Marie Moloney (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I add my welcome for the Tánaiste's announcement of an expansion to the embassy network, including the re-opening of the embassy to the Holy See. At the time of its closure, he stated that he would revisit the matter. He has been true to his word, which is welcome.

Last year, 29 November was the closing date for people to indicate how they would pay their local property taxes. Many indicated that they would pay through deductions from social welfare payments. Yesterday, which was three weeks into the new year and nearly eight weeks after the date in question, the Revenue Commissioners issued a letter - I am referring particularly to people in receipt of the contributory widow's pension - stating that they could not deduct the tax from source. There was no problem when people selected that method of payment, but Revenue has since decided that it cannot be done.

When the House debated the local property tax, we were told that it was possible to deduct the amounts from social welfare payments. I am unsure as to whether other social welfare payments have been affected. Given that we were misled, I ask that the matter be debated again and that the Minister for Social Protection attend the House to explain the problem. When I asked that the method be extended to jobseeker's benefit, I was told that it could not be done in respect of short-term payments. The widow's contributory pension is by no means a short-term payment. Will the Leader ask the Minister to attend the House at her earliest opportunity to discuss this problem?