Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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I have a brief query on the section. We dealt with the relief for the rent-a-room scheme in the Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform as part of the pre-budget submissions. I was surprised to see a 20% increase in the relief. The increase is welcome but my concern is the level of the increase which gives rise to a danger that rent levels will follow. I am aware of the breakdown in terms of those who are claiming it not being at the higher level, but it is an issue on which the Minister should keep a close eye. A 20% increase is unwarranted and I do not understand the reason behind it. There was no need for it. It would have been more appropriate to increase the level of exempt income to €11,000. Is there a rationale for the change?