Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I believe this is way too restrictive a measure. If we think about it, the capital acquisitions tax exemption would apply unless someone was under 25 and in full-time education, which is very restrictive. Arguably, people who are under 25 and not in full-time education, and who are perhaps unemployed, could be at risk of poverty without this family support. At the moment approximately 12% of our young people are leaving school early and not completing the leaving certificate. Quite a number of young people are dropping out of college early and making poor choices, and they may come back again. If they are not in full-time education, they are definitely going to need help, and some of those will be past the age of 25. Therefore, this could actually be a poverty trap.

The Minister of State is looking at me in a bemused way, so perhaps I am reading it wrong, which I will accept. Senator Quinn referred to bed and board. Could that be considered, for the sake of this measure, a capital acquisition gift? For example, bed and board for a year could be worth €5,000, which would then exceed the low threshold Senator Gilroy spoke about. How will this be assessed? What type of gifts are we talking about? I know we are talking about money but can it be benefit in kind in the form of board? I am delighted Senator Quinn has flagged this issue.