Michael Ring
Ceist:162 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the plans, if any, he has to abolish the need for a farmer to hold a tax clearance certificate for grant assistance over £5,000. [14288/97]
Written Answers - Tax Clearance Certificates.
Tax clearance requirements for national grants, subsidies and similar type payments by public bodies were introduced by Government decision and I have no intention of departing from that decision.
Modified arrangements apply to FEOGA guidance payments, principally headage and on-farm investment, which are part-funded by the EU. Following discussion with the European Commission, applicants for payments over £5,000 are requested to provide a tax clearance certificate. Failure to supply a certificate may lead to a delay in processing the application and to examination of the applicant's tax affairs by the Revenue Commissioners but payment will not be refused. Failure by the applicant to produce an RSI number will, however, result in the application not being accepted.
Tax clearance arrangements do not apply to FEOGA guarantee schemes.