Today I have the great privilege of presenting my first Budget to Dail Eireann and the first Budget - in a series of five - of a new administration. It has been said that those living through radical change rarely appreciate its reality at the time.
I certainly would believe that is the case when it comes to the Budget. Because we still look at the Budget as we used to in the seventies and eighties.
In the old model, the Minister for Finance could choose to be Santa Claus or Judge Dredd. He could give a present to everyone in the audience, or he could punish the spenders and give lectures on how everybody had to get a grip.
There was high excitement value in the old model. High anticipation: people queuing the day before a Budget to fill their petrol tanks or stock up their drinks cabinets.
The old model might have made some sense for a small nation and a small economy.
The new model makes sense for a member State within the EU, and part of a vast and open economy.
Because we are a Member State, because we are part of a vast open economy, because we are committed to the parameters that will take us into the single currency, the surprise element is more or less gone from the Budget.
It could also be said, of course, that by Budget Day, a Minister for Finance has no money left to spend: it's all been spent 50 times over, by experts in the newspapers over the previous few weeks.
The Budget should not seek higher TAM ratings than it deserves. A Budget used to stick up from the rest of the year the way Mount Everest might stand up in the middle of the Curragh. Those days are gone.
Instead of creative gimmickry and lucky-bag spending to win votes, today's Budget is characterised by three things:
Control of public spending,
Correction of tax inequities,
Overdue acknowledgement of the elderly
In regard to the control of public spending, I would wish to make it clear that I don't believe control of public spending is an end in itself, a virtue of itself.
Ruthless cutting of public expenditure in some areas might benefit the economy in the short term - but it would have a lethal long-term effect on individuals and families on the margins.
We will not build an Ireland worth living in by deepening social inequalities
Nor will we maintain social peace and progress in that way.
The control of public expenditure in this Budget, therefore, walks the very thin line between proper rectitude and punitive rigour.
Building on Economic progress
Ireland has in this decade undergone an economic transformation. I would like to acknowledge the contribution that my predecessors in this Office have made in that period.
They were supported by the Social Partners - the Trade Unions, Employers and Farmers - as well as the broader community.
Irish society has joined together over that decade to forge and sustain a coherent and consistent strategy for economic and social progress.
In that period, the numbers at work have increased by over a quarter of a million. Our public finances are in much better shape. There are, however, still many challenges and deficiencies to be faced on the economic and social front and my Budget sets out to deal with these.
We have to do three things:
First, we must ensure that we create the right conditions to sustain strong economic growth so that more people get jobs. Second, we must take steps to ensure that any inflationary pressures are contained. Third, we must prepare for the problems we face in the decades ahead.
Partnership 2000 and Progress to Date
It is now almost a year since the conclusion of a new agreement between the
Social Partners - Partnership 2000 for Inclusion, Employment and
Competitiveness. This included a commitment to personal tax reductions of
£900 million on a full year basis over three years and an action programme for social inclusion and equality involving additional expenditure of
£525 million, again over three years.
Taking account of the 1997 Budget and the measures I am proposing today, the overall resource commitment will have been delivered in the first two years of the three year Programme.
Action Programme for the Millennium
This Government's Programme, An Action Programme for the Millennium, outlines our main fiscal objectives for the next five years. Today's Budget addresses these objectives. I am projecting a significant current budget surplus each year to 2000. By the year 2000, Exchequer borrowing will be eliminated. On a
General Government basis, borrowing has already been eliminated. My current spending targets will be achieved. Overall resources will permit me to invest more in vital capital needs.
Over the period to the year 2000, Government spending will decline as a proportion of GNP. And this Budget delivers the resources promised in
Partnership 2000 for tax and social inclusion.
Developments in 1997
1997 has been the fourth successive year of very strong economic growth. This is once again being translated into substantially higher numbers at work - about
50,000 more this year. At the same time, inflation has remained moderate at around 1 1/2 per cent.
The Exchequer Borrowing Requirement is expected to be about £280 million or 0.7 per cent of GNP, compared with the Budget target of over £600 million. The General Government Balance is likely to show a surplus of about 0.4 per cent of GDP. The General Government debt to GDP ratio is likely to fall to 67 per cent.
Budget Strategy
In the separate document "Budget 1998, Economic Background" I have set out in detail the basis for my budgetary strategy and the economic outlook for the next three years.
In preparing my Budget I had to take account of a number of strategic issues:
provide for capital investment;
reduce the tax burden;
pursue social inclusion;
prepare for Economic and Monetary Union;
anticipate changes in European Structural Funds;
plan for an ageing population;
reduce our National Debt.
National Debt
As a country we are still deeply in debt. By the end of this year, it is likely to exceed £30,000 million - about £22,000 for every person at work in the country. The interest cost alone will be over £2,300 million.
We must free up these resources. Think of the alternative uses we could make of them: in increased investment, improved social services, or a reduced tax burden. We did not thank earlier administrations for spending their way into our pockets. Our children would not thank us for spending our way into their pockets. We must not and will not lose control of our finances just because of our strong economic growth.
