Vol. 562 No. 1
183 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Finance the number of individuals, companies and trusts being investigated by the Revenue Commissioners arising from the clerical medical insurance-NIB inquiry at the latest date for which figures are available; the number of cases where settlements have been agreed; the total amount paid to date; the number of cases still outstanding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5381/03]
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that in 1998 they obtained details of 430 cases with investments made under the clerical medical insurance-NIB schemes. To date, 361 of these cases have been settled and 69 remain to be finalised. Of the cases not yet finalised, six are being dealt with in the Revenue prosecution division. Currently, two of these cases are before the courts. One pleaded guilty and is adjourned for sentence. The other was referred to the Circuit Court for trial. A prosecution has been directed by the DPP in two of these cases and these are being further processed. Two other cases are under ongoing investigation with a view to prosecution.
To date, Revenue has collected €43 million in tax, interest and penalties in respect of these cases. This is made up of €36.48 million in settled cases and €6.52 million in respect of payments on account in cases still under investigation. As part of a further review of its records by the financial institution concerned, a supplementary list containing 22 new cases was received by Revenue in April 2001. Of these, 15 cases involve relatively small sums and are unlikely to involve substantial tax evasion. All the additional cases are being investigated as appropriate.
