Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

92. To ask the Minister for Finance his plans in respect of the employment incentive and investment scheme for budget 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30982/18]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Indecon Economic Consultants are currently carrying out a review the Employment and Investment Incentive (EII). I expect that the report will be completed within the next month or so.

The findings of the review, when concluded, will, amongst other factors, inform any decisions I may make on the future configuration of the incentive in the context of Budget 2019 and otherwise.

The scope of the review is as follows:

- An examination of the extent to which the objectives of the incentives remain valid.

- An examination of the extent to which objectives of the incentives are being met.

- An examination of the cost effectiveness of the incentives.

- An examination of alternative options which may exist for the provision of state support.

- An examination of the effect of GBER (the General Block Exemption Regulations) on the incentives.

- A comparison of the incentives with similar incentives in operation in other EU Member States in terms of design: objectives, criteria, take-up, impact and cost-effectiveness.

- An examination of whether the incentives, as currently designed, provide a platform for the effective operation of the reliefs.

- The review of the design of the incentives should include:

- Conclusions and Recommendations arising from the analysis.

I await the outcome of the review and I do not propose to comment further on the future arrangements for the relief at this point.