Results 8,541-8,560 of 32,527 for speaker:Paschal Donohoe

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Departmental Staff (11 May 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: I wish to advise the Deputy that at 31 December 2020, the Full Time Equivalent (FTE) of staff employed in the Department of Finance was 312.18. The most recent figure available is at 30 April 2021, when there was an FTE of 323.13 staff. In 2020, €19,361,238 was spent on employee salaries, and is inclusive of PRSI, allowance, and overtime costs. This represented 94% of the budgeted...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Departmental Contracts (11 May 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: I wish to inform the Deputy that my Department does not currently employ any persons or firms to deal with public relations. From August 2019 to January 2020, my Department had a public relations contract with Daniel J. Edelman Ireland Limited. This contract was for the provision of specialist advice on using social media in overseas markets to promote Ireland for Finance. The value of this...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Gambling Sector (11 May 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: The regulation of gambling is the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Justice and Equality. I am informed by Revenue that their role with regard to the issuing of remote bookmaker licences, such as the one issued to the case in question in 2018, is limited in that they issue the licence on receipt of the Certificate of Personal Fitness as well as the relevant excise licence...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: National Asset Management Agency (11 May 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: As the Deputy may be aware, NAMA does not typically own or sell properties. Rather, NAMA owns loans for which the properties act as security. The properties securing NAMA’s loans are owned and managed by their registered owners, or appointed receivers if enforced. I am advised that the sale of secured properties is wholly managed by NAMA’s debtors or receivers and it is...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (11 May 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: The Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) was legislated for under the Financial Provisions (Covid-19) (No. 2) Act 2020. The EWSS is an economy-wide enterprise support for eligible businesses in respect of eligible employees. It provides a flat-rate subsidy to qualifying employers based on the numbers of paid and eligible employees on the employer’s payroll and charges a reduced rate...

Seanad: Future of Banking in Ireland: Statements (10 May 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach for the opportunity to discuss the future of banking. I will open this discussion by updating the House on what I see as some of the key issues: the impact of Covid-19 and our response; the changing retail financial sector environment and the challenge for banks to secure an appropriate return; and the continuing effort to improve regulation and rebuild trust...

Seanad: Future of Banking in Ireland: Statements (10 May 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: The Senator got his hair cut though.

Seanad: Future of Banking in Ireland: Statements (10 May 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: There are two images that stick with me across a varied and interesting sharing of views in the Seanad this afternoon. The first was hearing Senator Burke talk about the changes in competition in Castlebar over many years, going from an environment in which there were many banks competing for the business of local residents to where it is now, where there are very few. The second image was...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (6 May 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: I believe that with regard to "staycation grant", the Deputy may be referring to the Stay and Spend Tax Credit scheme which terminated on 30 April. While I recognise the significant difficulties that remain to be faced by the hospitality sector, the decision not to extend the scheme into the summer months was taken in the broad interests of taxpayers and having regard to the substantial...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Insurance Coverage (6 May 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: This Government is committed to bringing down the cost and increasing the availability of insurance for motorists, homeowners, businesses and voluntary groups alike. The Action Plan for Insurance Reform sets out 66 actions across several policy areas, with 95 per cent due to be completed by the end of 2021. Progress continues to be made across many areas, and the adoption of the Personal...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Wage Subsidy Scheme (6 May 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: The Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS), which operated from 26 March 2020 to 31 August 2020 provided income support to eligible employees whose employers were negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Payments made to employees through the scheme are liable to income tax and Universal Social Charge (USC). The scheme was replaced by the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) from 1...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Code (6 May 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: I am advised by Revenue that the revised capital gains tax (CGT) entrepreneur relief applies to an individual who disposes of qualifying assets, including shares in a qualifying company. Gains on such disposals are charged to CGT at the rate of 10%, subject to a lifetime limit of €1m of gains. For the relief to apply, the assets must be used for the purposes of a qualifying business...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Banking Sector (6 May 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: All credit institutions in Ireland are independent commercial entities and I have no statutory role in relation to the charges applied by credit institutions. Section 149 of the Consumer Credit Act 1995 requires that credit institutions and bureaux de change notify the Central Bank if they wish to introduce any new customer charge for providing a service or increase any existing customer...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Brexit Supports (6 May 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: I am advised by Revenue that training as regards the customs formalities and requirements arising from the UK’s departure from the EU is a matter primarily for each business to determine based on its business model, supply chain, level of existing customs expertise, if any, and any contractual arrangement in place with a customs agent to undertake and complete customs formalities on...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (5 May 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: The Covid Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS) is a targeted support for businesses significantly impacted by restrictions introduced by the Government under public health regulations to combat the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. The CRSS was announced in the Budget on 13 October 2020. The details are set out in Finance Act 2020 and guidelines on the operation of the scheme, including the...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (5 May 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 205, 215 and 216 together. I believe that with regard to "staycation supports", Deputy Smith may be referring to the Stay and Spend Tax Credit scheme which terminated on 30 April. While I recognise the significant difficulties that remain to be faced by the hospitality sector, the decision not to extend the scheme into the summer months was taken in...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Insurance Industry (5 May 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: It is important to note that as Minister for Finance, I do not have responsibility for issues in relation to health insurance, and therefore my answer will relate primarily to life insurance. In general, whether an individual can make a claim in relation to life insurance cover will depend on the specifics of the policy, including in the scenario referenced in the question. The Deputy will...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Credit Unions (5 May 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: Credit unions in Ireland are regulated and supervised under the Credit Union Act, 1997 (the 1997 Act) and regulations issued by Central Bank, which set out the framework for the registration, regulation and operation of credit unions. Board of directors Sections 53-57 of the 1997 Act set out the relevant legislative provisions relating to the directors of credit unions. The process for the...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Banking Sector (5 May 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: Independent ATM providers are regarded as Professional Cash Handlers and as such they are monitored by the Central Bank of Ireland for compliance with the Decision of the European Central Bank (ECB/2010/14) on the authenticity and fitness checking and recirculation of euro banknotes. The revised Payment Services Directive (PSD2) regulates payment service providers across Europe and...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Value Added Tax (5 May 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: Gym membership fees are considered to be the right of admission to facilities for taking part in sporting or physical education activities. The EU VAT Directive permits the application of a rate of not less than 5% for such services, and accordingly the second reduced rate of VAT, currently 9%, has been applied to gym membership fees. Where separate charges apply in respect of training...