Joe Higgins
Question:511 Mr. Higgins (Dublin West) asked the Minister for Finance the amount of tax revenue foregone by the State to date in 1998 due to investments under the seaside resort tax relief scheme. [1751/98]
Written Answers. - Seaside Resort Scheme.
Joe Higgins
Question:512 Mr. Higgins (Dublin West) asked the Minister for Finance the officials or authorities who have legal responsibility for setting the boundaries indicating tax relief areas under the resort tax relief scheme. [1752/98]
I propose to answer Questions Nos. 511 and 512 together.
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the latest information available on the cost of tax relief under the pilot seaside resort scheme relates to the year 1996-97. The results of a limited survey carried out on claims made for that year indicate that tax foregone on the scheme countrywide could be of the order of £5 million. This estimate is tentative and is subject to revision and is likely to be higher for subsequent years.
The actual areas included in the pilot scheme were decided by the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation. These two Departments consulted with the Department of the Environment and Local Government and the relevant local authorities in defining the precise boundaries of each area.