Tag Archives: Pensions

He [Brendan Howlin] has always insisted that it is not legally possible to target this group for further cuts but declined to even call on them to give up some of their lucrative pensions voluntarily.
It came after the Irish Independent revealed that former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has been taking his full €150,000-a-year pension since he left the Dail, after reversing his decision to give part of it back.
But Mr Howlin avoided putting pressure on the former ministers when asked if he would call on them personally to give up some or all of their pension to the State.

Howlin Won’t Call On Former TDs To Hand Back Part Of Pension (Michael Brennan, irish Independent)

Previously: Return Of The Cheeky Little Divil

(Mark Stedman/Photocall Ireland)

Political pensions and lump sums for former TDs, Ministers and Senators have cost nearly €2 million every single month over the past year and a half.

An estimated €32.7 million has been spent by the Oireachtas and Department of Finance since January 2011 on pensions for former politicians. The cost includes more than €9.5 million paid in lump sums (some above) to the record number of public representatives who retired after the last election.

Crikey.

In fairness Michael Squee, Ciaran Cuffe, Gay Mitchell, Eithne Fitzgerald, Proinsias de Rossa and Maurice Manning “gifted their pension entitlements back” to the state.

Political Pensions: The Cost( Story.ie)

Thanks Ken Foxe

UP TO 20,000 calls from concerned pensioners have been received by the Revenue Commissioners since help lines on their potential tax liabilities were established last Friday.

Letters from the Revenue were sent to 150,000 pensioners last week about their tax compliance, with 115,000 being told they will have to pay extra tax this year.

Minister for Jobs Richard Bruton admitted the move by the Revenue Commissioners to send letters to pensioners last week had created confusion.

Pensions Ombudsman Paul Kenny has said it was ‘disturbing’ that people who were not liable for any extra tax on pension income had received letters about the issue.

Senior Revenue officials are expected to be questioned at an Oireachtas Committee this week about their handling of the issue.


Pensioners Make 20,000 Calls To Revenue Over Weekend (Irish Independent)

Helplines:
Cavan, Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo and Westmeath call 1890-777425. Clare, Cork, Kerry and Limerick call 1890-222425. Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Meath, Tipperary, Waterford, Wexford and Wicklow call 1890-444425. Dublin City and County call 1890-333425.

(Photocall Ireland)