Cllr Denise Mullen: Reform of Travel Allowance for Private Care Workers Needed
Aontú Deputy Leader & Candidate for Fermanagh South Tyrone, Cllr Denise Mullen, has called for private care workers to be afforded the same travel allowance as their counterparts in Trust, and an end to the unnecessarily complicated system currently in place.
Cllr Mullen: “When I speak to healthcare workers employed privately, they tell of me of the real burden travel expenses are – particularly amidst a rising cost of living. These travel expenses are necessary for them to do their job, but also deplete their earnings. Whereas care workers in Trust, can claim their Travel Allowance on a monthly basis – offering timely relief and reimbursement, private care workers can only claim travel expenses at year end against their tax liability. There is no reason why travel allowance on a monthly basis cannot be extended to care workers in both the private sector and in Trust. It is unnecessarily complicated and burdensome to apply different standards to care workers based upon who their employer is. Our focus should be on making life for those working in care easier, not harder.”
