Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis na finnéithe as teacht os comhair an choiste. Bhí an méid a bhí le rá acu ansin thar a bheith suimiúil. I thank the witnesses for coming before the committee and for taking the time out to do so.

My first question relates to the cost-benefit analysis the Department undertook, which was published along with budget 2023 and which found that the net economic cost of the credit in 2020 was €78.5 million. In other words, a net welfare loss to society. The witnesses will mention intangible benefits that cannot be quantified in such an analysis. In terms of euro and cent, however, do they agree that is a worrying finding for the taxpayer? All three groups can answer.