Results 5,281-5,300 of 32,547 for speaker:Paschal Donohoe

Seanad: Finance (Covid-19 and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (17 May 2022)

Paschal Donohoe: I thank the Senator for bringing forward these amendments. I will say a word about each of them in turn. The amendments propose various further rate reductions from 1 May until budget day. The Senator seeks to reduce the mineral oil tax rates on petrol and diesel to the minimum rates, as prescribed in the energy tax directive, and to further reduce the rate on marked gas oil by 2 cent....

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Departmental Expenditure (17 May 2022)

Paschal Donohoe: The Central Statistics Office (CSO) is responsible for the compilation of the general government revenue, expenditure, deficit and debt outturn statistics. My department has responsibility for the medium-term forecasts of these statistics, which are published twice a year as part of the Stability Programme Update and Budget. Both the outturn and the forecasts, are compiled in accordance with...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Information and Communications Technology (17 May 2022)

Paschal Donohoe: In relation to my Department, I wish to advise that ICT services are provided by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) under the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. On behalf of my Department, the OGCIO has noted that: The Department has a policy of utilising its computer hardware until it is at the end of its lifespan. The Department goes to the market...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Credit Unions (17 May 2022)

Paschal Donohoe: As the Deputy may be aware, I have no role in the commercial decisions made by any credit union. Decisions in this regard are the sole responsibility of the board and management of individual credit unions. Further to this, I continue to engage regularly with credit union representative bodies and stakeholders on matters concerning the wider credit union sector.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Construction Industry (17 May 2022)

Paschal Donohoe: As the Deputy will be aware, it is the Government’s firm intention to find appropriate solutions for those ordinary home-owners who have been affected by the defective concrete blocks issue. The Programme for Government reflects this commitment. That commitment is further reflected in a Government decision taken on 30 November 2021 regarding the Defective Concrete Block Grant...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (17 May 2022)

Paschal Donohoe: As the Deputy will be aware, on 19 January 2022 the Government announced a COVID-19 recognition payment for eligible frontline healthcare workers to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. The resulting “Pandemic Special Recognition Payment” of up to a maximum of €1,000 per individual is to be made to specified categories of frontline healthcare workers. The...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tobacco Control Measures (17 May 2022)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 247, 248 and 250 together. I am advised by Revenue that the table below shows the annual increases in the retail price of the most popular price category (MPPC) for a 20 pack of cigarettes since 2011, together with the portions related to tax increases and trade increases. MPPC Tax Trade Total Increase MPPC...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Illicit Trade (17 May 2022)

Paschal Donohoe: Revenue is a fully integrated tax and customs administration and, as a result, I am advised that it is not possible to disaggregate the resources deployed, or funding dedicated, at any given time to combat tobacco smuggling. Revenue currently has approximately 2,000 staff engaged on activities that are focused on targeting and confronting non-compliance. These front-line activities include...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Departmental Schemes (17 May 2022)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 251 and 252 together. Section 118(5G) of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 (TCA 1997) provides for the Cycle to Work scheme. This scheme provides an exemption from benefit-in-kind (BIK) where an employer purchases a bicycle and associated safety equipment for an employee. Under section 118B TCA 1997 an employer and employee may also enter into a salary...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Data (17 May 2022)

Paschal Donohoe: The most recent projection of additional carbon tax revenues provided by my Department for the period 2021 to 2030 amounted to €9.2 billion, based on the Government’s commitment to increasing the amount that is charged per tonne of CO2 emissions from fuels to €100 by 2030. This is a key pillar underpinning the Government’s Climate Action Plan ambitions to halve...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Equal Opportunities Employment (17 May 2022)

Paschal Donohoe: I wish to inform the Deputy that 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 works closely with the National Disability Authority to ensure that the Department is fully compliant with its obligations under the Act. All reasonable accommodation requests by staff with disabilities...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Departmental Data (17 May 2022)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 255 to 257, inclusive, together. I am advised by Revenue that the table below provides the number of category A vehicles that were charged the nitrogen dioxide emissions levy in 2021 and to the end of April in 2022, as well as the revenue raised in each of these years. The charge is currently applicable to all Category A vehicles excluding electrics but...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Exemptions (17 May 2022)

Paschal Donohoe: Officials in my Department are currently reviewing the options now available to Ireland in setting VAT rates. This will include consideration of the new options available to Member States as a result of the recently updated EU VAT rules when setting VAT rates as well as the new limitations introduced on how reduced rates may be applied. Decisions about tax changes are generally taken in...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Revenue Commissioners (17 May 2022)

Paschal Donohoe: I am advised by Revenue that it has two cutters (patrol vessels) in service, at the moment. One of those vessels is approaching the end of its service life and I am informed by Revenue that it intends to purchase a replacement vessel. It is anticipated that the relevant procurement competition will include an option for a second vessel which could be a future replacement for the second vessel...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Reliefs (17 May 2022)

Paschal Donohoe: As indicated in the Budget speech of 12 October, it is planned to bring forward legislative provisions in Finance Bill 2022 to introduce a 50% excise relief to microproducers of cider. However, as the new legislation, Article 13a, is structured differently to what is already permitted for small beer producers (under Article 4), the existing relief in Irish legislation for beer cannot be...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Housing Schemes (17 May 2022)

Paschal Donohoe: In my Budget 2022 address, I announced that a formal review of the Help-to-Buy (HTB) scheme would take place this year. The terms of reference for the review are as follows: "To examine all aspects of the Help-to-Buy scheme (s.477C of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997) including its design, its operation, the extent to which it has met its key policy aims of assisting first-time buyers of new...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Financial Sanctions (17 May 2022)

Paschal Donohoe: I would like to thank Deputy O’Dowd for raising this question. My officials have consulted with the Central Bank of Ireland on the particulars of this matter. Financial sanctions are restrictive measures imposed on persons, entities and bodies in an effort to curtail their activities and to exert pressure and influence on them. Restrictive measures include, but are not limited to,...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Exemptions (17 May 2022)

Paschal Donohoe: I am advised by Revenue that the application of VAT to the supply of goods and services is subject to EU VAT law, with which Irish VAT law must comply. An entity is required to register for VAT where they make taxable supplies which exceed certain thresholds. Once VAT-registered, it is generally entitled to claim a refund of the VAT it has incurred on its various inputs and business cost. In...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Collection (17 May 2022)

Paschal Donohoe: In the absence of specific details, Revenue cannot advise me on the circumstances of the individual case referenced. If the Deputy provides specific details in relation to the property Revenue will examine what happened in the case. Revenue administers Local Property Tax (LPT) in accordance with the provisions set out in the Finance (Local Property Tax) Act 2012 (as amended). Section 11...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Banking Sector (17 May 2022)

Paschal Donohoe: I wish to highlight, as Minister for Finance, I am precluded from intervening in commercial and operational decisions in any particular bank, even one in which the State has a shareholding. Decisions in this regard, including this potential transaction, are the sole responsibility of the board and management of the banks, which must be run on an independent and commercial basis. The bank's...