Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:159. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance the number of tax units that avail of tax breaks for child care. [36301/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 26 July 2017
Ceisteanna (159, 160)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:160. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance the amount of revenue that was forgone in 2015 and 2016 and will be forgone in 2017 through tax breaks for private child care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36302/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 159 and 160 together.
An exemption from tax is available on income of up to €15,000 per annum for individuals who mind up to three children in their own home. I am advised by Revenue that the numbers availing of the exemption of income arising from the provision of childcare services between 2006 and 2015, the latest year for which data are available, and the associated costs of the relief, are published online on the Revenue’s website and is available at http://www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/information-about-revenue/statistics/tax-expenditures/costs-expenditures.aspx. In 2015, 680 child-minders availed of the relief at a cost to the exchequer of €1.4m.
Tax relief is not available to parents in respect of crèche fees or child care costs. A relief did exist in the form of a benefit-in-kind exemption where child care facilities were provided by an employer. However, this was abolished in Finance Act 2011, following a recommendation made by the Commission on Taxation.