Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Question 69: To ask the Minister for Finance the amount of money the office of the Revenue Commissioner incorrectly issued into taxpayer accounts in 2011 and subsequently requested its return. [3132/12]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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Monies incorrectly paid into a taxpayer's bank account by Revenue would normally be as a result of an incorrect return filed by a taxpayer or a processing error by Revenue - each of these cases would be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. Revenue does not maintain a central record of these instances - therefore the information as requested by the Deputy is unavailable.

Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Question 70: To ask the Minister for Finance the amount of money the office of the Revenue Commissioner charged taxpayers in view of tax under payment in 2011. [3133/12]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that interest arises both in respect of late payment of tax and underpayment of tax – this would include interest that is part of a phased payment plan. In the year 2011, a total of €158.5m was charged in interest having regard to all of these circumstances. Penalties amounting to €32.34m arose during the course of audits in the same period.o

Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Question 71: To ask the Minister for Finance the online payment mechanisms the office of the Revenue Commissioner operates for taxpayers to pay any outstanding money due to the Revenue Commission and other pay methods available. [3134/12]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that online payment methods are provided through the Revenue On Line Service (ROS). This is an internet facility that provides taxpayers with a secure and efficient facility to pay tax liabilities and file tax returns. The ROS facilities are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. The three payment methods currently available on ROS are:

1) ROS Debit Instruction (RDI) – This allows that taxpayer to authorise Revenue to deduct payment from the taxpayer's nominated bank account

2) Debit/Laser Card

3) Online Banking (only available for payment of Income Tax)

It is planned to introduce payment by Credit Card on ROS during 2012. A facility to pay tax using a Credit Card over the phone is already available.

Taxpayers who are not already obliged to make payments and file returns using ROS can also avail of other payment methods including: Direct Debit; Single Debit Authority - This is a customised payslip issued by Revenue which allows the taxpayer to authorise Revenue to deduct a single payment from the his/her bank account; GIRO/EFT (Electronic Fund Transfer) – The taxpayer arranges payment into a nominated Revenue account; Cheque/bank draft/money order accompanied by Revenue's pre encoded payslip.