Results 26,161-26,180 of 27,019 for speaker:Michael Noonan

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Help-To-Buy Scheme Eligibility (2 Mar 2017)

Michael Noonan: The commencement date for the Help to Buy scheme of 19 July 2016 was chosen as it was the date of the launch of 'Rebuilding Ireland - Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness', in which the development of such a scheme for inclusion in the Budget was initially announced. The intention to backdate the scheme to this date was announced at that time with a view to avoiding...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Collection (2 Mar 2017)

Michael Noonan: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that as the Tax Appeal Commission (TAC) is an entirely independent statutory body with sole responsibility for accepting or refusing appeals, deciding the manner in which the appeals process is to be conducted and for managing the adjudication and determination of appeals, that they are not in a position to advise on the anticipated time-frame for the...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Collection (2 Mar 2017)

Michael Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 50 to 52, inclusive, together. I am advised by Revenue that it is not in a position to provide all of the information requested by Deputy Doherty as certain appeals-related data is either not routinely captured by Revenue or is not captured in a form that is readily accessible. Revenue is currently taking steps to address this issue by developing its case...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Fuel Rebate Scheme (2 Mar 2017)

Michael Noonan: A relief on mineral oil tax paid on auto-diesel purchased within the State by qualifying passenger transport operators, on or after 1st July 2013, was provided for by Section 99A of the Finance Act 1999 (as inserted by Section 51 of the Finance Act 2013). The repayment amount is calculated by reference to a sliding scale based on the average price at which auto-diesel is available for...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Revenue Commissioners (2 Mar 2017)

Michael Noonan: I am assured by Revenue that they are committed to making it as easy and as straightforward as possible for taxpayers to be compliant. Revenue's Statement of Strategy 2017 - 2019 makes clear that commitment to providing advice and information both online and through other channels. The extension of an appointments service reflects a reduced demand for the traditional 'walk-in' services...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Revenue Commissioners Resources (2 Mar 2017)

Michael Noonan: I am advised by Revenue that the outsourced Local Property Tax (LPT) Helpline plays a major role in achieving year on year compliance rates of circa 97% for the tax. The Helpline also played a key role in the collection by Revenue of over €65m in Household Charge (HHC) arrears in respect of 360,000 properties. The outsourced model provides Revenue with a flexible, cost effective...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Legislative Process RIA (2 Mar 2017)

Michael Noonan: The Department of Finance undertakes Regulatory Impact Analyses (RIAs) in accordance with the latest guidelines as published by the Department of the Taoiseach. A RIA is carried out where it is deemed necessary to do so in respect of a policy or programme that is being developed. There are cases where a RIA is not required. For example, a RIA is not required in the case of emergency...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Legislative Process RIA (2 Mar 2017)

Michael Noonan: The Regulatory Impact Analyses ("RIA") published by this Department are conducted in accordance with the latest guidelines as published by the Department of the Taoiseach. Impacts are considered as part of the RIA depending on the subject matter of the Bill and include, for example, national competitiveness, SMEs, socially excluded and vulnerable groups, poverty proofing, rural communities,...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Help-To-Buy Scheme (7 Mar 2017)

Michael Noonan: I assume the Deputy is referring to the 2017 European Semester Country Report on Ireland, which was published on 22 February. In that document the European Commission acknowledged the work undertaken by the Government in addressing the current shortage of housing, including 'Rebuilding Ireland: Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness'. This comprehensive Action Plan takes a...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Reliefs Availability (7 Mar 2017)

Michael Noonan: The recently launched "Realising our Rural Potential: Action Plan for Rural Development" by the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs contains a detailed list of actions and priorities with a view to revitalising rural Ireland generally. This effort is being led by the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs in...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Help-To-Buy Scheme Administration (7 Mar 2017)

Michael Noonan: The commencement date for the Help to Buy scheme of 19 July 2016 was chosen as it was the date of the launch of 'Rebuilding Ireland - Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness', in which the development of such a scheme for inclusion in the Budget was initially announced. The intention to backdate the scheme to this date was announced at that time with a view to avoiding any potential...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Excise Duties Yield (7 Mar 2017)

Michael Noonan: I am informed by Revenue that the amount of Excise Duty and Carbon Tax collected on Light Oil, Heavy Oil, Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and Substitute Fuels for the years 2014 to 2016 is as outlined in the table that follows. Please note that 2016 data are provisional and may be subject to revision. Excise/Carbon 2014 €m 2015 €m 2016 €m Light Oil Excise Carbon...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Mortgage Interest Rates (7 Mar 2017)

Michael Noonan: The issue of mortgage rates is a significant one for this Government. The Programme for a Partnership Government sets out a number of important and practical measures which can be taken to improve the position of mortgagors and in particular variable rate mortgage holders. Firstly, it wishes to promote competition in the supply of mortgage finance.  To...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Credit Availability (7 Mar 2017)

Michael Noonan: As the Deputy is aware, small and medium sized businesses (SMEs), such as the construction sector firm in the details provided, play a central role in the sustainable recovery of the Irish economy.  Government policy is focused on ensuring that all viable SMEs have access to an appropriate supply of credit from a diverse range of bank and non-bank sources.  Section 3.5...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Credit Availability (7 Mar 2017)

Michael Noonan: As the Deputy is aware, small and medium sized businesses (SMEs), including those in the construction sector, play a central role in the sustainable recovery of the Irish economy.  Government policy is focused on ensuring that all viable SMEs have access to an appropriate supply of credit from a diverse range of bank and non-bank sources. The Deputy will also be aware that in my role as...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Exemptions (7 Mar 2017)

Michael Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 150 and 151 together. I am advised by Revenue that initially an incomplete application under the Disabled Drivers and Passengers Scheme was received from the person concerned on 8 February 2017.  The required information has since been received and processing of the application is expected to be completed within the next week. 

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Public Relations Contracts Expenditure (7 Mar 2017)

Michael Noonan: I take it that the Deputy is referring solely to external public relations and not to advertising that would be incurred by my Department in the normal course of business, such as entries into telephone directories, the placing of advertisements in national newspapers, recruitment advertising, etc. The use of external Public Relations consultants in respect of my Department in 2016 is...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Help-To-Buy Scheme (7 Mar 2017)

Michael Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 153 and 159 to 162, inclusive, together. The Deputies will be aware that a two-stage process is employed for the Help To Buy (HTB) incentive, under which individuals submit an application for the incentive to receive an indication of the level of tax relief that may be available to them, and subsequently submit a claim for a tax refund. I am advised by Revenue...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Brexit Issues (7 Mar 2017)

Michael Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 154 and 155 together. I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners, who are responsible for combating smuggling, that action against this criminal activity is, and will continue to be, a central element of their work, including in the context of Brexit.  The Government priorities for Brexit are clear:  minimising the impact on trade and...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Capital Expenditure Programme (7 Mar 2017)

Michael Noonan: My Department monitors inflation across the economy on an ongoing basis, including in the construction sector.  For example, the National House Construction Cost Index, published by the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, provides an indication of labour and material cost developments within the construction industry. The latest available figures suggest...