Results 24,161-24,180 of 27,945 for speaker:Michael McGrath

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Departmental Policies (26 Jan 2023)

Michael McGrath: I am aware that Oxfam International recently (on January 16th 2023) produced a new report regarding global wealth inequality entitled “Survival of the Richest” which proposes new wealth taxes in Ireland and other jurisdictions. While I understand the background to calls for a specific wealth tax in Ireland, and I can assure you that the Government is committed to creating a...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Rental Sector (26 Jan 2023)

Michael McGrath: The Rent Tax Credit, as provided for in section 473B of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 (TCA 1997), was introduced by Finance Act 2022 and will be available in respect of qualifying payments made during the 2022 to 2025 years of assessment inclusive. Qualifying payments must be made under a tenancy. A tenancy for this purpose is a rental arrangement which falls into one of the below...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Reliefs (26 Jan 2023)

Michael McGrath: I propose to take Questions Nos. 201 and 202 together. Recent Government policy has focused on strengthening the environmental rationale behind company car taxation. Until the changes brought in as part of the Finance Act 2019, Ireland’s vehicle benefit-in-kind regime was unusual in that there was no overall CO2 rationale in the regime. This is despite a CO2 based vehicle BIK regime...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Customs and Excise (31 Jan 2023)

Michael McGrath: I propose to take Questions Nos. 239, 240, 241, 273 and 274 together. Revenue, as Ireland’s tax and customs administration, is responsible for controlling the importation and exportation of goods in accordance with the Union Customs Code (UCC) and relevant national legislation. This includes the application of duty-free allowances and the collection of any additional duties due. The...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Rental Sector (31 Jan 2023)

Michael McGrath: The Government is acutely aware of the difficulties in the housing market. As I have said on many occasions, the key problem is a lack of supply. This is why the Government is committed to increasing the supply of all types of homes – social, affordable, rental and owner-occupier. My department continues to monitor all aspects of the property market, including the number of...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Customs and Excise (31 Jan 2023)

Michael McGrath: I propose to take Questions Nos. 243 and 269 together. As the Deputies will be aware, these reduced rates are set to expire on 28th February 2023. In making any decision the Government will balance the costs of the measures in question against their social and economic impact. This matter is currently being considered.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Exchequer Payments (31 Jan 2023)

Michael McGrath: The Secretary General and I fully accept the findings of the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) report into this matter, and my Department have taken immediate steps to prevent a recurrence. For background, the Department of Finance administers the Exchequer account (Central Fund), by issuing payment instructions to the Central Bank. Instructions must have prior authorisation from...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Departmental Meetings (31 Jan 2023)

Michael McGrath: I propose to take Questions Nos. 245 and 246 together. I am aware of Article 5.3 of the World Health Organisation’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), which states: "In setting and implementing their public health policies with respect to tobacco control, Parties shall act to protect these policies from commercial and other vested interests of the tobacco industry in...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Business Supports (31 Jan 2023)

Michael McGrath: The Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme (TBESS) was introduced to support qualifying businesses with increases in their electricity or natural gas costs over the winter months. Sections 100 to 102 of the Finance Act 2022 make provision for the TBESS. The scheme provides support to qualifying businesses - including companies, sole-traders, self-employed individuals and partnerships -...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Data (31 Jan 2023)

Michael McGrath: I propose to take Questions Nos. 248 and 272 together. I am advised by Revenue that Betting Duty is charged on all bets placed by a person with a Licensed Bookmaker (Traditional Licence), a Licensed Remote Bookmaker (Remote Licence) or a Licensed Remote Betting Intermediary (Commissions Licence). The rate of Betting Duty charged on bets placed with holders of a Traditional and/or Remote...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Business Supports (31 Jan 2023)

Michael McGrath: I propose to take Questions Nos. 249 and 250 together. As both concern credit guarantee schemes operated by the Strategic Banking Co-operation of Ireland (SBCI), I propose to take the Deputy’s questions, PQ 4022/23 and PQ 4023/23, together. As the Deputy will be aware, the Covid-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme (CCGS), operated by the SBCI in response to the challenges of the...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Customs and Excise (31 Jan 2023)

Michael McGrath: I am advised by Revenue that as provided for in the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland, goods imported into Northern Ireland from the rest of the United Kingdom or any other third country are subject to EU Customs rules, procedures and formalities. The application and implementation of the Protocol, including the collection of Customs duties and other taxes, is the responsibility of the...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Code (31 Jan 2023)

Michael McGrath: I propose to take Questions Nos. 252, 255, 265, 271 and 280 together. As the Deputies are aware, at present, the 9% rate applies on a temporary basis to a number of sectors in particular, tourism, hospitality and hairdressing. From 1 March 2023, these sectors are due to return to the 13.5% rate. As I have said on a number of occasions, the Government will in the coming weeks examine the full...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Vehicle Registration (31 Jan 2023)

Michael McGrath: Under the Finance Act 1992, Revenue has responsibility for the assignment of vehicle identification marks (commonly known as registration numbers) and for prescribing the manner of their display (commonly known as registration plates) on vehicles in the State. This has been done in the “Vehicle Registration and Taxation Regulations 1992”, Statutory Instrument No. 318 of 1992,...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Code (31 Jan 2023)

Michael McGrath: Recent Government policy has focused on strengthening the environmental rationale behind company car taxation. Until the changes brought in as part of the Finance Act 2019, Ireland’s vehicle benefit-in-kind regime was unusual in that there was no overall CO2 rationale in the regime. This is despite a CO2 based vehicle BIK regime being legislated for as far back as 2008 (but never...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Departmental Schemes (31 Jan 2023)

Michael McGrath: My predecessor Minister Donohoe committed to a comprehensive review of the Disabled Drivers and Passengers Scheme (DDS) as part of a broader review of mobility supports. In order to achieve this objective, Minister O’Gorman agreed in September 2021 that the DDS review should be incorporated into the work of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy (NDIS) Transport Working Group...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Code (31 Jan 2023)

Michael McGrath: I am advised by Revenue that the VAT rating of goods and services is subject to EU VAT law, with which Irish VAT law must comply. In general, the Directive provides that all goods and services are liable to VAT at the standard rate unless they fall within Annex III of the Directive, in respect of which Member States may apply either one or two reduced rates of VAT. Ireland currently operates...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Departmental Staff (31 Jan 2023)

Michael McGrath: I wish to advise the Deputy that there are currently two Special Advisers to the Minister employed by the Department of Finance: - Kevin Barrett - Grant Sweetnam In line with DPER guidelines, both advisers are placed on the Principal Officer Standard (PPC) salary scale, which is as follows: €95,301 – €99,345 – €103,358 – €107,400 –...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: State Bodies (31 Jan 2023)

Michael McGrath: I propose to take Questions Nos. 259, 260 and 275 to 277, inclusive, together. The Disabled Drivers & Disabled Passengers Scheme provides relief from VRT and VAT on an adapted car, as well as an exemption from motor tax and an annual fuel grant. The Scheme is open to severely and permanently disabled persons who also meet the below medical criteria, as a driver or as a passenger and...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Primary Medical Certificates (31 Jan 2023)

Michael McGrath: The Disabled Drivers & Disabled Passengers Scheme provides relief from VRT and VAT on an adapted car, as well as an exemption from motor tax and an annual fuel grant. The Scheme is open to severely and permanently disabled persons, as a driver or as a passenger and also to certain organisations. In order to qualify for relief, the applicant must hold a Primary Medical Certificate...