Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I listened very carefully to Senators from across the House on Second Stage and they made a coherent case in respect of a workspace being recognised. Senators know that I am more than sympathetic to that point of view. It is not encompassed in this legislation but a coherent case has been made for it.

With regard to the point made by Senator Jillian van Turnhout, which I have raised in discussions on the matter, perception is everything. One is given an allowance and, if one is frugal in the management of the allowance and does not spend it all due to being prudent and frugal and one returns the unspent amount, it almost looks as if one has over-claimed. That is something I am trying to address. There are different ways of doing it. One can claim a lesser amount in the beginning, but that involves making an annual determination on the matter. It is a matter of handling the returns at the end and the balancing statement one is required to do. I am giving attention to that. I have seen cases in which the media presented it as though someone had over-claimed, had been caught out and was required to pay back some amount. If the person has spent the lot, the job's oxo.