Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 7 Nov 2000

Vol. 525 No. 2

Written Answers. - Seaside Resorts Scheme.

Joe Higgins

Question:

371 Mr. Higgins (Dublin West) asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide the final figures of the qualifying expenditure under the seaside resorts scheme and the ultimate cost to the Exchequer by area; and if he will place, in the Oireachtas Library, any reports prepared by his Department assessing this scheme. [23864/00]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy):

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that basic data is not available which would enable the amounts of the qualifying relief under the seaside resorts scheme to be separately identifiable on tax returns. However, on the basis of indicative information it is tentatively estimated, on the basis of certain assumptions, that the amount of qualifying expenditure and tax cost broken down by resort could be as follows:

Resort	EstimatedQualifyingExpenditure £m	EstimatedTax Cost£m
Clogherhead	4	2
Laytown/Bettystown/Mosney	17	7
Courtown	111	41
Arklow (UDC area only)	15	6
Kilkee	53	20
Lahinch	28	10
Youghal	97	36
Clonakilty	22	8
Ballybunion	12	5
Tramore	46	17
Westport	51	19
Achill	34	13
Enniscrone	47	18
Bundoran	81	30
Salthill	51	19
Total	670	250*

*This £250 million Exchequer cost is probably a minimum figure and would need to be adjusted to take account of updated estimates which are not yet complete. Final figures of the cost are therefore not yet available.

My Department has not prepared any report assessing the scheme. However, an inter-departmental group, chaired by the Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation, has examined the scheme and prepared a report on its findings.