Michael D'Arcy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This is an issue that has caused concern. The 100-days requirement is an encroachment a little too far in my opinion. If the tax credit is ceded to the other partner, in all likelihood they will achieve residency of 100 days or more. Then, we will have Revenue checking how this is done. That is not prudent.

Is there a calculation of the cost to the Exchequer of the second and subsequent credits in question? Some choose to ignore the fact that tax credits or breaks are moneys foregone to the Exchequer. There are occasions when the actual cost of a tax credit is not sufficient in terms of its social cost.

I agree with the Minister on the point that non-separated families do not have any child tax credit. This credit has been established and some people have become accustomed to it, people who are using it to stay treading water. When people separate, financially they go into a different space. What is the cost of this tax credit? If it is not significant, maybe there are grounds to question the advancing of this measure. Will the Minister conduct a significant analysis of this measure over the next several months for next year’s finance Bill?