Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 92: To ask the Minister for Finance the receipts on an annual basis from DIRT tax for each year from 1997 to date in 2006; the number of people or accounts it levied on in each of those years; the arrangements in force in respect of refunds where DIRT is levied on taxpayers with unused personal tax allowances and credits; if there are special allowances in place in respect of people over 65; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39251/06]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The following table sets out the net yield from DIRT collected from 1997 to 2006:

The amount of DIRT due to be paid each year is dependent on the amount of monies on deposit and the rates of interest applying to such deposits rather than on the number of accounts involved. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the statutory return of DIRT filed by the financial institutions requires details only of the relevant amount of interest paid in the year and the appropriate tax in relation to the payment of that interest. Such DIRT returns are subject to audit by the Revenue Commissioners.

A refund of deposit interest retention tax is provided for in very limited circumstances only, viz. an individual who is not liable or fully liable to income tax and is over 65 years of age at some time during the tax year or is permanently incapacitated by reason of mental /physical infirmity from maintaining himself or herself. (Bodies qualifying for 'charitable' status and companies are also entitled to refund of DIRT). The taxpayer must advise Revenue that he or she meets the legislative requirements and the amount of the retention tax suffered.

With deposit interest rates being very low in recent years, the quantum of the interest earned and tax retained would be very small in many cases and may be considered uneconomic to reclaim.

The Revenue Commissioners issued 11,620 copies of the relevant form (Form 54D) for 2005 to those who claimed refunds in previous years. The Forms for 2006 will issue in early 2007.

Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 93: To ask the Minister for Finance his views on the Exchequer returns of the first 10 months of 2006. [39233/06]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, the Exchequer Returns to end-October were published on my Department's website on 2nd November.

The Exchequer Returns to end-October showed a deficit of €346 million, compared with a deficit of €1,291 million for the same period last year and a Budget Day forecast of an Exchequer Deficit of €2,927 million for 2006 as a whole.

Tax receipts to end-October, at €33,085 million were up 12.5 per cent on the same period last year and were €2,002 million or 6.4 per cent ahead of profile. The best performers were Stamp Duty (€836m above), CGT (€368m above), VAT (€239m above) and Corporation Tax (€214m above). All other tax heads were also above profile.

Overall issues for net voted expenditure for October 2006 were up €2,900 million or 10.6 per cent as compared to October 2005. Net voted expenditure at end-October was €1,127 million or 3.6 per cent below the published profiles, with capital €574 million below and current €553 million below.

The figures to end-October confirm that the public finances are in a sound position, thanks to the policies pursued by this Government. My upcoming Budget will be drafted within a framework of continuing the prudent policies that have served us so well over the past decade.