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1240/5(3305)
WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR TREASURY AND RESOURCES BY SENATOR B.E. SHENTON
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 1st MAY 2007
Question
Would the Minister advise members whether the surplus generated from the Impôts duty on beer over TV licence costs in 2006, in the sum of £128,349, will be carried forward for use by the Minister for Social Security in order that consideration can be given to distributing the free TV licence benefit to a wider audience?
Answer
The additional revenue generated from an increase in impôts duty on beer was not ring-fenced' for any particular purpose but merely created additional revenue to offset anticipated increased expenditure as a result of approving a scheme to provide free television licences for certain people over 75.
The Minister for Social Security could have applied for a carry forward of any underspends in his Departmental budget, in line with the Financial Directions at year end, including that on TV Licences. However, in the event, the Social Security Department had, overall, an overspend of £3.4m primarily because of the increased cost of providing for future old age pensions (supplementation) so there was no surplus available to be requested to carry forward.