Tax Collection.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 October 2004

Thursday, 14 October 2004

Ceisteanna (15)

Seán Ryan

Ceist:

14 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the serious reduction in the number of random audits undertaken by the Revenue Commissioners, which fell from 720 in 2002 to 274 in 2003; if, in view of the finding of the Comptroller and Auditor General that the Revenue Commissioners failed to meet their targets for audits due to pressure of other work, he intends to provide additional staff or resources to allow the full complement of audits to be undertaken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24670/04]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Finance (Mr. Cowen)

As reported by the Comptroller and Auditor General, the reduction in the numbers of random audits completed during 2003 was due to the resources required to carry out investigations into the holders of bogus non-resident accounts. This resulted in the number of random audits completed, 274, being less than the number targeted, 500. However, it should be noted, as pointed out in the Comptroller and Auditor General's report, that in 2003 cases were not selected purely at random but revenue districts selected those cases for audit which represented the greatest risk from an initial random selection.

It is anticipated by the Revenue Commissioners that the bogus non-resident investigation will be largely completed by the end of 2004 and the Revenue Commissioners assure me that there is in place an adequate staffing resource to carry out effective audit and compliance campaigns. This includes the resources necessary to carry out the targeted number of random audits.