Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 July 2026
134. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance to provide the 2024 figures for participation in and cost of the Key Employee Engagement Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50064/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Key Employee Engagement Programme (KEEP) was introduced by Finance Act 2017 and commenced on 1 January 2018, via section 128F of the Taxes Consolidation Act (“TCA”) 1997. The aim of the scheme is to support SMEs in Ireland in competing with larger enterprises to recruit and retain key employees, by way of a targeted share option programme. KEEP is a notified State aid scheme, as such any changes to the scheme are subject to the approval of the European Commission. In addition there are a number of qualifying conditions to be met. Where the provisions of section 128F TCA 1997 are met, an exemption from income tax, USC and PRSI applies to a qualifying employee on any gain realised on the exercise of a qualifying share option.
I am informed by Revenue the number of taxpayers benefitting from KEEP in 2024 is 48 and the estimated cost is €3.1 million.
The number of employees availing of KEEP and the estimated associated tax cost are published on the Revenue website at: www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/information-about-revenue/statistics/tax-expenditures/cost/index.aspx.
