Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Finance when he expects local property tax to be deductible from rental income; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12341/13]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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The Inter-departmental group chaired by Dr. Don Thornhill to consider the design of a property tax (the “Thornhill Group”) recommended that the Local Property Tax (LPT) paid in respect of a rented property should be deductible for income tax or corporation tax purposes, in a similar manner to commercial rates. However, the Group recognised the considerable pressures on the public finances and the need to bridge the gap between expenditure and revenue. For this reason, the Group suggested that consideration be given to phasing in deductibility over a period of years. The Group also considered that it is for Government, having regard to the prevailing budgetary situation, to decide on the time span for phasing-in deductibility and on what percentage of LPT to allow as a deduction from gross rents for tax purposes. There is no provision in the current legislation for such deductions. While it is the intention of the Government to introduce such a provision on a phased basis, neither the manner in which this will happen or the timing have yet been decided.

Listed in tabular format are the details of the cost of drivers for each Minister of State at my Department in the years 2010, 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013. The figures reflect the motor travel allowances claimed for official travel undertaken, subject to guidelines as set out by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

Subsistence amounts paid to drivers and the salaries paid to the official drivers are also included on the table.

Once-off severance payments were made to drivers for Minister of State Roche and Minister of State Power in June 2011. These payments are not included in the salaries costs.