Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)

I will just speak to the section itself. This section makes a number of amendments to section 847A of the Taxes Consolidation Act. It provides for a scheme of tax relief for donations to approved sports bodies for funding certain approved capital projects. Both PAYE and self-assessed income tax donors can elect for the tax benefit to apply to either the body or themselves. They can make that decision.

Section 847A is being amended so that the donor's decision as to whether the approved sports body or the individual gets the tax relief is irrevocable. In addition, the approved sports body should advise the donor of the Department of sport of the issued project number and a unique number on each receipt for a donation, and the claimant will need to include these on their tax return.

Finally, an amendment is being made to ensure that donations do not reduce the age-related percentage of earnings against which donors can claim pension tax relief. I am advised that last year's budget provided for decisions to be made by the individual to incentivise more donations and the amendments that we are making here are just more consequential in nature.