Results 9,941-9,960 of 32,864 for speaker:Paschal Donohoe

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Primary Medical Certificates (14 Jan 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: Following approval of the Finance Act 2020, which provides for the medical criteria for the Disabled Drivers Scheme, the HSE has been informed that medical assessments can recommence from 1st January 2021. This is considered to be an interim solution only. A comprehensive review of the scheme, to include a broader review of mobility supports for persons with disabilities, will be conducted...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (14 Jan 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: The Covid Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS) is a targeted support for businesses significantly impacted by restrictions introduced by the Government under public health regulations to combat the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. The support is available to companies, self-employed individuals and partnerships who carry on a trade or trading activities, the profits from which are chargeable...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Code (14 Jan 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 52, 55, 61 and 65 together. In March 2020 Revenue introduced a short-term concessionary measure in relation to the operation of benefit-in-kind (BIK) on employer-provided vehicles having regard to the unprecedented situation arising as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.   The concessionary treatment applicable to BIK on employer-provided vehicles, along...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Wage Subsidy Scheme (14 Jan 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: The Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) is an economy-wide scheme that focuses primarily on business eligibility, delivering a per-head subsidy on a flat rate basis to the employer. The EWSS “turnover  test” has been specifically designed so as to target the subsidy at otherwise viable employers whose businesses continue to be adversely impacted by COVID-19 by...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Banking Sector (14 Jan 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: On 18 March last the Banking and Payments Federation of Ireland (BPFI) announced a coordinated approach by banks and other lenders to help their customers who were economically impacted by the Covid-19 crisis.  The measures included flexible loan repayment arrangements where needed, including loan payment breaks initially for a period up to three months and then...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Motor Industry (14 Jan 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: I am advised by Revenue that the Union Customs Code (UCC) sets out the legal framework for customs rules and procedures in the EU. With the departure of the UK from the EU, the UK became a 3rd country for the purposes of trade with the EU and therefore customs formalities apply. This includes the payment of customs duties and other taxes where applicable. Customs is an EU competence and...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Mortgage Lending (14 Jan 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: Since the COVID-19 situation first arose, I have maintained contact with the BPFI and lenders on the measures they have put in place to assist their customers who are economically impacted by the pandemic.  In relation to the particular issue of new mortgage lending, the main retail banks previously confirmed that they are considering...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Departmental Strategies (14 Jan 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: Since 27 June 2020, my Department has undertaken a broad range of important policy initiatives, many of which will remain a priority in 2021. The main policy initiatives in 2020 included production of Budget 2021 and publication of Finance Bill 2020, as well as preparation of the July Stimulus Bill.  Policy options were developed to improve efficiency of tax administration...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (14 Jan 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: The Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) is administered by the Department of Social Protection.   It is an income support which is taxable and subject to income tax. The PUP follows the general taxation rule for social welfare type payments and is exempt from USC and PRSI charges. Tax is not collected in real-time through the PAYE system.  Instead, liability to tax will be...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Help-To-Buy Scheme (14 Jan 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: The Help to Buy (HTB) incentive is a scheme to assist first-time purchasers with the deposit they need to buy or build a new house or apartment. The incentive gives a refund of Income Tax and Deposit Interest Retention Tax (DIRT) paid in Ireland over the previous four years, subject to limits outlined in the legislation. I am advised by Revenue as follows: In addition to the...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Banking Sector (14 Jan 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: As the Deputy will be aware, I have met with representatives from both Ulster Bank and its parent company, NatWest in recent months. My most recent meeting was with the Chair of NatWest on the 17 December where I emphasised that Ulster Bank is an important part of the Irish banking landscape and I reiterated the importance of timely and direct communication between staff, their...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Electronic Commerce (14 Jan 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: As the Deputy will be aware, there has been a significant increase in the use of electronic, or digital, payments in recent years, and more specifically over the course of the last year.  Notwithstanding the significant increase in the take-up of electronic payments, cash remains a vital part of the Irish payment system. An Indecon report commissioned by my Department in 2019...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Rebates (14 Jan 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: Where e-workers incur certain extra expenditure in the performance of their duties of employment remotely or from home, such as additional heating and electricity costs, there is a Revenue administrative practice in place that allows an employer to make payments up to €3.20 per day to such employees, subject to certain conditions, without deducting PAYE, PRSI, or USC. Revenue have...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Brexit Issues (14 Jan 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: I am satisfied that the Government’s response to Brexit has been well-managed.  We have invested significantly in new infrastructure, systems and staff.  We have provided a range of supports to assist businesses and we have engaged intensively with stakeholders. My Department has been participating in whole of Government preparations for Brexit since before the UK referendum...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Brexit Issues (14 Jan 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: My Department has been participating in whole of Government preparations for Brexit since before the UK referendum in 2016 and, in line with the Government’s overall approach, this work intensified during 2020 ahead of the end of the transition period. My Department has been working closely with the Central Bank of Ireland and the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA), through...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Economic Competitiveness (14 Jan 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: As the interplay between the Covid-19 and Brexit shocks has implications for the economic outlook, my Department, along with the ESRI, conducted an analysis of the sectorial overlap between the two shocks. The analysis found that the sectors most exposed to both the Covid-19 and ‘disorderly’ Brexit shocks appear to be distinct and relatively unconnected. While the analysis was...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Economic Policy (14 Jan 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: At the time of Budget 2021 in October, my Department forecast GDP growth of about 1 ¾ per cent for this year. These projections were based on the assumptions that a vaccine for Covid-19 would not be widely available before the end of this year and that bilateral trade between Ireland and the UK would take place on WTO terms from January. However, the public health and economic...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Banking Sector (14 Jan 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: I appreciate the stress and uncertainty that many borrowers are facing, and that they will continue to need assistance and support from their lenders. It is the clear expectation of both the Central Bank and I that lenders engage effectively and sympathetically with distressed borrowers – in line with the Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears, the Consumer Protection Code and...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Mortgage Interest Rates (14 Jan 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 71, 72 and 77 together. I am aware that the general level of lending interest rates in Ireland are higher than is the case in many other European countries, though it should also be noted that recent trends indicate that certain mortgage rates have been falling in Ireland.  For example, the interest rates on new fixed rate mortgages (excluding...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: House Prices (14 Jan 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 73 and 74 together. The Central Bank of Ireland, as part of its independent mandate to preserve and protect financial stability in Ireland, has statutory responsibility for the regulation of mortgage lending by banks and other regulated entities. In line with this mandate, the Central Bank introduced macroprudential measures for residential mortgage...