Written answers

Tuesday, 26 April 2005

9:00 pm

Photo of Dan BoyleDan Boyle (Cork South Central, Green Party)
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Question 243: To ask the Minister for Finance his views on the recent assertion that the best way to ensure development aid increases is to encourage private donations through tax relief; if this approach is compatible with his failure to introduce reforms in the taxation of charities as proposed by the ICTRG; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13384/05]

Photo of Brian CowenBrian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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It is undoubtedly true that the tax relief scheme for donations, introduced by my predecessor in the Finance Act 2001, is an effective means of incentivising private individuals to assist charities in the Third World.

With regard to the proposals of the ICTRG, I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 50 by Deputy Cuffe on the same subject on 3 March last. As I indicated on that occasion, the tax relief available is already very generous and I am not prepared to make any further concessions regarding the scheme at this time. Contrary to what the Deputy appears to maintain, this Government increased, enhanced and extended the relief available on charitable donations far beyond the limited existing schemes and far beyond the expectations of the charities sector generally.

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