Sinn Féin Finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty has welcomed the government’s move to prevent ministers from claiming water charges on their second home through their tax bills under the Dual Abode Allowance.
Speaking today Deputy Doherty said Enda Kenny must now move to do away with the laundry allowance and other ridiculous allowances under the Dual Abode Allowance.
Deputy Doherty said: “This allowance is a hangover from the Fianna Fáil days of looking after the boys. Enda Kenny promised to do away with it while in opposition.
“However, his government is only doing away with the section that allows ministers to claim their water charges against their tax and, while welcome, it does not go nearly far enough.
“Many people will be shocked to learn that Ministers and Ministers of State who buy a second home in Dublin are entitled to claim back their auctioneer fees, solicitor’s fees, and their annual mortgage interest. Also, €6,500 of the costs of maintaining the house is deductible for tax purposes.
“And if a Minister or Minister of State is staying in a hotel they get a €3,500 laundry allowance.
“This sort of stuff is indefensible at the best of times but at a time when thousands of families are struggling as a result of government policy these allowances simply wrong and should be done away with immediately.”
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