Results 1,101-1,120 of 9,116 for speaker:Jack Chambers

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Reliefs (10 Jul 2024)

Jack Chambers: Section 118(5G) of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 (TCA) provides for the Cycle to Work scheme. This scheme was introduced in 2009 and offers an exemption from benefit-in-kind (BIK) where an employer purchases a bicycle and/or associated safety equipment for one of their employees (or directors) to use, in whole or in part, to travel to work. Associated safety equipment may include items...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Equal Opportunities Employment (10 Jul 2024)

Jack Chambers: I wish to advise the Deputy that the number and percentage of staff in my Department who have declared a disability is set out in the table below. My Department satisfied the 3% target of employing staff with disabilities and is aware of the increase in the targets to 6% to be achieved by 2025. My Department is committed to achieving this revised target. The Disability Census Form provided...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Legislative Measures (9 Jul 2024)

Jack Chambers: The activities of non-bank entities are already regulated by the Central Bank in Ireland under the provisions of the Consumer Protection (Regulation of Credit Servicing Firms) Act 2015 as amended. The legislation ensures that relevant borrowers whose loans are sold to non-bank entities maintain the regulatory protections they had prior to the sale, including the protections provided by the...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Yield (9 Jul 2024)

Jack Chambers: The Department of Finance has opened its pre-budget costings service. This is available with effect from 1 July 2024. The procedures for availing of this service are set out in a letter dated 1 July 2024 from the Secretary General of the Department to all recognised parties and technical groups in Dáil Éireann. To ensure efficiency and fairness all costing requests should be made in...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Yield (9 Jul 2024)

Jack Chambers: I propose to take Questions Nos. 179, 186, 198 and 199 together. When forecasting tax revenues, measures introduced as part of prior budgets are considered to be part of the tax base. When a tax expenditure with a sunset clause in legislation expires, there is a corresponding increase in the tax revenue forecasts in a given year to reflect this. In the same manner, the expiration of a...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Financial Instruments (9 Jul 2024)

Jack Chambers: All funds in the Social Insurance Fund investment account are currently invested in Irish sovereign debt in the form of exchequer notes. Consequently, the Social Insurance Fund investment account has no impact on the general government balance when held in Irish sovereign debt.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Sovereign Debt (9 Jul 2024)

Jack Chambers: The General Government Debt (GGD) represents the total consolidated government liabilities. It measures the gross borrowings for the general government sector. The investment accounts for FIF, ICNF, NTF, and SIF are part of the general government financial assets. As a result, they do not affect the current or the projected levels of GGD.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Revenue Commissioners (9 Jul 2024)

Jack Chambers: I am advised by Revenue that recent issues experienced by taxpayers and agents filing 2023 Income Tax returns arose following a system update on 15 June but that these issues were fully rectified on 26 June. Returns are being filed and processed as normal since then. Revenue engaged with the tax practitioner bodies and some third-party software providers in relation to the issues during...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Code (9 Jul 2024)

Jack Chambers: I am advised by Revenue that under general charging rules in Ireland, the extent to which a taxpayer is liable to tax on his or her US-sourced income depends on his or her residence and domicile position for Irish tax purposes. An individual who is resident and domiciled for Irish tax purposes is liable to Irish income tax on their worldwide income. An individual who is resident, but not...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Currency Circulation (9 Jul 2024)

Jack Chambers: In June 2023, the terms of reference for a National Payments Strategy (NPS) were published, and work on the NPS has commenced. The work of the NPS will take account of the changing payment landscape and ongoing legislative developments at EU level, including proposals on instant payments, payment services, legal tender and the digital euro. Access to cash and acceptance of cash are also being...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Credit Availability (9 Jul 2024)

Jack Chambers: The Central Credit Register (CCR) is established by the Central Bank under the Credit Reporting Act 2013. The Act provides that lenders must submit personal and credit information to the CCR on all loans for €500 or more, and make an enquiry on the CCR when considering a loan application for €2,000 or more. Credit information submitted by lenders in respect of new loan...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Artificial Intelligence (9 Jul 2024)

Jack Chambers: I can confirm for the Deputy that the Government approved Interim Guidelines for the Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Public Service earlier this year. In doing so, the Government recognised the opportunities AI presents to help improve the delivery of public services to our citizens. These guidelines also established that AI tools used in the civil and public service must comply...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Departmental Equipment (9 Jul 2024)

Jack Chambers: I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department takes cyber, network and data security extremely seriously. All members of staff issued with a Department-owned laptop or mobile phone must confirm their acceptance of the department’s laptop and mobile phone policies. These policies require staff to inform our IT providers immediately if their Department issued laptop or mobile phone has...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Primary Medical Certificates (9 Jul 2024)

Jack Chambers: I propose to take Questions Nos. 189 and 213 together. The Deputies should note that my Department and I share concerns that the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme (DDS) is no longer fit-for-purpose and believe it should be replaced with a needs-based, grant-led approach for necessary vehicle adaptations that could serve to improve the functional mobility of the individual. ...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Fiscal Policy (9 Jul 2024)

Jack Chambers: Reflecting both the wider economic recovery and the success of Government fiscal policy, our public finances have rebounded strongly despite facing a number of unprecedented challenges, including Brexit, a global pandemic and the energy price shock. The steady growth in income tax and VAT revenues have been a clear indicator of the fundamental resilience of our economy. However, as...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Banking Sector (9 Jul 2024)

Jack Chambers: The critical importance of a stable and viable retail banking sector for the Irish economy has been, and continues to be, a key priority for Government and for my Department. It was for this reason that Minister Donohoe commissioned the Retail Banking Review in late 2021 following on from the widespread changes in the sector over the previous several years, culminating in the decisions by...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Legislative Measures (9 Jul 2024)

Jack Chambers: Legislation relating to the enforcement of security, the Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Act 2009 is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Justice. Anyone who is experiencing difficulties dealing with debt, including mortgage debt, should contact the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS). MABS offers free impartial advice on dealing with debt. I would also highlight to the...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Social Insurance (9 Jul 2024)

Jack Chambers: The general government revenue for the Stability Programme Update 2024 includes projections for the years 2024 to 2027, and the year 2028 is not part of the forecasted period. The government decision to increase the PRSI rate is included in the SIF revenue forecasts and therefore in the general government revenue projections. The increases of the PRSI rates will be effective from 1...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Code (9 Jul 2024)

Jack Chambers: It is assumed that the Deputy is referring to the exemption from Deposit Interest Retention Tax (DIRT) for taxpayers aged 65 years or over, subject to certain exemption limits. As the Deputy will be aware, where an individual is aged 65 years or over, and their total income does not exceed the annual exemption limit of €18,000, interest may be received without paying DIRT. Where an...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Exemptions (9 Jul 2024)

Jack Chambers: As the Deputy is aware, the age exemption applies for any year of assessment where an individual is aged 65 years or over and his or her total income does not exceed €18,000 per annum. Where an individual is a married person or civil partner and is jointly assessed to tax, the age exemption will apply where either individual is aged 65 or over and where the couple’s total income...