John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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209. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will consider tax relief on school voluntary contributions; the estimated total sum in monetary terms made in terms of such contributions by the public on an annual basis; and what the possible implications of such a relief are. [49698/25]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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In line with best practice, and as with all proposals for the introduction of new tax measures or the amendment of existing tax reliefs, the proposal should be assessed in accordance with the Department of Finance Tax Expenditure Guidelines. The guidelines make clear the importance that any policy proposal which involves tax expenditures should only occur in limited circumstances where there are demonstrable market failures and where a tax-based incentive is more efficient than a direct expenditure intervention.

As the Deputy will appreciate, decisions regarding taxation measures are made in the context of the annual Budget and Finance Bill processes, at the appropriate time, and having regard to the sound management of the public finances. It is a longstanding practice of the Minister for Finance not to comment in advance of the Budget on any tax matters which might be the subject of Budget decisions.

Finally, matters relating to amount of voluntary contributions to schools are more appropriate to the Minister For Education and Youth.