Results 3,541-3,560 of 27,945 for speaker:Michael McGrath

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Insurance Coverage (22 Feb 2023)

Michael McGrath: I am aware of the issue of access to certain insurance services – in particular mortgage protection insurance – for individuals who have recovered from cancer and those with certain other conditions. This is a very sensitive matter for many in our community. The Deputy has suggested a Government-sponsored scheme for affected individuals. While I appreciate the intent of such a...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Departmental Staff (22 Feb 2023)

Michael McGrath: I wish to inform the Deputy that the Dept. of Finance Turnover figures for the relevant years are as follows. Turnover - The number of staff who have moved from / left the Department within the period. 2020 13.05% - 44 Officers 2021 15.89% - 52 Officers 2022 25.41% - 82 Officers The Department also kept a copy of...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Code (22 Feb 2023)

Michael McGrath: As the Deputy will be aware, in making any decision in relation to VAT rates or other taxation measures, the Government must balance the costs of the measures in question against their impact and the overall budgetary framework. In the case of the tourism and hospitality sectors an extension of the 9% VAT rate to the end of 2023 would cost over €500m. However, Government...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Reliefs (22 Feb 2023)

Michael McGrath: I note that the Deputy’s question relates to a particular banking institution. However, section 851A of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 precludes the Revenue Commissioners from directly or indirectly disclosing taxpayer information to third parties unless this is specifically provided for in legislation. Therefore, neither Revenue nor I can comment on the tax affairs of any individual...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Yield (22 Feb 2023)

Michael McGrath: Recent Government policy has focused on strengthening the environmental rationale behind company car taxation. Until the changes brought in as part of the Finance Act 2019, Ireland’s vehicle benefit-in-kind regime was unusual in that there was no overall CO2 rationale in the regime. This is despite a CO2 based vehicle BIK regime being legislated for as far back as 2008 (but never...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Appointments to State Boards (22 Feb 2023)

Michael McGrath: I can advise the Deputy that since its establishment in 2018, a serving public servant was appointed to the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman Council (FSPOC). The One Person One Salary rule was applied in respect of the FSPOC member during this period. That member continued in the role of FSPOC member following their retirement from a State Agency in 2020. Following a Public...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Lobbying Reform (22 Feb 2023)

Michael McGrath: My Department does not routinely collect the information requested in the format that the Deputy has asked for. However, to be of assistance to the Deputy, this information has been collated and I am informed that there are 5 senior staff members of my Department who are on the boards of bodies that fall within the scope of the question. I would note that in the majority of cases, the staff...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Financial Irregularities (22 Feb 2023)

Michael McGrath: The revised Payment Service Directive (2015/2366/EU) (PSD2) is a maximum harmonisation directive and insofar as the Directive contains harmonised provisions, Member States shall not maintain or introduce provisions other than those laid down in this Directive. PSD2 provides the customer with recourse for unauthorised transactions. However, it does not directly provide recourse for the...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Insurance Industry (21 Feb 2023)

Michael McGrath: This Government recognises the fact that a number of outdoor/high-footfall activity sectors, including motorcycle sports, are currently facing difficulty in terms of affordability and availability of insurance. It has therefore prioritised the implementation of the Action Plan for Insurance Reform, which aims to improve the cost and availability of insurance for all groups, including sporting...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Insurance Industry (21 Feb 2023)

Michael McGrath: As Minister for Finance, I have policy responsibility for the development of the legal framework governing financial services regulation, including for the insurance sector. Within this context, it should be noted that the provision of insurance cover and the price at which it is offered is a commercial matter for insurance companies providing the service and is based on an assessment of the...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Business Supports (21 Feb 2023)

Michael McGrath: I propose to take Questions Nos. 213 and 225 together. As the Deputies will be aware, in making any decision in relation to VAT rates or other taxation measures, the Government will balance the costs of the measures in question against their impact and the overall budgetary framework. I can confirm that my Department did receive the report referred to.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Business Supports (21 Feb 2023)

Michael McGrath: I propose to take Questions Nos. 214 and 229 together. Sections 100 to 102 of the Finance Act 2022 make provision for the Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme (TBESS). The scheme provides support to qualifying businesses in respect of energy costs relating to the period from 1 September 2022 to 28 February 2023. The TBESS is available to eligible tax compliant businesses carrying on a...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Fuel Sales (21 Feb 2023)

Michael McGrath: Tax law provides that the first supply of coal and peat in the State is subject to excise duty, in the form of Solid Fuel Carbon Tax (SFCT). SFCT applies at different rates to four categories of solid fuel: coal, peat briquettes, milled peat and other peat. The current SFCT rate for coal is €107.98 per tonne and this applies regardless of the characteristics of the coal involved,...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Business Supports (21 Feb 2023)

Michael McGrath: Details of the Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme (TBESS) are set out in Finance Act 2022. The scheme provides support to qualifying businesses in respect of energy costs relating to the period from 1 September 2022 to 28 February 2023 and is available to tax compliant businesses carrying on a trade or profession the profits of which are chargeable to tax under Case I or Case II of...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Banking Sector (21 Feb 2023)

Michael McGrath: The total recapitalisation of the domestic banks amounted to €64.1bn, of which €34.7bn was invested in Anglo Irish Bank and INBS (IBRC) and €29.4bn in AIB, BOI and PTSB. To date, €21.2bn of the investment in the three remaining banks has been recovered in cash by way of disposals, investment income and liability guarantee fees (breakdown in tabular form below). As...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Driver Licences (21 Feb 2023)

Michael McGrath: The Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme provides relief from Vehicle Registration Tax and VAT on an adapted car, as well as an exemption from motor tax and an annual fuel grant. The Scheme is open to severely and permanently disabled persons as a driver or as a passenger and also to certain charitable organisations. In order to qualify for relief, the applicant must hold a...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Collection (21 Feb 2023)

Michael McGrath: I propose to take Questions Nos. 219 and 220 together. I am advised by Revenue that a breakdown of carbon tax and non-carbon components of the excise duties charged on each type of fuel and energy product, as collected in 2021 and previous years is published on the Revenue website at: www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/information-about-revenue/statis...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Business Supports (21 Feb 2023)

Michael McGrath: Details of the Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme (TBESS) are set out in Finance Act 2022. The scheme provides support to qualifying businesses in respect of energy costs relating to the period from 1 September 2022 to 28 February 2023. The TBESS is available to tax compliant businesses carrying on a trade or profession the profits of which are chargeable to tax under Case I or...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Irish Sign Language (21 Feb 2023)

Michael McGrath: My Department is aware of the requirements of the Irish Sign Language Act 2017 and is committed to meeting the obligations of same. My officials are engaged in preparing appropriate strategies for achieving compliance with the requirements of the Act and will respond to any requests for the service of Irish Sign Language Interpreters. Such service will be provided if requested, with the...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Insurance Industry (21 Feb 2023)

Michael McGrath: I propose to take Questions Nos. 223 and 224 together. I note that both questions refer to difficulties in relation to the cost and availability of insurance for motorsports. At the outset, it is important to note that neither the Minister for Finance, nor the Central Bank of Ireland, can intervene in the provision or pricing of insurance products, or compel any insurer operating in the Irish...