Results 9,981-10,000 of 32,593 for speaker:Paschal Donohoe

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Tax Avoidance (26 Nov 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: I am commenting generally in my reply. Tax is due when income is distributed to noteholders in section 110 organisations. I want to ensure that the tax laws governing these entities reflect the important role of securitisation in enabling our banks to function and fund themselves efficiently while dealing with issues that have rightly been raised in this House. That is why changes have...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Insurance Costs (26 Nov 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: As the Deputy is aware, the National Claims Information Database was a key recommendation of the cost of insurance working group. It is intended to facilitate a more indepth analysis of annual trends in motor insurance claims. The second report, published earlier this month by the Central Bank, confirms that premiums for private motor insurance policies decreased by 9% from their recent...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Banking Sector (26 Nov 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: As the Deputy will be aware, I met representatives of Ulster Bank on 21 October. I outlined that I expected that staff, customers and other stakeholders would be informed promptly about any decisions being made. I used that meeting as an opportunity to emphasise my concerns regarding the impact of such a decision on the economy, the banking sector, staff and those who depend on Ulster Bank...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Banking Sector (26 Nov 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: I will continue to engage on this matter both with Ulster Bank and its parent company. As I said, I am well aware of the significance of Ulster Bank as an employer, a provider of competition and a supplier of services in the country, in particular the branches it has located in areas outside Dublin. It is a very important employer and bank. I emphasise that I and the Government do not have...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Banking Sector (26 Nov 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: The matters the Deputy referred to regarding whose services NatWest and Ulster Bank are procuring are not matters in which I am involved, as the Deputy knows. This is a bank in which the State does not have a formal stake or role. Who it procures to provide services is not a matter in which I have any role. Where I have a role is in relaying the strong concerns I have about changes that...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Disabled Drivers and Passengers Scheme (26 Nov 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 72, 74, 103, 124, 151, 195 and 205 together. The Disabled Drivers & Disabled Passengers Scheme provides relief from VRT 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 cost of the scheme in 2019, excluding motor tax, was €72m. The Scheme is open to severely and...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Economic Data (26 Nov 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: The outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic earlier this year and the restrictions introduced to suppress the virus led to an unprecedented contraction of global economic activity. Lockdown restrictions saw the Irish economy contract by 6 per cent in the second quarter - the largest quarterly decline on record. This figure was at the lower-end in a European context, with GDP declining by -20...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (26 Nov 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: The Covid Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS) announced in the Budget on 13 October 2020 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. CRSS will supplement the existing supports available under the COVID Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) and the...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Departmental Strategy Statements (26 Nov 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: In accordance with the provisions of the Public Service Management Act 1997, my Department is currently preparing its Statement of Strategy for the period 2021-2023. The development of the new Statement of Strategy will reflect the objectives as set out in the Programme for Government. When finalised, it will serve as a framework for, and guide to, the business planning, resource allocation...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Credit Unions (26 Nov 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: The Central Bank have informed me that credit unions may participate in Death Benefit Insurance schemes whereby a payment, intended to assist with funeral expenses, is made following the death of a member. The Death Benefit Insurance is provided by insurance undertakings. Some credit unions discharge some or all of the cost of the insurance on behalf of their members, while other credit...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Reliefs (26 Nov 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 80 and 146 together. Although there are currently no measures in Irish VAT or Excise legislation that relate to reliefs for armed forces from another state, there are provisions in EU VAT and Excise legislation that are applicable notwithstanding that the measures have not been transposed into Irish legislation. In respect of VAT, the provision in...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Economic Policy (26 Nov 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: With Government backing since 2012, Ireland has long recognised the importance of sustainable finance for increasing economic activity, employment creation and ensuring that the necessary environmental safeguards area developed and implemented in Ireland and globally. As a result, we have been strongly supportive of sustainable finance initiatives at EU and wider international levels....

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Motor Insurance (26 Nov 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: At the outset, it is important to note that neither I, nor the Central Bank of Ireland, can direct the pricing of insurance products, as this is a commercial matter, nor can we compel any insurer operating in the Irish market to provide cover. This position is reinforced by the EU Single Market framework for insurance (the Solvency II Directive), which expressly prohibits Member States from...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Reliefs (26 Nov 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 83, 137 and 201 together. I am aware of the matter raised by the Deputies and can advise that my officials have been in touch with their counterparts in Northern Ireland on the matter and that I have exchanged correspondence with the Cross-Border Workers Coalition. In the case of a person who lives in Ireland but who works in another jurisdiction, the...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (26 Nov 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 84, 106, 111, 133, 134, 145, 196, 206, 207 and 208 together. The Covid Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS) was announced in the Budget on 13 October 2020. The details are set out in Finance Bill 2020 and guidelines on the operation of the scheme, including the eligibility criteria, are available on the Revenue website: (). The support is available to...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (26 Nov 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: As a signatory of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, Ireland is required to submit regular reports on measures taken to give effect to the Convention. The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth holds primary responsible for reporting back to the UN Committee, in coordination with Government Departments and other civil society stakeholders....

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (26 Nov 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 86, 89, 100 to 102, inclusive, 114, 119, 127, 128, 140, 150 and 152 together. The Covid Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS) was announced in the Budget on 13 October 2020. The details are set out in Finance Bill 2020 and guidelines on the operation of the scheme, including the eligibility criteria, are available on the Revenue website at: . The registration...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: State Aid (26 Nov 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 87 and 192 together. On the basis of the Deputy’s engagement with my officials in my Department, I understand that the Deputy’s query relates specifically to the issue of Just Transition, the Just Transition Fund and recommendations made by the Just Transition Commissioner. In relation to the issue of Just Transition, I would outline to...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Legislative Measures (26 Nov 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: As the Deputy is aware, the Department of Finance undertook a public consultation in 2019 seeking views on capping the cost of licensed moneylenders and other regulatory matters in relation to moneylending. The submissions received, proposed a number of policy changes in relation to the moneylending industry and are broadly in favour of introducing an interest rate restriction. A number...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Value Added Tax (26 Nov 2020)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 90, 98, 105 and 113 together. The Retail Export Scheme enables visitors that are resident outside the EU benefit from VAT relief on goods purchased in Ireland and subsequently taken outside of the EU. Under existing rules, when the UK becomes a third country, visitors from Britain will be able to avail of the scheme. No minimum threshold currently applies...