Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 30 Apr 1996

Vol. 464 No. 6

Written Answers. - Review Group on Revenue.

Denis Foley

Question:

32 Mr. Foley asked the Minister for Finance the terms of reference of the review group established to examine the interest earned on moneys collected by Revenue sheriffs; the membership of the review group; and the proposed publication date of the findings of the review group. [8476/96]

Minister for Finance (Mr. Quinn)

I assume that the Deputy is referring to the review of the remuneration of sheriffs for Revenue work, and the proposed termination of the practice of retention by the sheriffs of interest earned on moneys held by them, which was the subject of a reply I gave to a question by Deputy Dermot Ahern on 26 March last.

For the purposes of this review a number of meetings were held between the Revenue Commissioners and representatives of the sheriffs. Following those meetings, the Revenue Commissioners have drawn up draft revised operational guidelines to replace existing guidelines for the sheriffs in relation to Revenue work. In addition, the Revenue Commissioners have submitted to my Department their proposals on revision of the remuneration of the sheriffs for Revenue work. These submissions are being examined by my Department and further discussions will of course involve the Minister for Justice, whose responsibility it is to specify the fees for both Revenue and non-Revenue work undertaken by sheriffs.

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that their consideration of the matter took account, not only of the need to replace retention of interest as a source of remuneration for the sheriffs, but also of the adequacy of the fee structure in the context of changes in the pattern or revenue collection, and of a comprehensive review of the operational guidelines applying to the sheriffs in relation to work done for the Revenue Commissioners.

When the matter has been fully considered, and decisions made, the outcome will be published in the normal way.