Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 October 2019
69. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the number of persons that availed of the KEEP scheme in each year since its establishment; the cost in each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40459/19]
View answerI am advised by Revenue that companies granted qualifying share options to 87 key employees under the Key Employee Engagement Programme during 2018 (the first year of the scheme). Generally, a key employee must hold the option for 12 months prior to exercise and may exercise it at any time up to 10 years after the date of grant. Therefore, 2019 is the earliest year in which individuals may exercise their options to acquire shares in the qualifying companies. Returns for 2019 will not be filed with Revenue until 2020. As no information has been returned to-date in respect of the exercise of KEEP options, it is not possible to estimate the associated tax cost.
