The information regarding the annual cost and numbers availing of the Artists' Exemption is set out in the table for the years 2005 to 2012, the most recent figures available. The fall in the cost of the exemption in recent years reflects both the introduction of an annual cap of €40,000 on the exemption since 2010 and the impact of the economic downturn on the incomes of artists.
Year
|
Cost of Artists Exemption - €m
|
Number of Claimants
|
2005
|
34.8
|
2,220
|
2006
|
65.9
|
2,890
|
2007
|
27.4
|
2,650
|
2008
|
21.8
|
2,630
|
2009
|
22.1
|
2,590
|
2010
|
9.6
|
2,350
|
2011
|
5.5
|
2,520
|
2012
|
4.8
|
2,490
|
As the Deputy will be aware, my officials will be carrying out a review of the artists exemption in advance of Budget 2016. The terms of this review have not yet been finalised. I will be considering the matter further in the coming weeks and I will announce details on the terms of the review in the new year.