Results 22,561-22,580 of 33,175 for speaker:Paschal Donohoe

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Brexit Supports (26 Nov 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: I thank the Deputy for raising this very important matter. 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, it has intensified work ahead of the end of the transition period on 31 December. Without prejudging the outcome of ongoing negotiations between the EU and...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Brexit Supports (26 Nov 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: I will do so and I thank the Deputy again for raising a very important matter. I assure him that the Department of the Taoiseach and all of us in the Government are working in an integrated and very careful way to ensure we can access our fair share - a good share - of the Brexit adjustment reserve fund that the Deputy refers to. I am now familiar with these kinds of negotiations and the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Brexit Supports (26 Nov 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: Matters relating to customs policy and procedures are dealt with at a central level by the European Union and we have requirements we need to uphold as the UK formally becomes a third country. I know the EU will try to ensure the rolling out and introduction of new customs procedures will be done in a way that is proportionate and will reduce the adverse effect on businesses that are trading...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (26 Nov 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: I was about to ask which question this refers to.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (26 Nov 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: The numbers do not make a difference in me getting to the material. I can deal with the Deputies' questions and I thank them for raising the matter. I propose to take Questions Nos. 68 and 71 together. I have raised the matter with the chief executive officers of all the banks and my officials continue to raise it. I have passed this view strongly to the banks and some have now indicated...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (26 Nov 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: I will continue to follow up on this matter. It is very important, not only for those directly affected who are looking to draw down a mortgage but also because the programmes that we have in place now will be in place throughout much of 2021. It is important in the context of our mortgage market continuing to operate and mortgages continuing to be issued, that broad schemes which will...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (26 Nov 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: We will do so. Many of the decisions on the granting of a mortgage were made at a time when the country and the world were very different; things have changed now. I know Deputy O'Sullivan is not advocating an irresponsible approach to these matters. The case he is making is that if there is every prospect of an employer continuing to be viable in the future, that should be taken into...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Credit Availability (26 Nov 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: I thank Deputy Gould for raising this matter. I engage with the credit union movement regularly and since this terrible disease arrived on our shores, I have made a point of meeting the leaders of the main credit union organisations. I assure the Deputy that I will ask them to continue to be aware of the vulnerability of some of their customers and members at this difficult time and of the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Credit Availability (26 Nov 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: The very reason we introduced the EWSS and the PUP was to protect the incomes of all, but particularly the most vulnerable, as we deal with the ravages of this terrible disease. The biggest action the Government can take is to put in place direct measures to support the income of families at this most difficult time and we have done that. The PUP has made a decisive difference to those who...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Credit Availability (26 Nov 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: The Government will be bringing forward proposals in this regard. These will be effective and will deal with issues relating to the legality of moneylending and the interest rates charged. I represent and engage with constituents who are dealing with the matters to which the Deputy has referred. The Government is implementing a significant number of policies to protect those families as we...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Disabled Drivers and Passengers Scheme (26 Nov 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 72, 74, 103, 124, 151, 195 and 205 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: Economic Data (26 Nov 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: The outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic earlier this year and the restrictions introduced to suppress the virus led to an unprecedented contraction of global economic activity. Lockdown restrictions saw the Irish economy contract by 6 per cent in the second quarter - the largest quarterly decline on record. This figure was at the lower-end in a European context, with GDP declining by -20...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (26 Nov 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: The Covid Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS) announced in the Budget on 13 October 2020 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. CRSS will supplement the existing supports available under the COVID Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) and the...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Departmental Strategy Statements (26 Nov 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: In accordance with the provisions of the Public Service Management Act 1997, my Department is currently preparing its Statement of Strategy for the period 2021-2023. The development of the new Statement of Strategy will reflect the objectives as set out in the Programme for Government. When finalised, it will serve as a framework for, and guide to, the business planning, resource allocation...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Credit Unions (26 Nov 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: The Central Bank have informed me that credit unions may participate in Death Benefit Insurance schemes whereby a payment, intended to assist with funeral expenses, is made following the death of a member. The Death Benefit Insurance is provided by insurance undertakings. Some credit unions discharge some or all of the cost of the insurance on behalf of their members, while other credit...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Reliefs (26 Nov 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 80 and 146 together. Although there are currently no measures in Irish VAT or Excise legislation that relate to reliefs for armed forces from another state, there are provisions in EU VAT and Excise legislation that are applicable notwithstanding that the measures have not been transposed into Irish legislation. In respect of VAT, the provision in...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Economic Policy (26 Nov 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: With Government backing since 2012, Ireland has long recognised the importance of sustainable finance for increasing economic activity, employment creation and ensuring that the necessary environmental safeguards area developed and implemented in Ireland and globally. As a result, we have been strongly supportive of sustainable finance initiatives at EU and wider international levels....

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Motor Insurance (26 Nov 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: At the outset, it is important to note that neither I, nor the Central Bank of Ireland, can direct the pricing of insurance products, as this is a commercial matter, nor can we compel any insurer operating in the Irish market to provide cover. This position is reinforced by the EU Single Market framework for insurance (the Solvency II Directive), which expressly prohibits Member States from...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Reliefs (26 Nov 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 83, 137 and 201 together. I am aware of the matter raised by the Deputies and can advise that my officials have been in touch with their counterparts in Northern Ireland on the matter and that I have exchanged correspondence with the Cross-Border Workers Coalition. In the case of a person who lives in Ireland but who works in another jurisdiction, the...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (26 Nov 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 84, 106, 111, 133, 134, 145, 196, 206, 207 and 208 together. The Covid Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS) was announced in the Budget on 13 October 2020. The details are set out in Finance Bill 2020 and guidelines on the operation of the scheme, including the eligibility criteria, are available on the Revenue website: (). The support is available to...