Results 19,961-19,980 of 32,726 for speaker:Paschal Donohoe

Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: I am not aware of the scale of the issue to which he has referred.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Financial Services Ombudsman Data (21 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: The Office of the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman only came into existence on 1 January 2018. Prior to this, staffing in the Financial Services Ombudsman Bureau did not require the consent of the Minister for Finance so there were no such requests in 2016 or 2017. Section 15 (4) of the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman Act 2017 provides “The Ombudsman, with the...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: VAT Rate Reductions (21 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: VAT is governed by the EU VAT Directive with which Irish VAT law must comply. In Ireland businesses are not obliged to register for VAT, and can consequently remain exempt from VAT, where their turnover in a 12 month period is less than €75,000 (in the case of businesses supplying goods) and €37,500 (in the case of businesses supplying services). Ireland's VAT...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Banking Operations (21 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: Having regard to the particular risks associated with foreign currency loans, the Mortgage Credit Directive, which is transposed into Irish law by the European Union (Consumer Mortgage Credit Agreements) Regulations 2016, provides for some particular consumer protection measures in respect of such lending.  (For the purpose of the Directive and transposing Regulations a...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Help-To-Buy Scheme Assessment (21 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: S.477C of the Taxes Consolidation Act sets out the requirements of the Help to Buy incentive. It provides that a qualifying first time buyer must take out a loan in an amount equal to at least 70% of either the purchase price of the property in the case of a purchased house or the value of the property in the case of a self-build house. The valuation of a self-build is as approved by the...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Ministerial Staff Data (21 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: I wish to inform the Deputy that the details of each non-civil service appointment I have made to a role in the Department of Finance; the persons appointed; the role and salary of each are shown below.  None of these appointments are involved in party political fundraising. Name Role Salary Ms Deborah Sweeney Special Adviser 4th point Principal Officer (Standard) PPC scale Mr...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Betting Legislation (21 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 183 to 186, inclusive, together. I have been advised that the regulation of gambling is provided for under the Betting Act, 1931 and the Gaming and Lotteries Acts 1956, and is the responsibility of the Minister for Justice and Equality. Where there is legislative provision for the licensing of operators, the Revenue Commissioners issue licences in...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Central Bank of Ireland (21 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: I wish to advise the Deputy that the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has no responsibility for the Central Bank of Ireland in relation to requests for additional funding, staff resources or expertise.  Funding, staff resources and expertise are a matter for the Central Bank Commission and the Commission is not required to seek the permission of...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: State Bodies Data (21 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 189 to 191, inclusive, together. As the allocation for the vote of the Office of the Ombudsman includes the Ombudsman, the Standards in Public Office Commission and the Commission for Public Service Appointments, one cannot look at each in isolation and I will therefore respond to Questions Nos. 189, 190 and 191 collectively. The Ombudsman, the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Ministerial Staff Data (21 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: I wish to inform the Deputy that there are currently two Special Advisers employed in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. Ms Deborah Sweeney was appointed as Special Adviser to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform with effect from 6 May 2016. Ms Sweeney was re-appointed as Special Adviser to the Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform with...

Strategic Communications Unit: Motion [Private Members] (20 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: -----creating the concept and idea that no services are made available that offer support for people and help families and citizens in their journeys in a changing world. I refer to where Governments of all persuasions try to invest taxpayers' money to put in place good or improving services. Sinn Féin is taking this approach to the strategic communications unit because it is a part...

Strategic Communications Unit: Motion [Private Members] (20 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: -----or any report is offered on behalf of Government. The Taoiseach made it clear that, in setting up the strategic communications unit and in looking at work that happened, there are a number of things now that we, as a Government, accept should have been done differently. That is why there is a review in place and it will be presented to Cabinet. We will look at the work of the...

Strategic Communications Unit: Motion [Private Members] (20 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: I support the work of the strategic communications unit because each year this Government spends, on behalf of the taxpayer, €60.9 billion. It is the equivalent of over €12,000 for every citizen in our State. Citizens have a right to know how money is being spent on services that can make a difference to their lives and plans that might make a difference to their future. They...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Financial Services Regulation (20 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: With regard to insurers, as Minister for Finance, I am responsible for the development of the legal framework governing financial regulation, however I cannot interfere in the provision or pricing of insurance products, as these matters are of a commercial nature, and are determined by insurance companies based on an assessment of the risks they are willing to accept. This position is...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Vehicle Registration (20 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: I am informed by Revenue that registration plates are assigned under the provisions of the Finance Act, 1992, section 131(5) and their format and use are provided for in the Vehicle Registration and Taxation Regulations 1992, regulation 9 and First Schedule (Statutory Instrument No. 318 of 1992). A registration number is assigned on the basis of a single number for each vehicle, for the...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Brexit Issues (20 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: I understand the above question subsequently amended by the Deputy, to now read: "To ask the Minister if he has examined existing instances of non-EU countries, or regions of non-EU countries, being members of the EU's Customs Union, in relation to potential solutions for ensuring no future border controls between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland". The Government is aware of...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Code (20 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: Finance Act 2017 introduced a scheme of accelerated capital allowances for the construction of buildings and structures for use in the provision of childcare services or fitness centre facilities by employers to employees. The scheme also provides relief for expenditure incurred on related equipment. The rationale for introducing the relief is to help tackle the cost and availability of...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Code (20 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: It is my understanding that the the European Commission will bring forward proposals on Digital Taxation on 21 March. It would be premature of me to comment in advance of the publication, let alone the discussions which must take place among Member States. We believe that further analysis is needed to achieve a globally agreed, evidence based solution, sustainable in the long run and...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Departmental Banking (20 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: In 2017, my Department was charged €117.72 in negative interest in respect of moneys for which it is accountable and are held in accounts at the Central Bank of Ireland.  €26.68 of this related to the PMG Supply Account, which is a current account. Details of the cost in 2017 to bodies under the aegis of my Department of negative interest rates on deposits held are in the...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Reliefs Eligibility (20 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: Section 110 is intended to create a tax neutral regime for bona-fide securitisation and structured finance purposes.  It has been part of our corporation tax code since 1991, with significant amendments in 2003.  Securitisation involves the creation of tradeable securities out of an income stream or projected future income stream generated by financial assets.  The transaction...