Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 158: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he will introduce an equivalent scheme to the taxsaver commuter tickets scheme which would encourage employers to purchase bicycles and electric bicycles for the transportation of their employees to work particularly in rural areas where public transportation is lacking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31952/07]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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There is provision in the existing Benefit-in-Kind arrangements to allow an employer to provide an employee with a small benefit to a value not exceeding €250 in any one year without applying PAYE and PRSI to that benefit. If the €250 limit is exceeded in any year the employee must pay tax on the total value of any such benefits.

The purchase by an employer of a bicycle for an employee could be covered by this provision, subject to this €250 limit on the value of such benefits in any tax year.

As the Deputy is aware, it is a long standing tradition that the Minister for Finance does not comment on taxation matters in advance of the annual Budget.