Results 25,821-25,840 of 27,019 for speaker:Michael Noonan

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Revenue Commissioners Resources (14 Feb 2017)

Michael Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 150, 151 and 158 together. As the Deputies will be aware, it is long established that Revenue are independent in the exercise of their functions and this is now set out in Section 101 of the Minister and Secretaries (Amendment) Act 2011.  I have no power to instruct them on matters relating to those functions including how and where they allocate their...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Financial Services Sector (14 Feb 2017)

Michael Noonan: The Central Bank has previously informed me that, in accordance with section 33AK of the Central Bank Act 1942, the Central Bank is prohibited from disclosing confidential information concerning the business of a credit institution otherwise than in accordance with the Supervisory Directives (which include the Directive 2013/36/EU). On the issue more generally, the Central Bank...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Data (14 Feb 2017)

Michael Noonan: I am advised by the Tax Appeals Commission that the number of appeals before the Commission on the first day of each of the past twelve months is as follows: 01-Feb 01-Mar 01-Apr 01-May 01-Jun 01-Jul 01-Aug 01-Sep 01-Oct 01-Nov 01-Dec 01-Jan Totals 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2017 2016 Cases 25 57 94 168 228 303 392 449 516 572 626 690 690 Open cases...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Legislative Measures (14 Feb 2017)

Michael Noonan: The objectives of the Finance (Tax Appeals) Act 2015 were to bring reform of the role, functions and structure of the Office of the Appeal Commissioners and of the tax appeals system with a view to ensuring an enhanced and cost effective appeal mechanism for tax cases. The Act, which was commenced on 21st March 2016, inter alia provides for the establishment of the Tax Appeals Commission...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Financial Services Sector (14 Feb 2017)

Michael Noonan: I was not formally made aware of the issue to which the Deputy refers, but of course I had seen reports in the media about it.  The Deputy will be aware that the Consumer Protection (Regulation of Credit Servicing Firms) Act, 2015 introduced a regulatory regime for a new type of entity called a 'credit servicing firm'.  Under the Act, purchasers of loan books must either be...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Code (14 Feb 2017)

Michael Noonan: A single parent may be eligible for the Single Person Child Carer Credit of €1,650 per annum. This credit also provides an entitlement to an additional €4,000 extended standard rate band. A single individual with no children is entitled to a standard rate band of €33,800. An individual in receipt of the SPCCC is entitled to a standard rate band of €37,800....

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Exemptions (14 Feb 2017)

Michael Noonan: It is unclear as to whether the Deputy's question relates to charitable status or charitable tax exempt status. The former relates to the regulatory control of charities, and the processing of applications for charitable status, is a matter for the Charities Regulatory Authority (CRA), which was established in October 2014 under the aegis of the Department of Justice and Equality. The...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: IBRC Operations (14 Feb 2017)

Michael Noonan: I am advised by the Special Liquidators of IBRC that there were no active Section 110 structures in place at the time of their appointment. However, they have identified at least two historic loan securitisation transactions that involved the use of Irish Section 110 structures which were unwound prior to their appointment. The information available to the Special Liquidators...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Help-To-Buy Scheme (14 Feb 2017)

Michael Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 163 and 164 together. Under the Help to Buy (HTB) scheme first-time home purchasers are required to ensure that they purchase from a 'qualifying contractor'.  I am advised that up to 10 February 2017 there were 138 applications for registration as a 'qualifying contractor' and Revenue has approved 55 contractors. The remaining applications...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Ireland Strategic Investment Fund Investments (14 Feb 2017)

Michael Noonan: As the Deputy is aware, all investments made by the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF) are assets of the State and any profits generated from ISIF investments are used to fund new investments on behalf of the State in accordance with ISIF's legislative mandate.  The use of Section 110 companies by Irish Investors, including entities such as ISIF, is not a concern as profits from...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Home Repossessions (14 Feb 2017)

Michael Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 166 and 167 together. I am informed by the Central Bank that it does not have the data requested.  The Central Bank publishes only aggregate data for PDH and BTL accounts regarding the number of properties in possession at the beginning and end of each quarter, the number of properties repossessed on foot of a Court Order, the number of properties...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Banking Sector (14 Feb 2017)

Michael Noonan: I am very supportive of innovation, increased competition and efficiency in the payments market.  In 2015 I announced a reduction in interchange fees, making it cheaper for merchants to accept debit cards. I also announced an increase in the limit on contactless payments from €15 to €30 and reformed stamp duty to remove it from debit cards; replacing it with...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Motor Tax Exemptions (15 Feb 2017)

Michael Noonan: VRT is charged on the basis of vehicle type not vehicle use and, for VRT purposes, taxis and hackneys are taxed as passenger vehicles. I am not aware of any taxis or hackneys dedicated solely to servicing the transport needs of the disabled i.e. all such vehicles also accept fares from able-bodied passengers.  Any tax concessions for this group of vehicles would...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Financial Services Regulation (15 Feb 2017)

Michael Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 111, 112 and 115 together. Anyone wishing to engage in the business of moneylending requires a licence from the Central Bank in accordance with the Consumer Credit Act 1995. Consumers of licensed moneylenders are protected by a range of provisions to which moneylenders must adhere, including but not limited to, the Consumer Protection Code for Licensed...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Financial Services Regulation (15 Feb 2017)

Michael Noonan: Anyone wishing to engage in the business of moneylending requires a licence from the Central Bank in accordance with the Consumer Credit Act 1995. Consumers of licensed moneylenders are protected by a range of provisions to which moneylenders must adhere, including but not limited to, the Consumer Protection Code for Licensed Moneylenders (Moneylenders Code), the European Communities...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Financial Services Regulation (15 Feb 2017)

Michael Noonan: The legislation provides that a moneylender can appoint agents to act on its behalf under Section 97(1) of the Consumer Credit Act, 1995 (CCA). However, the licensed moneylender is responsible for ensuring its ongoing compliance with the Consumer Protection Code for Licensed Moneylenders, the European Communities (Consumer Credit Regulations) 2010 and the CCA.   The Central...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Data Protection (15 Feb 2017)

Michael Noonan: Firstly, I must point out that the Irish Credit Bureau is a private company and it is obliged to collect and manage the personal data in its possession in compliance with relevant data protection legislation. By law, financial institutions must ensure that information they hold or give to anyone else, including the Irish Credit Bureau, about an individual is correct and up to date....

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Revenue Commissioners Powers (15 Feb 2017)

Michael Noonan: I am advised by Revenue that section 851A of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 (whether in subsection (8) or in any other subsection), does not contain the type of provision referred to by Deputy Barry. The right of a charity (or, indeed, of any taxpayer) to have its tax affairs treated as confidential does not depend on whether or not it fails in its tax obligations. The only reference to a...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Ministerial Meetings (15 Feb 2017)

Michael Noonan: In response to the Deputy, I am advised it is not possible within the time allowed to provide the range of information sought and having regard to the time period in question. This information is being compiled and I will arrange for a further reply to be provided in line with Standing Orders.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Legislative Programme (15 Feb 2017)

Michael Noonan: The Financial and Services and Pensions Ombudsman Bill is a priority Bill for the Government and it is one of 31 Bills prioritised in the legislative programme for publication by July of 2017. The heads of Bill underwent prelegislative scrutiny on 27th October of 2016 and the consequent report of the Oireachtas Committee is awaited. In the meanwhile, officials in...