Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 105: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will ensure that the consultancy studies relating to the tax review will be published ahead of budget 2006 in order that there can be an opportunity to consider their implications for tax policy before Dáil Éireann must make decisions. [13264/05]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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In my 2005 Budget Statement, I announced that my Department and the Office of the Revenue Commissioners are to undertake a detailed review of certain tax incentive schemes and tax exemptions in 2005. This review will evaluate their impact and operation, including their economic and social benefits for the different locations and sectors involved and to the wider community. In addition, the review will examine the degree to which these schemes allow high income individuals to reduce their tax liabilities.

I subsequently announced in a press release on 6 January 2005 that my Department had advertised for external consultants to review certain tax incentive schemes. On 9 April 2005, I announced the award of two external consultancy contracts for the reviews. Following a detailed examination of the qualifying tenders by a special interdepartmental group, the successful candidates were Goodbody Economic Consultants in respect of the area based urban renewal, town renewal, rural renewal and the living-over-the-shop schemes and Indecon Economic Consultants for the sectoral property tax incentive schemes, namely multi-storey carparks, park and ride facilities, student accommodation, third level buildings, hotels, holiday cottages, nursing homes, private hospitals, sports injuries clinics, child care facilities and refurbishment of rented residential accommodation.

These reviews will be completed before September next. This will allow the findings and conclusions to be considered in detail in the context of the 2006 budget in December. The Deputy will appreciate that as these reviews have only just recently commenced, I am not yet in a position to indicate any likely publication date for these studies.