Results 17,841-17,860 of 27,019 for speaker:Michael Noonan

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Home Renovation Incentive Scheme Eligibility (25 Nov 2014)

Michael Noonan: As the Deputy is aware, I introduced the Home Renovation Incentive in Finance (No. 2) Act 2013. The aim of the incentive is to support tax compliant building contractors by moving activity out of the shadow economy into the legitimate economy. I have also extended the scheme in the recent Budget to include owners of rental properties who are subject to income tax. The incentive provides tax...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Data (25 Nov 2014)

Michael Noonan: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the practice of sub-contracting operates in a number of sectors.  Data on the overall numbers, however, is not available as a sub-contractor will not generally describe him/herself as such when registering with Revenue.  However, three specific sectors are covered by the Relevant Contracts Tax (RCT) regime, namely, construction,...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Mortgage Interest Rates (25 Nov 2014)

Michael Noonan: Firstly, I must confirm to the Deputy that the lending institutions in Ireland -  including those in which the State has a shareholding - are independent commercial entities. I have no statutory role in relation to mortgage interest rates charged.  It is a commercial matter for each institution concerned.  It is not appropriate for me, as Minister for Finance, to...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Property Taxation Application (25 Nov 2014)

Michael Noonan: I am advised by Revenue that there have been ongoing discussions with the person in question in respect of arrears of Household Charge (HHC) and more recently in respect of Local Property Tax (LPT). In regard to HHC, the Deputy will be aware that Section 156 of the Finance (Local Property Tax) Act (as amended) increased any outstanding liabilities on 1 July 2013 to €200 and...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Departmental Contracts (25 Nov 2014)

Michael Noonan: In response to the Deputy, I am advised that neither my Department, nor any agency under my Department's remit have awarded any contracts to the company mentioned by the Deputy since 9th March 2011.

Finance Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (26 Nov 2014)

Michael Noonan: I will deal first with Deputy Daly's amendment and then Deputy Michael McGrath's amendment, taking into account the contributions of other Deputies. I am aware of the issues that Deputy Daly is attempting to address with her amendment. Officials of my Department, along with officials of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, have been examining the alternative...

Finance Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (26 Nov 2014)

Michael Noonan: I thank Deputies for their contributions. Deputy Daly has again illustrated that there is an issue which is problematic and I agree with her that there is an issue. I would like, and have instructed, my officials to do everything they can to resolve the problem. My difficulty with the amendment is different. It does not solve the problem without raising other issues. The issue can be...

Finance Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (26 Nov 2014)

Michael Noonan: In accordance Standing Order 140, I would be obliged if the Ceann Comhairle would direct the Clerk to make the following minor drafting corrections to the text of the Bill: on page 48, line 15, to substitute (I) for (A); on page 48, line 18, to substitute (I) for (A) and to substitute (II) for (B); on page 130, line 23, to substitute "or rescission" for "rescission"; and on page 130, line 27,...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Fuel Laundering (26 Nov 2014)

Michael Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 45 and 46 together. I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners, who are responsible for tackling fuel fraud, that they are very aware of the risks posed to consumers' vehicles, legitimate businesses and the exchequer by all forms of fuel fraud in the midlands and throughout the country. Revenue has, over the recent past, received reports from a variety of...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: VAT Rate Application (26 Nov 2014)

Michael Noonan: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the VAT rating of goods and services is subject to the requirements of EU VAT law, with which Irish VAT law must comply. While we can maintain the zero rating on those goods and services which were zero-rated before 1 January 1991, the equipment referred to in general terms by the Deputy does not fall within this category. Similarly, member...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Disabled Drivers and Passengers Scheme (26 Nov 2014)

Michael Noonan: In April 2013 the Court of Justice of the European Union ruled that the excise relief element of the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme is incompatible with the EU Energy Tax Directive. My Department has informed the European Commission of my intention to remove the excise relief element of the Scheme at the end of 2014 and replace it with a fuel grant in...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: VAT Rate Reductions (26 Nov 2014)

Michael Noonan: Bottled water is subject to the standard VAT rate.  The standard rate is the VAT rate applied to bottled water in the majority of EU Member States.  Prior to 1992 bottled waters and fruit juices had applied at the zero rate, but were made subject to the standard rate from 1 November 1992 in order to correct a competitive anomaly, as similar competing products such as soft drinks...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Departmental Meetings (26 Nov 2014)

Michael Noonan: In response to the Deputy, please find below, a table detailing all MAC meetings since 2011 and a full list of attendees at these meetings. Date of MAC Attendees 05-Jan-11 Secretary General, Secretary General PSMD, Ann Nolan, Donal McNally, Eamonn Kearns, Eoin Dorgan, Carmel Keane, William Beausang, Brendan Duffy, Patricia Coleman,  Tim Duggan, Michael McGrath, David...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Code (26 Nov 2014)

Michael Noonan: The data requested by the Deputy is set out in the table. Gross Income Income Tax USC Net Income Annual Benefit Change as % of Gross Income Existing Proposed Existing Proposed Existing Proposed € € € € € € € € % 9,000 0 0 0 0 9,000 9,000 0 0.0% 12,000 0 0 279 0 11,721 12,000 279 2.3% 15,000 0 0 399 285 14,601 14,715 115...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Exemptions (26 Nov 2014)

Michael Noonan: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that in the course of their compliance programmes they have established that this exemption, designed to cater for normal everyday payments related to the provision of support, maintenance or education for children, is being abused. For taxpayer confidentiality reasons, the Revenue Commissioners are not in a position to disclose specific details of...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Proposed Legislation (26 Nov 2014)

Michael Noonan: In order to protect consumers whose loans are sold to unregulated entities the Government is committed to bringing forward appropriate legislation and in July and August of this year the Department of Finance ran a public consultation seeking views on this proposed legislation.  There have been nineteen submissions received from a range of respondents including the financial...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Clearance Certificates (26 Nov 2014)

Michael Noonan: The purpose of the tax clearance scheme is to ensure that persons who derive economic benefit from having a licence/permit to conduct certain activities in the State, or who receive contracts/grants, subsidies or certain other payments from the State are in compliance with their tax obligations.  The scheme also encompasses certain positions covered by the Standards in Public Office Act....

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Revenue Commissioners Resources (26 Nov 2014)

Michael Noonan: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners the delivery of a comprehensive and professional public service is a priority for them, and customer services are continually monitored to ensure the best possible service. Callers to the Revenue public office in Cork are provided with a full range of services between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. each day. Naturally some issues are complex and require...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Irish Water Funding (26 Nov 2014)

Michael Noonan: In July 2013, in order to meet expected costs arising,  Irish Water entered into a €250 million bridging loan facility with the National Pensions Reserve Fund Commission (NPRF), which is repayable in September 2015.  This facility was part drawn at the end of 2013 and was fully drawn down during 2014.  Earlier this month, the NPRF agreed to increase the amount available...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: IMF Loan Issues (26 Nov 2014)

Michael Noonan: As the Deputy will be aware, I am proposing to make an early repayment of approximately €18.3 billion of Ireland's €22.5 billion IMF loan, which is the portion subject to the highest rate of charge, and to replace it, in a measured way, with less expensive market funding subject to prevailing market conditions. The early repayment will take place in tranches, with the first...