Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail)
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81. To ask the Minister for Finance if there are plans or consideration being given to the treatment of favourite niece /nephew for inheritance tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17448/26]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, nieces or nephews of the disponer may qualify for favourite niece or favourite nephew relief in respect of gifts or inheritances of business assets. Qualifying nieces or nephews are those who have worked substantially on a full-time basis for a period of five years prior to the gift or inheritance being given in carrying on, or assisting in the carrying on, the trade, business or profession, of the disponer.

For the nephew or niece to be deemed to be working substantially on a full-time basis in the business he or she must work:

• more than 24 hours per week at the place where the business, trade or profession is carried on; or
• more than 15 hours per week at the place where the business, trade or profession is carried on exclusively by the disponer, any spouse or civil partner of the disponer and the nephew or niece.

The Deputy should note that any plans or consideration to the treatment of favourite niece /nephew for inheritance tax must be considered among various other demands within the overall Budget package, as they have been in the past. In that regard, you should note that the the general area of Capital Acquisitions Tax is kept under review annually by my officials throughout the Finance Bill cycle.