Ceist:
383 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Finance the amount of VAT raised through the construction and sale of residential property during the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17420/99]
Written Answers. - Value Added Tax.
I am informed by the Office of the Revenue Commissioners that VAT returns are not collected in a manner which would enable the yield from the construction and sale of residential property to be identified exactly.
However, based on data published by the Department of the Environment and Local Government, the amount of VAT raised from sales of all new houses and apartments completed during the past three years is estimated as follows: 1996, £257.3 million; 1997, £343.9 million; and 1998, £460.4 million.