Results 22,061-22,080 of 33,055 for speaker:Paschal Donohoe

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Banking Sector (22 Oct 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 63 and 65 together. I became aware that NatWest is engaged in a strategic review of its operations, including those of its subsidiary, Ulster Bank, thanks to media reports published last month.  Following these media reports, officials from my Department contacted Ulster Bank and NatWest. Yesterday, I met with representatives of Ulster...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (22 Oct 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: Revenue has advised me that it anticipates publishing the list of employers that availed of the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS) by end October 2020, in accordance with Section 28 of the Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Covid-19) Act 2020. The published list will include the names and addresses of recipient employers but will not include the subsidy amounts paid as there is no...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Value Added Tax (22 Oct 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: The VAT rates applying in Ireland are subject to the requirements of EU VAT law with which Irish VAT law must comply. While hairdressing services will apply the 9% rate from 1 November, services consisting of the care of the human body, including beauticians, are subject to the 13.5% rate.  This arises from the fact that many of goods and services to which Ireland applies a reduced...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: EU Issues (22 Oct 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: In relation to my Department only, I can confirm that no such fines – as outlined in the Deputy’s question - have been paid since 1 January 2020. As advised to the Deputy's Office, similar information from other Departments needs to be sourced directly.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (3 Nov 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: The payment breaks coordinated by the Banking and Payments Federation of Ireland (BPFI) and introduced by its Members last March was a welcome initiative that allowed important and necessary cash flow relief to be quickly and efficiently provided to borrowers affected by Covid-19, including SMEs. As the Deputy is aware, the original 3 month payment break was extended by another 3 months for...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (3 Nov 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 380, 390 to 392, inclusive, 394, 395, 406, 408, 428, 432, 433, 445, 447 and 449 together. The details of the Covid Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS) are set out in the Finance Bill 2020 and guidelines on the operation of the scheme are available on the Revenue website (). The CRSS is a targeted support for businesses significantly impacted by restrictions...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Carbon Tax Yield (3 Nov 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: The Carbon Tax was introduced in Ireland in 2009 on a phased basis applying initially to auto fuels, subsequently to other liquid fuels in 2010 and to solid fuels in 2013. The carbon tax was first implemented at a rate of €15 per tonne of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emission, the rate increased to €20 in Budget 2012 and remained at that rate until it was increased to €26 per...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Retail Sector (3 Nov 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: I have previously outlined the rationale for the changes proposed to the VAT Retail Export Scheme. This scheme enables visitors that are resident outside the EU to benefit from VAT relief on goods purchased in Ireland and subsequently taken outside of the EU. If the scheme applies to UK visitors post-Brexit without changes UK visitors will be able to buy goods VAT free in Ireland. This...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (3 Nov 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 is: - purchased by the...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Departmental Bodies (3 Nov 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: As the Deputy will be aware, NewERA was established in 2011 as a unit within the National Treasury Management Agency (“NTMA”), initially on a non-statutory basis. As a shareholder advisory unit, NewERA advised Ministers from a shareholder perspective on 5 commercial state bodies (“CSBs”) - ESB, Bord Gáis Éireann (now Ervia), EirGrid, Bord na Móna and...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Retail Sector (3 Nov 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: I have previously outlined the rationale for the changes proposed to the VAT Retail Export Scheme. This scheme enables visitors that are resident outside the EU to benefit from VAT relief on goods purchased in Ireland and subsequently taken outside of the EU. If the scheme applies to UK visitors post-Brexit without changes UK visitors will be able to buy goods VAT free in Ireland. This...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Primary Medical Certificates (3 Nov 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 386, 388, 397, 405, 427, 430, 446 and 448 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: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (3 Nov 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 387 and 411 together. The Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) has been deliberately designed as an economy wide enterprise support that is open to all sectors on the basis of a turnover test that can be applied across the whole economy while at the same time remain targeted at employers who are considered to be most in need of support. The EWSS...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Disabled Drivers and Passengers Scheme (3 Nov 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: I am informed by Revenue that the Disabled Driver and Passenger Scheme provides for the remission or repayment of VRT up to the maximum limits as provided for in Statutory Instrument 353 of 1994. Section 135C(3)(b) of the Finance Act 1992 further provides that a Category A series production electric vehicle can avail of relief of up to €5,000 on the VRT due. The Disabled Drivers...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Vehicle Registration Tax (3 Nov 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: I am informed by Revenue that, for a person with a normal residence outside of the State, a temporary exemption from the requirement to register for a period not exceeding 12 months may be granted under a number of conditions including that the vehicle is taxed and registered abroad, owned by a person established outside the State and is not driven by a person except with the permission of...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Home Building Finance Ireland (3 Nov 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: I am advised by HBFI that it recently issued a mid-year update on its business performance to 31st July 2020. Further details are available at . To deal more specifically with the Deputy’s queries: - 89 loan applications with a value of €907 million were received to end July. - 29 loans were approved with a value of €340 million to support 1,477 new homes to end July. -...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Cycle to Work Scheme (3 Nov 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 398 and 409 together. Section 118 (5G) of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 provides for the cycle to work scheme. The scheme provides an exemption from benefit-in-kind where an employer purchases a bicycle and associated safety equipment for an employee to use, in whole or in part, to travel to work. Safety equipment includes helmets, lights, bells,...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (3 Nov 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 399 and 400 together. The Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS), which was provided for in section 28 of the Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (COVID-19) Act 2020, expired on 31 August 2020. Of necessity, the underlying legislation and the scheme itself were developed very quickly, having regard to the urgent Government objective of getting much...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (3 Nov 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: I would like to advise the Deputy that Revenue has recently prepared a detailed statistical report on the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS), following the filing of payslips for the period to end August. This report is published at www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/documents/research/statistical-o verview-of-covid-19-twss.pdf. Included on page 10 of this report is a breakdown of TWSS employees...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Insurance Coverage (3 Nov 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: I am conscious of the difficulties that the absence, or the withdrawal, of flood insurance cover can cause to homeowners and businesses. However, you should be aware that the provision of insurance is a commercial matter for insurance companies, which is based on a proper assessment of the risks they are willing to accept. Consequently, neither I, nor the Central Bank of Ireland, can...