Vol. 403 No. 8
85 Mr. Noonan (Limerick East) asked the Minister for Finance the cost to the Exchequer of the restoration of a £100 tax free allowance in respect of (a) each child under 18 years of age and (b) each child under 21 years of age in full-time education.
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that, because of the withdrawal of the general child tax allowance with effect from 6 April 1986, statistics are no longer available on which to base a reliable estimate of costs in this area. However, the commissioners tentatively estimate that the cost of restoring the allowance, at £100 per child, on the basis on which it formerly applied, that is to children under 16 years of age or over 16 years of age and in full-time education, would be in the region of £23 million in a full year. It is not possible to provide an estimate of any extra cost which would arise in respect of any additional children comprehended in the categories mentioned by the Deputy.
86 Mr. Noonan (Limerick East) asked the Minister for Finance the amount of tax foregone by the Exchequer in relief arising out of convenants drawn to benefit students over 18 years of age in full-time education; (a) by their parents, (b) by adults other than their parents.
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that statistics are not available which would enable the precise information requested by the Deputy to be given. Such information could not be obtained without undertaking inquiries which could be carried out only at a disproportionate cost.
The full year cost to the Exchequer, estimated by reference to the current income tax year, in respect of all covenants is £16.9 million.
