Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 122: To ask the Minister for Finance the amount collected to date by the Revenue Commissioners through special investigations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7870/06]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Figures for the total yield from various special investigations and initiatives by the Revenue Commissioners for the years 1998 to 2005 and updated to 31 January 2006 are set out in the following table. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that further information on the yields from the various special investigations and initiatives can be found on the Revenue Commissioners website at www.revenue.ie.

Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 123: To ask the Minister for Finance if, in regard to the almost €2.5 billion outstanding in uncollected taxes, the proportion of this which the Revenue Commissioners expect to recover; if new measures are planned to assist in the collection of outstanding taxes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7868/06]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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As reported in the most recent annual report of the Office of the Revenue Commissioners and in the most recent report of the Comptroller and Auditor General, the total tax debt outstanding at 31 March 2005 was €1.2 billion, not the €2.5 billion quoted by the Deputy.

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that, as with any tax system, there will always be people who pay late, evade payments or are unable to pay. In this context, it is important to note that the debt of €1.2 billion on 31 March 2005 is €146 million or 10.7% less than on 31 March 2004. The figure represents 2.5% of annual gross collection and is one of the lowest percentages of any tax administration internationally. Of this figure, €278 million of the total debt is under appeal with a further €349 million under control or at enforcement. The remainder, €590 million is under active collection.

It is the goal of Revenue, as stated in its statement of strategy for 2005 to 2007, that all debt on record should be less than five years old or the subject of active enforcement or court proceedings. In this context, I am advised by Revenue that it expects the current collectible tax debt and any additional debt that will arise for periods up to 31 December 2004, through assessments made by Revenue or submission of overdue returns by taxpayers, to ultimately be substantially reduced in the next five years. That reduction will be achieved primarily by collection of debts due.

Revenue has emphasised the changing composition of the debts and the difficulty this creates in making an estimate of the likely reduction in the debt figure over a five year period. The strategies and methodologies adopted by Revenue to achieve a reduction over a five year period will be subject to an annual review and evaluation carried out within the context of its business planning process.