in the Offices of the Inspector of Taxes; the number of people whose tax affairs are affected by this embargo; and the steps which are being taken to resolve the difficulties created by the embargo so as to ensure that those entitled to income tax rebates receive them without delay.
Certain work allocations in the Offices of the Chief Inspector of Taxes have fallen into arrears because of staff shortages at the clerical level. The trade union which represents the clerical staff involved has refused, as a matter of policy, to allow its members to do the work allocations of non-replaced members.
There are at present approximately 3,500 taxpayers affected by this embargo.
The recent introduction of recruitment of clerical assistants will ease the situation. Consideration and priority will be given to the work allocations which are in arrears.
The Revenue Commissioners are making every effort to keep the level of inconvenience to the taxpayers affected to a minimum through local negotiations with the union concerned and the redeployment and allocation of staff resources whenever this is possible.
