Results 2,581-2,600 of 27,945 for speaker:Michael McGrath

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Fiscal Policy (22 Jun 2023)

Michael McGrath: I propose to take Questions Nos. 86 and 89 together. I thank Deputy Smith for his question. On 10 May, my Department published a scoping paper titled Future Proofing the Public Finances – the Next Steps, which outlines some of the merits of establishing a long-term public savings vehicle in Ireland. The paper highlights that corporation tax receipts have effectively doubled since...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Primary Medical Certificates (22 Jun 2023)

Michael McGrath: This is urgent. The existing scheme dates back several decades. It is outdated. The terminology is outdated. It is not fit for purpose and we urgently need a new scheme. I support the thrust of what the Ombudsman has said in that regard. In my role, I have inherited a tax-based scheme which we will continue to operate until it is replaced by a new, more modern scheme. I have sought to...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Primary Medical Certificates (22 Jun 2023)

Michael McGrath: I thank the Deputies. I have been of the view for quite some time, having examined individual cases, that a tax-based scheme based on the existing criteria for the primary medical certificate is not the way forward. I will continue to operate the existing scheme. We have made one significant improvement. We will get the appeals board back up and running and I will lend my full support to...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Crime Prevention (22 Jun 2023)

Michael McGrath: The rise in this form of crime is a serious concern but I assure Deputy Doherty and the House that the advisory council is active. It met on 30 May last and it is working towards the development of a multi-annual strategy to combat economic crime and corruption. My officials in the Department of Finance are working closely with our colleagues in the Department of Justice to ensure that the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Crime Prevention (22 Jun 2023)

Michael McGrath: We are actively working on this issue. The advisory council, which came from the Hamilton report, is up and running. It has representatives from all of the key areas that would one expect across the Government and the private sector who are working to develop a comprehensive strategy to deal with what is a very significant issue of public concern. We are all seeing the increase in the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Primary Medical Certificates (22 Jun 2023)

Michael McGrath: I propose to take Questions Nos. 83 and 84 together. I thank Deputies Canney and McNamara for their questions. The disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme provides relief from vehicle registration tax, VRT, and value added tax, VAT, on the 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...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Universal Social Charge (22 Jun 2023)

Michael McGrath: The USC was designed and incorporated into the Irish taxation system in 2011 to replace the health and income levies. Its primary purpose was to widen the tax base and provide a steady income to the Exchequer to provide funding for public services. The USC is an individualised tax, meaning that a person's liability to it is determined on the basis of his or her own individual income and...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Universal Social Charge (22 Jun 2023)

Michael McGrath: I am glad to hear that the Deputy supports reducing the burden of income tax on ordinary workers.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Universal Social Charge (22 Jun 2023)

Michael McGrath: When we proposed such reductions in recent budgets, he opposed them. That is a fact.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Universal Social Charge (22 Jun 2023)

Michael McGrath: Did the Deputy ever vote for a finance Bill?

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Universal Social Charge (22 Jun 2023)

Michael McGrath: The Deputy never voted for a finance Bill.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Universal Social Charge (22 Jun 2023)

Michael McGrath: Finance Bills are the way in which we bring about reductions in the burden of income tax.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Universal Social Charge (22 Jun 2023)

Michael McGrath: By the way, the Deputy did not say what he would replace the €5 billion with. When what we deem to be, and what I am advised to be, windfall receipts in the current year are stripped out, we have an underlying deficit, yet the Deputy just asked whether we could eliminate a tax that brought in €5 billion without explaining what he would replace it with. He might argue he will...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Universal Social Charge (22 Jun 2023)

Michael McGrath: There is an obligation on the Deputy to be consistent. When we introduce budgets where we increase PAYE and personal tax credits for low-income workers, the Deputy votes against them. We have a programme for Government-----

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Universal Social Charge (22 Jun 2023)

Michael McGrath: Yes, the Deputy does. He should check the voting record.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Universal Social Charge (22 Jun 2023)

Michael McGrath: The Deputy has never voted in the House for a package of income tax reductions. He then comes in during oral questions-----

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Universal Social Charge (22 Jun 2023)

Michael McGrath: -----and proposes to get rid of a tax that brings in €5 billion per year. We have a programme for Government commitment, one agreed by all three parties in government, to index credits and bands in line with Ireland's growth.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Universal Social Charge (22 Jun 2023)

Michael McGrath: That is the Government's commitment-----

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Universal Social Charge (22 Jun 2023)

Michael McGrath: -----and is what we have implemented in the past.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Universal Social Charge (22 Jun 2023)

Michael McGrath: The commitment I will give is that we will reduce the burden of income tax-----