Results 6,261-6,280 of 33,883 for speaker:Paschal Donohoe

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Departmental Bodies (5 Jul 2022)

Paschal Donohoe: The process of unwinding the Financial Emergency (FEMPI) legislation commenced under the Lansdowne Road Agreement 2016-2018, with the remainder of the process largely completed under the Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020 (PSSA), and ‘Building Momentum: A New Public Service Agreement, 2021-2022’. By 1 July, 2021, salary rates up to €150,000 had been fully...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Credits (5 Jul 2022)

Paschal Donohoe: As the Deputy may be aware, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage has established an Independent Working Group to examine the issue of defective housing. Officials from my Department participate on this Working Group.  The objectives of the group are to identify the scope of relevant significant defects in housing, to evaluate the scale of housing affected, to...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: EU Directives (5 Jul 2022)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 180 and 181 together. It is first important to note that Russia’s war is illegal, immoral and unjustified. Ireland’s support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity is unwavering. We have been working closely with our EU partners and fellow Member States in the adoption of sanctions in response to Russia’s violation of...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Reliefs (5 Jul 2022)

Paschal Donohoe: The Government is acutely aware of the increase in consumer prices in recent months, especially the increase in fuel and other energy prices including home heating oil,  and for this reason it recently introduced a package of measures to alleviate the impact of increased energy prices on households.  These measures built on measures already introduced in Budget...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Mortgage Interest Rates (5 Jul 2022)

Paschal Donohoe: The role of the Central Bank of Ireland includes ensuring that the financial system operates in the best interests of consumers and the wider economy. The best interests of consumers are protected and confidence and trust in the financial system is enhanced through effective regulation of firms and markets. In line with the its mandate, the Central Bank intervened with a number of...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Budget Process (5 Jul 2022)

Paschal Donohoe: I can confirm that I have received the pre-budget submission of the organisation to which the Deputy refers.  The contents will be considered in the context of the forthcoming Budget and the Deputy will be aware that it is a longstanding practice of the Minister for Finance not to comment, in advance of the Budget, on any tax matters that might be the subject of Budget decisions.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Reliefs (5 Jul 2022)

Paschal Donohoe: The Disabled Drivers & Disabled Passengers Scheme provides relief from Vehicle Registration Tax and VAT on the purchase and use of 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...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Insurance Industry (5 Jul 2022)

Paschal Donohoe: As the Deputy will appreciate, as Minister for Finance I cannot adjudicate or comment on ongoing test cases in relation to business interruption insurance claims. This includes matters in relation to issues of quantum, which are still before the Courts. The Government’s consistent view has been that insurers should engage with impacted businesses honestly, fairly and professionally to...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Strategic Infrastructure (5 Jul 2022)

Paschal Donohoe: I am informed by the NTMA who manage the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund that the ISIF invests on a commercial basis to support economic activity and employment in Ireland. ISIF invests across a range of strategic priorities including Housing and Enabling Investments, Climate Action, scaling Irish companies and supporting the Food and Agriculture sector. A focus on regional investment to...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Banking Sector (5 Jul 2022)

Paschal Donohoe: While it is regrettable that Ulster Bank has decided to exit the market, such decisions are commercial matters and are the sole responsibility of the board and management of the bank, which must be run on an independent and commercial basis. My priority now is that the withdrawal takes place in an orderly manner. The importance of this is emphasised in all engagements with the banks and...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Banking Sector (5 Jul 2022)

Paschal Donohoe: As Minister for Finance, I do not have a direct function in the operations of any bank. Although the State is a shareholder in some of the banks operating in the State, they must be run on a commercial and independent basis. The charging of fees is a commercial decision for regulated entities, within the parameters of the regulatory framework. Under Section 149 of the Consumer Credit...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Customs and Excise (30 Jun 2022)

Paschal Donohoe: The Government is very aware of the impact of rising fuel prices on households and businesses. These trends are driven primarily by global factors. The key drivers of this increase are increases in wholesale energy prices as a result of the rapid rebound in global demand, global supply chain disruptions and the imbalance between demand and supply that emerged as economies re-opened. More...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Charitable and Voluntary Organisations (30 Jun 2022)

Paschal Donohoe: I wish to inform the Deputy that none of the State bodies under the aegis of my Department are currently or have been registered as a charity.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Vehicle Registration Tax (30 Jun 2022)

Paschal Donohoe: I am advised by Revenue that vehicle registrations cannot be processed without satisfactory proof of ownership for a number of reasons, including ensuring the correct categorisation and history of vehicles through ownership records, and verifying a vehicle’s point of origin for taxation purposes. Revenue has published extensive guidance in relation to the documents and proofs that...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Code (30 Jun 2022)

Paschal Donohoe: 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: Credit Unions (30 Jun 2022)

Paschal Donohoe: This Government recognises the importance of credit unions. The Programme for Government contains commitments to: - Review the policy framework within which credit unions operate; - Enable and support the credit union movement to grow;  - Support credit unions in the expansion of services, to encourage community development; and - Enable the credit union movement to grow...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Credit Unions (30 Jun 2022)

Paschal Donohoe: This Government recognises the importance of credit unions.  The Programme for Government Review of the Policy Framework for credit unions has been completed and will go to Government shortly. We are separately undertaking a Retail Banking Review, the terms of reference of which have been published on my department's website.  I would encourage the credit union sector to make a...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Reliefs (29 Jun 2022)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 21 and 22 together. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Public Sector Staff (29 Jun 2022)

Paschal Donohoe: I am advised by Revenue that the current sequence in assigning posts at Assistant Principal grade envisages that for every six posts, two would be filled from open competition, two from transfer, one from interdepartmental competition and one from internal competition. Revenue has also advised that in the context of prioritising its agility and responsiveness, including its...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Fuel Prices (29 Jun 2022)

Paschal Donohoe: I am very aware of the severity of the financial impact that rising fuel prices are placing on the haulage sector as well as on broader society. The current trends in energy prices are not unique to Ireland and are in fact, part of a global trend: a multitude of factors is at work. These include the fact that demand for oil and other energy products such as natural gas has increased...