Results 1,061-1,080 of 27,945 for speaker:Michael McGrath

Written Answers — Department of Finance: European Union (30 Jan 2024)

Michael McGrath: Potential reforms to the EU’s fiscal rules have been mooted for many years but discussions accelerated following the publication of a Commission ‘orientations’ document in November 2022, followed by legislative proposals last April. Intensive discussions on the proposed reforms took place throughout last year in the various technical sub-committees of ECOFIN. Political...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Waste Management (30 Jan 2024)

Michael McGrath: Directive 2015/2366/EU on Payment Services (PSD2) was transposed into Irish law by the European Union (Payment Services) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No.6 of 2018). The practice of payment service providers charging consumers a surcharge for making payments with credit or debit cards is prohibited under Regulation 86(6) of S.I. No.6 of 2018. Regulation 86(6) states that a payee shall not request...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Data (30 Jan 2024)

Michael McGrath: I am advised by Revenue that approximately 1.9 million taxpayer units earned less than €40,000 in 2021, the latest year for which fully analysed data are available.Of the 1.9 million taxpayer units, approximately 310,000 taxpayer units were recorded for tax purposes as married. The number of these who opted for joint assessment is not readily available in the data available for...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Primary Medical Certificates (30 Jan 2024)

Michael McGrath: The final report of the NDIS Transport Working Group's review of mobility and transport supports including the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme (DDS), endorsed proposals for a modern, fit-for-purpose vehicle adaptation scheme in line with international best practice that would replace the DDS, as it is no longer fit-for-purpose on any and all aspects. The proposals note this...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Ministerial Staff (30 Jan 2024)

Michael McGrath: I wish to inform the Deputy that there are two civilian drivers assigned to the Minister of State. Hours of attendance for civilian drivers are fixed from time to time but amount to, on average, not less than 41 hours and 15 minutes gross per week. The working pattern for civilian drivers is seven days on and seven days off on a week-on week-off basis. Annual hours vary depending on leave...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Code (30 Jan 2024)

Michael McGrath: As the Deputy will be aware, in 2022 in light of the acute impact rising prices were having on households and business, Government provided for excise rate reductions in the order of 21, 16 and 5.4 cent per litre on petrol, diesel and Marked Gas Oil (MGO) respectively. These temporary reductions were due to end initially on 31 August 2022 but following review and monitoring of fuel prices...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Revenue Commissioners (30 Jan 2024)

Michael McGrath: The VAT treatment of goods and services is subject to EU VAT law, with which Irish VAT law must comply. My reply to the Deputy’s previous question (PQ 3019/24 of 23 January 2024), explained that, in accordance with the Directive, Section 86 of the Value-Added Tax Consolidation Act 2010 provides for the Flat-rate Farmers Scheme, and that this arrangement, which is unique to the farming...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Departmental Schemes (30 Jan 2024)

Michael McGrath: The Deputy should note at the outset that the final report of the NDIS Transport Working Group's review of mobility and transport supports including the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme (DDS), endorsed proposals for a modern, fit-for-purpose vehicle adaptation scheme in line with international best practice that would replace the DDS, as it is no longer fit-for-purpose on any...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Special Educational Needs (25 Jan 2024)

Michael McGrath: Section 114 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 (TCA) provides for a tax deduction in respect of expenses incurred wholly, exclusively and necessarily by an individual in the performance of the duties of his or her employment. The flat rate expense (FRE) regime is operated by Revenue on an administrative basis where both a specific commonality of expenditure exists across an employment...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Agriculture Industry (25 Jan 2024)

Michael McGrath: The Residential Zoned Land Tax (RZLT) is a new tax which was introduced in Finance Act 2021. It seeks to increase housing supply by encouraging the activation of development on lands which are suitably zoned and appropriately serviced. It aims to bring those lands which have benefitted from investment in services and are capable of being developed forward for housing. The tax is an...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Collection (25 Jan 2024)

Michael McGrath: As the Deputy will be aware the Department of Finance published an independent economic analysis into the possible effects of the Irish tax system on developing economies in 2015. The analysis, completed by the IBFD on behalf of the Department, was entitled ''Spillover Analysis Possible Effects of the Irish Tax System on Developing Economies' and included a baseline analysis of Ireland's tax...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Departmental Meetings (25 Jan 2024)

Michael McGrath: During my engagements at the World Economic Forum in Davos, I had a wide range of political and business-related meetings, as well as a number of interviews with international media, and I participated in a number of discussion panels organised by the Forum. I can confirm to the Deputy that I did not have a bilateral meeting with any representatives of Amazon while in Davos. I did,...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Departmental Schemes (25 Jan 2024)

Michael McGrath: The Disabled Drivers & Disabled Passengers Scheme provides relief from VRT and VAT on an adapted car, as well as an exemption from motor tax and an annual fuel grant. The Scheme is open to severely and permanently disabled persons as defined, as a driver or as a passenger and also to certain charitable organisations. In order to qualify for relief, the applicant must hold a...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Media Sector (24 Jan 2024)

Michael McGrath: Section 481 provides relief in the form of a corporation tax credit related to the cost of production of certain films. The scheme is intended to act as a stimulus to the creation of an indigenous film industry in the State, creating quality employment opportunities and supporting the expression of the Irish culture. Currently, the credit is granted at a rate of 32% of the lowest of:eligible...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Departmental Staff (24 Jan 2024)

Michael McGrath: I wish to inform the Deputy that my Department launched its Blended Working Policy on 1st July 2022. The policy was developed in line with the key principles and parameters of the Civil Service Blended Working Policy Framework. A key principle of my Departments policy is to ensure business needs are met to the highest professional standards while allowing for the maximum amount of...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Departmental Staff (24 Jan 2024)

Michael McGrath: The bodies under the aegis of my Department have provided the information requested in relation to remote working in respect of 2022 and 2023 below. The Central Bank of Ireland remains committed to having a hybrid working model in place that provides two-way flexibility to both employees and the organisation. The model allows the majority of roles (+90% of approximately 2,000 employees) to...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Exemptions (24 Jan 2024)

Michael McGrath: The VAT treatment of goods and services is subject to EU VAT law, with which Irish VAT law must comply. In accordance with the EU VAT Directive, farmers can elect whether or not to register for VAT in respect of their farming business, and each farmer’s decision on this matter affects how VAT incurred on their inputs (such as the purchase of farm equipment) is treated. Farmers who...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Housing Policy (24 Jan 2024)

Michael McGrath: The Government is acutely aware that the bulk purchase of homes deeply affects aspiring owner-occupiers and first time buyers. This is why we responded decisively with the introduction of wide range of actions in 2021 to provide a disincentive on the bulk purchase of homes. These actions are working. Estimates, based on Revenue and CSO data, show that the higher stamp duty rate has...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Housing Policy (24 Jan 2024)

Michael McGrath: I am advised by Revenue that Stamp Duty information is only available for analysis once a filing is executed, therefore the requested information cannot be provided to the Deputy.