Vol. 564 No. 5
78 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Finance the proposed role of the planned special unit within the Revenue Commissioners to monitor individuals who are amassing wealth; if the unit is operational; the resources available to it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9725/03]
The Revenue Commissioners are engaged in the implementation of an organisational restructuring which involves a wide-ranging programme of change to their current structures. The changes are designed to improve both the efficiency and effectiveness of the Revenue organisation.
A key element of the restructuring is the focusing of resources within Revenue on areas which present the greatest potential risk of tax evasion or avoidance. In pursuit of this objective a number of specialist units are being established both at regional and national levels, whose role will include monitoring and enforcement of tax compliance among high wealth individuals and the gathering of intelligence relating to business and economic activity in particular sectors.
While the vast majority of high wealth individuals are fully tax compliant, these units will identify and monitor the cases within that category which are seen as posing the greatest potential revenue risk. The units will ensure a timely and robust response where tax compliance problems develop.
These units are not operational at this point. The process of implementing Revenue's new organisational structure is now under way but will continue for some months yet. The process will involve a substantial redeployment of Revenue's resources and final decisions regarding the resource allocations for all functions in the new structure in the very near future.
