Ivor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 171: To ask the Minister for Finance the amount of tax which has been received by the Revenue Commissioners arising from taxable income gained from pyramid schemes. [12328/06]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that income derived from pyramid schemes may be identified by taxpayers on some individual tax return forms in comment form. However, such comments are not captured on the Revenue computer system in a way that provides a basis for compiling the information sought by the Deputy. Accordingly, the specific information requested is not available.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 172: To ask the Minister for Finance if he remains concerned, as stated by him on Committee Stage of the Finance Bill 2006, at reports of developers entering into arrangements for development and building on land by means of licensing arrangements with a view to avoiding, delaying or mitigating stamp duty; if the Revenue Commissioners have carried out a review of such practices; the loss of revenue; the number of cases which have arisen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12424/06]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Stamp duty is a charge on documents, which are mostly legal documents, used in the transfer of property. Where a property is purchased, stamp duty is charged on the conveyance or transfer effecting change of legal ownership of the property concerned.

If there is no conveyance, there is no stamp duty. A builder or developer can, therefore, obtain a licence from a vendor to build on land owned by the vendor without incurring a stamp duty charge at that stage of the venture. Once the buildings, whether commercial or residential are completed, the conveyances or transfers of such properties to purchasers are chargeable to stamp duty in the normal manner unless specific exemptions are available to such purchasers.

As regards the number of cases involved, this information is not available. Taking account of the proliferation of developments generally in recent times, and in the context of its major project in the construction sector in 2006, the use of licensing and similar arrangements are being reviewed by the Revenue Commissioners as part of their audit and compliance programmes. The review, as with Revenue's overall approach to its business, will focus on risk.

I have asked Revenue to let me know the outcome of its review and I will decide what action, if any, is required bearing in mind the effect on the housing market and the cost to the Exchequer.