Results 21,781-21,800 of 33,049 for speaker:Paschal Donohoe

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Fuel Rebate Scheme (29 Sep 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: If the Deputy is referring to the Diesel Rebate Scheme (DRS) for hauliers and bus operators, this scheme has been continuously in operation since 1 July 2013. Therefore the question of its restoration does not arise. The DRS is operated by the Revenue Commissioners, who will repay some of the mineral oil tax paid by a qualifying road transport operator when the diesel...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Code (29 Sep 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: All land, including agricultural land, is classified as non-residential property for stamp duty purposes. Any re-categorisation of agricultural land by size or otherwise for the purposes of stamp duty, would not be appropriate as it would be inequitable in terms of providing agriculture with an additional advantage over other forms of business. A number of stamp duty related reliefs...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Banking Sector (29 Sep 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: Ulster Bank Ireland is a significant employer with 88 branches and a significant market share in terms of mortgage lending and SME lending and it is important in terms of providing competition in the Irish market.    I am aware of the media reports suggesting that NatWest is engaged in a strategic review of its operations including those of Ulster Bank Ireland. The...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Wage Subsidy Scheme (29 Sep 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: The Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS) operated from 26 March 2020 to 31 August 2020 and supported over 66,000 employers in respect of almost 664,000 employees that were negatively impacted by the necessary Covid-19 related restrictions, at a cost to the Exchequer of over €2.8 billion. The Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) replaced the TWSS from 1 September 2020 as the...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Primary Medical Certificates (29 Sep 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: I have been advised that a Supreme Court decision of 18thJune found in favour of two appellants against the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal’s refusal to grant the individuals Primary Medical Certificates (PMC). My officials are currently examining the judgement, in conjunction with the Attorney General’s Office, and will bring forward any policy and/or...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Mortgage Lending (29 Sep 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 83 and 90 together. I appreciate the concerns many people are experiencing about mortgage applications and drawdowns at this difficult time, and my Department is maintaining close contact with the Central Bank and Banking and Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI) as the lending industry works to address the difficulties caused by the Covid-19 situation....

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (29 Sep 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: As I announced on September 16th, Budget 2021 will continue to provide essential support for the sectors of our economy most in need.  This is in addition to the c. €24.5 billion that the Government has already committed to protect households and firms and to expand the capacity of the health sector. Due to the prudent management of the public...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Legislative Measures (29 Sep 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: The majority of the Consumer Insurance Contracts Act 2019 came into force from the 1st of September 2020, with 22 of the 27 sections now in operation.  The Act represents a major reform of insurance contracts and re-balances the relationship between consumer and insurer. It is my full expectation this will be positive for Irish consumers. For example, amongst other things, the...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Currency Circulation (29 Sep 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: The Deputy will be aware that the use of card payments, particularly contactless payments, has been encouraged in order to support public health policy following the outbreak of Covid-19 this year. There has been a notable increase in the use of electronic payments during the Covid-19 pandemic. Figures released by the Banking and Payments Federation of Ireland show that daily contactless...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Help-To-Buy Scheme (29 Sep 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: The Help to Buy incentive (HTB) 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 on Income Tax and Deposit Interest Retention Tax (DIRT) paid in the State over the previous four years, subject to limits outlined in the legislation. HTB was extended to the end of 2021 in Finance Act 2019. The...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Bank Charges (29 Sep 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: As the Deputy is aware as Minister for Finance I have no role in the commercial decisions made by the banks, including the structure and level of pricing for their various product offerings. This applies equally to the banks in which the State has a shareholding. Decisions in this regard are the sole responsibility of the board and management of the banks which must...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Code (29 Sep 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: There are a number of conditions which a company must meet in order to be regarded as a qualifying company for the purposes of section 110 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 (“TCA 1997”). One of those conditions is that the company notifies Revenue of their intention to be a qualifying company by completing a Form S.110 no later than 8 weeks from the date the company...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Wage Subsidy Scheme (29 Sep 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 260 and 286 together. The Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS) operated from 26 March 2020 to 31 August 2020 and supported over 66,000 employers in respect of almost 664,000 employees that were negatively impacted by the necessary Covid-19 related restrictions, at a cost to the Exchequer of over €2.8 billion. The Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Brexit Preparations (29 Sep 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: I am advised by Revenue that in 2020 to date there have been 4,693 registrations for customs and that since the introduction of the EORI (Economic Operators Registration Identification) number in 2009, 68,856 businesses have registered for customs with Revenue.  93% of the import trade with the UK in 2019 was carried out by businesses who now have an EORI number, with 97% of the 2019...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Insurance Costs (29 Sep 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: Let me say at the outset that I am very much aware of the problems faced by many businesses, including those in the equestrian industry, in relation to the availability and affordability of public liability insurance.  However, as this is a commercial matter, neither I, nor the Central Bank of Ireland, can direct the pricing of insurance products, and neither can we compel any insurer...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Primary Medical Certificates (29 Sep 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 264 and 266 together. Primary Medical Certificate (PMC) assessments are undertaken by Senior Area Medical Officers of the HSE and, in relation to appeals, by the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal. I  have requested that these assessments temporarily cease pending consideration of, and a policy and/or legislative response to, a recent...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Property Tax (29 Sep 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: I am advised by Revenue that residential properties built after the current valuation date (1 May 2013) remain outside the charge to Local Property Tax (LPT). As the properties are not liable to LPT, there is no obligation on owners to register them for the tax or complete the relevant returns. As such, the LPT Register does not contain valuation details in respect of these properties and...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Covid-19 Pandemic (29 Sep 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: As the Deputy noted, total deposits held by households in Irish banks rose to approximately €120 billion in July, marking a continuation of the upward trend in savings seen since the outbreak of the pandemic. This surge in household savings is both voluntary and involuntary. While many households suffered a fall in income in the second quarter of the year, Government schemes such...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (29 Sep 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: The July Stimulus measures are a significant part of our response to the COVID-19 crisis and will help ensure Ireland’s Tourism and Hospitality businesses get back on their feet and as many people as possible can return to work, when it is safe to do so. These measures were in addition to other Government supports already in place. They provide supports for businesses to retain...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Wage Subsidy Scheme (29 Sep 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: I am advised by Revenue that, as of 25 September 2020, there were 36,746 employers registered for the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) which is considered a strong level of participation so far and, notably, over 82% of the employers availing of the TWSS when it finished at the end of August. As set out in the July Stimulus Package, it is expected that the EWSS will support...