1998 Budget Targets
On the basis of the taxation and expenditure measures I am announcing today, the targets for the 1998 Budget are:
a current budget surplus of £1,109 million;
a capital deficit of £1,198 million,
an Exchequer Borrowing Requirement of £89 million; and
a General Government Surplus of 0.3 per cent of GDP.
I am projecting General Government surpluses in 1999 and 2000 also. The General Government Debt ratio will fall from 67 per cent of GDP in 1997 to 58 per cent of GDP in 2000.
I might mention that from the 1999 Budget on, our targets will be set in terms of the EU measure, the General Government Balance, rather than the Exchequer Borrowing Requirement or EBR.
Public Service Pay
The public service pay and pensions bill - £5.6 billion - is expected to increase by 6 per cent over 1997 on top of an increase of 10 1/2 per cent in
1997 itself. This is totally unacceptable.
Two main factors are driving up the pay bill - numbers employed and pay rates. In future, all proposals to Government for new or expanded services will specifically identify any implications for the Pay Bill. The main problem, as far as pay rate increases are concerned, has been cost drift under the local bargaining provisions of the PCW such as the increases secured by a number of major groups in the health sector. The nurses' settlement alone is adding 1 1/2
per cent to the pay bill in 1997.
We need to finally put the PCW to rest. It is essential that the remaining PCW local bargaining cases be resolved within the PCW cost norm. The groups concerned cannot expect to follow the higher settlements secured, on the basis of certain unique considerations, by nurses and a small number of other groups.
We must ensure that the efficiency and effectiveness commitments made by public servants in return for local bargaining increases under the PCW are fully honoured.
There must be no repeat under Partnership 2000 of the cost drift under PCW. The 2 per cent limit on local bargaining in the Partnership must be adhered to strictly. The Government has decided to introduce new arrangements which will involve giving each Department an annual allocation to cover the cost of all the
Partnership 2000 increases, including the 2 per cent local negotiations increase. These allocations will represent the total funding available for all improvements in pay and conditions during the period of the Partnership.
There is no point in having national programmes unless we all honour them. The last Government negotiated Partnership 2000 and this Government is committed to implementing its terms. Those who signed up for the pay and industrial peace terms of the agreement must keep their part of the bargain if this Government is to be able to deliver on social inclusion and tax measures while continuing to manage the economy in a balanced and responsible way.
I now want to turn to Social Inclusion.
Social Inclusion
The continued strong performance of the economy provides the resources for an improvement in the position of the more disadvantaged members of our community.
I am confident that the range of measures I am proposing today in social welfare and other social policy programmes will result in solid progress in these areas.
These measures are designed to:
deliver on undertakings aimed at combating disadvantage set out in the
Government's Programme;
make further progress towards meeting the commitments on social inclusion in
Partnership 2000;
contribute towards the achievement of the strategic aims of the National Anti-Poverty Strategy; and
continue the reorientation of the social welfare code in a work-friendly direction.
A special emphasis is being put on helping the elderly.
The Government undertook to spend £525 million on social inclusion measures over the three years of Partnership 2000. Last year, £273
million was committed for this purpose. This Budget commits a further £
282 million in a full year, so that resources which had been promised over three years will now be more than provided over two. This is a concrete expression of this Government's desire to see that economic progress is accompanied by real social advance for those in need and of our commitment to the social partnership process.
The social welfare improvements which I will announce in a moment will cost
£125 million in 1998 and £225 million in a full year.
In addition, I will be announcing other social inclusion measures which will cost £39 million in 1998 and £57 million in a full year.
Weekly Welfare Payments
From the first week of June next, I am providing for a real increase in the weekly payment rates for all welfare categories. In general, personal rates will be increased by £3 per week, while qualified adult allowances will rise by 3 per cent. These increases are well above the expected rate of inflation. Moreover, the new rates will be payable for 31 weeks in 1998 as compared with 29 weeks in recent years. It is my firm intention that, over the term of office of this Government, the implementation date for budget welfare increases will be brought forward to early April to coincide with the new tax year.
Our older citizens have persevered through the bad years, and have done so much to create the boom time in which we live. But not only have they worked in times that were more difficult than the present - they now face old age in a radically changed Ireland, an Ireland busier and less supportive, in some ways, than the Ireland of earlier days.
Older people should be able to face the years after they retire with confidence. As an indication of the Government's determination to ensure that the older members of our society are well provided for, I am pleased to announce that the full personal rate of all old age and related pensions will be increased by £5 per week. This will give increases ranging from 6 per cent to almost 7 1/2 per cent, or at least three times the expected rate of inflation. The weekly pension for a typical elderly contributory couple will rise to almost £140.
I am also raising substantially the tax exemption thresholds which I will refer to under my taxation proposals. This is in line with our election commitments to the elderly and is an unashamed and deliberate targeting of resources.
Commission on Social Welfare Rates
As a result of these measures, the rates for all but two categories will be brought above the minimum rate recommended by the Commission on Social Welfare and the two exceptions will be brought to within 2 per cent of this level. This will increase the living standards of all those dependent on welfare support.
Child Benefit
From September next, Child Benefit rates are being increased by £1.50
per month for the first and second children and by £3 per month for third and subsequent children. A mother with four children will then receive monthly payments of £147 or almost £34 per week.
