It is difficult to forecast in advance the precise level of take-up of the new scheme. Due to the increase in the number of trades that can qualify for the scheme it is expected that there will be an increase in the take-up of the scheme in comparison with the existing Business Expansion Scheme.
A number of take-up scenarios were put forward in an ex-ante economic impact assessment of the Employment and Investment Incentive that was completed by my Department. This report is available on the Department of Finance Tax Policy website at http://taxpolicy.gov.ie/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/EIIEconomicImpact.pdf. I would point out that the new scheme is subject to Commencement Order and my officials are engaged on ongoing negotiations with the European Commission with regard to achieving State Aid approval for the scheme.