Results 14,141-14,160 of 32,569 for speaker:Paschal Donohoe

Summer Economic Statement 2019: Statements (25 Jun 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: Regarding what the Deputy has described as an embargo, we are involved in decisions on health service recruitment and retention. That is part of my job as Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. To reiterate what the Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, has said, we are saying that Departments need to stay within the budget available for the number of people they are to recruit. That is...

Summer Economic Statement 2019: Statements (25 Jun 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: When looking at what temporary, targeted supports will be needed, I will look at other measures that could be taken to fund them which may include, most notably, a level of borrowing. This is an issue with which we will deal when we move into the budgetary process itself. We have to get the mixture right. We have to ensure that the resources are in place to support public services. I then...

Summer Economic Statement 2019: Statements (25 Jun 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: The Deputy made a proposal in this area, although I saw the merit in doing it. He suggested a process be put in place to form a view on sustainability. The IFAC outlined a very broad range of scenarios. It suggested that €3 billion to €6 billion of the approximately €10 billion we collect may be at risk. That is very broad guidance from which it then advises me to...

Summer Economic Statement 2019: Statements (25 Jun 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: It is precisely because of the analysis of our current expenditure projections offered by the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council that we have increased them for the summer economic statement. The average rate of projected economic growth in the SPU was 2.5%. In the forecast for the medium-term projection, which underpins the two different scenarios, I have increased the rate of expenditure...

Summer Economic Statement 2019: Statements (25 Jun 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: The change to which I referred is in respect of the year 2021 onwards; it does not take account of 2020 because the rate of expenditure growth for that year will depend on the decisions made on budget day. I am not in a position to indicate what those decisions will be right now because we have made no budgetary decisions. Predicting a gross rate of expenditure growth of 3.25% when the...

Summer Economic Statement 2019: Statements (25 Jun 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: A custom and practice has built up with regard to the payment of the Christmas bonus. Another Deputy appeared to allege that because the Christmas bonus is not referenced in the summer economic statement, it is not going to be paid. The Christmas bonus payment has been included in most budgets, including all recent budgets. At this stage I do not have any plans to change that provision....

Summer Economic Statement 2019: Statements (25 Jun 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: To deal with the first point, I disagree with the Deputy's analysis that the Christmas bonus would be subtracted from the €700 million, leaving €400 million. The payment of the Christmas bonus is in our base. Traditionally when we determine the allocation of new resources, which are outlined in the summer economic statement, we are referring to expenditure on top of the base.

Summer Economic Statement 2019: Statements (25 Jun 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: With regard to how we would fund new activity to support the economy in the event that there is a disorderly Brexit, as I have already indicated to Deputy Michael McGrath, were we to be in that situation I would recommend to the Government that we look at how to fund such support, which might include making decisions on borrowing or in respect of the rainy day fund.

Summer Economic Statement 2019: Statements (25 Jun 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: I thank the Deputy for reminding me of that. The Christmas bonus was paid last year. It is in our expenditure base.

Summer Economic Statement 2019: Statements (25 Jun 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: The way in which we will handle that issue is by looking at a matter the Deputy raised. I agree with his point that in the event that there is a disorderly Brexit, we would have to mobilise resources to help the country to respond to the consequences and protect key front-line services. The choices the Government could make about the sum of €700 million and the deficit would be...

Summer Economic Statement 2019: Statements (25 Jun 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: Today, the Government published its summer economic statement which is, as the House knows, a key element of our reformed budgetary process. Before I outline the key points from this statement, it is appropriate to take stock of where we are now in terms of the economy. Our economy is now very different from that which prevailed a decade ago when Ireland entered the most acute phase of...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Employment Rights (25 Jun 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 124, 125 and 134 together. Section 851A of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 requires Revenue to uphold taxpayer confidentiality and prohibits the release of any information that could lead to the identification of taxpayers. The Deputies will also be aware that I am precluded from being involved in individual tax cases. Revenue has however, assured me that it...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Illicit Trade in Fuel and Tobacco Products (25 Jun 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: I am assuming that the Deputy, when referring to solid fuel smuggling, is enquiring about the movement of solid fuel into the State from Northern Ireland in the context of Solid Fuel Carbon Tax (SFCT). SFCT is an excise duty that applies to coal and peat when first supplied in the State for use as a fuel. Neither the movement of solid fuel into the State nor the physical presence of solid...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Credit Unions (25 Jun 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 127, 133 and 150 together. As the Deputies are aware, credit unions are regulated and supervised by the Registrar of Credit Unions at the Central Bank who is the independent regulator for credit unions. Within his independent regulatory discretion, the Registrar acts to support the prudential soundness of individual credit unions, to maintain sector...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Disabled Drivers and Passengers Scheme (25 Jun 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: The Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme provides relief from VAT and VRT (up to a certain limit) on the purchase of an adapted car for transport of a person with specific severe and permanent physical disabilities, payment of a Fuel Grant, and an exemption from Motor Tax. To qualify for the Scheme an applicant must be in possession of a Primary Medical...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: European Council Meetings (25 Jun 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: At EU level, through both the ECOFIN and Eurogroup meetings, Ministers work alongside the European Commission and the European Central Bank (ECB) to take stock of the latest economic situation, including the risks and opportunities for European economies in the short to medium-term. I regularly attend these meetings to discuss these developments with my European counterparts and the European...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Bond Markets (25 Jun 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 130 to 132, inclusive, together. Following the €3 billion syndicated transaction by the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) last October, there is one Irish Sovereign Green Bond (ISGB) outstanding. This bond, which was the first bond issued under the ISGB Framework published in September 2018, matures on 18 March 2031. As regards the use of ISGB...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Residency (25 Jun 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: My understanding is that this question relates to an Irish citizen whose principal work of 3 to 4 days per week is performed in another EU country and who spends the remainder of his or her time in the State. It has not been confirmed whether the principal work concerned refers to an Irish or foreign employment and whether the time spent in the State is for work or personal reasons....

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Central Bank of Ireland Data (25 Jun 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: While the Central Bank of Ireland collects and publishes a wide range of statistical data, I have been advised by them that it does not collect data relating to the number of judgements sought by unregulated loan owners, retail credit firms and banks with regard to farm related debt.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Central Bank of Ireland Data (25 Jun 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: The Statistics division of the Central Bank provides data on the outstanding stock of Credit Advanced to Irish Resident Private-Sector Enterprises by Irish banks relating to the Primary Industries sector, of which the main constituent is lending for Agriculture. This information can be found in Table A.14.1 -Credit Advanced to Irish Resident Small and Medium Sized Enterprises on the Central...