John Moloney
Question:273 Mr. Moloney asked the Minister for Finance the number of publicans in the State who have turnover returns of less than ?190,000 per annum. [15370/03]
Written Answers. - Tax Code.
I assume the Deputy is referring to the minimum threshold – below which a fee of €250 is payable – in respect of applying for excise licences. That is in fact €190,500 as opposed to €190,000. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the relevant information available relates to the number of publicans' excise licences issued in the State where the annual turnover does not exceed the minimum threshold. A total of 4,667 such licences were issued in the last full licensing year, ending 30 September 2002.
That figure excludes licences issued after 30 September 2002 on foot of applications for renewal which were not received in time and includes licences issued on foot of new licensing applications where no turnover had yet been established.