Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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177. To ask the Minister for Finance the cost to the Exchequer of raising the threshold for entering the higher tax band for singles and couples by €1,000, €2,000, €3,000, €4,000 and €5,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7758/14]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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I assume that the Deputy refers to an extension of the standard rate income tax band, which would apply similarly to single and widowed persons, as well as to lone parents. The proposed extension to the standard rate band is assumed to also apply to married couples and civil partnerships.  

On this basis, I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the full year cost to the Exchequer, estimated by reference to 2014 incomes, of increasing the standard rate tax band to €33,800, €34,800, €35,800, €36,800 and €37,800 while also maintaining the current monetary differences between the single persons standard rate tax band and the various other classes of standard rate tax bands would be of the order of €160 million, €310 million, €470 million, €630 million and €780 million respectively.  

These figures are estimates from the Revenue tax forecasting model using latest actual data for the year 2011, adjusted as necessary for income and employment trends in the interim. They are, therefore, provisional and likely to be revised.