Shay Brennan (Dublin Rathdown, Fianna Fail)

I wish to discuss the significant burden that Revenue's enhanced reporting requirements for employee benefits are placing on small- and medium-sized enterprises across Ireland. While the aim may be transparency, the reality is that SMEs must now report even the smallest non-cash benefits, sometimes just €10 in value, to Revenue on or before the day that they are provided. As the Tánaiste knows, SMEs comprise more than 270,000 businesses in Ireland and are already facing many challenges. These new requirements add a disproportionate layer of bureaucracy, forcing business owners to divert precious time and resources away from their core operations. Many SMEs do not have in-house payroll or HR, making it even harder to keep up with these obligations. If a small business waits until the next day to report a minor transaction, it may face a €4,000 fine for breach, which is a significant risk for businesses already under pressure. Is it really necessary to require same-day reporting for every small benefit? Will the Tánaiste commit to reviewing the real-time regime to reduce its administrative burden and help preserve the viability of small businesses in Ireland?

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