Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 126: To ask the Minister for Finance the annual budget allocated to the Revenue Commissioners to facilitate publicity campaigns encouraging tax payers to claim back tax reliefs they may be entitled to; the percentage of the Revenue Commissioners overall budget this makes up; his views on increasing this budget in view of the huge sums of tax relief that go unclaimed each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4097/07]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that expenditure on advertising and publicity aimed at informing taxpayers of tax reliefs and entitlements and encouraging them to claim these comes from Revenue's general Advertising and Public Relations budget which in total amounted to €2,169,000 for 2006. Of this amount, €690,813, or approximately 32%, was spent on information and publicity campaigns relating to tax reliefs and credits to which taxpayers may be entitled. A slightly lesser amount, €635,979, or approximately 29%, was spent on information and publicity campaigns relating to tax collection and returns. The balance of this budget is spent on items such as production of Revenue's Annual Report, provision of information stands at national events etc.

From August to October of last year, Revenue undertook a targeted publicity campaign to make taxpayers more aware of reliefs to which they might be entitled and how claims for these may be made. This campaign involved a wide range of advertising media, including newspapers, radio, bus shelters, the LUAS and the DART. The campaign resulted in a significant increase in the number of people contacting Revenue and claiming entitlements. Publicity of an ongoing nature regarding reliefs is also provided — for instance by making information leaflets on Health and related expenses available in doctors' surgeries and in pharmacies.

The above figures do not include money expended on direct mail and on the website much of which contains information about tax reliefs and also encourages taxpayers to claim these. During 2006 for example Revenue individually informed each of over 2 million PAYE taxpayers of the tax credits and reliefs that are available and encouraged them to utilise the self-service options to claim their entitlements. The total cost of this particular campaign was €1,312,000.

It is clear from the details I have provided that the Revenue Commissioners are very proactive in ensuring that taxpayers are fully informed of their entitlements. Already this year, they have undertaken a publicity campaign to inform PAYE taxpayers of the issue of 2007 Tax Credit Certificates, updated to include the most recent budget changes. I am advised by Revenue that they send an information leaflet with every Tax Credit Certificate issued. This leaflet sets out the range of credits and reliefs available, including medical expenses, rent relief and refuse charges, and how these may be claimed. The Revenue Commissioners are also undertaking a separate publicity campaign at this time to promote PAYE self-service — the Deputy may have already seen or heard the advertisements for the new PAYE on-line service, designed to make it easier for PAYE taxpayers to claim credits or repayments. The budget allocated to these two publicity campaigns alone will exceed €500,000 and amount to over 33% of the indicative advertising budget for 2007.

In addition, Revenue's website provides a wide range of easily accessible information about tax reliefs and credits and how to claim them, with direct links to self-service channels including the new PAYE On-Line service.

I am aware that Revenue monitor and review their advertising expenditure having regard to need, impact and value for money and it is a matter for them to consider the allocation to different business objectives. I have been advised by Revenue that they made a total of 667,957 PAYE repayments last year (some covering several years) and these repayments amounted to €443,368,782.13. This is the factual situation in relation to what has been repaid and, while it is difficult to speculate about what additional sums might be claimable, the level of publicity and information provided by the Revenue Commissioners is such that those entitled to claim reliefs have — by any reasonable yardstick — ample opportunity to inform themselves of their entitlements and to fully avail of them.