Child Benefit - Twins
I have also decided that, from September next, Child Benefit for twins will be paid at 150 per cent of the usual rate.
Family Income Supplement
The Family Income Supplement has long been recognised as an important income support for families in low paid work - by ensuring that there will be a reward for working as compared with being unemployed. A commitment was given in
Partnership 2000 to calculate entitlement to the Supplement on a net rather than gross income basis. The first move in that direction was made earlier this year by excluding PRSI contributions and Health and Employment levies from the calculation. On this occasion, I am completing this process by removing income tax from the basis of assessment with effect from October next. Moreover, the current family income thresholds are being increased by £7 per week from
June. As a result, the average weekly payment for existing FIS claimants will rise by £11, to £50.
Back to Work Allowance Scheme
The Back to Work Allowance Scheme has been very successful in re-integrating large numbers of the long-term unemployed into employment. I have decided to increase the number of places on this scheme by a further 5,000 to 27,000 in
1998. The Area Based Allowance is also being extended to the entire country.
Other Improvements
As well as the initiatives which I have just announced, I am targeting certain other areas within the social welfare code. I am allocating an additional £1.2 million in 1998 for Marriage and Child Counselling and the Family Mediation Service. I am extending eligibility for the Companion Travel Pass to benefit people over 75 years who are unable to travel alone. I am also providing a Free Travel Pass to all recipients of Carer's Allowance. Finally, additional grants are being made towards voluntary and community services. A list of these grants is included in the Summary of 1998 Budget Measures.
My colleague, the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs, will be announcing full details of these various measures.
Social Welfare Abuse
While the Government has amply demonstrated its readiness to provide support and assistance where it is most required, it is equally determined that spending should only go where it is genuinely needed. The results of a special Live
Register survey published last year gave rise to serious concern regarding the possible extent of fraud in the unemployment payments system. Let me make it clear that we will clamp down on social welfare abuses with renewed vigour. In this way, we can free up greater resources to invest in the genuine social needs at the heart of Partnership 2000.
An additional £36.8 million is being allocated for the development of health services in 1998. This, with other technical changes, brings the gross estimate for the health and children vote to £3.1 billion next year -
representing about one fifth of all supply spending. This is £1 billion higher than the 1993 spending figures of £2.1 billion. The 1998
provision is 11 per cent higher than the 1997 figure of £2.8 billion.
I might at this stage mention that £16 million of these new initiatives relate to social inclusion measures, including an extra £7 million for the mentally handicapped; a further £2 million for the elderly; and £1.5 million for psychiatric services both for the elderly and for young people.
Despite a considerable expansion of our child protection services since 1993, under which additional annual expenditure is now £45 million, health boards remain under pressure. The budget for child care services in the health and children vote in 1998 will be £8 million higher than in 1997, including £2 million for new developments which I am providing today.
In addition, a further £2.2 million is being provided to expand family and community development services on the social, community and family affairs vote. This allocation will support the Government's child care programme.
People with Disabilities
Today is European Day for People with Disabilities. I want to underline our commitment to the development of services for people with disabilities. This
Government is the first to appoint a Minister of State with special responsibility for disability issues, Ms Mary Wallace TD. The Government decided recently to establish the National Disability Authority of Ireland as recommended by the Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities. Today
I am glad to be able to allocate, as part of the social inclusion package, a further £3 million for people with physical or sensory disabilities.
Further details are set out in the Summary of 1998 Budget Measures.
Community Employment
Community employment is currently being reviewed in the light of recent labour market developments. Pending the outcome, I have accepted a recommendation of the social partners and agreed, as an interim measure, to make funding available for an additional 1,000 places on the part-time jobs option and 1,000 places on the jobs initiative. The gross cost of these places will be £11 million in 1998 and £17 million in a full year. Savings in social welfare payments will reduce these costs substantially.
Furthermore, in line with the improved social welfare payments, the allowances payable under community employment will also be increased at a cost of £6 million in 1998, and £10 million in a full year.
Other Social Inclusion Measures
I have set out in the Summary of 1998 Budget Measures a number of other improvements.
Other Expenditure Measures
The Millennium
The new millennium will be celebrated in a variety of ways in this country and across the world. There are a number of interesting proposals being developed to mark the millennium - for example, the rejuvenation of O'Connell Street, the premier thoroughfare of our capital city. I will be considering the possibility of some future contribution to the funding of suitable projects.
Sport and Tourism
Gaelic games are an integral part of our culture. The GAA is the premier sporting organisation in Ireland and for over a 100 years has been a powerful positive force in fostering our Gaelic games. The association has indicated that it intends to press ahead with plans for completing the remaining phases of the Croke Park redevelopment project. The recently completed first phase of the project has been widely admired and there is little doubt but that the overall project when completed will provide this country with a state-of-the-art sports stadium for the new millennium which will stand comparison with facilities available anywhere else in the world. Accordingly, the Government has decided to support the project by allocating £20 million over a three year period from the surplus revenues of the National Lottery. £7 million will be provided in each of the years 1998 and 1999 and the balance in the year
2000.
A further £3 million will be provided for recreational and major sporting facilities, £1.75 million for sports organisations and £
3.5 million for tourism marketing initiatives. The details are set out in the
Summary of 1998 Budget Measures.
