Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

Deputy Gilmore referred to the changes in regard to DIRT. Exemptions remain in place. For individuals aged 65 years and over, since the enactment of the Finance Act 2007, there is an exemption from DIRT where the total income, including interest, is below the annual exemption of €20,000 for a single person and €40,000 in the case of a married couple. This exemption also continues to apply in the case of permanently incapacitated individuals.

We are framing a method by which we can increase our tax base to deal with the specific issues we currently face. Deputy Morgan asked about life assurance schemes. Such schemes do not relate solely to mortgages.

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