Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Ceist:190 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Finance the number of DIRT free deposit accounts operated here by the banks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15417/09]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 22 April 2009
Ceisteanna (141, 142)
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Ceist:191 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Finance the number of DIRT free deposits accounts which were opened in 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15418/09]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 190 and 191 together.
Section 34 of the Finance Act 2007 introduced a new scheme to allow the operation of Deposit Interest Retention Tax (DIRT) exempt savings accounts subject to two conditions: (a) the account holder must be aged 65 years of age or over or be permanently incapacitated; and (b) their total income must not exceed the relevant exemption threshold, i.e. €20,000 (for an individual) or €40,000 (for a married couple) in 2008.
Provisional figures show that in 2008 73,738 DIRT free deposit accounts were operated. Of these, 46,528 accounts were held with Banks and the balance were held with either Credit Unions or An Post. The equivalent figures for 2007 were 68,855 and 20,591.