Helen Keogh
Question:21 Ms Keogh asked the Minister for Finance the recommendations of the black economy monitoring group that have been put into practice since its inception.
Written Answers. - Recommendations on Black Economy.
Helen Keogh
Question:40 Ms Keogh asked the Minister for Finance the members of the black economy monitoring group.
Peadar Clohessy
Question:42 Mr. Clohessy asked the Minister for Finance the members of the black economy monitoring group.
Robert Molloy
Question:54 Mr. Molloy asked the Minister for Finance the specific recommendation of the black economy monitoring group by way of examples that have been put into practice since its inception.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 21, 40, 42 and 54 together.
The Black Economy Monitoring Group provides a forum for an exchange of views between representative organisations on the effectiveness of ongoing programmes to combat the black economy. Such exchanges may highlight the need for action in specific areas by the Revenue Commissioners or the Department of Social Welfare. The group also makes recommendations to the Department of Finance if changes in legislation are required.
Since its inception the group recommended action in a number of areas. The limit for tax clearance requirements for Government contracts and grants was lowered from £10,000 to £5,000 — on the recommendation of the group. The group's recommendation for the extension to the forestry industry of the procedures for the deduction of a withholding tax on the same basis as applied to the construction industry was also accepted. Investigations were undertaken by the Revenue Commissioners into various sectors at the request of the group. The Social Welfare notification of Employment Regulations were extended to cover additional sectors at the recommendation of the group.
The members of the group are: Revenue Commissioners — Mr. Seán Moriarty, Chairman; Ms Muriel Hinch and Mr. Kevin Drury, Secretary. Department of Social Welfare — Mr. Brian Canton. Irish Congress of Trade Unions — Ms Patricia Donovan. Construction Industry Federation — Mr. George Hennessy and Mr. Raymond Gilboy. Irish Business and Employers Confederation — Ms Clare Carroll.