Results 13,521-13,540 of 32,960 for speaker:Paschal Donohoe

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Cross-Border Projects (17 May 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: As the Deputy will be aware, Ireland and Northern Ireland are currently partners in two EU-funded cross-border Cooperation Programmes, PEACE and INTERREG, with a total value of €550 million over the period 2014-2020. These programmes are 85% funded by the EU through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) under the European Union's Cohesion Policy. The Irish Government...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Garda Recruitment (17 May 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: As the Deputy will be aware recruitment for An Garda Síochána is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Justice and Equality and the Garda Commissioner in the first instance. Recruitment for an Garda Síochána is undertaken by the Public Appointments Service (PAS) which is an independent recruiter for the civil and some parts of the public service. I...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Procurement Regulations (17 May 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: Public Procurement is governed by EU and National rules and guidelines. The aim of these rules is to promote an open, competitive and non-discriminatory public procurement regime which delivers best value for money. Procurement reform is a key element of the Government's overall reform programme and is aimed at delivering increased value for money, and having a strategic approach to public...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Reform Implementation (17 May 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: The public service is central to economic and social life in Ireland. Significant reforms have been made in recent years and have made the work of the public service more transparent, decision-making more accountable and service delivery more effective and efficient. There has been much progress since the first reform programme was started in 2011, in areas including procurement, shared...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Fiscal Policy (17 May 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 80 to 82, inclusive, together. Managing the delivery of public services within allocations and meeting our budgetary targets forms a key part of the responsibilities of every Minister and Department. My own Department is in regular contact with all other Departments and Offices to ensure that expenditure is being managed within the overall fiscal...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Staff Recruitment (17 May 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: In my role as Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, I have overarching policy responsibility for workforce planning in the Civil Service, including recruitment. The initiation of a recruitment campaign for any particular civil service grade is determined by such factors as identified workforce planning requirements and the need to establish priorities for targeted recruitment into...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Capital Expenditure Programme (17 May 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: Managing the delivery of capital expenditure on issues of infrastructural importance within the allocations agreed in the recently published National Development Plan 2018-2027 is a key responsibility of each Minister and Department. My Department is in regular contact with all other Departments and offices to ensure that capital expenditure is being managed within the overall fiscal...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Brexit Issues (17 May 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: Prudent management of the public finances in order to ensure that Ireland's economy continues to remain competitive in the face of future economic headwinds is the best and most immediate policy under the Government's control to counter the likely negative economic impacts of Brexit. In Budget 2017 the Government took important steps to prepare the economy. Additional resources were...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Code (22 May 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: Hypothecation is not a feature of the Irish tax system in general. The Department of Finance is opposed to the hypothecation of Exchequer receipts as it reduces the flexibility of the Government to prioritise and allocate funds as necessary at a particular time.  This constrains expenditure decisions and can distort the allocation of resources resulting in reduced value...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Motor Insurance Costs (22 May 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: The circumstances in which the 20 per cent additional charge referred to in this question may arise are not clear from the question. The European Union (Payment Services) Regulations 2018, which transposed the revised Payment Services Directive, prohibit a payee from requesting an additional charge from a consumer for using a SEPA direct debit. However, it is possible to apply other...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Vehicle Registration (22 May 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: I am advised by Revenue that the specification for the identification mark (the “registration plate”) that must be displayed on all vehicles is contained in the Vehicle Registration and Taxation Regulations, 1992 (S.I. No. 318 of 1992).  These Regulations do not permit personalised registration plates for special occasions on commercial vehicles or any other category of...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Vehicle Registration (22 May 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: I am informed by Revenue that section 130 of the Finance Act 1992, as amended by section 53 of the Finance Act 2017, provides that, from 31 July 2018, N1 vehicles with 4 or more seats and to which a BE bodywork code has not been assigned will be defined as VRT category A vehicles.  N1 vehicles which have 4 or more seats and which have been assigned a BE bodywork code will continue to...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Mortgage Schemes (22 May 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: As the Deputy is aware the Single Supervisory Mechanism (SSM) has issued supplementary guidance in respect of the classification of Split Mortgages that has clarified its expectations in respect of the criteria to be met for classification of a Split Mortgage as performing.  This is currently being analysed by PTSB and will be assessed in conjunction with other options which may be...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: ERASMUS Programme (22 May 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: The European Investment Bank has advised my Department that The Erasmus + programme is not a loan but a guarantee offered on student loans to masters students. As an Erasmus programme, its focus is foreign students pursuing Erasmus studies abroad in specific Programme countries rather than domestic students. Currently the scheme is being made available through banks and...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Code (22 May 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: The basis for the current tax treatment of married couples derives from the Supreme Court decision in Murphy vs. Attorney General (1980). This decision was based on Article 41.3.1 of the Constitution where the State pledges to protect the institution of marriage. The decision held that it was contrary to the Constitution for a married couple, both of whom are working, to pay more tax than...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Living Wage (22 May 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: As the Deputy is aware Government policy on banking remuneration has remained unchanged since the financial crisis. Extensive restrictions are in place, which, in summary, limit total remuneration for staff in AIB, Bank of Ireland and PTSB to €500,000 (excluding a standard pension contribution). Policy also dictates that bonuses and many other benefits cannot be paid to any staff....

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Departmental Expenditure (22 May 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: The Department of Finance continues to invest in staff development in order to supplement the skills and qualifications of the teams, through a combination of internal and external training, learning and development. The Department strives to improve learning and development in order to develop greater professional, technical, management and leadership skills.  Using the...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Departmental Expenditure (22 May 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: The information requested by the Deputy for travel and subsistence expenses incurred by my department during 2017 is contained in the following table.  Sum of Trip Value Classification Total Domestic €82,413.74 EU €243,624.87 Rest of World €56,149.61 Grand Total €382,188.22

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Departmental Expenditure (22 May 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: The information requested by the Deputy for 2017 for consultancy services is contained in the following table. Supplier Amount Details William Fry 1,663,748 Legal Advice Arthur Cox 286,960 Legal advice Indecon 67,121 Professional Fees Behaviour & Attitudes 64,575 Credit Demand Survey (Recoupable) Reveal Data Corporation 15,867 eDiscovery – IT Consultancy Colm...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: VAT Exemptions (22 May 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: Mountain rescue services are treated in a similar manner to charities in that they are exempt from VAT under the EU VAT Directive. This means that they do not register for VAT and cannot recover VAT incurred on goods and services that they purchase. This non-entitlement to VAT deductibility is a general feature of VAT exemption. However, in Budget 2018 I announced a VAT...