Results 21,941-21,960 of 33,049 for speaker:Paschal Donohoe

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Universal Social Charge (7 Oct 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: I am advised by Revenue that the estimated first and full year cost to the Exchequer of exempting all persons earning below €90,000 from the Universal Social Charge (USC) is €1.6 billion and €1.8 billion, respectively. These projections have been generated by reference to estimated 2021 incomes, calculated on the basis of actual data for the year 2018, the latest...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Primary Medical Certificates (8 Oct 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: The terms of the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations 1994 set out the following medical criteria, and that one or more of these criteria is required to be satisfied in order to obtain a PMC: - be wholly or almost wholly without the use of both legs; - be wholly without the use of one leg and almost wholly without the use of the other leg such that...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (8 Oct 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: The Stay and Spend scheme provides tax relief by means of a tax credit at the rate of 20% on qualifying expenditure of up to €625 per person, or €1,250 for a jointly assessed couple, in respect of 2020 and 2021. The tax credit is worth a maximum of €125, or €250 for a jointly assessed couple. The purpose of the Stay and Spend scheme is to incentivise taxpayers to...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Disabled Drivers and Passengers Scheme (8 Oct 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 112 to 115, inclusive, and 119 together. The Disabled Drivers & Disabled Passengers Scheme provides relief from VRT and VAT on the purchase and use of an adapted car, as well as an exemption from motor tax and an annual fuel grant. The cost of the scheme in 2019, excluding motor tax, was €72m. The Scheme is open to severely and...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Departmental Contracts (8 Oct 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: My department has entered into contracts with public relations agencies and public relations consultants during 2019 and to date in 2020 as outlined in the following table: Year Description Amount 2019 Daniel J Edelman Ireland Limited. Provision of specialist advice on the use of social media in an international context for the...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (8 Oct 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: The Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS) ceased on 31 August 2020 and was replaced by the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) from 1 September 2020. When operational, the TWSS supported more than 66,000 employers in respect of approximately 664,000 employees at a cost of €2.9 billion to the Exchequer. The Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Covid 19) Act assigned...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Reliefs (8 Oct 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: The research and development (R&D) tax credit allows a company to claim a 25% tax credit in respect of expenditure incurred on qualifying R&D activities. In making a claim for the R&D tax credit, companies must satisfy two tests: the activity must be a qualifying activity (a science test); and the amount of the claim must be based on R&D expenditure incurred (an accounting...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Departmental Staff (8 Oct 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: I wish to inform the Deputy that details of the Department’s Organisational Structure are available on the ‘Who Does What’ of my Department’s Website (see link . This will provide access to details on the Department of Finance’s Management Team along with the functions of the Department.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Data (8 Oct 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: I am advised by Revenue that 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,...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Fuel Oil Specifications (8 Oct 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: There are several ports through which refined oil products, such as diesel, can arrive into the State. The ports are in Dublin, Galway, Foynes and Tarbert. Crude oil is also received into Whitegate Refinery in Co. Cork for refining by ship. The Whitegate Refinery can also receive refined product by ship. Crude and refined oil product is stored on Whiddy Island, Bantry, Co, Cork. Refined...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Budget Engagement: Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform (8 Oct 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: Does the Minister know the quantum of the recovery fund? Why will he not provide the committee responsible for budgetary oversight with the parameters of what he is considering? I am not looking for the exact figure but an indication as to whether the recovery fund is €500 million or €5 billion. With respect, this is the budgetary oversight committee. One of the...

Financial Resolutions 2020 - Budget Statement 2021 (13 Oct 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: When I presented budget 2020 we confronted the main challenge then facing our country, a hard Brexit. INTRODUCTION This year, while we continue to prepare for Brexit, we are also responding to the worst global pandemic in a century. We live in an era of great uncertainty and increasing risk. Overcoming these challenges in the interests of our fellow citizens is the central task of...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Primary Medical Certificates (13 Oct 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 81, 82, 84 to 87, inclusive, 96, 97 and 111 together. The Disabled Drivers & Disabled Passengers Scheme provides relief from VRT and VAT on the purchase and use of an adapted car, as well as an exemption from motor tax and an annual fuel grant. The cost of the scheme in 2019, excluding motor tax, was €72m. The Scheme is open to severely...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Insurance Coverage (13 Oct 2020)

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

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Departmental Schemes (13 Oct 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: The Help to Buy incentive (HTB) is a scheme to assist first-time purchasers with a deposit they need to buy or build a new house or apartment. HTB will be in place until 31 December 2021. 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. in the case of self-build...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Wage Subsidy Scheme (13 Oct 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: The Employment Wage Subsidy (EWSS), which has been operating since 1 July has replaced the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS) which expired on 31 August 2020. The EWSS will remain in place until March 2021, thereby allowing employers to rely on the continuation of support over a longer period of 8 months while also ensuring such support is sustainable and affordable. It should be noted...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Grant Payments (13 Oct 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: Section 112B of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997, usually allows one voucher per year up to the value of €500 to be given to an employee by his or her employer tax free, provided certain conditions are satisfied. Where an employer wishes to recognise efforts of frontline or other key staff working during the COVID-19 crisis, either by accelerating part of a reward (voucher) usually...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Mortgage Lending (13 Oct 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 nature and structure of any forbearance measures. This applies equally to the banks in which the State has a shareholding. EBS has provided me with the following statement: "The EBA Guidelines on legislative and non-legislative moratoria on loan repayments applied in the...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Mortgage Lending (13 Oct 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: The Central Bank has advised that it expects all regulated firms to take a consumer-focused approach and to act in their customers’ best interests at all times, including during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lenders continue to process mortgage applications and have supports in place to assist customers impacted by COVID-19. If mortgage applicants have any queries or concerns about the...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Cabinet Committees (13 Oct 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: I can assure the Deputy that insurance reform is a key policy priority for this Government and is strongly reflected in the Programme for Government (PfG). In this regard following approval by Government a sub-Group of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Recovery and Investment was formed and has already met. In relation to insurance, there are a number of areas that require reform and this...