Results 10,681-10,700 of 33,289 for speaker:Paschal Donohoe

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...

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

Paschal Donohoe: The Deputy will be aware that responsibility for the administration of the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS), which itself operates on a self-assessment basis, rests with the Revenue Commissioners. I am advised by Revenue that it takes a multifaceted approach to ensuring compliance by employers with the terms of the scheme. Revenue undertakes a risk focused real-time examination of...

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

Paschal Donohoe: The suspension of all ‘non-essential’ economic activity during the second quarter of the year resulted in the Irish economy suffering the largest contraction on record, with a contraction in GDP of over 6 per cent relative to the previous quarter. Modified domestic demand, perhaps the best indicator of domestic economic activity, declined by 16 per cent while the unemployment...

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

Paschal Donohoe: The VAT rates applying in Ireland are subject to the requirements of EU VAT law with which Irish VAT law must comply. In order for a zero rate of VAT to be applied to a good or service, that good or service must have applied at the zero rate on 1 January 1991 and have continued to apply at that rate since. No new items may be charged at the zero rate, where they had not been subject to the...

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

Paschal Donohoe: From 1 January 2021, many aspects of our relationship with the UK will change fundamentally as we will no longer share EU membership. While the Government remains committed to protecting and strengthening the Ireland-UK relationship following the end of the transition period, I can advise the Deputy that the net impact of Brexit on the policy areas within my remit is anticipated to be...