Results 9,621-9,640 of 33,175 for speaker:Paschal Donohoe

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Commencement of Legislation (31 Mar 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: My Department has undertaken a review of legislation enacted since January 2000 falling within its areas of responsibility. As of 29 March 2021, only one Act stands uncommenced in its entirety, being the Credit Union Restructuring Board (Dissolution) Act 2020. The commencement of this legislation is deferred pending the Board’s financial statements being finalised and approved by the...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Value Added Tax (31 Mar 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: The temporary reduction from 23% to 21% in the standard rate of VAT has not been extended beyond the 28th of February. Deputies will be aware that tax changes are generally taken in the context of the Budget. In this regard my officials prepare a series of papers containing tax options for the Tax Strategy Group to be considered in the context of the Budgetary process, alongside a wide...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (31 Mar 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 393 and 394 together. I am aware of concerns that have been raised regarding the pace of recovery for the live events sector, and that it has been suggested that the level of support be increased and/or that the application of some of the new State supports should be delineated on the basis of explicit sectoral qualification criteria. However, the reality...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (31 Mar 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 395 and 396 together. The 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. Details of the CRSS are set out in Finance Act 2020 and detailed operational guidelines, which are based on the terms and conditions of the scheme...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Value Added Tax (31 Mar 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 397 to 399, inclusive, together. Revenue provides a “Ready Reckoner” to facilitate the estimation of the yield or cost of potential changes to the tax code. This is available at the link: and includes (on page 28) the estimated cost of changes or extensions to the 9% rate of VAT for a full year (among other information which may be of interest...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (31 Mar 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: I am advised by Revenue that the current tax warehousing schemes allow for the deferral of collection of certain tax liabilities relating to “Period 1”, the “Covid-19 restricted trading period”. The tax liabilities that may be deferred or “warehoused” are VAT, PAYE (Employer) liabilities, excess Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS) payments due to be...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (31 Mar 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: As the Deputy will be aware, on 18 March 2020, the Banking and Payments Federation of Ireland (BPFI) announced a coordinated approach by banks and other lenders to help their customers, including those in the tourism and hospitality sectors, who were economically impacted by the Covid-19 crisis. The measures included flexible loan repayment arrangements where needed, including loan payment...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (31 Mar 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: I appreciate the stress and uncertainty that many borrowers who are working in the tourism and hospitality sectors are still facing at this difficult time and I recognise that many of these borrowers will continue to need assistance and support from their lenders. In this regard it is the clear expectation of both the Government and the Central Bank that lenders engage effectively and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Disability Support Services (31 Mar 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: In August 2020 I wrote to all publicly funded higher education institutions requesting that they develop institutional action plans on tackling sexual violence and harassment, and report to the Higher Education Authority (HEA) on their progress on the implementation of the Framework for Consent in HEIs (Safe, Respectful, Supportive and Positive: Ending Sexual Harassment in Irish Higher...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Insurance Industry (25 Mar 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: I am aware that concerns have been expressed about how the insurance industry is responding to the needs of its business policyholders in these difficult times, particularly those like, variety clubs, dance and stage schools who are unable to use their premises and have to teach online.  However, it is important to alert the Deputy to the fact that neither I, nor the Central Bank,...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (25 Mar 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: The Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) is a social welfare payment for workers who have become unemployed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. PUP payments are classified in legislation as income supports and are subject to income tax. The taxation arrangements for the PUP were legislated for in Finance Act 2020 which reflects the standard approach to taxation of social welfare type payments, which...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Departmental Communications (25 Mar 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: Members of the Oireachtas can contact my Department by emailing minister@finance.gov.ie. There are 17 bodies under the aegis of my Department; Circular 25/2016 applies to 14 of these bodies. It does not apply to the Credit Union Advisory Committee (CUAC), the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal (DDMBA) and the Credit Union Restructuring Board (ReBo). CUAC is a committee set up to advise...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Protected Disclosures (25 Mar 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 42 and 43 together. Section 22 of the Protected Disclosures Act requires the publication of a report in respect of protected disclosures received in the preceding year setting out certain information in respect of protected disclosures received. For the purposes of complying with section 22, the Department publishes information regarding Protected Disclosures...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Mortgage Lending (25 Mar 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: As the Deputy is aware, as Minister for Finance I have no role in the day to day operations of any bank operating within the State including banks in which the State has a shareholding. I'm precluded from intervening on behalf of any individual customer in any particular bank. Decisions in relation to commercial matters are the sole responsibility of the board and...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Mortgage Lending (25 Mar 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: Under section 126 of the Consumer Credit Act 1995 a mortgage lender is obliged to make sure that a mortgage applicant has mortgage protection insurance in place before granting a housing loan.  However, the Act also provides for a number of limited exemptions to this statutory obligation where:  1. the house in respect of which the loan is made is, in the mortgage lender's...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Departmental Policy Functions (25 Mar 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: Primary responsibility for this matter and the National Disability Inclusion Strategy, rests with my colleague Anne Rabbitte, Minister of State for Disability in the Department of Children, Disability, Equality and Integration.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Banking Sector (25 Mar 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 47 and 48 together. NatWest's decision to withdraw Ulster Bank from the Irish market and the decision by Bank of Ireland to close 88 branches in the Republic of Ireland are regrettable and they represent unfavourable developments for the Irish banking market. However, I welcome that NatWest confirmed that it is negotiations with Permanent TSB...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Gambling Sector (24 Mar 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: I am advised by Revenue that the Betting Act 1931 (as amended by the Betting Amendment Act 2015), provides the legislative basis for licensing and control of Bookmakers, Remote Bookmakers, and Remote Betting Intermediaries. These licences fall within the general category of licences known as Excise Licences, which are issued by Revenue under various statutes. Revenue maintains and publishes...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Covid-19 Pandemic (24 Mar 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: As the COVID-19 health crisis spread across the EU, my Department participated in EU negotiations and supported agreements establishing several EU budget-related changes to address the various challenges faced in 2020 and continuing up to 2026. The Emergency Support Instrument (ESI) was activated in April/May 2020, for €2.7 bn. The ESI’s scope is broad, but it has mostly...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Code (24 Mar 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: Ireland’s excise duty treatment of fuel used for motor and heating purposes is based on European Union law as set out in Directive 2003/96/EC on the taxation of energy products and electricity, commonly known as the Energy Tax Directive. Mineral Oil Tax (MOT) is an excise duty and is comprised of a carbon and a non-carbon component. The carbon component is often referred to as carbon...