Alan Kelly
Ceist:139. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport the number of taxis in Ireland, by LEA, as of 2 May 2024, in tabular form. [20826/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraDepartmental Data
Ceisteanna (139)
Freagraí scríofa
The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including the collection and publication of statistics relating to SPSV licensing, is a matter for the independent transport regulator, the National Transport Authority (NTA), under the provisions of the Consolidated Taxi Regulation Acts 2013 and 2016. I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of the SPSV industry.
Accordingly, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
Transport Policy
Ceisteanna (140)
Noel Grealish
Ceist:140. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider eliminating the cost of toll-charging during off-peak periods for shared mobility vehicles, for example, taxis or car rental; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20874/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the operation and management of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Therefore, matters relating to the day to day operations regarding national roads, including toll roads are within the remit of TII. More specifically, the statutory power to levy tolls, to make toll bye-laws and to enter into agreements with private investors are vested in TII under Part V of the Roads Act 1993 (as amended).
With regard to the payment mechanism associated with toll operations, it is a contractual obligation which may incorporate a traffic guarantee mechanism. Therefore, the contracts for the privately-operated toll schemes are commercial agreements between TII and the Public Private Partnership (PPP) concessionaires concerned.
Noting the above position, I have referred the question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
Public Transport
Ceisteanna (141)
Jennifer Whitmore
Ceist:141. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport for details of the contractual obligations of public transport companies in Ireland to provide alternative transport /replacement services during periods of planned disruption; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20913/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling and timetabling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.
In light of the NTA’s responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
Dublin Bus
Ceisteanna (142)
Jennifer Whitmore
Ceist:142. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the recruitment numbers to Dublin Bus following a lengthy recruitment drive in recent years;; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20914/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport.
The issue raised by the deputy in relation to the recruitment numbers of staff is an operational matter for Dublin Bus. I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
Bus Éireann
Ceisteanna (143)
Jennifer Whitmore
Ceist:143. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the recruitment numbers to Bus Éireann following a lengthy recruitment drive in recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20915/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport.
The issue raised by the deputy in relation to the recruitment numbers of staff is an operational matter for Bus Éireann.I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
Bus Services
Ceisteanna (144)
Jennifer Whitmore
Ceist:144. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport for a breakdown of spending on bus services from 2020 to 2024, by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20916/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling and timetabling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.
In light of the NTA’s responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's request to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
Rail Network
Ceisteanna (145)
Jennifer Whitmore
Ceist:145. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport for a breakdown of spending on rail services from 2020 to 2024, by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20917/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport. The issue raised by the Deputy in relation to spending on rail services is a matter for Irish Rail. Therefore, I have referred the Deputy's question to Irish Rail for direct response to the Deputy.
Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
Cycling Facilities
Ceisteanna (146)
Jennifer Whitmore
Ceist:146. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport for a breakdown of spending on cycling infrastructure from 2020 to 2024, by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20918/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to Active Travel. Funding is administered through the National Transport Authority (NTA), who, in partnership with local authorities, have responsibility for the selection and development of specific walking and cycling projects in each local authority area.
Noting the role of the NTA in the matter, I have referred your question to that agency for a more detailed answer in relation to funding for cycling infrastructure. If you do not receive a reply within 10 working days, please contact my private office.
Public Transport
Ceisteanna (147)
Jennifer Whitmore
Ceist:147. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport the number of contracts tendered to private transport companies to cover routes previously covered by public transport companies from 2010 to 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20919/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling and timetabling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.
In light of the NTA’s responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
Bus Services
Ceisteanna (148)
Jennifer Whitmore
Ceist:148. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of the withdrawal of the 863 direct bus service between Blessington and Dublin city centre by a private operator in April 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20920/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware, while the majority of public transport in Ireland is provided by the publicly-subvented bus and rail services funded through National Transport Authority's (NTA) public service obligation (PSO) programme, the public transport system also includes non-subvented bus services provided on a commercial basis by bus and coach businesses of varying size.
