John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Question 78: To ask the Minister for Finance the way in which the Revenue Commissioners have encountered problems with regard to the issue of tax certificates in 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7935/06]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the issue of approximately 2.2 million individual tax credit certificates to PAYE customers has now been completed. Revenue has advised me that each year priority is given initially to the issue of new certificates to employers so that employees get the benefit of changes to tax credits and reliefs announced in the budget in December in their pay packets as quickly as possible. Once the issue to employers is completed the next priority is the issue of certificates to the individual PAYE customers.

The number of certificates to issue to both employers and PAYE customers is a major logistical operation and is of necessity spread over a period of several weeks. In addition, the budget changes involve changes to Revenue computer systems and this adds to the overall timeframe for the issuing of certificates. An added dimension for 2006 was the new PAYE computer system put in place by Revenue in October last that forms the foundation for a range of improved services for PAYE customers coming later this year.

Some situations have been identified where incorrect tax credit certificates have issued for 2006. Most of these have already been corrected and employers notified of the revised credits due. Any adjustments are automatically backdated to 1 January. I am assured that Revenue is working to fix the remaining problem cases as quickly as possible.

Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
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Question 79: To ask the Minister for Finance, further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 65 and 227 of 13 December 2005, if his Department has examined the area of VAT refunds on conferences held in hotels here, as is practice in other countries; his views on whether this practice would enable the tourist industry here to compete on a level playing field with international competitors for the lucrative international conference and corporate business; the stage this examination is at; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7771/06]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I am not indisposed to introducing such a relief but I want to make sure any such relief can work, has a positive cost-benefit ratio, and does not open up the VAT system to other very costly demands. That examination is ongoing and I will consider it for next year's budget.