Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail)
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89. To ask the Minister for Finance his plans to introduce a tax allowance for the parents of children that are working to bring it in line with the child dependants allowance of €29.80 per week (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42015/17]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I assume that the Deputy is referring to the €29.80 increase to certain social welfare benefits for a Qualified Child (IQC).  This is not a tax allowance but is a part of the social welfare benefit available to the individual. In 2017 the Increase for a Qualified Child is €29.80 per week.

There is no generally available tax credit in respect of child dependants, but the Deputy will be aware that there are a number of tax credits which may apply to certain families with children, including the Single Person Child Carer tax credit, the Incapacitated Child tax credit, the Widowed Parent tax credit and the Home Carer tax credit.

Working families on lower incomes may also qualify for Family Income Supplement (FIS), a weekly additional income payment available to employees with children. Further information on FIS is available from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection.

The Deputy will also be aware that a new Affordable Childcare Scheme was introduced by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs last year, to assist families with the costs involved in providing care for their children.

Taking into account the range of supports currently available both via the tax system and through direct supports, it is my view that the introduction of a new tax credit of the nature proposed by the Deputy would not be the best use of limited resources at this time.