Results 20,221-20,240 of 32,999 for speaker:Paschal Donohoe

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: EU Funding (22 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: The Government launched the National Development Plan (NDP) 2018 - 2027 following a special Cabinet meeting at the Institute of Technology in Sligo on 16 February. The NDP comprises an investment programme of €116 billion, of which €91 billion relates to Exchequer capital investment and the balance of €25 billion is State-backed investment by commercial State Owned...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Ministerial Meetings (22 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: The agenda for the meeting referred to by the Deputy comprised 1) NPL strategy and disposal plans, 2) tracker update, and 3) general performance update. I presume when the Deputy refers to the bank's proposed sale of property he is referring to the sale of NPLs and I can confirm that this matter was discussed as per the agenda.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: State Debt (22 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: On 8 March 2018, the Central Statistics Office (CSO) published the Quarterly National Accounts for the fourth quarter of 2017, which included a preliminary GDP estimate for 2017. The CSO will update modified GNI (GNI*) with the annual National Income and Expenditure publication in June/July. The nominal gross and net general government debt forecasts are unchanged since the publication of...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: National Economic Dialogue (22 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: As part of the budgetary process over the last three years, a National Economic Dialogue was held, jointly hosted by the Departments of Finance, and Public Expenditure and Reform. A Government decision on whether to hold a National Economic Dialogue this year has not yet been taken but will be considered as part of the on-going budgetary process for 2018.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: EU Directives (22 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: I am advised that the European Commission is currently developing proposals for a revision of Directive 2008/118/EC on the general arrangements for excise duty in the EU. The Commission is expected to publish these proposals during 2018. Ireland will participate fully in the legislative process once the proposals have been presented.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Pension Provisions (22 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: I am advised by Revenue that, on retirement, an individual in a defined contribution pension savings arrangement has the option, after taking any lump sum, of either using the funds remaining to purchase an annuity or transferring those funds into an Approved Retirement Fund (ARF). Where such an individual is under the age of 75 at the time of exercising the option and does not have a minimum...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Illicit Trade in Fuel and Tobacco Products (22 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 59 and 60 together. The threat that fuel fraud and the illicit tobacco trade pose to legitimate business, to consumers and the Exchequer is recognised and I am advised by Revenue that tackling such criminal activity has been one of their priorities over recent years. Revenue’s strategy for combatting the illegal fuel trade has included the...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Approved Housing Bodies (22 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: On 29 November 2017 I met with representatives of Cairn Homes to discuss the Irish housing market and to get their perspective on issues affecting the market as residential builders of significant scale. Officials from my Department prepared briefing material in advance of that meeting. The purpose of the briefing was to provide meeting attendees - including myself - with an update on the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Pay (22 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: I refer the Deputy to my answer to PQ Ref: 11836/18 on 20 March 2018.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: National Development Plan Data (22 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: Macro-economic projections adopted in the Plan for the period 2018-2021 are detailed in Annex 3 of the Economic and Fiscal Outlook for Budget 2018. As set out in the NDP, a potential growth rate of 2% in volume terms is assumed over the period 2022 to 2027. This potential growth rate aligns with the most recent long-term growth projection from the European Commission for Ireland for the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Private Partnerships (22 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: The Public Private Partnership (PPP) model is an internationally recognised model to design, build, finance, operate and maintain public infrastructure. In accordance with international best practice, PPP contracts typically include detailed provisions that apply in the event of the liquidation of a consortium member of the PPP company, or an entity under the contract, to ensure that the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Community Employment Schemes Supervisors (22 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question no. 54985/17 answered on 16 January 2018.

Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: I thank Deputy Moynihan for raising this matter. I will be meeting the Revenue Commissioners soon. I have regular engagements with the chairman of the Revenue Commissioners on many matters. I will follow up directly on this issue and revert to the Deputy with a response.

Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: I am not aware of the scale of the issue to which he has referred.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Financial Services Ombudsman Data (21 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: The Office of the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman only came into existence on 1 January 2018. Prior to this, staffing in the Financial Services Ombudsman Bureau did not require the consent of the Minister for Finance so there were no such requests in 2016 or 2017. Section 15 (4) of the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman Act 2017 provides “The Ombudsman, with the...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: VAT Rate Reductions (21 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: VAT is governed by the EU VAT Directive with which Irish VAT law must comply. In Ireland businesses are not obliged to register for VAT, and can consequently remain exempt from VAT, where their turnover in a 12 month period is less than €75,000 (in the case of businesses supplying goods) and €37,500 (in the case of businesses supplying services). Ireland's VAT...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Banking Operations (21 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: Having regard to the particular risks associated with foreign currency loans, the Mortgage Credit Directive, which is transposed into Irish law by the European Union (Consumer Mortgage Credit Agreements) Regulations 2016, provides for some particular consumer protection measures in respect of such lending.  (For the purpose of the Directive and transposing Regulations a...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Help-To-Buy Scheme Assessment (21 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: S.477C of the Taxes Consolidation Act sets out the requirements of the Help to Buy incentive. It provides that a qualifying first time buyer must take out a loan in an amount equal to at least 70% of either the purchase price of the property in the case of a purchased house or the value of the property in the case of a self-build house. The valuation of a self-build is as approved by the...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Ministerial Staff Data (21 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: I wish to inform the Deputy that the details of each non-civil service appointment I have made to a role in the Department of Finance; the persons appointed; the role and salary of each are shown below.  None of these appointments are involved in party political fundraising. Name Role Salary Ms Deborah Sweeney Special Adviser 4th point Principal Officer (Standard) PPC scale Mr...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Betting Legislation (21 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 183 to 186, inclusive, together. I have been advised that the regulation of gambling is provided for under the Betting Act, 1931 and the Gaming and Lotteries Acts 1956, and is the responsibility of the Minister for Justice and Equality. Where there is legislative provision for the licensing of operators, the Revenue Commissioners issue licences in...