Agriculture
Our agricultural and food industry remains central to the wellbeing of the economy. Government policy will aim to maximise the contribution which the industry makes to economic growth, exports and the balance of payments, and employment. But we must plan for this in a policy environment which demands improved competitiveness and a readiness to embrace structural change under the
Common Agricultural Policy. The Government will work closely with agricultural and rural communities in adapting to this changing environment.
Against this background, I am making some additional allocations for agriculture in 1998 including £23 million in funding for headage payments and £3.5 million to discharge outstanding applications for installation aid for young farmers. The details are set out in the Summary of 1998 Budget Measures.
Total cost of current and capital expenditure
The expenditure measures I have announced today total £214 million, of which £194 million is current and £20 million capital. I am confident that these measures will maintain and strengthen the social consensus which has brought Ireland major benefits. In addition, the extra capital spending provided for in the 1998 Estimates will make a significant contribution to improving Ireland's economic prospects.
Controlling Current Spending
When account is taken of the spending measures I have announced today, the percentage increase in net current spending including central fund is 3.7 per cent for 1998.
The Government is committed to ensuring that, over the life-time of the
Government, the growth in net current expenditure will be limited to an annual average increase of 4 per cent. Controlling public expenditure is a key element of our budgetary and economic policy.
The projected average annual increase in net current expenditure over the three years 1998 to 2000, on a "no-policy-change" basis, is 3.8 per cent, just within the 4 per cent limit. The task of achieving the Government target of containing the growth in current expenditure will be a challenging one. For example, while the projected annual average increase remains within the Government target, the current spending increase in 1999 over 1998 is projected, on the "no-policy-change" basis, to be 4.8 per cent. Accordingly, ensuring that the Government's objectives are met will require continued firm discipline in the control of current spending and, if necessary, corrective action over the lifetime of the Government.
Taxation
Income Tax
I now turn to my income tax proposals. The action programme for the millennium makes clear the Government's commitment to reduce the burden of personal taxation in order to reward effort and to improve incentives to work.
The programme sets out specific targets and commitments for tax reductions and reliefs over the period of the Government. It is not possible to do everything in one Budget but it is important today to make progress towards the goals we have set ourselves.
I am concerned that this Budget should ease pressures in the labour market.
Reduced taxes will increase take home pay and make it more attractive to work.
This will help keep the pressures on pay costs and inflation under control. For that reason I am allocating £517 million in full year costs to the main personal tax reductions.
Tax Evasion
The Government has already made clear its view that tax evasion in any form is totally unacceptable. Pursuit of evasion is a demanding and ongoing activity.
The Revenue Commissioners have been active in recent years in streamlining their operations to facilitate this effort. A large number of staff has been placed on audit and investigation work. This activity brought in some £133 million in tax receipts in 1996. I know from personal observation, and I am sure the
House knows, that Revenue have transformed their whole approach to tax administration in the past 10 years. This has played a significant part in the increased tax revenues we are now experiencing.
As part of their anti-evasion activity, Revenue have designed and put in place arrangements to secure a more effective prosecution policy for cases of serious evasion. A number of cases have already been reported to the DPP and court proceedings have been initiated.
Following the report of the McCracken Tribunal, I also initiated a review by my Department and the Revenue Commissioners of Revenue's powers for combating evasion. The Moriarty Tribunal, in accordance with its terms of reference, will also be looking at certain aspects of this matter.
If additional powers are required and these are shown to be desirable and likely to be effective, I will bring forward the necessary legislation for consideration by the House.
Tax Shelters
I am also taking action in the Budget to reduce the availability of certain tax shelters used in particular by high-income earners. Tax incentives have an important role to play in promoting investment in certain sectors. However, this has to be counter-balanced by the need to achieve a more equitable sharing of the tax burden.
Tax Reductions
I will now turn to the main tax package. I am happy to announce that the standard rate of income tax and the higher rate will be reduced by 2 percentage points in both cases from April 6th next. The new rates will be 24 per cent and
46 per cent respectively.
It is the Government's aim to reduce these rates further as resources allow and to achieve a 20 per cent standard rate of income tax over the next few budgets.
The alternative route to achieving a 20 per cent rate would be to introduce a new but limited income tax band at 20 per cent and to widen it in successive budgets. I have decided that the better course is to cut the standard rate of tax until 20 per cent is achieved.
The basic personal allowance is being increased from April 6th, 1998, by
£250 to £3,150 per annum for single persons and by £500
to £6,300 per annum for married couples. An increase of £250 per annum will also apply to widowed, single parent and widowed parent allowances.
In addition, in the case of widows with children, the special allowance in the first year after bereavement is being increased from £1,500 to £5,000 and this will be tapered out over five years instead of the three years as at present. This will provide substantial relief to widowed families at a time when financial pressures can be at their greatest.
I am also increasing the blind person's allowance to £1,000 per annum and to £2,000 per annum for married couples where both spouses are blind.
The incapacitated child allowance is being increased from £700 to
£800 per annum. The maximum allowance for the care of an incapacitated taxpayer or spouse will increase from £7,500 to £8,500 per annum
- all of these changes with effect from April 6th next.
