Pearse Doherty
Ceist:20. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if the review of the special assignee relief programme has been completed and published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39081/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 26 September 2019
Ceisteanna (20)
Freagraí scríofa
The Special Assignee Relief Programme (SARP) is an income tax incentive aimed at reducing the cost to employers of assigning key individuals in their companies from abroad to take up temporary, short-term positions in the Irish based operations of the employer with a view to transferring essential skills to Irish based workers. For example, such individuals may be transferred to head up new divisions of the company or take charge of new product development.
In accordance with the Department of Finance Tax Expenditure Guidelines, SARP is currently the subject of an independent review which is being carried out by Indecon Economic Consultants. The review exercise affords an opportunity to look at all elements of the relief and it also includes consultation with stakeholders.
The terms of reference of the review include:
- the continuing relevance of the programme;
- the performance of the programme in terms of meeting its objectives;
- the particular features of the programme;
- the annual cost and
- the overall impact of the programme.
The appropriateness of the present upper and the lower limit on the quantum of income that should benefit from the tax relief is also to be examined having regard to the objectives of the scheme and to the principles of tax equity.
I understand that the report is currently being finalised and I expect that it will be submitted to my Department in the next few days. It is my intention to publish the report in the context of the forthcoming Budget and Finance Bill.