Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The most recent report on the special assignee relief programme in respect of the 2014 tax year showed that 302 employees availed of it in that year. It also showed that 126 jobs were created and 708 jobs were retained as a result of the incentive. The cost of the scheme to the Exchequer in 2014 was almost €6 million. Section 10 provides for the extension of the programme as announced on budget day. The Minister, Deputy Noonan, decided to extend the incentive until the end of 2020 and to announce it early to provide certainty for potential investors in Ireland. That is particularly important following the UK vote to leave the European Union.