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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 22 Feb 1994

Vol. 439 No. 2

Written Answers. - Grant Payments.

Willie Penrose

Question:

43 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Finance his views on increasing the limit of £500, in respect of which there is a requirement for small farmers to have an RSI number in order to obtain headage payments and premia, to a more realistic level such as £2,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I assume that the Deputy is referring to the extension from 1 January 1994 of tax clearance to farmers applying for headage payments from the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry. The Deputy will recall that this was originally intended to take place in 1992. However, a deferment was granted to allow certain farmers more time to obtain a tax reference number.

In the interim the tax clearance procedures have been adapted specifically to accommodate those farmers who would not have an RSI number for tax purposes but who are receiving a means-tested social welfare payment. In future such applicants for headage payments will be able to quote the RSI number under which the social welfare payments are made.

From 1 January, 1994, all applicants for headage payments of £500 or more have to comply with the same tax clearance procedures which already apply to all other applicants for public grants and subsidies. The general tax clearance scheme has for many years applied to applications for public grants of £500 or more and I have no proposal at present to change this threshold. I would like to take this opportunity to again emphasise that tax clearance does not result in any additional liability to tax.
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