Results 1,241-1,260 of 9,537 for speaker:Jack Chambers

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Budget Engagement (18 Sep 2024)

Jack Chambers: I appreciate the points raised by Deputy Nash. On the wider matters we will set out the total tax package and expenditure package on budget day, which up to now with this Government has been highly progressive in the context of changes to taxation and public expenditure considerations. On inheritance tax, we are considering that issue. I said to Deputy Conway-Walsh there is a campaign to...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Budget Engagement (18 Sep 2024)

Jack Chambers: Correct.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Budget Engagement (18 Sep 2024)

Jack Chambers: I do not write the headlines. I would say that it has not been adjusted for many years, and there is considerable feedback on it and it is part of the overall consideration. The predominant focus of our tax package will be making sure there is a progressivity at its core and equity in the context of the other issues identified by the Deputy around housing. I want to make further progress...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Budget Engagement (18 Sep 2024)

Jack Chambers: There has been discussion on this. The Government will set that out on budget day.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Budget Engagement (18 Sep 2024)

Jack Chambers: That will be set out in developing options on spending the proceeds of the AIB share sales in the context of housing, water and energy and we are working on that at the moment.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Budget Engagement (18 Sep 2024)

Jack Chambers: That is the intention. We set out the timetable to the finance committee as is done every year.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Budget Engagement (18 Sep 2024)

Jack Chambers: That was set out. Every Minister for Finance writes to the finance committee to set out the draft schedule of what is intended in the context of the finance Bill. We communicated that to the finance committee so it can bring in preparations around scheduling the required meetings.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Budget Engagement (18 Sep 2024)

Jack Chambers: I am happy to come back into my old brief. I know the wider ambition and focus within different regions on transport infrastructure and through the capital plans, which the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, has already agreed. Obviously, we are keen to advance some of them. We know there is further ambition to do more. The Minister, Deputy Ryan, published the all-island rail review, which is...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Budget Engagement (18 Sep 2024)

Jack Chambers: I will have to set that out in the White Paper. I am not going to give the Deputy a false figure.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Budget Engagement (18 Sep 2024)

Jack Chambers: Yes.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Budget Engagement (18 Sep 2024)

Jack Chambers: I was asked if I would, and I said I would not.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Business Supports (18 Sep 2024)

Jack Chambers: As Minister for Finance, I have policy responsibility for the development of the legal framework governing financial services regulation, including for the insurance sector. In terms of the challenges associated with obtaining flood cover, please be aware that the provision of such cover is a commercial matter for insurance companies, based on an actuarial assessment of the risks they are...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Primary Medical Certificates (18 Sep 2024)

Jack Chambers: The Deputy should note that my Department and I share concerns that the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme or 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. However, this is very much a matter for Government as...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Reliefs (18 Sep 2024)

Jack Chambers: Mortgage Interest Tax Relief is a one-year temporary relief, which is available to taxpayers in respect of their principal private residence in the State, where the outstanding mortgage balance was between €80,000 and €500,000 as of 31 December 2022. The relief also extends to a qualifying property located in the State, which is the sole or main residence of the...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Departmental Policies (18 Sep 2024)

Jack Chambers: I note the issues raised by the Irish Hairdressing Council. The only issue which I have any direct input into in this correspondence is the VAT rate. However, as the Deputy will be aware, it is a longstanding practice of the Minister for Finance not to comment, in advance of the Budget, on any tax matters that might be the subject of Budget decisions.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Reliefs (18 Sep 2024)

Jack Chambers: I am advised by Revenue that information in respect of project-level eligible expenditure in relation to a single year is not available. Revenue tracks the cost for section 481 projects based on when claims are made, and in any single year, claims may be made, and payments made, in respect of projects certified across multiple years. As such, there is no basis upon which to prepare an...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Artificial Intelligence (18 Sep 2024)

Jack Chambers: I propose to take Questions Nos. 171 and 172 together. I can confirm to the Deputy that the Government approved Interim Guidelines for the Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Public Service earlier this year. I can confirm that this was circulated to all staff within my department in January 2024. These guidelines established that AI tools used in the civil and public service must...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Office of the Ombudsman (18 Sep 2024)

Jack Chambers: The Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (FSPO) is an independent, impartial, fair and free service that helps resolve complaints against financial service and pension providers from consumers and small businesses. It plays an important role in the robust financial consumer protection framework that supports consumers of financial services in Ireland. During 2023, the FSPO received...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Reliefs (18 Sep 2024)

Jack Chambers: I propose to take Questions Nos. 174 and 198 together. Finance Act 2018 introduced a short-term, tapered regional uplift under section 481 for productions being made in areas designated under the State aid regional guidelines (among other criteria). The purpose of the regional uplift was to support the development of new, local pools of talent in areas outside the current main production...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Reliefs (18 Sep 2024)

Jack Chambers: Section 118(5G) of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 (TCA) provides for the Cycle to Work Scheme. This scheme 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 such as helmets, lights,...