I also propose to increase the PRSI weekly allowance of £80 per week in the case of full rate PRSI contributors to £100 per week. The PRSI
ceiling applicable to all employees and the self-employed will increase from
£23,200 to £24,200, as already provided for in the expenditure
Estimates.
The standard rate income tax band is being widened by £100 for single persons to £10,000 and by £200 for married couples to £
20,000 per annum.
The general income tax exemption limits for those under 65 are being increased by £100 to £4,100 per annum for single and widowed persons and by £200 to £8,200 per annum for those who are married.
The Government is also committed to easing the tax burden on the aged and for that reason the income tax exemption limits for those aged 65 to 74 are being increased by £400 to £5,000 per annum for single and widowed persons and by £800 to £10,000 per annum for married couples.
For those aged 75 and over the exemption limits are being increased by £
300 to £5,500 per annum for single and widowed persons and by £
600 to £11,000 per annum for married couples.
It is my intention ultimately over a number of budgets to have a single exemption limit for all those aged 65 and over. The substantial increases in the age exemption limits for those aged 65 to 74 are significant steps in that direction.
The measures I have announced will take over 15,000 persons out of the income tax net who would otherwise have been liable for tax.
In line with the reduction in the standard rate of income tax, the withholding tax on professional services and the standard rate of DIRT tax will also be reduced from 26 per cent to 24 per cent.
The thresholds for the payment of the employment and training levy and the health contribution are being raised by £500 to £10,750 per annum, or from £197 to £207 per week.
These income tax and PRSI changes will cost £517 million in a full year.
Tax Credits/Standard Rating
A number of proposals have been made in pre-Budget submissions to standard rate some or all income tax allowances and reliefs and to convert these into tax credits at the standard rate. A special group set up under Partnership 2000 has been examining the issue and is preparing a report for the social partners.
While the completion of this report is awaited, I can say that the Government is open to considering such a move provided that all the complex issues involved can be fully teased out and the system can be introduced into the tax code in a manageable way.
As I have said, it is not possible to introduce all the new measures one would wish in a single Budget. I have examined carefully the possibility of a tax relief on childcare at the standard rate of tax but have decided not to proceed with it this year. I will review the situation for my next Budget in the light of the reports due next year from the Working Group on Childcare set up under Partnership 2000 and from the Household Review Group and the Commission on the Family set up by the previous Government.
Care in the Community
I will also be examining for the next Budget the possibility of introducing a new relief for those in the home looking after a family member in need of care.
I have asked my Department to set up a working group with the Department of
Health and Children and the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs to consider how to devise a targeted relief at a reasonable cost which will complement health and social welfare policy objectives in this area.
Cross-Border Workers
I have been concerned for some time about the income tax position of cross-
Border workers, that is certain workers who are resident in this State but who travel to work in Northern Ireland. Subject to full consideration of the complex taxation, legal and constitutional issues involved, I intend to bring in a suitable relief in the Finance Bill.
Initiatives to Help the Long-Term Unemployed
To assist the long-term unemployed back to work, I am introducing a two part initiative.
The first part is a special tax allowance in the first year of employment of
£3,000 plus £1,000 for each child for persons unemployed for one year or more who take up a job. The allowance will be tapered down over a three-
year period.
The second part of the initiative is a double tax deduction for wages for employers who employ the long-term unemployed person. This double deduction can last for a period of up to three years provided the former long-term unemployed person is still employed by them.
Participants will retain their secondary benefits. This allowance will be an alternative to other existing back-to-work incentives.
The initiatives will be included in the forthcoming Finance Bill and will operate from April 6th, 1998. It is difficult to know how many long-term unemployed people will benefit from these initiatives but I am making a tentative provision for a cost of £1 million in 1998 and £5
million in a full year.
Systematic Short-Time Workers and Unemployment Benefit Taxation
I am extending for a further year the special tax relief on unemployment benefit payments to systematic short-time workers introduced in the 1994 Finance Act. There are about 4,000 employees affected by this relief which has been rolled forward each year since 1994.
Business Expansion Scheme (BES)
I have decided that from today the aggregate amount that can be raised by a company under the BES will be reduced from £1 million to £
250,000. This reduction will achieve a better targeting of the BES relief on smaller companies who find it difficult to raise equity finance from other sources. Transitional provisions will be put in place to cater for BES projects in the pipeline which are well advanced prior to today.
The estimated savings from the refocusing of this scheme are about £20 million in a full year. However, taking into account the proposed transitional arrangements, it is estimated that savings in 1998 will be of the order of £10 million.
Capital Allowances for Buildings (including Hotels)
The availability of enhanced capital allowances for certain buildings is an important tax relief to stimulate investment.
However, their availability to passive investors is also a prime factor in certain high income earners being able to reduce their income tax liability by substantial amounts. This effect has become clear in certain cases following a recent review by the Revenue Commissioners of the amount of income tax paid by high income earners. I have called on previous occasions in Opposition for measures to ensure that all taxpayers liable to income tax pay an adequate effective rate of tax on their earnings. This is what fair taxation means.
