Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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208. To ask the Minister for Finance if his Department is considering any measures to expand investment opportunities in capital markets for the average retail investor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49574/25]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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As you are aware, in October 2024, my predecessor Minister Chambers published the ‘Funds Sector 2030: A Framework for Open, Resilient & Developing Markets’, a wide-ranging review of the funds and asset management sector. The Funds Review Report sets out a series of recommendations to ensure that, in pursuit of continued growth in the funds and asset management sector, Ireland’s funds sector framework remains resilient, future-proofed, supportive of financial stability and a continued example of international best-practice.

The Funds Review Report includes eight recommendations to promote increased retail participation in capital markets. The 2025 Programme for Government has committed to progress and publish an implementation plan for the Funds Review for consideration in Budget 2026, taking into consideration the recommendations to unlock retail investment and opportunities to grow this sector in Ireland.

I have heard the feedback about the need to modernise the existing taxation regime as it applies to retail investment, and I acknowledge the complexities in the current taxation regime for an average investor. I recognise the growing importance of the funds sector as an employer within our economy and I recognise that the products the sector makes available are being considered by more and more citizens. I believe, therefore, that we should look at how we can support that.

This is a complex area of taxation that encompasses a wide breadth of tax legislation on domestic funds, life assurance products and offshore funds. Detailed consideration is therefore being given to the best way to bring about the necessary reforms and to support a greater level of retail investment in capital markets.

It is likely, given the breadth of the Funds Sector 2030 Report, and the work involved, that where appropriate tax measures are identified, the delivery of those measures may take place over multiple Finance Bill cycles. This work will also take account of developments at an EU level in respect of the Savings Investment Union.