Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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On VAT and the amount tourists can claim on spending in the country, that matter is coming up in the Brexit Bill in the Convention Centre later this afternoon. There is a specific amendment on that issue. That is not in place as we speak. It is a proposal in the Brexit legislation that will be dealt with on Committee Stage in the Convention Centre this afternoon. There are amendments down and that matter will be discussed at that meeting because it cannot be dealt with here in respect of the context of the Estimates for 2020. That is a 2021 matter, covered by the upcoming legislation.

On insurance, while it is not a matter for this debate, the committee has extended an invitation to me, as the Minister of State with responsibility for insurance, to come before the committee as soon as the date can be arranged and I am happy to do that. We can have a full discussion on the insurance issue. The Deputy's point is well noted. As she said, there were some reductions but that matter will be discussed at a joint meeting of this committee as soon as we agree a date, which will happen very soon.

Finally, the Deputy asked a question about why there were some reductions. There were some reductions in the appropriations-in-aid related to payroll because, as a result of Covid, there was a significant reduction in overtime for a number of staff in the Department. This resulted in a reduction in superannuation contributions that normally accrued during the year. That is why there is a slight reduction in that heading in relation to Covid.