Results 26,421-26,440 of 33,207 for speaker:Paschal Donohoe

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Departmental Schemes (3 Feb 2022)

Paschal Donohoe: 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 Ireland over the previous four years, subject to limits outlined in the legislation. Section 477C Taxes Consolidation Act (TCA) 1997 outlines the...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Mortgage Resolution Processes (3 Feb 2022)

Paschal Donohoe: The Central Bank has advised that, where a mortgage loan is sold or transferred from one regulated entity to another regulated entity, the rights and protections that were available to borrowers prior to the transaction continue to be in place with the new owner. Accordingly, consumers maintain the regulatory protections which are available under the various Central Bank statutory Codes...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Banking Sector (3 Feb 2022)

Paschal Donohoe: As the Deputy may be aware, as Minister for Finance, I have no role in the commercial decisions made by any bank in the State. This includes banks in which the State has a shareholding. Decisions in this regard, including the management of branch premises, are the sole responsibility of the board and management of the banks, which must be run on an independent and commercial basis. The...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Code (3 Feb 2022)

Paschal Donohoe: I am advised by Revenue that the VAT rating of goods and services is subject to the requirements of EU VAT law, with which Irish VAT law must comply. In general, the EU VAT Directive provides that all goods and services are liable to VAT at the standard rate, unless they fall within categories of goods and services specified in Annex III of the VAT Directive, in respect of which Member States...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Urban Development (8 Feb 2022)

Paschal Donohoe: The Living City Initiative (LCI) (provided for in Finance Act 2013 and commenced on 5 May 2015) is a tax incentive aimed at the regeneration of the historic inner-cities of Dublin, Cork, Galway, Kilkenny, Limerick and Waterford. The scheme provides income or corporation tax relief for qualifying expenditure incurred in refurbishing/converting qualifying buildings which are located within...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Departmental Circulars (8 Feb 2022)

Paschal Donohoe: I am advised by Revenue that the rationalisation and integration of General Service and Departmental Taxes grading structures in Revenue followed an extensive industrial relations negotiation and communications process more than 18 years ago, in the lead-up to Integration Day on 1 January 2003. In the period prior to Integration Day, Revenue engaged in very extensive communications with staff...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Banking Sector (8 Feb 2022)

Paschal Donohoe: In October 2021, Ulster Bank outlined its intended process to support customers closing their accounts as the bank exits the Irish market. Initially customers will receive written notice outlining their closure date and how Ulster Bank can support them to 'Choose, Move & Close' their accounts. Further contact will be made with vulnerable customers and those with complex needs. Ulster...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (8 Feb 2022)

Paschal Donohoe: The Covid Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS) was introduced by Section 11 of the Finance Act 2020. The scheme 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. The scheme is available to companies, self-employed individuals and partnerships who carry on...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Fuel Prices (8 Feb 2022)

Paschal Donohoe: The Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Fuel Grant is regulated by S.I. 635/2015 and provides for payment of a fuel grant based on a the value of excise chargeable per litre rate of fuel. The grant is based on the excise component of the fuel, not the market price. The current value is €0.636 for petrol, €0.535 for diesel and €0.118 for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Departmental Contracts (8 Feb 2022)

Paschal Donohoe: My Department did not incur any expenditure on Covid-19 consultancy contracts in 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022. The bodies under the aegis of my Department are the Central Bank of Ireland, the Credit Review Office, the Credit Union Advisory Board, the Credit Union Restructuring Board, the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal, the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman, Home Building...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Credits (8 Feb 2022)

Paschal Donohoe: As the Deputy may be aware, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, has established an Independent Working Group to examine the issue of defective housing. Officials from my Department participate in this Working Group. The objectives of the group are to identify the scope of relevant significant defects in housing, to evaluate the scale of housing affected, to propose a...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Foreign Policy (8 Feb 2022)

Paschal Donohoe: Negotiations have concluded on a Double Taxation Agreement (DTA) between Ireland and the Sultanate of Oman. The next step in the ratification process from an Irish perspective is to seek Government permission to sign the DTA. As DTAs are international agreements they also require the approval of the Oireachtas prior to the agreement having force in law. Following signature and, subject to...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: State Bodies (8 Feb 2022)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 247 and 248 together. The Disabled Drivers & Disabled Passengers Scheme (DDS) 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 Scheme is open to severely and permanently disabled persons who also meet one of six specified medical criteria, as a driver...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Banking Sector (8 Feb 2022)

Paschal Donohoe: The authorisation and supervision of financial service firms such as electronic money institutions is the responsibility of the Central Bank of Ireland, as competent authority of such entities. It should be noted that the approval or refusal of applications made by any firm to the Central Bank of Ireland is not a matter which the Minister or the Department of Finance has any role or...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Banking Sector (8 Feb 2022)

Paschal Donohoe: Ireland transposed the fifth Anti-Money Laundering Directive into Irish law by way of the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) (Amendment) Act 2021, and the provisions of the 2021 Act that relate to Virtual Asset Service Providers commenced on 23 April 2021. In relation to the Deputy’s question, it is important to note that Virtual Asset Service Providers, or...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Official Engagements (8 Feb 2022)

Paschal Donohoe: I last spoke with my Australian counterpart, the then Minister for Finance Mathias Cormann, in July 2020. That engagement provided an opportunity to take stock of global developments, including the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. The opportunity to speak formally with his successor, Minister Simon Birmingham, has not yet presented itself, but I look forward to engaging with him...