Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:79 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Finance when the tax strategy group last met; its programme of work for the remainder of 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12997/04]
View answerDáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 6 May 2004
79 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Finance when the tax strategy group last met; its programme of work for the remainder of 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12997/04]
View answer103 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Finance when the tax strategy group last met; its programme of work for the remainder of 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13099/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 79 and 103 together.
The tax strategy group is an interdepartmental committee chaired by the Department of Finance, with membership comprising senior officials and advisers from the Departments of Finance, Taoiseach, Enterprise Trade and Employment, Social Community and Family Affairs and the Revenue Commissioners.
The precise terms of reference of the group are: to examine and develop proposals for measures in the areas of taxation, PRSI and levies, for the budget and Finance Bill within agreed Government parameters for the overall budget position and in the context of the framework of a medium-term and longer-term strategy set out in the Government's programme, and to examine the strategic approach for a general social welfare package and to assess the interaction of income tax-PRSI-levies proposals with social welfare proposals including child income support, and in particular the impact of this interaction on the labour market and income distribution.
Under its terms of reference, the group will be examining, over the course of the coming year, a range of issues, with a particular focus on budget 2005 and the subsequent finance Bill and social welfare Bill.
Many of the past policy papers and minutes of the meetings of the group can be found on the Department's website, www.finance.gov.ie. It is intended that further documents relating to the budget and Finance Bill 2004 will be made available this month.