I am looking for an update in relation to the Taoiseach's plans on dealing with inheritance tax in the upcoming budget. It is believed that approximately 1 million people in Ireland do not have children. That is for many reasons - maybe life choice, medical or simply their personal choice. Under the current inheritance tax threshold, if a parent leaves a property or investment, there is a threshold of €400,000 but if an aunt or uncle leaves their property or investment to their niece or nephew, their threshold is 10% of this amount. This is simply unfair and is actually discriminating against people who do not have children. Since the boom in 2007, there has been no change to the threshold despite property prices increasing by 25%. As society changes and property prices increase, and as people have already paid their taxes to build their homes and invest, can we look at a fairer and more equitable scheme to address these fundamental issues?

I am very conscious of the issue, particularly in regard to those without children who have worked hard all their lives and want to leave an inheritance to nieces, nephews or family members. The Government, in the last budget, increased the thresholds by about 20% across the different categories. We will examine this again in the context of the budget to see what we can do, particularly on that issue of those without children who want to leave an inheritance. The costs are significant as well.

We also have an income tax package to frame. There are many demands on the budget, both on the tax side and the public expenditure side, which the Government, over the next while, has to try to reconcile. Various TDs and Senators from different political parties, including the parties that make up the Government, have also brought forward ideas and solutions on tax, including this one.