57 Revenue students graduate with degrees and diplomas in taxation

The seventh cohort of recipients of a Degree in Taxation from a university in Ireland graduated at the University of Limerick today (20/01/14). The 16 graduates, all staff members of Revenue, were conferred with the BA (Hons) in Applied Taxation. The programme included a broad range of tax and related topics combined with a highly focussed tax research project. A further 41 Revenue staff were conferred with the Diploma in Applied Taxation, bringing to 532 the number of Revenue staff that have graduated to date with this technical tax qualification.

The President of UL, Professor Don Barry, speaking at today's graduation said:

"Today we, once again, celebrate the strong academic partnership between UL and the Revenue Commissioners. In the nine years of this partnership, the first of its kind for the Irish civil service, more than 700 Revenue Commissioner Employees have graduated with either a Diploma or Degree in Applied Taxation."

Revenue Commissioner, Liam Irwin, said today:

"Throughout the last five years, the environment in which Revenue operates has been characterised by constant change and we, along with every individual and business in the country, have had to adapt. Against this backdrop, improving the capability of Revenue staff is of vital importance in ensuring the continued delivery of an effective, fair and efficient tax system. By successfully completing this course of study, you have contributed to enhancing the technical capability, professionalism and flexibility of our organisation and I’ve no doubt that you will use your newly acquired skills in ensuring that Revenue can continue to fulfill its role in supporting fiscal recovery. I commend you for your dedication, commitment and achievement."

Tom Collins, Director of the National Centre for Taxation Studies, speaking today said:

"All of us at UL are very proud of this most successful and pioneering partnership with Revenue. Today our joint efforts have resulted in the graduation of a seventh cohort of 16 Revenue students with Degrees in Applied Taxation and a ninth cohort of 41 students with the Diploma in Applied Taxation. We are delighted to have been associated with the educational development of such a dedicated group of students and warmly congratulate them and their families on their outstanding achievement. UL is well recognised as a University which meets the needs of industry and our partnership with Revenue is a shining example of this ethos- with the commitment and expertise of both parties. We have no doubt that this partnership will contribute to the ever increasing professionalism and business focus of Revenue, who have been the outstanding achievers in our public service in the past decade."

The Dean of the Kemmy Business School, Dr. Philip O'Regan, emphasised the key to this continuing and effective partnership lies in the excellent trust built up over the years between both parties to the arrangement; participation from Revenue and UL’s Kemmy Business School in shaping the evolving nature of the programmes ensures also their continuing relevance to the needs of the Irish economy.

[Ends 20/01/14]