Results 24,781-24,800 of 33,175 for speaker:Paschal Donohoe

Written Answers — Department of Finance: State Bodies (15 Sep 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: The Central Bank has informed me, that in responding to this matter, it is first necessary to emphasise that it discharges its mandate on a cross-bank basis and through an integrated organisational structure. The Central Bank’s organisational structure reflects the focus it has on the effective regulation of both domestic and international financial services firms in Ireland. The...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Customs and Excise (15 Sep 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: I am advised by Revenue that it had no seizures of nitrous oxide in the period from 2015 to 2019. In 2020, Revenue had eight seizures of the product, consisting of 33,600 canisters. To date in 2021, Revenue had five seizures of the product, consisting of 82,200 canisters. Nitrous oxide is not prohibited and has a number of legitimate uses, for example in the food industry.  However,...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Financial Services (15 Sep 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 272, 273, 274 and 275 together. Over the last decade, we have seen a shift in the way consumers and businesses are paying for goods and banking. While historically Ireland has been a relatively cash-intensive economy, significant progress has been made and a rapid increase in the take-up of electronic payments is evident. The Covid-19 pandemic has...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Financial Services (15 Sep 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: The NTMA have informed me that ISIF publishes bi-annual reporting which contains an update on the status of the operation of the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund, including economic impact reporting.  The latest report available on the ISIF website sets out an ISIF performance update up to the end of June 2021 and incorporates an economic impact report for 2020. The high level messages...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Research and Development (15 Sep 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: Governments in many countries provide support for research and development (R&D) with the aim of promoting R&D investment in their respective economies. For example the primary policy objective behind the Irish R&D Tax Credit is to increase business R&D in the State, as R&D can contribute to higher innovation and productivity. Support can come in the...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Research and Development (15 Sep 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: It is assumed the Deputy is referring to payable tax credits in respect of research and development (R&D) expenditure. I am informed by Revenue that the available information in respect of payable tax credits is published in Revenue’s statistics on R&D (see page 4), which is available at  www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/information-about-revenue/statis...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Financial Services (15 Sep 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 279 and 280 together. Credit unions in Ireland are regulated and supervised under the Credit Union Act, 1997 (the 1997 Act) and regulations issued by Central Bank, which set out the framework for the registration, regulation and operation of credit unions. The Central Bank expects all regulated firms to take a consumer-focused approach and to act in their...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Student Accommodation (15 Sep 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: With regard to the case referred to by the Deputy, Revenue have informed me that they are bound by taxpayer confidentiality in accordance with Section 851A of the TCA 1997 and cannot provide any information on a specific taxpayer. Accelerated capital allowances for qualifying expenditure incurred on the construction, refurbishment or conversion of student accommodation were provided...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Legislative Process (15 Sep 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: Please see attached tables in relation to Bills published since 27 June 2020 which were sponsored by my Department, along with details in relation to accompanying Regulatory Impact Assessments (‘RIAs’). There are 9 Bills in the list. RIAs were published on the Department’s website in respect of 2 of those Bills. Screening RIAs were also prepared in respect of a number of...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Housing Schemes (15 Sep 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 283 and 285 together. The Help to Buy (HTB) incentive 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 of Income Tax and Deposit Interest Retention Tax (DIRT) paid in the State over the previous four years, subject to limits outlined in the legislation....

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Departmental Expenditure (15 Sep 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: I can inform the Deputy that the amount paid in late interest payments and penalty payments by my Department in each of the years 2017 to 2020 and to date in 2021 is set out in table A below. Government Departments are required to pay suppliers within 15 calendar days of receipt of a valid invoice as per prompt payment regulations. Where payment exceeds 30 days (or less if agreed payment...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Primary Medical Certificates (16 Sep 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: The Disabled Drivers & Disabled Passengers Scheme provides relief from Vehicle Registration Tax 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 Scheme is open to severely and permanently disabled persons as a driver or as a passenger and also to certain charitable organisations. In order to qualify...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Sports Organisations (16 Sep 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: Section 235 Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 provides an exemption from income tax or corporation tax, as appropriate, for bodies which are established and existing for the sole purpose of promoting:  - an athletic game or an athletic sport, or  - an amateur game or an amateur sport. The exemption applies to that portion of the income of the “approved body” which has been...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Insurance Industry (16 Sep 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: It is my understanding that a high proportion of Irish property insurance policies include flood cover. This has been confirmed by a survey recently conducted by the Central Bank of Ireland. That being said, it is recognised that some householders in specific areas or due to certain circumstances are still experiencing difficulties in securing such cover. As such, I have asked my officials to...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Reliefs (16 Sep 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: Section 664A of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 provides for relief on expenditure incurred by farmers in respect of an increase in the carbon tax on farm diesel. It is an additional tax measure for farmers that was  introduced in Budget 2012 to compensate for carbon tax increases at the time. I am advised by Revenue that the tax deductibility in respect of the carbon tax component...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Departmental Data (16 Sep 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: The Remote Working Relief is available to workers who incur certain expenditure when working from home. The relief entitles workers to claim 10% of the cost of electricity and heating incurred in a year, apportioned by the number of days worked at home. For the tax year 2020 and for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic on a concessionary basis, the relief also entitles workers to claim 30%...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Health and Safety (16 Sep 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: The majority of staff of my Department continue to work remotely in line with current Government and the HSE guidelines unless, for business reasons, it is necessary to be physically present in the office. While the wearing of face coverings is not mandatory within my Department’s workplace at present, my Department recognises that some staff may wish to wear a mask while in the...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Credits (16 Sep 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: The Deputy's previous question asked for an estimated cost in 2022 of amending the research and development tax credit regime by allowing small and micro companies to receive the credit in one instalment rather than three instalments over a 33-month period payable not earlier than the relevant tax pay and file date for the company’s accounting period in which the qualifying expenditure...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Banking Sector (21 Sep 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: The Deputy already knows what the macroprudential rules are and how they are operated so I will directly answer the question he has put to me. With regard to my engagement with the Central Bank, the operation of the macroprudential rules is an independent function of the Central Bank and it is not appropriate for me to contact it on how it operates that policy. It is set and implemented by...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Banking Sector (21 Sep 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: It is a separate issue and I am aware of its huge importance and the chronic stress and anxiety it has caused. While the Deputy recognised that I cannot influence a lending decision made by our banks, I will raise this issue in the coming weeks, in the context of the Government response to mica that will be put forward.