Results 20,121-20,140 of 32,726 for speaker:Paschal Donohoe

Questions on Promised Legislation (28 Feb 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: The Government believes that a banking system, which in the long run is owned by the private sector, is the best way to meet the needs that the Taoiseach described earlier. It will ensure we can provide loans to families and businesses, as well as ensuring deposits can earn a decent rate of interest. Crucially, it will make sure the kind of link which caused such a catastrophe in our...

Questions on Promised Legislation (28 Feb 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: I will conclude on this point. At the same time, we must avoid the greatest fears many have had for a while. In addition to the measures to which the Government is committed, I have also asked the Central Bank to give me an independent assessment of the code of conduct on mortgage arrears.

Questions on Promised Legislation (28 Feb 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: We are aware of the responsibilities we have to our citizens. That is why we strengthened personal insolvency legislation over the past several years. That is why we set up the Abhaile organisation. We have put in place measures through, for example, the Central Bank, to ensure mortgage arrears are dealt with in the best way possible.

Questions on Promised Legislation (28 Feb 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: While I am always aware of the concerns people have on how this issue is dealt with, we must recognise that several years ago this country faced a major crisis in mortgage arrears and non-performing loans. In all those areas, progress has been made. A framework is in place which tries to strike the fairest balance.

Questions on Promised Legislation (28 Feb 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: I will wait to see the Bill to which Deputy Mattie McGrath referred. The basic questions the proponents of the Bill must ask is where is the money to fund it going to come from and how can we ensure it is not at the expense of many existing arrangements which are serving our citizens well.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Primary Medical Certificates Eligibility (28 Feb 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: The Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme provides relief from VAT and VRT on the purchase of an adapted car for transport of a person with specific severe and permanent physical disabilities, payment of a fuel grant, and an exemption from Motor Tax. To qualify for the Scheme an applicant must be in possession of a Primary Medical Certificate. To qualify for...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Departmental Funding (28 Feb 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: Funding for the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General is provided through Vote 8.  The salary costs of the Comptroller and Auditor General are provided from the Central Fund.  Details of each of these funding mechanisms for each of the years 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018 are in the following table. Vote 8 – Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General Total...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Insurance Compensation Fund (28 Feb 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: Setanta was placed into liquidation by the Malta Financial Services Authority on 30 April 2014. As it was a Maltese incorporated company, the liquidation is being carried out under Maltese law. The Deputy will be aware that under the Insurance Act 1964, as amended, monies may be paid out of the Insurance Compensation Fund (ICF), with the approval of the High Court, in relation...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Departmental Meetings (28 Feb 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: The Press Office organises briefings for journalists upon request as part of its normal course of work to explain government business pertaining to the Department of Finance. In such cases, all media outlets are invited to send a representative.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Mortgage Book Sales (28 Feb 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: At the outset I should emphasize at this stage that no loan has been sold yet and it won’t be known how many loans will be sold for a number of months, nor the composition of these loans. In addition, it is not known to whom the loans will be sold. However, I want and expect PTSB to be transparent with their customers when it comes to this sale process as it evolves. It is...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Mortgage Arrears Proposals (28 Feb 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: In answering the Deputy’s question, it is useful if I start by giving some historic context. During the height of the financial crisis a key focus of the authorities was on stabilising and ultimately reducing mortgage arrears through the implementation of sustainable mortgage solutions that were agreed with borrowers. This led to the Central Bank of Ireland (CBI)...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: VAT Rate Application (28 Feb 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: I am advised by The Revenue Commissioners that it is not possible to provide a definitive answer based on the information provided by the Deputy.  I would point out that the letting of immovable goods is exempt from VAT in accordance with the EU VAT Directive, with which Irish VAT law must comply. Therefore, the rental income received in respect of residential...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Wards of Court (28 Feb 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: The Constitution provides that there shall be a Comptroller and Auditor General to control on behalf of the State all disbursements and to audit all accounts of moneys administered by or under the authority of the Oireachtas and that the terms and conditions of the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General shall be determined by law. Under the Comptroller and Auditor General...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Shared Services (28 Feb 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 88 and 89 together. The National Shared Services Office will respond directly to the Deputy on these matters.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Civil Service Staff Data (28 Feb 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: The Deputy will be aware that the Civil Service Mobility scheme is one of a number of arrangements to be put in place to fulfil the requirements of Action 15 of the Civil Service Renewal Plan which calls to ‘Expand career and mobility opportunities for staff across geographic, organisational and sectorial boundaries’.  The scheme is being phased in with Phase 1A for the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Private Partnerships (28 Feb 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: An inter-Departmental/Inter-Agency Group was established in 2017 to review Ireland's experience of PPPs and to make recommendations on the future role of PPPs, in the context of the new 10 year National Development Plan (NDP).  The NDP summarises the key findings and recommendations agreed as part of the PPP review...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Mortgage Debt (27 Feb 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: I was first informed by Department officials of PTSB’s intention to offer this particular portfolio of loans for sale on Friday 19thJanuary. They were first briefed on the timing of the sale, and potential composition of the portfolio, earlier that week. As this information is commercially sensitive, and as I must respect stock exchange disclosure rules, I was unable to discuss it...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Code (27 Feb 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: I am informed by Revenue that employer-provided parking is not currently subject to benefit-in-kind taxation. I do not currently have any plans to change this. My officials are unaware of a committee such as the Deputy describes.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Freedom of Information Data (27 Feb 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: In response to the Deputy's question, the following table provides the requested information where such statistics have been collated and are available: Year Total FoI requests received  Total FoI requests  granted, and part granted Total FoI requests refused, withdrawn, transferred  to another public body or handled outside FOI Total FoI requests appealed...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Banking Sector (27 Feb 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: As the deputy is aware my relationship with the State supported banks is governed by the Relationship Framework Agreements which were put in place at the insistence of the European Commission as part of the recapitalisation of the banks. Under the Relationship Frameworks, the authority and responsibility for strategy and commercial policies (including business plans and budgets) and the...