Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 135: To ask the Minister for Finance the expected rise in income tax receipts in 2007 as a result of termination of SSIA accounts; and if these moneys are being allocated to particular purposes. [39179/06]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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My Department currently expects that there will be a gain to income tax in 2007 of approximately €600 million over 2006 arising from the discontinuance of the tax credit contribution to SSIAs and also the exit tax yield from maturing SSIAs.

It should be noted that in 2007 the gain arising from the ending of the SSIA scheme will be broadly offset by the cash-flow loss from the ending of the transitional arrangements for the movement of the payment date for corporation tax from a prior to a current year basis which was introduced in Budget 2002.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 136: To ask the Minister for Finance the absolute value of the increase and the percentage increase in total tax raised since 2002; and if he has satisfied himself with the tax policies underpinning this trend. [39153/06]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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In 2002, Exchequer tax receipts amounted to €29,294 million. Receipts in 2006 in the October Pre-Budget Outlook were estimated at €43,850 million. This translates into an absolute increase of just over €14.5 billion or a percentage increase of 49.7 per cent since 2002.

A large part of the increases in taxes in recent years came from the Revenue Commissioner's special investigations and also the continued strength of the property market over the period. However, the main reason we are receiving more in tax is the significant growth in the economy over the period. The tax and economic policies being pursued by this Government have put more money into the pockets of taxpayers and they are spending and investing that extra money as they see fit. This extra spending and investment yields extra taxes. I am more than satisfied with the policies that have facilitated this increased economic activity.