GARDAI TO LOSE ALLOWANCES

Income tax increases may be off the political agenda but gardaí are claiming other government charges will have the same impact when introduced in the New Year, according to The Sunday Business Post.

Revenue has told garda management a range of allowances previously allowable for full tax relief would now be taxable. The Garda Representative Association (GRA) has described the move as a pay cut by any other name. The force has received almost €1 billion in allowances since 2007. Uniforms, plain clothing and boots as well as payments for unsocial hours, immigration control at airports and other allowances adding up to as much as €2,200 a year will all come into the tax net. Allowances paid to gardaí serving as community relations officers and juvenile liaison officers will also be hit.