Results 1,561-1,580 of 27,945 for speaker:Michael McGrath

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (16 Nov 2023)

Michael McGrath: I thank Deputy Fitzpatrick very much and I join with him and take the opportunity to thank all of the volunteers who work with homeless charities and the services they provide. We thank them for their work. They provide a very valuable service and support. When it comes to public funding and the State's response to homelessness, it is important that we ensure there is proper...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (16 Nov 2023)

Michael McGrath: I thank the Deputy.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (16 Nov 2023)

Michael McGrath: I should give the line Minister the opportunity to visit first.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (16 Nov 2023)

Michael McGrath: I am sure the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, will come.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (16 Nov 2023)

Michael McGrath: I think the Deputy and myself should have a chat off-line with regard to the organisation he has referred to, Save our Homeless Dundalk. The information I have is that there is not any record of an application for funding. Certainly, the Department is not aware of any application for funding so perhaps we can engage off-line. I will be happy to discuss it with the Deputy and to provide any...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (16 Nov 2023)

Michael McGrath: I thank Deputy Boyd Barrett. We can all agree that the scenes we are witnessing on television and on our social media feeds are simply shocking. To be frank, I find it very hard to watch the news these days. Tomorrow is the ninth birthday of Emily Hand, a beautiful young child we believe is being held captive by Hamas in Gaza. As the Deputy will know, our Tánaiste is in the Middle...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (16 Nov 2023)

Michael McGrath: The Government is supporting the people of Palestine. We are providing funding. This week, the Government announced additional funding for the International Criminal Court and the Tánaiste has announced €13 million in humanitarian assistance funding for the Palestinian people, comprising €10 million for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees and...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (16 Nov 2023)

Michael McGrath: I thank the Deputy. I think the evidence shows this scheme is not only popular but working. Consider that over 2,200 applications have been approved. That will lead to properties that are currently vacant or derelict coming back into use and being lived in by individuals and families. The Government will continue to support this scheme and to provide the necessary funding to ensure it...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (16 Nov 2023)

Michael McGrath: I thank Deputy Smith for raising these important transport issues. I am happy to defend the Government's record on investment in all forms of transport across the country over the last number of years. That is evident for anyone to see when looking at the investment in active travel, the expansion of public transport services and the investment in our road network to name a few examples....

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (16 Nov 2023)

Michael McGrath: The answer is, yes we are. We stand behind the public transport projects that are a fundamental part of the NDP that I prepared on behalf of the Government and got the approval of the Government for. That sets out a plan worth €160 billion to the end of the decade. Of course, we acknowledge the impact of inflation in recent years. The Deputy is right to highlight that. We have all...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (16 Nov 2023)

Michael McGrath: I thank Deputy Doherty for raising this issue. When it comes to the housing challenge that we face, we can all agree that the best way of making progress is to increase the supply of all types of homes - public homes in the form of social housing, cost rental and affordable purchase, and also private supply. Thankfully, when we look at the overall picture, we are making progress in terms of...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Dental Services (16 Nov 2023)

Michael McGrath: The position in relation to the Deputy's question is set out in my reply to parliamentary question number 172 of 26 September 2023. Section 469 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 provides for tax relief where an individual proves that he or she has incurred costs in respect of qualifying health expenses. Routine dental treatment is not eligible for the relief. As previously outlined, I have...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Departmental Data (16 Nov 2023)

Michael McGrath: Progress has been made on efforts to establish a new Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeals (DDMBA), to secure hosting arrangements for the DDMBA and to recommence the appeals process. All five members have now been appointed to the new DDMBA. Funding arrangements between the Department of Finance and the Department of Health have been agreed. On this basis the National Rehabilitation...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Code (16 Nov 2023)

Michael McGrath: Finance Act 2021 introduced Part 22A Residential Zoned Land Tax (RZLT) into the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997. RZLT is designed to prompt residential development by owners of land that is zoned for residential or mixed-use (including residential) purposes and that is serviced. The legislation underpinning RZLT requires local authorities to consider whether land meets the relevant criteria...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Departmental Policies (16 Nov 2023)

Michael McGrath: As provided for in the Heads of the Future Ireland Fund and Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund Bill the Future Ireland Fund and Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund will be invested and managed by the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) to seek to secure the optimal total financial return, as to both capital and income, having regard to the purpose of each Fund. The two...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Legislative Measures (16 Nov 2023)

Michael McGrath: My Department and Revenue have, for some time, been aware of issues arising from contractual arrangements within the General Practitioner (GP) community whereby some GPs treat income under their General Medical Services (GMS) contract as income of a GP practice in which they are a partner or an employee, rather than income of that individual GP. Revenue issued a guidance note to tax...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Departmental Data (16 Nov 2023)

Michael McGrath: I am advised by Revenue that capital allowances claimed in respect of the purchase of motor cars for business use are aggregated with other Plant and Machinery items on the relevant tax returns. Therefore, Revenue does not have the necessary data to enable it to identify the number or category of vehicles to which the claims relate.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Code (16 Nov 2023)

Michael McGrath: Part 11C of the Taxes Consolidation Act (TCA) 1997 provides for a scheme of capital allowances and leasing expenses for business cars based on the level of CO2 emissions from the cars concerned. The amount of allowable expenditure for capital allowances purposes is determined by reference to the car’s level of CO2 emissions rather than on the expenditure incurred on the car. Section 19...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Financial Services (15 Nov 2023)

Michael McGrath: I am informed by the FSPO that it has recently concluded recruitment processes in respect of most of these positions. The start dates agreed with the successful candidates are included in the final column. Number of Vacancies Job Title Grade Salary at PT 1 - Circular 11/2023 Vacancies Filled – Start Date 1 ...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: EU Directives (15 Nov 2023)

Michael McGrath: I propose to take Questions Nos. 51, 52, 53, 54, 55 and 56 together. The Credit Servicers Directive (EU 2021/2167) (‘the Directive’) primarily provides for a common EU framework for the transfer and management of bank-originated non-performing loans, including mortgages, which are transferred or sold after 29 December 2023. It sets out an EU-wide regulatory arrangement for both...