John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 192: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will abolish the €40 charge on credit cards for old age pensioners in an effort to encourage them to use the banks and not keep money in their homes where they might become prey to thieves; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17813/05]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Stamp duty exists on credit cards to provide Exchequer revenue. The stamp duty on cheques, bills of exchange and promissory notes has existed for many years and, when electronic means of money transfers were subsequently introduced, stamp duty was gradually extended to these products to ensure that the stamp duty from cheques, etc., was not eroded.

The current annual rate of stamp duty on credit card accounts is €40. This duty arises irrespective of the age of the person who holds the account. This charge is not excessive and there is no evidence that it significantly discourages people from using this form of transaction. It is also not clear that the stamp duty on credit cards discourages people from putting their money into banks, as credit cards offer the option of purchasing goods on credit but are not used principally as a means of withdrawing money on deposit. Stamp duty on credit cards is a significant contributor to the Exchequer and, in 2004, the stamp duty on credit cards contributed €59 million to the Exchequer. There are no plans to introduce an exemption from stamp duty on such cards for any category of individual.

The Government has done much to help those aged 65 and over. The income tax age exemption limits have been increased by about 150% since 1997 removing 75,500 elderly people from the tax net. In addition, the current rate of payment for old age pensions has increased by more than 80% over the rate payable in 1997. This is well ahead of the rate of inflation and represents a significant improvement in provision for our older citizens.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 193: To ask the Minister for Finance if the OPW will carry out improvement work to a bridge (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17814/05]

Tom Parlon (Laois-Offaly, Progressive Democrats)
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The bridge in question is a public road bridge and as such is the responsibility of the local authority.