Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 200: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance his views on whether there is a case for extending Section 847A of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 to broaden the scope of the sports related projects that qualify for this tax relief in order to encourage increased investment in Irish sport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31574/07]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, tax relief is available for donations to certain sports bodies for the funding of capital projects. To be eligible for the relief the sports body must be an Approved Sports Body and the donation must be for the purposes of an Approved Project. To be regarded as an Approved Sports Body, a sports body must obtain from the Revenue Commissioners both a valid tax clearance certificate and a statement that, in accordance with section 235 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997, the body is exempt from tax because it is established solely for the purpose of promoting athletic or amateur games or sports and its income is applied solely for that purpose. Approved Projects are capital projects approved by the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism. The types of projects which are eligible to be approved are the purchase, construction or refurbishment of a building to be used for sporting or recreational activities; the purchase of land for such activities; the purchase of permanently based sports equipment (excluding personal equipment); and the improvement of pitches and playing surfaces. The estimated aggregate cost of the project must not exceed €40 million. The minimum qualifying donation for relief purposes for an approved project is €250 per annum and there is no upper limit on the amount which can be donated. The relief on the donation will be at an individual's marginal rate of tax. As regards the case for extending the relief, it is the longstanding practice of the Minister for Finance not to comment in advance of the Budget on any tax or expenditure matters that might be the subject of Budget decisions.