I am therefore proposing that on and from today there will be an annual cap of £25,000 on the amount of capital allowances on buildings that an individual taxpayer can claim against non-rental income. This cap will apply to the amount of capital allowances not availed of by the taxpayer as an offset against rental income. The buildings in question are all those on which capital allowances can be claimed including buildings in tax designated areas. This change will not affect owner-occupiers who carry on a business in the building nor will it affect such investment by companies.
In the case of hotels, I propose that - except for the special scheme I will mention in a moment - the capital allowances will be ring-fenced to rental income in the case of individual investors in hotel projects other than where the individual is the person actively carrying on the hotel business.
There will be a special scheme for investment in certain hotels in particular parts of the country where the unrestricted availability of capital allowances to individual investors will continue. The areas I have in mind are counties where there are insufficient hotels of three-star or higher standard and where an investment in upgrading such facilities will help spread some of the tourist traffic to those parts of the country which up to now may not have shared fully in the overall increase in tourist numbers. The counties I propose are the seven contiguous counties of Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Mayo, Monaghan, Roscommon and Sligo, excluding the designated seaside resorts in those counties.
This special scheme will need to be discussed with the EU Commission.
These changes will have effect on and from today, but transitional provisions will apply for projects already in the pipeline. I am also introducing anti-
avoidance measures to ensure that the new restrictions cannot be bypassed by groups of essentially passive investors setting themselves up as "trading"
partnerships.
Nursing Homes
In order to encourage the provision of extra nursing home places, I am proposing that nursing home buildings which are registered with the health boards will qualify for capital allowances at 100 per cent over seven years subject to the restrictions mentioned for individual investors.
Details of the new capital allowance regime are set out in the Summary of 1998 Budget Measures. It is estimated that these new capital allowance measures could save up to £20 million in a full year.
Corporation Tax
The House is aware of the particular importance that is attached to corporation tax and its role in promoting the expansion of business and employment in the State. The previous Government announced last May that a single low rate of corporation tax of 12 1/2 per cent on trading income would be introduced from 2006 in the case of non-manufacturing companies and from 2011 in the case of manufacturing. A rate of 25 per cent would apply to non-trading income. The European Commission were notified accordingly and since then there have been extensive discussions with the Commission on this notification. Arising from an examination of the issues by the Government, it has been decided to confirm that the rates of 12 1/2 per cent and 25 per cent are the rates that will apply.
To achieve these target rates, substantial progress must be made in reducing the standard rate of corporation tax in each Budget over the coming years.
Accordingly, it has been decided to reduce the standard rate of corporation tax from 36 per cent to 32 per cent and to reduce the rate on the first £
50,000 of profits from 28 per cent to 25 per cent from January 1st, 1998.
I propose to set a timetable for the further reductions needed to reach the 12 1/2 per cent rate when the current discussions with the Commission have concluded.
The House will be aware of the code of conduct on business taxation which was agreed by the EU member-States on Monday last in Brussels. This code is designed to curb harmful tax measures. It does not aim at harmonising corporation tax rates in the Community and will not affect the single low rate of corporation tax.
Tax Credits on Dividends
Given that the standard rate of corporation tax has been reduced substantially in the past few years and will be further reduced in future years, it has been decided that the tax credit attaching to dividends paid by companies will be abolished over a period of two years.
In the ordinary course this credit would reduce as the standard rate of corporation tax is cut but I have decided to accelerate the process. The tax credit rate which will apply from today in the case of dividends paid out of profits taxed at the standard rate will be reduced from approximately one-
quarter to just under one-eighth of the dividend.
The rate of advance corporation tax which is equivalent to this credit is being reduced in tandem. My intention is to abolish tax credits and advance corporation tax in respect of all dividends paid after April 5th, 1999.
The tax treatment of shares taken instead of a cash dividend is also being changed, as outlined in the Summary of 1998 Budget Measures.
These changes will yield £24 million in 1998 and £60 million in a full year.
Life Assurers
In line with the reduction in the standard rate of income tax, the tax rate applying to life assurance companies in respect of their policyholders'
investments will be reduced from 26 per cent to 24 per cent from April 6th next.
PRSI
It has also been decided to increase the threshold below which the lower rate of employer PRSI applies from £260 per week to £270 per week.
The overall ceiling on employer PRSI will rise from £27,900 to £29,000 per annum as already provided for in the expenditure estimates.
We have many attractions for domestic and foreign business to operate here - the skills of our workers, the can-do business environment, our membership of the EU, language skills and a determination to succeed. We also need to maintain the tax environment for business to complement these other advantages. The combined effect of the changes I am making today will help to increase jobs, investment and tax revenue so that we can continue to reduce the tax burden and tax rates on the PAYE sector and on earned income generally.
Special Savings Accounts
I am proposing to increase the 15 per cent rate of tax which applies to Special Savings Accounts to 20 per cent with effect from 6th April 1998. As I have said, we are aiming for a 20 per cent standard rate of income tax and it makes sense to move the rate of DIRT on special savings accounts to this rate now.
This also helps correct the imbalance between the tax treatment of deposit interest and other income. The new rate still provides a competitive after-tax return to Irish depositors on their investments. Special investment accounts which are required to invest over half of their funds in Irish equities will still continue to be subject to 10 per cent tax in respect of income and capital gains. This change will yield £6 million in 1998 and £7.5
million in a full year.
