Results 921-940 of 34,585 for speaker:Seán Fleming

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Fiscal Policy (28 Apr 2022)

Seán Fleming: This question proposes a tax or other measures to counteract the accelerating cost of living in all areas. This issue has been raised this morning, twice in Private Members' business this week and again in the motion yesterday. It has been the essence of four debates in the Dáil this week alone. I can reiterate everything I have said for the last hour and a half, which dealt...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Fiscal Policy (28 Apr 2022)

Seán Fleming: Question No. 22 related to direct and indirect taxes. There were a series of measures in last year's budget, going up to this week, relating to the cost of living and helping people with cost-of-living issues. The Minister has indicated that there are no further measures planned until budget day.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Banking Sector (28 Apr 2022)

Seán Fleming: I understand what the Deputies opposite are saying. As I said earlier, there are regular meetings with the Department of Finance about this process. I spoke to Ms Derville Rowland on the matter just a fortnight ago. Everybody in the Department and at the Central Bank, which will be at the forefront of facing these issues in conjunction with the banks, understands the issue. Banking...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Inflation Rate (28 Apr 2022)

Seán Fleming: I thank the Deputy for raising the matter. I do not have a prepared response to his question. Most of the issues he has raised have been dealt with by way of motions in this House. There have already been two such motions this week. There were resolutions last night with respect to Revenue issues. The debate we have had this morning has covered a number of issues around the cost of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Inflation Rate (28 Apr 2022)

Seán Fleming: A social welfare Bill is not required to bring a social welfare package through the House. We have seen that with respect to taxation and we saw it on several occasions with respect to Covid-19. I already mentioned the free fuel allowance. The scheme was extended by a number of weeks, which was worth more than €1,000 to the 390,000 people who are in receipt of that payment. That is...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Inflation Rate (28 Apr 2022)

Seán Fleming: In case some people did not hear my earlier response, I reiterate that the Government has introduced the energy credit which effects everybody the Deputy has spoken about. The lump sum of €125 for the fuel allowance will be paid to 390,000 people. That scheme has already been extended by a number of weeks. There will be a temporary reduction in public transport fares and many,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Cost of Living Issues (28 Apr 2022)

Seán Fleming: I thank the Deputy for his question. As I have said, there were four measures introduced, starting with the budget. The February and March measures were followed by the most recent set of changes. The Minister for Finance has made it clear that this is the final intervention until the next budget. There are no further interventions planned over the summer months. These measures are...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Banking Sector (28 Apr 2022)

Seán Fleming: I thank the Deputy for raising this question. It is a matter that is relevant for many people. While it is regrettable that Ulster Bank and KBC Bank have decided to exit the Irish market, the Deputy will understand that the Minister for Finance does not have a role in relation to the commercial decisions of the banks. The Minister's priority is to ensure each bank withdraws from the market...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Banking Sector (28 Apr 2022)

Seán Fleming: The letter issued by the Central Bank to the organisations I mentioned in passing seeks to reinforce and, to any extent necessary, clarify the application of the expectations of the Central Bank's previous letter of June 2021 and to invite the CEOs to a round-table meeting hosted by the director general of financial conduct affairs, Ms Derville Rowland. The following are the key issues and...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Credit Unions (28 Apr 2022)

Seán Fleming: Since the Government came to office we have had detailed consultation with all the representative bodies in the credit union, several rounds of consultation culminating in a recent meeting I chaired with all the representative bodies. There is agreement across that entire group on 15 changes that will help the credit unions. We are starting to draft the legislation for those. There is much...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Credit Unions (28 Apr 2022)

Seán Fleming: That is an interesting point. Both those organisations deal with the Department of Finance. An Post has a good arrangement with AIB and Bank of Ireland for dealing with its cash business and everything like that. Especially as Ulster Bank is withdrawing from Ireland and the other banks have announced many branch closures, there is a fantastic opportunity for credit unions. In many towns...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Research and Development (28 Apr 2022)

Seán Fleming: The Deputy might give me a moment. We have jumped quite a few questions because people are not here this morning and I want to get my folder in order. I thank him for raising the issue. The research and development tax credit allows companies to claim a 25% tax credit in respect of expenditure incurred on qualifying R&D activities. To conclude our conversation of a few moments ago...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Research and Development (28 Apr 2022)

Seán Fleming: The Deputy will appreciate I do not have the full schedule of costs. I am making a note to get that information from the Department through contact with the Revenue Commissioners. The latter will have the information on the number of businesses taking up that relief readily to hand. Through my office, I will ask for that information to be obtained and forwarded to the Deputy.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Research and Development (28 Apr 2022)

Seán Fleming: The promotion of this scheme genuinely falls to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. It is about business. We will write the cheque at the end of it but it belongs to that Department. From my own direct knowledge of the scheme I agree the small businesses do not know about it. The local enterprise offices, LEOs, know about it and Enterprise Ireland, EI, knows about it for...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Cost of Living Issues (28 Apr 2022)

Seán Fleming: I thank the Deputy for raising this particular issue. We have had discussions here about various forms of taxation, which is one part of the issue the Government has been dealing with, but there have been many other interventions as well. The Government has intervened on four occasions to address the increases in the cost of living, at a combined cost of approximately €2.1 billion. ...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Insurance Industry (28 Apr 2022)

Seán Fleming: I thank the Deputy for highlighting those points. The national claims information database, which is compiled by the Central Bank, is unique and provides a level of information that is not available in any other EU country. An issue that has cropped up at all our meetings is that of pinch points. We are dealing with those very specifically on an area-by-area basis. This week we...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Insurance Industry (28 Apr 2022)

Seán Fleming: It is very important to point out that while the judicial guidelines are giving reductions of 40% in the cost of claims for soft tissue injuries and the most common injuries, no one who understood the system ever believed that would lead to a 40% reduction in premiums because the cost of those claims was the biggest cost to the insurance industry but it was not its only cost. That 40% will...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Insurance Industry (28 Apr 2022)

Seán Fleming: Whatever. The issue is that they are working so well that people have seen they are getting less, and that is why there are test cases. We have had a big increase in the number of people not accepting the new reduced awards and taking their claims to court. When we have those test cases through the courts, I hope the colleagues of the Judicial Council who wrote the guidelines will...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Credit Unions (28 Apr 2022)

Seán Fleming: I propose to take Questions Nos. 11, 16, 30 and 75 together. I thank the Deputy for raising the expansion of credit union services. The Government recognises the importance of credit unions. The programme for Government contains four specific commitments for the sector. These can be condensed into one key commitment, which is to enable the credit union movement to grow. That means...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Tax Credits (28 Apr 2022)

Seán Fleming: I understand what the Deputy is saying. Looking at it strictly, the only benefit the State can confer on people is solely through the taxation system. I understand that point from a very narrow perspective. That point of view may or may not have validity but, looking at it in the broader context of low-income families, the arguments being put forward have to be reviewed in a wider context....