Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 111: To ask the Minister for Finance his views on tax relief for investors to invest in the building of primary and secondary schools; if he has considered such proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26555/09]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

While I support properly focused, clearly defined specific tax reliefs, such reliefs narrow the tax base and make general reform of the tax base that much more difficult. A broad tax base is the price that must be paid to keep tax rates low and low tax rates benefit businesses generally in this country. Any proposal for new tax reliefs has to be considered in this context.

The Deputy will be aware that many property-based tax incentive schemes were terminated by my predecessor, An Taoiseach, in Budget and Finance Act 2006, following a review of those schemes carried out by my Department and the Revenue Commissioners in 2005. In the Supplementary Budget in April this year, I announced the termination of most of the remaining property-based tax incentive schemes as part of a range of measures designed to broaden our tax base so that everyone makes a contribution to resolving our current fiscal problems. Capital allowance schemes for specialist palliative care units and child care facilities are the only general property-based incentive schemes now remaining without a termination date.

I have no plans to introduce a tax relief scheme for the building of primary or secondary schools.