Close loopholes instead of raising Vat

I CANNOT understand the proposal to increase the standard rate of Vat from 21% to 23% as this 2% increase will directly costs jobs.

It will also increase the cost of doing business and living in Ireland which will negatively affect job creation and job retention in this country. I ask why not instead close off the loopholes which reduce the tax take?

For example: why not close off the loophole which facilitates a very small minority of commercial organisations pay less tax on their commercial activities by owning or renting land. Farmers receive a Vat flat rate credit of 5.2% to offset Vat paid on their inputs.