Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 244: To ask the Minister for Finance the number of cities, towns, villages or other locations in urban or rural areas awarded Section 23, urban or environmental renewal or other special designated status or incentives in each of the past 10 years to date in 2010; the degree to which all such projects or proposals have been completed in accordance with requirements; the full extent of the cost in terms of tax foregone or otherwise in each case; the degree to which all such incentives were availed of in accordance with the regulations in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5010/10]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the relevant information available on the cost to the Exchequer of each of the property based tax reliefs is based on personal income tax returns filed by non-PAYE taxpayers and corporation tax returns filed by companies for the years 2004 to 2007, the latest year that this information is available. These are set out in the following Table:

Costs to the Exchequer of each Property based Tax reliefs

I am also informed by the Revenue Commissioners that for the tax year 2003 and earlier years claims for tax incentive schemes on property were aggregated in tax returns with other claims and could not be distinguished from other reliefs claimed. Accordingly, the specific information on costs for 2003 and earlier years are not available. I am advised by Revenue that they are not yet in a position to provide data for 2008 and subsequent years in respect of tax costs of property incentives, as all tax returns filed for that year have not been processed.

As regards the mid-Shannon scheme which commenced in June 2008, complete data will not be available until all of the relevant tax returns for 2009 are filed and processed.

I have also set out below Section 23 property schemes indicating the county and qualifying areas/towns (Appendices 1 to 5), including the Rural Renewal Scheme, Town Renewal Scheme, Living over the Shop Scheme, Seaside Resort Scheme and Designated Islands, and the Integrated Area Urban Renewal Scheme. In the limited time available it has not been possible to provide the Deputy with any further material.

Appendix 1

Rural Renewal Scheme – Qualifying Areas

Appendix 2

TOWN RENEWAL SCHEME – DESIGNATED TOWNS

Appendix 3

Living Over the Shop Scheme

Appendix 4

SEASIDE RESORT SCHEME – DESIGNATED RESORTS

Note: Schedule 8 to the Taxes Consolidated Act 1997 specifies the qualifying areas of the resorts.

DESIGNATED ISLANDS

Appendix 5

INTEGRATED AREA URBAN RENEWAL SCHEME

AREAS DESIGNATED