Photo: Bryan O’Brien / The Irish TimesMinister for Finance Simon Harris has once again spoken about his plans to establish tax-efficient investment accounts for individuals. Irish households have around € 170 billion sitting on deposit with the banks, earning 3 per cent a year or less and subject to 33 per cent tax on the interest. He would appear to have confirmed that they will be modelled on similar accounts introduced in Sweden in 2012 which have proved successful. Whether this approach or something similar proves sufficient to coax Irish savers away from their deposit accounts is an open question. The secondary goal of the scheme – to encourage investment in the Irish economy – should in theory benefit everyone.

Source: The Irish Times April 01, 2026 00:00 UTC