Results 1,161-1,180 of 9,116 for speaker:Jack Chambers

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Universal Social Charge (4 Jul 2024)

Jack Chambers: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. The universal social charge was designed and incorporated into the Irish taxation system in 2011 to replace two other charges - the health and income levies. The primary purpose of the USC was to widen the tax base and provide steady income to the Exchequer to provide funding for public services. The USC is an individualised tax, meaning that a...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Tax Code (4 Jul 2024)

Jack Chambers: To give some context, the VAT rate for hospitality in Ireland compares favourably to our nearest neighbour, as Britain and Northern Ireland maintain a 20% VAT rate for the sector. Across the whole EU, Ireland is one of 14 countries with a rate at 12% or higher for hospitality. On accommodation, Ireland is one of seven member states that have a rate at 12% or higher. The Government has...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Tax Code (4 Jul 2024)

Jack Chambers: We will engage with the business community. It is important to say that the context now is different from it was during the Covid pandemic and the very high and difficult levels of inflation we experienced in the economy. We are entering a more regular budgetary environment. We will set out more on that the summer economic statement next week. With inflation easing, we expect the domestic...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Vehicle Registration Tax (4 Jul 2024)

Jack Chambers: I thank Deputy Pringle for asking this question about the disabled and disabled passengers scheme, DDS. This scheme provides relief from VRT and VAT on the use of 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, who meet one of six medical criteria as a driver or as a passenger and...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Vehicle Registration Tax (4 Jul 2024)

Jack Chambers: I accept and acknowledge that this matter has been going on for too long and too many years without an outcome and that it is impacting many people across our country. As I said, I have been informed that significant work is now ongoing on this issue, led by the Department of the Taoiseach, and we expect a report on that in the autumn. It is about giving effect to and trying to make...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Fuel Prices (4 Jul 2024)

Jack Chambers: I am not sure what question the Deputy is asking. Is he talking about the actual parliamentary question he asked or is he asking about the date of the budget? As he knows, Sinn Féin called for an earlier budget two years ago when we were responding to the cost-of-living challenges. We have to submit our wider fiscal and budgetary framework to the European Commission, as he will be...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Fuel Prices (4 Jul 2024)

Jack Chambers: To respond to the Deputy's question, I have said that we will keep this matter of excise under review. We have seen a reduction in the national average prices, which in May were €1.84 and €1.78, and the most recent prices as of 1 July were €1.77 for petrol and €1.69 for diesel.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Fuel Prices (4 Jul 2024)

Jack Chambers: What will set the wider budgetary and fiscal parameters is the summer economic statement, which we announce next week. That will set out the position on taxation and expenditure, and what is possible for budget 2025. The Deputy is posing a complete contradiction. First, he is calling for an election every day of the week in here. Second, we are actually committed to political stability...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Fuel Prices (4 Jul 2024)

Jack Chambers: -----that is reflected by his party and its opposition to every European treaty and its opposition to our pro-trade and pro-enterprise policies, which actually reflect in the strong corporation tax figures, the strong income tax figures, and the strong tax figures we have seen more generally in June this year. Sinn Féin's policy is to abandon all fiscal prudence, spend as it likes and...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Tax Code (4 Jul 2024)

Jack Chambers: As the Deputy will be aware, the 9% VAT rate was applied on a temporary basis to the hospitality and tourism sectors until 31 August 2023 when it reverted to the 13.5% rate. The 9% rate was introduced on 1 November 2020 in recognition of the fact that the tourism and hospitality sectors were among those most impacted by the public health restrictions put in place throughout the pandemic....

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Television Licence Fee (4 Jul 2024)

Jack Chambers: What I said publicly is what I am restating here: a discussion is ongoing. We are committed to the introduction of a new sustainable and fair funding model and will make a decision on that in the coming weeks. In reply to Deputy Doherty's question, we are exploring all options for a new and reformed funding model with a contribution. As I said, we have not landed on any particular model...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Television Licence Fee (4 Jul 2024)

Jack Chambers: The vast majority do pay the TV licence fee. That underpins independence in public service media. We need ongoing support for that to be in a sustainable and long-term funding position. As I said in other domains, I support the ongoing contribution by the public to public service media and the TV licence. We are committed to making a decision on this matter in the coming weeks. In...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Television Licence Fee (4 Jul 2024)

Jack Chambers: That is why we have to prioritise spending and make sure there is an ongoing contribution. On the Deputy's question, I said we are exploring all options for a reformed funding model.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Television Licence Fee (4 Jul 2024)

Jack Chambers: That is the answer.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Television Licence Fee (4 Jul 2024)

Jack Chambers: We are exploring all options.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Fuel Prices (4 Jul 2024)

Jack Chambers: I will not go back to the previous question but I referenced that we are exploring all options for a funding model. That is the position. I will engage with Government colleagues on that. The Government is conscious of the implications of fuel costs for all sectors of society. This is reflected in the fact that in 2022, in light of the acute impact rising prices were having on...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Television Licence Fee (4 Jul 2024)

Jack Chambers: I propose to take Questions Nos. 69 and 70 together. As has been stated on numerous occasions, the Government is committed to the reform of the TV licence. A long-term funding model is needed to deliver effective reform and ensure that a secure, sustainable model of funding is put in place for our public service media. The Government is committed to the introduction of a new sustainable...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Television Licence Fee (4 Jul 2024)

Jack Chambers: I thank the Deputies for their contributions. As I and the Minister, Deputy Martin, have stated, we will make a decision on this in the coming weeks. As a Government, we appreciate and understand the importance of public service media for a well-functioning democracy. It is also essential for cultural development, social cohesion and well-being. As such, it requires a funding model that...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Fiscal Policy (4 Jul 2024)

Jack Chambers: Last week my Department published its third triennial assessment of the budgetary costs associated with ageing in Ireland. The key message from the report is that while Ireland’s demographic profile is relatively favourable at present, it is set to age rapidly over the coming decades, bringing us closer to the EU norm. While it is, of course, a very positive development that people in...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Credits (4 Jul 2024)

Jack Chambers: The Rent Tax Credit, as provided for in section 473B of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 (TCA 1997), was introduced by the Finance Act 2022 and may be claimed in respect of qualifying rent paid in 2022 and subsequent years to end-2025. For the tax years 2022 and 2023, the maximum value of the credit is €1,000 per year in the case of a jointly assessed couple, and €500 in all...