Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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147. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if applications for the tax saver ticket scheme can be opened all year around to members of the Civil Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2577/19]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I have raised this matter with the National Shared Services Office (NSSO), which is a Scheduled Office under the aegis of my Department.

I understand from the NSSO that the Tax Saver Scheme is available to all serving permanent Civil Servants.  There are two periods of application during which Civil Servants can avail of this 12-month scheme: July – June and January – December.  An open-ended application system was given consideration but it was determined that this would lead to an increase in the cost and complexity of the implementation of the scheme.

Exceptional circumstances do occur, and with the support of the relevant Department issuing payment, officers can avail of this scheme outside the bi-annual application window in those circumstances.  The priority is to continue to provide the service to customers in a timely and cost-efficient fashion within dedicated timeframes, with the option where Departments may allow for exceptions to this year-round in exceptional circumstances.