Results 2,861-2,880 of 27,945 for speaker:Michael McGrath

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Banking Sector (17 May 2023)

Michael McGrath: In relation to the broader issue raised by the Deputy, the bank branch network has reduced in recent years, as the landscape for the provision of banking services has evolved. In light of this changing landscape, my Department completed a broad-ranging review of the retail banking sector. Its final report was published in November 2022 and is available on the website of the Department of...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Departmental Data (17 May 2023)

Michael McGrath: As the Deputy will be aware, the Administrator of an insurance company is an officer of the court appointed by the High Court under the Insurance Act (No.2) 1983 as amended. Accordingly, the provision of reports of the Administrator is a matter for the President of the High Court and is independent of me, or my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Illicit Trade (16 May 2023)

Michael McGrath: I propose to take Questions Nos. 260, 267, 268, 270, 271 and 272 together. I am advised that each year since 2009, Revenue, in conjunction with the HSE’s National Tobacco Control Office, has commissioned Ipsos MRBI to conduct independent market research among smokers about the source of their cigarettes. The survey is an independent research study into illegal tobacco products...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Banking Sector (16 May 2023)

Michael McGrath: I propose to take Questions Nos. 261, 262 and 263 together. Deposit interest rates are a means for banks to attract or maintain a stable source of funding. The determination of the rate of interest to offer to attract depositors is a commercial decision, which is the sole responsibility of the board and management of each bank. Neither the Central Bank of Ireland nor I have a role in setting...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Housing Schemes (16 May 2023)

Michael McGrath: 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 on Income Tax and Deposit Interest Retention Tax paid in the State over the previous four years, subject to limits outlined in the legislation. Section 477C Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 outlines the definitions and...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Code (16 May 2023)

Michael McGrath: Under the provisions of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act 2001, from 2001-2008 the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund received a guaranteed level of funding each year, which was based on betting duty receipts from the preceding year, subject to a minimum level based on the year 2000 amount, adjusted for inflation. In 2009, given the economic climate at the time, the funding basis was...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Housing Schemes (16 May 2023)

Michael McGrath: Help to Buy (HTB) is a scheme to assist first-time purchasers with the deposit they need to buy or build a new house or apartment. The incentive offers a refund on Income Tax and Deposit Interest Retention Tax (DIRT) paid in the State over the previous four years, subject to limits outlined in Section 477C of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997. An increase in the supply of new housing...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Defective Building Materials (16 May 2023)

Michael McGrath: I appreciate the difficulties being faced by Mica homeowners and, as the Deputy is aware, the Government response on this issue is led by my colleague the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The provision of bridging loans or any other form of credit by Central Bank regulated entities, subject to complying with the general legal and regulatory requirements which govern...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Social Media (16 May 2023)

Michael McGrath: During the timeframe specified by the Deputy, none of my Department’s social media posts were exclusively in Irish and 0.5% featured bilingual translations. My Department intends to increase its Irish content, especially around regular posts such as the exchequer returns. Those bodies under the aegis of my Department with social media accounts have advised as follows: Between 1...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Equality Issues (16 May 2023)

Michael McGrath: My Department adheres fully to its requirements as set out by the Disability Act of 2005. The Department has an appointed Disability Liaison Officer (DLO) who liaises closely with both current staff and those in the pre-employment process to ensure that employees are supported in terms of disclosing any disabilities and in facilitating reasonable accommodations that they may require. The DLO...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Appeals Commission (16 May 2023)

Michael McGrath: I am advised by Revenue that in this context the “four-year rule” is the general four-year time limit on a Revenue officer’s right to make or amend assessments. This time limit runs from the end of the year of assessment (that is, the tax year or company accounting period) in which the tax return is filed. For example, if an individual filed an income tax return and...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Vacant Properties (16 May 2023)

Michael McGrath: As the Deputy is aware, the Vacant Homes Tax is a new measure announced in Budget 2023, which aims to increase the supply of homes for rent or purchase to meet demand. Legislative provision for the tax was made in the Finance Act 2022. The first chargeable period commenced on 1 November 2022. The first self-assessed returns are due on 7 November this year and the tax will be payable on 1...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (11 May 2023)

Michael McGrath: I thank the Deputy for raising the ongoing challenges. We understand the impact these statistics have on all of the individuals and families involved. A huge amount of work is under way to make progress, in particular in UHL where we know there have been real problems. The Minister and HSE have put a real focus on the hospital and have provided supports. Nationally, we have expanded bed...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (11 May 2023)

Michael McGrath: I thank the Deputy. We have made a lot of progress for those who are eligible under the scheme. The Deputy is raising the example of people who are not eligible, but in the forthcoming year those who are eligible have reduced charges of between €50 and €75 per student with a cap per family of €125. The Deputy raised a particular issue and specific location. I take it...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (11 May 2023)

Michael McGrath: I thank Deputy Smith. My understanding is that following discussions with the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, approval for an offer to be made to the unions has been agreed. The proposal is that a grade of adult educator will be formally established, with a standardised pay scale aligned with the Youthreach resource persons scale. The grade...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (11 May 2023)

Michael McGrath: All I can say is that the Minister is very much aware of the issue the Deputy has raised on a number of occasions. It is being worked on.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (11 May 2023)

Michael McGrath: I thank Deputy Higgins. She is right to point to the myriad different schemes, supports and incentives now in place. It can sometimes be difficult for individuals to navigate their way through the system, even in terms of getting information, and then understanding and applying it. Sometimes, they have to look at different websites and so on. The Deputy's suggestion has some merit. We...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (11 May 2023)

Michael McGrath: I thank Deputy Cannon for the question. I fully appreciate the importance of having access to a sports hall in a school environment. We hear the point the Deputy is making about Seamount College in County Galway. I acknowledge the efforts made by him and the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, on that issue. We will raise it with the Minister for Education, Deputy Foley, and respond to...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (11 May 2023)

Michael McGrath: I thank the Deputy. We are always open to examining new ways of making more accommodation available. Where there is spare capacity in homes, we have looked at all the different policy levers we have to see how we can encourage people to make those rooms available. As the Deputy knows, we have a very generous rent-a-room relief scheme. Up to €14,000 of income can be received...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (11 May 2023)

Michael McGrath: I thank Deputy Ward for raising this issue. I fully appreciate the importance of both developmental checks and the vital role public health nurses play in our communities. The issue here is not one of funding, but of the recruitment of public health nurses. Efforts are under way to make progress in this regard. We have successfully recruited about 20,000 extra people across the health...