Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Independent)
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67. To ask the Minister for Finance his plans to amend foreign earnings tax deduction for short-term workers, commonly known as journeymen, to encourage them take up short-term work overseas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38525/14]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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Section 12 of Finance Act 2012 introduced the Foreign Earnings Deduction (FED) scheme which provides for a limited tax deduction for individuals who temporarily carry out the duties of their office or employment in Brazil, Russia, India, China or South Africa. The provision applies as respects the years 2012, 2013 and 2014. The scheme was extended in Finance Act 2013 to include travel to Nigeria, Senegal, Algeria, Egypt, Ghana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya and Tanzania for 2013 and 2014. 

As the Deputy may be aware, the FED is currently being reviewed by my Department in consultation with the Revenue Commissioners.  A public consultation was carried out seeking submissions from interested parties on the FED and its operation, views on whether the scheme should be extended or not and suggestions for improvement should the scheme be extended.

It is a longstanding practice of the Minister for Finance not to comment, in advance of the Budget, on any tax matters that might be the subject of Budget decisions. However, the outcome of the review of the FED will be considered in the context of the forthcoming Budget and Finance Bill and any announcements will be made on Budget Day.