Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)

My party's legal advice is that this applies to any body or institution where provision of a pension is possible, irrespective of whether such pension is provided. As Deputy Brian Hayes stated, that applies in the educational sector. As the Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh, acknowledged, that can apply, under the HSE and the Health Acts, to the wide range of persons such as home helps.

I put it to the Minister of State that many home helps who earn only between €10,000 and €20,000 a year, and in some cases less, bear the full brunt of a gross 5% cut because they do not pay tax, whereas for those on the higher incomes there is a net deduction because of their personal tax allowances, etc., and it is those at the very bottom of the scale who will take the highest cut.

See this speech in context