Results 1,721-1,740 of 27,019 for speaker:Michael Noonan

Written Answers — Department of Finance: State Bodies Data (8 Dec 2016)

Michael Noonan: In response to the Deputy's question, I have been advised by the seven State Boards under my Department's remit of the information you have requested. The table sets out the names of the State Boards, the total number of members of each board, the number of women on each board and the percentage of each board that is made up of women. The Deputy may be interested to note that this...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Reliefs Eligibility (8 Dec 2016)

Michael Noonan: An individual may claim income tax relief at the standard rate (20%) on qualifying fees paid by him or her in respect of approved third-level courses. An individual may claim tax relief on qualifying fees paid in respect of any person as long as he or she has paid the fees. Qualifying fees means tuition fees, but not examination fees, registration fees or administration fees. In addition,...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Ministerial Staff (8 Dec 2016)

Michael Noonan: I wish to inform the Deputy that there are no civil servants seconded to work in my Constituency. I have one Personal Assistant working in my Constituency and there is no cost to my Department as the individual is paid by the Houses of the Oireachtas. With regard to Minister of State Eoghan Murphy, I understand he has one Parliamentary Assistant and one Secretarial...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: State Investments (7 Dec 2016)

Michael Noonan: I am advised by the majority of the bodies under the aegis of my Department that they do not hold investments in tobacco companies. I have been advised by the Central Bank of Ireland that the Bank does not invest directly in any debt(bonds) or equity(shares) issued by tobacco companies, either in the management of the investment reserves or the pension...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: State Investments (7 Dec 2016)

Michael Noonan: I refer the Deputy to my replies to recent Parliamentary Questions on this matter, specifically 29899 and 33974 from Deputy Thomas Pringle, 30222 from Deputy Clare Daly, as well as 31232 from Deputy Shorthall. I am informed by the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF) that its shareholdings with fossil fuel exposure includes certain investments inherited from its predecessor the National...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Insurance Costs (6 Dec 2016)

Michael Noonan: It has been brought to my attention that some insurance companies are charging significant sums for a change of address on a motor insurance policy. While I do not agree with this practice, neither I, nor the Central Bank can directly influence insurance pricing as these matters are of a commercial nature, and are determined by insurance companies based on an assessment...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Rebates (6 Dec 2016)

Michael Noonan: As the Deputy will be aware, the Central Bank remains independent with regard to the formulation of macroprudential policy. The recent alterations that have been announced to the macroprudential rules, including the changes to the minimum Loan-To-Value ratios for first-time buyers, do not materially alter the main policy aims of the Help to Buy incentive. ...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Legislative Measures (6 Dec 2016)

Michael Noonan: As the Deputy may be aware, the Department is progressing the development of the legislation to underpin the amalgamation of the Financial Service Ombudsman and the Pensions Ombudsman. The Government agreed outline Heads of a Bill to provide for the amalgamation of offices in 2015 and both offices have been physically merged in one location.  Recent legislative...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Insurance Costs (6 Dec 2016)

Michael Noonan: I am disappointed to hear that some insurance companies are applying an additional charge to cardiac first responders as it seems inappropriate that people carrying out such a valuable community function should be so treated. However, neither I nor the Central Bank can directly influence insurance pricing as these matters are of a commercial nature, and are determined by...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Banking Sector Data (6 Dec 2016)

Michael Noonan: As the Deputy is aware, the Central Bank of Ireland announced in October 2015 that it would conduct a detailed review of Tracker Mortgage portfolios with all the banks under its supervision. The Central Bank sought to conduct a broad examination of tracker mortgage-related issues covering, among other things, transparency of communications with and contractual rights of tracker mortgage...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Banking Sector Investigations (6 Dec 2016)

Michael Noonan: As I have previously answered, Ulster Bank Ireland Limited undertook an independent review into the relevance of these allegations to its corresponding division, namely the Global Restructuring Group Ireland (GRGI).  On the 19th December 2014, Ulster Bank published the findings of the independent review by Mahon Hayes Curran into practices at GRGI.  The investigation found no...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: IBRC Mortgage Loan Book (6 Dec 2016)

Michael Noonan: The IBRC Progress Update Report of May 2016, which is available on the Department of Finance website (), provides detail of the amount received from overall asset realisations during the liquidation. I am advised by the Special Liquidators that they are precluded from providing the details sought in relation to the outcome of individual portfolio sales as this is commercially sensitive...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Credits (6 Dec 2016)

Michael Noonan: I am advised by Revenue that as the relevant legislation (Section 865 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997) does not permit a repayment of tax, in this instance, for years prior to 2012 they considered that having regard to the circumstances of the case concerned, they could not grant the PAYE tax credit and the related tax repayments for years prior to 2012. The matter is being reviewed...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Banking Sector Investigations (6 Dec 2016)

Michael Noonan: As the Deputy is aware, the Central Bank is undertaking an examination of tracker mortgage related issues.  The Central Bank has indicated that certain lenders have over the past number of years restored tracker mortgage rates to certain customers. Lenders have referenced publically restoring approx. 3,500 customers to tracker rates. Notwithstanding the work previously undertaken...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Customs and Excise Controls (6 Dec 2016)

Michael Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 112, 114 and 115 together. The deployment of Revenue staff and resources is a matter for Revenue.  I am advised by Revenue that they use a broad range of data, intelligence and analytical technologies to identify and evaluate risk and to confront suspected non-compliance.  Revenue currently has approximately 2,000 staff countrywide engaged on...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Revenue Commissioners Resources (6 Dec 2016)

Michael Noonan: Revenue has primary responsibility for the prevention, detection, interception and seizure of controlled drugs intended to be smuggled or illegally imported into the State but there is a high degree of cooperation between all of the enforcement agencies of the State in the fight against the importation of illicit drugs. In particular, Revenue attaches importance at national level to having...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Revenue Commissioners Powers (6 Dec 2016)

Michael Noonan: I am advised by Revenue that suspicion of ingestion of drugs would be based on direct indicators such as intelligence, interview with the passenger, or obvious illness or discomfort.  Supplementary and indirect indicators would include searches of baggage or the person, baggage scans, detector dogs, profiling and passenger behaviour.  If the level of evidence-based suspicion is...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Property Tax Data (6 Dec 2016)

Michael Noonan: I am advised by Revenue that a breakdown showing revised figures of properties availing of the deferral option under Part 12 of the Finance (Local Property Tax) Act 2012 (as amended), and broken down by deferral category, is provided in the table. The breakdown has been compiled on the basis of Local Authority, the manner in which properties are categorised in Revenue's Local Property Tax...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Central Bank of Ireland Staff (6 Dec 2016)

Michael Noonan: I am informed by the Central Bank that at the end November 2016, it has circa 1,600 employees which is below the original year end plan of 1,695. The Central Bank informs me that it is actively recruiting at present, with well over 100 roles advertised. Overall vacancies are spread across functions, with staffing currently approximately 11% below 2016 approved complement in Financial...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: EU Directives (6 Dec 2016)

Michael Noonan: Article 30 of the 4th EU Anti-Money Laundering Directive (4AMLD 2015/849)requires all EU Member States to put into national law provisions around beneficial ownership information for companies and legal entities that are incorporated within the State.  The deadline set for this is June 2017. In consultation with officials from the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and...