Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

It was stated at the time the 150,000 letters were issued to pensioners by the Revenue Commissioners in early January that it was estimated 115,000 of the 150,000 pensioners would have an extra tax liability. I had hoped that by today the Revenue Commissioners would have given the Minister of State an up-to-date picture of the compliance initiative and where it stood for the pensioners concerned. Pensioners in my constituency have come to me with the letter they received. Many of them were told in the letter that they had an extra tax liability but on investigation it was clear to me that they certainly did not. That was subsequently confirmed on inquiry with the Revenue Commissioners. Many pensioners were unnecessarily frightened by the letter issued in early January. The information I am seeking - if it is not yet available, perhaps the Minister will indicate when it is likely to be available - is how many of the pensioners who received the letter will actually have an extra tax liability in 2012.

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