Results 781-800 of 9,537 for speaker:Jack Chambers

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Housing Schemes (22 Jan 2025)

Jack Chambers: I propose to take Questions Nos. 343 to 345, inclusive, together. The Help to Buy scheme operates through a Revenue online system that includes three distinct stages, application stage, claim stage and verification stage. The relevant property must be identified at the claim stage. The Deputy might note that applications for Help to Buy may be made on a provisional basis as first time...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Code (22 Jan 2025)

Jack Chambers: Budget 2010 announced the introduction of a carbon tax on fossil fuels in Ireland. Carbon taxation of petrol and auto-diesel came into effect in December 2009. It was extended to other liquid fuels and natural gas in 2010, and to solid fuels in 2013. Ireland’s carbon tax regime is a carbon pricing mechanism which directly links the taxation of fossil fuels to carbon dioxide emissions:...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Departmental Properties (22 Jan 2025)

Jack Chambers: I assume the Deputy’s question relates to locations where my Department’s staff work. In that regard please see the table below; Building Address Eircode Government Buildings, Upper Merrion Street, Dublin 2 D02 R583 14-16 Merrion Street, Upper Merrion Street, Dublin 2 D02 K728 7-9 Merrion Row,...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Official Travel (22 Jan 2025)

Jack Chambers: It was not possible for my Department to provide the information sought in the time available. I will, however, make arrangements to provide the information to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Code (22 Jan 2025)

Jack Chambers: The VAT rating of goods and services is subject to the requirements of EU VAT law, with which Irish VAT law must comply. In general, the EU VAT Directive provides that all goods and services are liable to VAT at the standard rate, unless they fall within categories of goods and services specified in Annex III of the VAT Directive, in respect of which Member States may apply a lower rate of...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Code (22 Jan 2025)

Jack Chambers: It is a general principle of taxation that, as far as possible, income from all sources should be subject to taxation. This is a well-established and broadly accepted principle. Section 19 of the Taxes Consolidation Act (TCA) 1997, sets out that tax under Schedule E shall be charged in respect of every public office or employment of profit. Section 112 of the TCA 1997 brings into charge...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Departmental Contracts (22 Jan 2025)

Jack Chambers: The principle of competitive tendering for Government contracts is used by my Department for the acquisition of goods and services. This is a requirement in accordance with the Directive on Public Procurement and the European Union (Award of Public Authority Contracts) Regulations 2016. Central to those procedures is the requirement to allow fair competition between suppliers through the...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Departmental Contracts (22 Jan 2025)

Jack Chambers: I can advise the Deputy that my Department does not have any record of contracts awarded by it to the companies mentioned in the details supplied over the last 10 years.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Code (22 Jan 2025)

Jack Chambers: I am advised by Revenue that there is tax relief available to individuals who have incurred costs in employing a person to take care of himself or herself, or a spouse or a relative in certain circumstances. Section 467 of the Taxes Consolidation Act (“TCA”) 1997 provides for relief for employing a carer where the person being cared for is incapacitated by reason of physical...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Code (22 Jan 2025)

Jack Chambers: You have clarified that you are referring to the Capital Acquisition Tax (CAT) Threshold A. CAT is a tax which applies to both gifts and inheritances. For CAT purposes, the relationship between the person giving a gift or inheritance (i.e. the disponer) and the person who receives it (i.e. the beneficiary) determines the maximum amount, known as the “Group threshold”, below...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Code (22 Jan 2025)

Jack Chambers: Capital Acquisition Tax (CAT) is a tax on gifts and inheritances. Individuals may receive gifts and inheritances up to a set threshold over their lifetime before having to pay CAT. Once due, it is charged at the rate of 33%. In Budget 2025, the Group A threshold was increased from €335,000 to €400,000, Group B from €32,500 to €40,000 and Group C from €16,250...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Universal Social Charge (22 Jan 2025)

Jack Chambers: The USC was designed and incorporated into the Irish taxation system in 2011 to replace the Health and Income Levies. Its primary purpose was to widen the tax base and to provide a steady income to the Exchequer to provide funding for public services. The USC is an individualised tax, meaning that a person’s liability to the tax is determined on the basis of a person’s own...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Primary Medical Certificates (7 Nov 2024)

Jack Chambers: The Deputy should note that my Department and I share concerns that the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme or DDS is no longer fit-for-purpose and believe it should be replaced with a needs-based, grant-led approach for necessary vehicle adaptations that could serve to improve the functional mobility of the individual. However, this is very much a matter for Government as...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Employment Rights (7 Nov 2024)

Jack Chambers: On 20 October 2023, the Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision, delivered an important judgment on the key factors to be considered when classifying an individual’s employment status for Irish income tax purposes. The detailed judgment was delivered by Mr. Justice Brian Murray in The Revenue Commissioners v. Karshan (Midlands) Ltd. t/a Domino’s Pizza. The case was concerned...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Primary Medical Certificates (7 Nov 2024)

Jack Chambers: The Deputy should note that my Department and I share concerns that the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme or DDS is no longer fit-for-purpose and believe it should be replaced with a needs-based, grant-led approach for necessary vehicle adaptations that could serve to improve the functional mobility of the individual. However, this is very much a matter for Government as...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Insurance Industry (7 Nov 2024)

Jack Chambers: I propose to take Questions Nos. 46 and 76 together. Insurance reform is a priority for this Government, and is being delivered via the Action Plan for Insurance Reform. This whole-of-Government initiative is designed to ensure the affordability and accessibility of this key financial service. The vast bulk of objectives contained within the Action Plan are now complete, and the importance...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Insurance Industry (7 Nov 2024)

Jack Chambers: Insurance reform is a key priority for this Government and is being delivered via the Action Plan for Insurance Reform. The latest Implementation Report demonstrates that significant progress has been made, with 95 percent of the actions contained in the Action Plan now either delivered or initiated. The establishment of the Office to Promote Competition in the Insurance Market is a...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Banking Sector (7 Nov 2024)

Jack Chambers: As the Deputy is aware, the overall Government response relating to the defective concrete blocks grant scheme is led by my colleague the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage who has put in place a scheme of financial support to help affected homeowners. As part of this engagement, I am aware that the Minister for Housing has established an Implementation Steering Group to...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Banking Sector (7 Nov 2024)

Jack Chambers: I understand the very difficult situation faced by homeowners whose houses are affected by defective concrete blocks and, as the Deputy is aware, the Government response on this issue is led by my colleague the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. In relation to impacted households who have a mortgage with a Central Bank regulated entity, the provisions of the relevant...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Small and Medium Enterprises (7 Nov 2024)

Jack Chambers: SMEs are the foundation of the Irish economy, accounting for the majority of employment in the State. Their vital importance to our economy is reflected in our Programme for Government commitments. The tax system contains a number of incentives and reliefs designed to support SMEs. This Government has been proactive in both reviewing these measures and introducing targeted new supports, and I...