CORI seeks tax measures to help 'working poor'

The body representing the leadership of Ireland's religious congregations has called for drastic reforms of the tax system to help people living below the poverty line.

The Conference of Religious of Ireland wants the Government to introduce a range of measures including a system whereby tax credits available to PAYE workers are "refunded" to people who do not pay tax.

It said this would be of particularly help to the "working poor" - households that are experiencing poverty despite being headed by people in employment.

CORI spokesman Fr Sean Healy said one-quarter of people at risk of poverty were currently living in such households.