Results 3,921-3,940 of 27,945 for speaker:Michael McGrath

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Banking Sector (19 Jan 2023)

Michael McGrath: The responsibility for providing renewal information to a consumer on a house insurance policy lies with the insurer under the Consumer Insurance Contracts Act 2019. The insurer shall, within a reasonable time before renewal of a contract of insurance (and in any event no later than 20 working days before renewal), notify the consumer on paper or on another durable medium of any alteration to...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Code (19 Jan 2023)

Michael McGrath: I am advised by Revenue that the VAT rating of goods and services is subject to EU VAT law, with which Irish VAT law must comply. In general, the Directive provides that all goods and services are liable to VAT at the standard rate unless they fall within Annex III of the Directive, in respect of which Member States may apply either one or two reduced rates of VAT. Ireland currently operates...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Customs and Excise (19 Jan 2023)

Michael McGrath: Revenue, as Ireland’s Tax and Customs administration, is responsible for managing the importation and exportation of goods in accordance with European Union Customs legislation. Customs controls are necessary to protect public health, to ensure food safety and product standards and to protect EU businesses from unfair international competition thus preserving jobs for European workers...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Primary Medical Certificates (19 Jan 2023)

Michael McGrath: My predecessor Minister Donohoe committed to a comprehensive review of the Disabled Drivers and Passengers Scheme (DDS) as part of a broader review of mobility supports. In order to achieve this objective, Minister O’Gorman agreed in September 2021 that the DDS review should be incorporated into the work of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy (NDIS) Transport Working Group...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Reliefs (19 Jan 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: Tax Reliefs (19 Jan 2023)

Michael McGrath: The legislation governing the deductibility of expenses incurred in employment is set out in section 114 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 (TCA 1997), which provides that for an expense to qualify as a deduction against income from an office or employment, the expense must be wholly, exclusively and necessarily incurred in the performance of the duties of the office or employment. I am...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Customs and Excise (18 Jan 2023)

Michael McGrath: I am advised by Revenue that there are no restrictive measures on goods coming from Palestine. Both Palestine and Israel have Free trade agreements with the EU. However, goods produced in the Israeli settlements located within the territories brought under Israeli administration since June 1967 are not entitled to benefit from preferential tariff treatment under the EU-Israel Association...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Reliefs (18 Jan 2023)

Michael McGrath: The Department of Finance does not provide any grants for the purchase of a vehicle but instead administers the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme which provides relief from VAT and VRT (up to a certain limit) set against the purchase and use of an adapted car, and for transport of a person with specific severe and permanent physical disabilities. The...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Business Supports (18 Jan 2023)

Michael McGrath: I propose to take Questions Nos. 305 and 312 together. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Public Services Provision (18 Jan 2023)

Michael McGrath: Currently, there is no law requiring the acceptance of card payments by State agencies or public facing offices. Entities will consider a number of factors before choosing to accept any type of payment instrument. In the case of accepting card payments, typically, one of the more relevant factors considered is the fees that an entity must pay. One of the most common fees affecting card...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Code (18 Jan 2023)

Michael McGrath: I propose to take Questions Nos. 307, 333, 341, 376, 377 and 381 together. I am advised by Revenue that the VAT rating of goods and services is subject to EU VAT law, with which Irish VAT law must comply.  In general, the Directive provides that all goods and services are liable to VAT at the standard rate unless they fall within Annex III of the Directive, in respect of which Member...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Revenue Commissioners (18 Jan 2023)

Michael McGrath: I am advised by Revenue that in-person appointments are currently being provided at its offices in Blackpool, Cork; Sarsfield House, Limerick and Geata na Cathrach, Galway. The service allows customers to schedule an appointment at a time that suits them by calling the Appointment Helpline on 01 738 36 60, from 09.30 to 13.30 (Monday to Friday). The provision of in-person appointments...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Legislative Measures (18 Jan 2023)

Michael McGrath: It has not been possible in the time available to compile an updated list of the information sought in the Deputy's PQ. My officials will revert in writing to the Deputy when this is ready. Please note however that where the Oireachtas has chosen to provide a discretion to a Minister to commence legislation the Oireachtas has decided it should not commence...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (18 Jan 2023)

Michael McGrath: The Temporary Wage Subsidy (TWSS) was in place between 26 March and 31 August 2020 and was introduced as an emergency income support for employees of vulnerable firms whose businesses had been negatively impacted by COVID restrictions and whose turnover had reduced by at least 25% during Q2 2020.  The support was paid via the employer so as to maintain employment links between the...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Reliefs (18 Jan 2023)

Michael McGrath: I propose to take Questions Nos. 311, 319, 335 and 352 together. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Code (18 Jan 2023)

Michael McGrath: I have been advised by Revenue that, based on the information provided, it is not possible to provide a definitive view of the tax implications in this case and direct contact with Revenue is recommended. Where a gift (or inheritance) is within the charge to Irish CAT, the tax liability will be computed in accordance with the relevant provisions of CATCA 2003. For CAT purposes, the...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Mortgage Interest Rates (18 Jan 2023)

Michael McGrath: Where a mortgage or other credit agreement is sold or assigned the terms and conditions of the agreement, including those terms in relation to the interest rate, remain in place and the entity which acquires the agreement cannot be in a better position than the entity which sold the agreement and cannot unilaterally change the terms of the agreement. In terms of regulation, the Central...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Appeals Commission (18 Jan 2023)

Michael McGrath: In response to the Deputies’ question I am informed by the Tax Appeals Commission that it does not separately record whether determinations are in favour of or against the taxpayer concerned. The Appeal Commissioners issue determinations based on the facts presented to them and the application of the relevant legislation pertaining to the appeal. All determinations are published on the...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Banking Sector (18 Jan 2023)

Michael McGrath: In 2021, Ulster Bank announced its intentions to commence a phased withdrawal from the Irish market. As part of this process, Ulster Bank plans to transfer its loans, including mortgages, to other providers. While it is regrettable that Ulster Bank has decided to exit the market, as Minister for Finance, I do not have a role in the operations of any bank operating within the State. My...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Consumer Rights (18 Jan 2023)

Michael McGrath: I understand that the Deputy is referring to hire purchase agreements on a business-to-business basis. Consumer type agreements are regulated by the Central Bank and under recent legislation - the Consumer Protection (Regulation of Retail Credit and Credit Servicing Firms) Act 2022 – it was provided that any entity which provides directly or indirectly credit, hire purchase and...