A round-up of today's other stories in brief

Rise in health insurance levy

The Finance Bill makes provision for the previouslyannounced move to increase the private health insurance levy from €185 to €205 for adults and €55 to €66 for children.

Revenue from the levy is used to pay for a tax relief scheme, costing more than €300 million, which is aimed at subsidising health insurance costs for people over the age of 50.

The Finance Bill says that this measure is balanced by changes in the age-related tax credit which are necessary to ensure that the scheme is revenue-neutral.

Revenue notice period extended

Property owners who let their premises be used for foreign mobile traders for periods of 28 days or fewer will have to notify the Revenue Commissioners 14 days in advance, under a new provision in the Finance Bill.

The measure used to apply to traders who used premises for seven days or fewer.

New methods on excise offences

The Finance Bill includes a number of new excise measures. The offence arising from having oil- laundering equipment is being extended to having such equipment on a vehicle.

The system by which penalties can be linked in size to the amount of tax evaded is being extended to Customs and Excise matters.