Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I move recommendation No. 43:

In page 163, between lines 23 and 24, to insert the following:

“Report on tax relief policy

103. The Minister shall, within six months of the passing of this Act, prepare and lay before both Houses of the Oireachtas a report on measures to improve the

gender and equality impact of policies in respect of tax relief, including comparative analysis on the use of standard or single rate benefits versus marginal rate tax relief and a consideration of the wider use of refundable tax credits.”.

I have touched on some of these other issues and I want to acknowledge the Minister, Deputy Chambers, having addressed certain matters of fact. I may not agree with him but he did address the questions of consideration of gender inequality policies in respect of tax reliefs and expenditures in particular. One issue he did not address was the consideration of the wider use of refundable tax credits and wider use of a review of the comparative benefits of having a single rate versus marginal rate tax reliefs in general. He addressed it in the context of pensions but in general it was a question of looking to a single rating on different tax reliefs. That does not necessarily mean the lower rate. It could mean, for example, a 30% rate which could be applied. The recommendation relates to the single rating on tax reliefs and the issue of refundable tax credits for those on low incomes and asks that those be examined.

As I said, the Minister seems to have indicated that there is a report under way at the moment that is re-examining tax relief expenditure. He indicated that the terms are currently being developed and that it is his intention that this new report on tax relief expenditure, this new research, would look at issues of equality. I ask that those two matters - I have already mentioned gender - of the potential on standard rating and the potential role for refundable tax credits might be considered as part of this research. In this recommendation, I am looking for a separate report, but if those factors could be taken on board within the research that the Minister, Deputy Chambers, has indicated he plans to undertake, that would also be acceptable.