Charities
In response to the clear wishes of the House for a tax measure in recognition of the major contribution the domestic charities make to Irish life, I will be introducing a new tax relief on donations to domestic charities along the lines proposed by the Irish Charities Tax Reform Group. The new relief will be in respect of donations made by companies on an arm's length basis to eligible charities.
The relief will apply to donations of between £250 and £10,000 to any one charity in any one year, subject to an overall limit of £50,000, or 10 per cent of a donor's taxable income, whichever is the lesser amount. Full details of this new relief will be included in the Finance
Bill.
Tax Relief for Disadvantaged Schools
Disadvantaged schools are generally situated in economically deprived areas and experience great difficulties in fund-raising. I am proposing a new tax relief on personal and corporate donations made to disadvantaged schools which could be used, for example, to provide for computers, additional equipment or book rental schemes. Details of the relief, which will operate from 6th April next, will be incorporated in the Finance Bill.
Two new reliefs are estimated to cost just over £1 million in 1998 and about £4 million in a full year and will take effect after the passing of the Finance Bill.
Car Value Threshold
The car value threshold used for calculating capital allowances in respect of new cars and allowable expenses for all cars used for business purposes will be increased from £15,000 to £15,500 from today.
Capital Gains Tax
For a considerable period of time I have been of the strong view that a reduction in capital gains tax will release pent up investment funds and create an incentive for the acquisition of further capital assets. This will encourage investment and growth in the future.
I have decided therefore to reduce the rate of capital gains tax from 40 per cent to 20 per cent except for disposals of development land which will remain taxed at 40 per cent.
I also propose to reduce the current annual allowance of £1,000 single and £2,000 married for capital gains tax to an individual allowance of £500 per annum.
The new rate of 20 per cent also means the abolition of the current 26 per cent rate of capital gains tax on disposals of shares in certain small and medium-sized unquoted companies. The reduction in CGT will take effect from today while the reduced allowance will apply from 6th April next.
As a prudent accountant I am allowing for a net cost of £5 million in the first year and £19 million in a full year.
Farmer Taxation
I am proposing a number of improvements in existing reliefs to assist the farming sector. The expenditure limit for the special capital allowance for farm pollution control is being increased from £20,000 to £
30,000 with effect from the next income tax year starting on 6th April 1998.
The current 100 per cent stock relief for young qualifying farmers will apply for four years instead of two years. This change will take effect from the start of the current income tax year.
I am also making a change in capital gains tax retirement relief to benefit farmers who lease their land under the early retirement scheme. This measure will come into effect on 6th April next.
In the area of VAT, I propose to increase the flat rate of VAT which may be charged by unregistered farmers on their sales to registered traders from the current 3.3 per cent to 3.6 per cent from 1st March 1998. The farmer flat rate
VAT is designed to recoup to farmers the cost of VAT borne on their inputs and the increase will cost the Exchequer just over £5 million in 1998 and
£8 million in a full year. The associated VAT rate for livestock will also increase to 3.6 per cent from the same date.
Capital Acquisitions Tax
For some time I have been concerned about the position of elderly brothers and sisters who share the family home and who, when one of them dies, may face a very large inheritance tax charge on part or all of the family home. This has become a more acute problem with the recent upsurge in house prices.
For that reason I have decided to increase the current relief from inheritance tax in such situations from 60 per cent of the value of the family home or £80,000 to 80 per cent of the value or £150,000, whichever is the lesser. Similar problems can also apply in the case of other close relatives sharing a family home. I have therefore decided to create a new relief for situations where the recipient of the family home is a close relative of the deceased owner, e.g. nephew, niece or grandchild, and both have been living in the house for at least 10 years prior to the inheritance. This new relief will have broadly the same terms as the improved elderly siblings relief.
Details of these new and extended reliefs are set out in the Summary of 1998
Budget Measures. These two changes will take effect in the case of inheritances taken on or after today.
Future Pension Provision
As Deputies may be aware, there is a major study being carried out by the
Pensions Board into the whole pensions area. It is expected that the Board will present a report to the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs very shortly. I am conscious of the various anomalies and discrepancies that exist within the existing tax rules for pension provision, particularly those relating to retirement annuities. I intend therefore to look at these rules after the
Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs has considered this forthcoming report.
Designated Seaside Resorts and Car Parks
In response to requests from the areas affected, I am extending the termination date for the scheme of tax reliefs for the 15 designated seaside resorts from 30th June 1998 to 30th June 1999. This extension will apply only for projects in respect of which a local authority can certify that at least 15 per cent of the total cost of the project had been incurred by 30th June 1998. A review is being carried out into the operation and effects of the designated seaside resorts scheme and no decision will be taken about any further extension of the scheme until after this review is completed.
A similar extension of the termination date from 30th June 1998 to 30th June
1999 will also apply, subject to the same conditions, in the case of the tax relief for multi-storey car-parks which was introduced in 1995.
Wind Energy
I am proposing to introduce in the Finance Bill a new relief to encourage corporate investment in certain renewable energy projects such as wind-energy and bio-mass. An outline of the proposed relief is contained in the Summary of
1998 Budget Measures. Given our need to reduce emissions and to promote environmentally friendly energy sources, it is clearly desirable to provide reasonable financial assistance by way of tax relief to get such projects off the ground.
