Vol. 535 No. 1
263 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Finance if he will exempt landlords from having their houses available for short-term letting from April to October under the seaside resort scheme due to the foot and mouth disease and the shortage of accommodation for long-term letting in the summer season for 2001 only. [11781/01]
The tax incentives available under the seaside resorts scheme, as introduced in the Finance Act, 1995, were specifically designed to encourage the regeneration and improvement of 15 designated traditional seaside resorts throughout the State. The qualifying period for the scheme ended on the 31 December 1999. Incentives available under the scheme were intended to facilitate the development of tourist accommodation and facilities in the resorts. Continued eligibility for the rental incentives depends on the qualifying premises being let or leased to or occupied by any person for not more than two consecutive months at any one time or for not more than six months in any year. The scheme, therefore, was not seen as a means of increasing the supply in the rented residential sector but rather to incentivise the supply of quality tourist facilities. To provide for an exemption of the nature requested by the Deputy would require a change in legislation governing the scheme but as the proposal would not be in keeping with the spirit and objectives of the scheme, I have no plans to do so.
