Róisín Shortall TD said:
“There is no longer any justification for this scheme and the Social Democrats will be strongly opposing its extension during the course of the Finance Bill. If these personnel are so key to the companies concerned, then let that be reflected in their salaries. The Government should not be subsidising very significant salaries when there are so many other priorities for tax-payer’s money. It is simply outrageous that ordinary tax-payers are funding a scheme where people need a minimum salary of €75,000 to qualify and it applies to incomes of up to half a million euro.”
“The scheme cost €5.9 million in tax foregone in 2014. That cost has likely risen to in excess of €10 million in 2016. That money would be far better spent on helping Irish businesses find alternative markets in the context of the collapse of sterling.”
The Social Democrats have tabled an amendment to the Finance Bill opposing the extension of the scheme.