Catherine Noone (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I also thank the Minister of State for coming to the House to take this Commencement matter which concerns the need for the Minister for Finance to outline the current position on the home carer tax credit, the number of people in receipt of same and if there are plans to reform it. As the Minister of State is probably aware, the home carer tax credit is outlined as being available to a spouse in a family with one earner who is caring in the home for a child eligible to receive child benefit or for an aged or disabled person. The tax credit has been increased to €1,000 in budget 2016.

At a public meeting I held on the matter of taxation I found that a great many people were unaware of this tax credit, even where it applied directly to their situation. It is clear that a potentially high number of people are missing out on this tax credit. It is also clear that there is still a distinct lack of knowledge among the general public of its existence, its broad application and how it can be availed of. Therefore, I ask the Minister of State how many are in receipt of it and if there are plans to continue it in future budgets.