Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I sit on the Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach. This matter and public representatives' concerns about it were raised during the debate on the Finance Bill. As a legislator, I am conscious that budget 2020 was an income tax neutral budget. Some of these flat rate expenses date back a significant period, but a massive cost does not attach to them by and large. They give lower paid workers a break and are in most cases wholly and exclusively for the purpose of those workers' employment. We know from advertisements this week that many reliefs go unclaimed. We are trying to increase that. If people are to get small and reasonable amounts, I would not like to see the online process that will be embarked upon next year being made too difficult.