Results 3,741-3,760 of 27,945 for speaker:Michael McGrath

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Code (1 Feb 2023)

Michael McGrath: I propose to take Questions Nos. 85 and 88 together. As the Deputies are aware, at present, the 9% rate applies on a temporary basis to the hospitality and tourism  sectors and also to hairdressers. From 1 March 2023, these sectors are due to return to the 13.5% rate. I can confirm that representatives from a number of the sectors concerned have been in contact with my...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Departmental Advertising (1 Feb 2023)

Michael McGrath: The information requested by the Deputy in relation to the amount spent by my Department on advertising from 2013 to date in 2023 is set out in tabular form below which includes both traditional and online advertising.  The Department is not in a position to demarcate online spend from other forms of expenditure, as some advertising will inevitably involve both.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Departmental Advertising (1 Feb 2023)

Michael McGrath: I wish to advise the Deputy that only the official Department of Finance social media accounts are used for communications by the press office.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Credits (1 Feb 2023)

Michael McGrath: Finance Act 2022 introduced the Rent Tax Credit, which is provided for in section 473B of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 (TCA 1997). This is an income tax credit of up to €500 per year (or up to €1,000 for jointly assessed couples) which may be claimed in respect of qualifying rent paid in 2022 and subsequent years to end-2025. Full details of how to claim the tax credit...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Primary Medical Certificates (1 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 Credits (1 Feb 2023)

Michael McGrath: The Local Property Tax (LPT) was introduced in 2013 to provide a stable and sustainable funding base for local authorities and is a significant base-broadening measure. LPT has yielded over €4 billion for Local Authorities since its introduction. From its inception the LPT has been underpinned by the principle that keeping the number of exemptions low helps to keep the tax rate low for...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Business Supports (1 Feb 2023)

Michael McGrath: The Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme (TBESS) was introduced to support qualifying businesses with increases in their electricity or natural gas costs over the winter months. Sections 100 to 102 of Finance Act 2022 make provision for the TBESS. The scheme provides support to qualifying businesses in respect of energy costs relating to the period from 1 September 2022 to 28 February...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Departmental Schemes (1 Feb 2023)

Michael McGrath: The Ukraine Credit Guarantee Scheme (UCGS) was established by S.I. 641/2022 in December 2022. The Scheme will unlock up to €1.2 billion of low-cost, unsecured working capital and send a strong signal of support to SMEs, small Mid-Caps, and primary producers affected by the Ukraine crisis. The UCGS is a loan guarantee scheme that is being delivered by the Strategic Banking Corporation...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Banking Sector (1 Feb 2023)

Michael McGrath: The report the Deputy is referring to, the Tomlinson Report, was first published in 2017. The Tomlinson Report specifically investigated how SMEs in the UK that were in financial difficulty were treated by a specific financial entity. In Ireland, since the financial crisis, there has been a series of legislative changes that have equipped the Central Bank of Ireland with an array of...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Banking Sector (1 Feb 2023)

Michael McGrath: My Department maintains ongoing and close contact with the Central Bank on matters of mutual interest, including in relation to mortgages. As the Deputy is aware, the Report of the Retail Banking Review was published in November 2022. One of its recommendations referred to the findings of the recent IMF Financial System Assessment of Ireland and the need to continue to address the issue...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Economic Data (1 Feb 2023)

Michael McGrath: In response to the Deputy’s request, please see below in tabular form the available figures for modified total domestic demand in nominal terms along with annual percentage changes. Modified total domestic demand has not yet been published by the CSO for 2022. This will be published as part of the Quarterly National Accounts for the fourth quarter of 2022 in March. Year...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Legislative Measures (1 Feb 2023)

Michael McGrath: The Office of the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (FSPO) was established under the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman Act 2017 (“the Act”) to resolve complaints about the conduct of financial service providers and pension providers.  The FSPO can, subject to time limits, investigate a complaint submitted by an individual pension scheme member, where...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Customs and Excise (31 Jan 2023)

Michael McGrath: I propose to take Questions Nos. 239, 240, 241, 273 and 274 together. Revenue, as Ireland’s tax and customs administration, is responsible for controlling the importation and exportation of goods in accordance with the Union Customs Code (UCC) and relevant national legislation. This includes the application of duty-free allowances and the collection of any additional duties due. The...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Rental Sector (31 Jan 2023)

Michael McGrath: The Government is acutely aware of the difficulties in the housing market. As I have said on many occasions, the key problem is a lack of supply. This is why the Government is committed to increasing the supply of all types of homes – social, affordable, rental and owner-occupier. My department continues to monitor all aspects of the property market, including the number of...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Customs and Excise (31 Jan 2023)

Michael McGrath: I propose to take Questions Nos. 243 and 269 together. As the Deputies will be aware, these reduced rates are set to expire on 28th February 2023. In making any decision the Government will balance the costs of the measures in question against their social and economic impact. This matter is currently being considered.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Exchequer Payments (31 Jan 2023)

Michael McGrath: The Secretary General and I fully accept the findings of the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) report into this matter, and my Department have taken immediate steps to prevent a recurrence. For background, the Department of Finance administers the Exchequer account (Central Fund), by issuing payment instructions to the Central Bank. Instructions must have prior authorisation from...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Departmental Meetings (31 Jan 2023)

Michael McGrath: I propose to take Questions Nos. 245 and 246 together. I am aware of Article 5.3 of the World Health Organisation’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), which states: "In setting and implementing their public health policies with respect to tobacco control, Parties shall act to protect these policies from commercial and other vested interests of the tobacco industry in...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Business Supports (31 Jan 2023)

Michael McGrath: The Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme (TBESS) was introduced to support qualifying businesses with increases in their electricity or natural gas costs over the winter months. Sections 100 to 102 of the Finance Act 2022 make provision for the TBESS. The scheme provides support to qualifying businesses - including companies, sole-traders, self-employed individuals and partnerships -...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Data (31 Jan 2023)

Michael McGrath: I propose to take Questions Nos. 248 and 272 together. I am advised by Revenue that Betting Duty is charged on all bets placed by a person with a Licensed Bookmaker (Traditional Licence), a Licensed Remote Bookmaker (Remote Licence) or a Licensed Remote Betting Intermediary (Commissions Licence). The rate of Betting Duty charged on bets placed with holders of a Traditional and/or Remote...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Business Supports (31 Jan 2023)

Michael McGrath: I propose to take Questions Nos. 249 and 250 together. As both concern credit guarantee schemes operated by the Strategic Banking Co-operation of Ireland (SBCI), I propose to take the Deputy’s questions, PQ 4022/23 and PQ 4023/23, together. As the Deputy will be aware, the Covid-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme (CCGS), operated by the SBCI in response to the challenges of the...