Rural Renewal
I have received a large number of representations from Deputies and other quarters about introducing a new scheme of rural renewal to reinvigorate certain areas of rural Ireland on similar lines to the urban renewal scheme. As
Deputies will appreciate, it is impossible to designate all of rural Ireland and consequently I have decided, in the first instance, to look carefully at the feasibility of a pilot initiative which would apply in parts of the Upper
Shannon region. I would hope to have this scheme ready for the Finance Bill but it will be necessary to discuss it beforehand with the EU Commission.
Indirect Taxes
The taxation of motor vehicles is an important source of revenue - revenue which helps to fund vital public services and enables the Government to keep down taxes in other areas.
Nonetheless, given the termination of the scrappage scheme on 31st December next, I feel it reasonable to cushion the impact of this somewhat by a small reduction in Vehicle Registration Tax. I expect these reductions to be reflected fully in dealer prices. I have decided to reduce the rate of VRT on cars from 23.2 per cent at present to 22.5 per cent on vehicles up to 2,500cc and from 29.25 per cent to 28 per cent on vehicles over that threshold with effect from 1st January 1998.
There are reasons for using the tax system to achieve certain health and environmental policy objectives. I hope in future budgets to develop proposals to further environmental objectives and to achieve other public policy goals.
I propose to increase the VAT inclusive excise duty on cigarettes from midnight tonight by 10 pence per packet of 20, with pro rata increases in other tobacco products.
Also from midnight tonight, the VAT inclusive excise duty on leaded petrol and on super unleaded petrol will be increased by 4 pence per litre. I do not propose to change the rate for ordinary unleaded petrol or to change the rate for diesel, which is important to business users.
The net effect of these changes will be to raise £27 million in additional revenue in 1998 and to add 0.2 per cent to the Consumer Price
Index.
Medium-term Budget Projections
Taking account of the measures I have announced today, the General Government
Surplus is projected to be 0.3 per cent of GDP in 1998, increasing to 0.6 per cent in 1999 and 1.3 per cent in 2000.
However, in keeping with the practice introduced by my predecessor, I am including a contingency provision against all budgetary uncertainties of
£180 million in 1999 and £450 million in 2000. This is a reserve against unforeseen factors which could impact adversely on the Budget over the next three years.
On this basis, the General Government Surplus is projected at 0.3 per cent of
GDP in 1999 and 0.6 per cent of GDP in 2000.
As long as current favourable economic conditions apply, my objective will be to achieve a General Government Surplus in each of the next three years. In the event of less favourable conditions, the necessary action will be taken to ensure that the budgetary requirements of the Stability and Growth Pact are honoured.
Future Budgetary Process
Multi-annual Budgeting - further progress
I am continuing and developing the multi-annual presentation of the Budget which was begun by my predecessor.
I am publishing projections showing expenditure by individual Ministerial Vote Group for 1999 and 2000 on a "no-policy-change" basis.
The final phase of the move to multi-annual budgeting, as envisaged in
Delivering Better Government, would involve the Government making decisions for resource allocation over a three-year period covering the main budgetary aggregates of taxation, expenditure and borrowing. This will be a major undertaking. I will be considering the implementation of this in the 1999 Budget preparations next year.
Improving Public Finance Statements
Many of the statements produced on the public finances are too complex. They are fully understood by only a few experts.
I want them to be presented in a way which will be more readily understood by the man or woman in the street. I will therefore be appointing a small expert group to bring forward proposals to me on this before the next Budget.
Timing of 1999 Budget
This is the first time that the Budget has been introduced before the beginning of the year to which it relates. It brings us into line with the practice in most of our EU partners. It gives certainty to Government Departments and State agencies on expenditure allocations from an earlier date. I intend to continue this practice.
Conclusion
I have today delivered a Budget which:
runs a significant current budget surplus each year out to 2000;
eliminates Exchequer borrowing over the next three years;
projects a General Government Surplus for the years ahead;
reduces the debt burden.
It sets the public finances on a path which will lead our economy to continued solid growth and increased prosperity for all our citizens both now and in the future.
It is a responsible yet caring Budget.
It rewards effort. It delivers major tax reform. It promotes social inclusion. It provides for our key investment needs. It prepares us for the major challenges that lie ahead.
One view of the Irish economy is that "a river runs through it". In the fifties, the water level in that river was low, the flow sluggish. In the nineties, the river is in flood, the flow couldn't be faster, and the rising tide is lifting all boats.
That view of the economy is dangerous. Dangerous because it suggests that the economic conditions within which we operate are random, whimsical and outside of our control or influence. That's not true.
It's also dangerous because it encourages us to relinquish our responsibility to pull people back from the margins, rescue the people slipping through the meshes of our society.
This Government will not relinquish its responsibilities, nor will it buy into the optimistic but simplistic model of a rising river lifting all boats. A
river in flood will swamp many a smaller boat.
Any responsible Government sees the economy as having more in common with a canal than a river, and the Minister for Finance's function is close to that of a lock-keeper bringing the water level up in one area of the waterway, down in another so boats can safely journey from one end of the canal to the other.
I commend the Budget to the House.