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More than 600,000 workers could be hit with a nasty change to their pay in January, according to Fianna Fail.

The party’s finance spokesman, Michael McGrath, said low and middle-income workers’ allowances could be worst affected following an examination of the system involving more than 600,000 workers in different sectors.

Those workers most affected include nurses and miners in Tara Mines, both of whom have significant allowances.

The Cork South-Central TD said the Revenue website shows the outcome of any changes that will kick in in January and added that it was a “really significant issue for a lot of workers”.

He said it involved expenses of over €160 million annually, with €48 million in tax saved.

Workers from Tara Mines had an allowance of €1,312 and a tax saving of more than €500, while many nurses had an allowance of €733 with a tax saving of close to €300 a year.

Meanwhile, Shane Cassells, in whose constituency Tara Mines is located, said miners enjoyed an increase in their allowance in a previous review but there is now a “real fear that the allowance could be removed entirely”.

He said miners worked 900 metres underground in the “belly of the mine” and it was a harsh experience.

During finance questions in the Dail today, Mr McGrath added: "There could be a nasty shock in January for tens of thousands of workers if not more when they see their pay slip."

And he said before any changes are made “we should be made aware of them and be given an opportunity to debate them in the House and to discuss with the Revenue in the finance committee the natures and scope of these changes and to see if any change is possible”.

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