Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 156: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the amount it would cost to make the personal and PAYE income tax credits refundable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24790/07]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the most recent estimated cost of making the main personal and PAYE tax credits refundable when they are unused is broadly in the region of €2.7 billion annually. This estimate relates only to the cost of extending refundable tax credits to all those on Revenue's tax files. If a refundable tax credit system were to be introduced, one would have to consider those who are not on the tax files, for example, those who are of employable age but not working, including those on social welfare. If such categories were eligible this would increase the cost significantly. Apart from the issue of cost, there would be a range of other policy and practical issues arising in introducing such a system. I have no plans to introduce such a scheme at the present time.