Written answers

Tuesday, 5 October 2021

Department of Health

Revenue Commissioners

Photo of Dara CallearyDara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

667. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a settlement between a State agency (details supplied) and the Revenue Commissioners; if there are any agencies under his Department’s remit that have had a similar issue or have made a settlement with the Revenue Commissioners in relation to any issue in the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48026/21]

Photo of Stephen DonnellyStephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am not aware of the details of the finances of State agencies that are outside my remit as Minister for Health. The public record of the meeting referred to by the Deputy does not contain reference to a settlement with the Revenue Commissioners.

Tax compliance is in the first instance the responsibility of bodies under the aegis of my Department themselves, and details of any settlements, investigations, etc are made available in their Annual Financial Statements, as appropriate.

In each of the past five years, the HSE has carried out a significant self-review of tax compliance with external specialist tax assistance. These self-reviews are conducted on an agreed risk based assessment with Revenue under their cooperative compliance framework. The level of review for 2019 was impacted by COVID-19 staffing requirements, and it was agreed with Revenue to perform a review focussed on specific areas which gave rise to the significant liabilities in previous years. The liability to taxes identified in the course of the self-review for 2019 was set out by means of a Self-Correction disclosure and payment (including interest) of €3,174,921 was made to the Revenue Commissioners in September 2020. The amount represents 0.17% of the overall tax paid by the HSE for that year. The HSE has a dedicated in house tax team resourced by tax professionals developing a strong relationship with Revenue and with access to external advisors where necessary. The HSE remains committed to exemplary tax compliance. in 2018 this Self-Correction disclosure and payment (including interest) amounted to €3,128,034.

I understand that similar payments were made in previous years. My Department does not hold details of these - this information is available directly from the HSE.

My Department does not hold records relating to tax settlements made by any other aegis bodies. These bodies may be contacted directly using the dedicated contact addresses available to members of the Oireachtas.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.