Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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204. To ask the Minister for Finance his views on reducing the VAT on smokeless coal in Budget 2022 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45806/21]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, 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.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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205. To ask the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to a pre-budget submission (details supplied) ahead of Budget 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45813/21]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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In advance of the Budget, as Minister for Finance I receive a large number of pre-budget submissions on a wide range of issues.

These can range from highly detailed and developed proposals for specific changes to existing taxes, reliefs, exemptions and allowances to more straightforward requests, for example, to increase the single person tax credit. Many submissions contain proposals across a range of taxes and allowances that are of particular relevance to the sector in which the person or representative organisation operates. Some are from individuals describing their personal circumstances to place their proposals in context.

The Deputy will be aware that many representative organisations publish their pre-budget submissions on their websites and see it as part of their communication strategy with their members. The vast majority of these pre-budget submissions are sent electronically to my office in the Department of Finance and this is the preferred method of receipt.

My office had not received the Dundalk Chamber budget submission when this PQ was put down. Nonetheless, its contents will be considered in the context of the forthcoming Budget.

However, as the Deputy may be aware, 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.