I would like to advise the Deputy that the decision taken by Premier Coaches to withdraw its service from Blessington to Dublin city, is a commercial decision for the company. The Deputy will appreciate that Premier Coaches, like all other commercial businesses, are responsible for managing its own resources in respect of its commercial services.
The NTA, which has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally by way of public transport services contracts, and for the allocation of associated funding to the relevant transport operators, will assess whether Premier Coaches decision to withdraw their services will give rise to any loss of connectivity. The NTA will also consider whether there is a need to provide additional public service obligation services in the affected areas.
In light of the NTA's responsibility in this area I have forwarded the Deputy’s question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days
Public Transport
Ceisteanna (149)
Jennifer Whitmore
Ceist:149. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport if he has engaged with the NTA on providing a coastal local link bus serving towns between Arklow to Greystones in the last six months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20921/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. The NTA also has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including the Rural Transport Programme management, including TFI Local Link services and the rollout of services under the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities for public transport services, including in County Wicklow, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
Tax Data
Ceisteanna (150)
Darren O'Rourke
Ceist:150. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Finance the full-year cost of abolishing stamp duty on first-time house buyers where the value of the house is less than €400,000. [20155/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am advised by Revenue that, based on stamp duty returns for 2023, the latest year for which fully analysed data is available, the estimated cost of abolishing stamp duty for first-time buyers of residential properties valued at less than €400,000 is in the order of €33 million. It is not possible to extract an estimate for houses only as apartments and houses are not separately identified on Stamp Duty returns.
This estimate is arrived at by taking the stamp duty returns for residential property purchases made by persons identifying themselves as first-time buyers, where the consideration was less than the suggested threshold, and taking the associated tax liability as the potential cost of exempting them from the duty.
Revenue Commissioners
Ceisteanna (151)
Darren O'Rourke
Ceist:151. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Finance the number of Revenue Commissioners staff, by grade, currently answering telephone calls on the Personal PAYE hotline. [20156/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Revenue has advised me that it currently has a total of 330 Clerical Officers (COs) and 91 Executive Officers (EOs) providing the full range of PAYE services. Of those officers, approximately 190 COs are on phone duties with the remainder working on correspondence received online or via the postal system. The EOs are allocated to support the phones and correspondence in a similar proportion, as well as provide a management function.
Revenue has further advised that it allocates resources to best meet the demand of the various services required and that the current arrangement whereby the phone service is available from 9:30am to 1:30pm each day provides the optimum allocation of available resources to deal with the volume of submissions through post and online as well as through the phone service.
As the Deputy may be aware, the early months of each year place the highest demand on Revenue’s PAYE Services as taxpayers submit their income tax returns for the previous year, claim any refunds or reliefs to which they may be entitled, and check their tax credits for the current year. Revenue has indicated that, between January and April of this year, the PAYE Helpline staff have answered over 265,000 calls and processed over 500,000 items of correspondence received through its online services or the postal system.
Illicit Trade
Ceisteanna (152)
Pa Daly
Ceist:152. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Finance the measures he is taking with regard to the illegal importation and manufacturing of tobacco products, including cigarettes and vapes. [20218/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am advised by Revenue that electronic cigarettes, vapes and electronic liquids are not excisable products within the meaning of section 97 of Finance Act 2001 and section 71 of Finance Act 2005. The European Union (Manufacture, Presentation and Sale of Tobacco and Related Products) Regulations 2016 (S.I. No. 271 of 2016) is the primary source of regulation of such products, in respect of which the Environmental Health Service of the Health Service Executive has responsibility for any relevant enforcement action.
Regarding the illegal importation and manufacture of tobacco products, I am assured that Revenue is committed to targeting this illicit trade and implements a range of measures to identify and target the smuggling, supply or sale of illicit tobacco products, with a view to disrupting the supply chain, seizing the products and, where possible, prosecuting those involved. Revenue’s strategy involves developing and sharing intelligence on a national, EU and international basis, the use of analytics and detection technologies and ensuring the optimum deployment of resources on a risk-focused basis. Revenue continues to adopt an agile response to this threat and monitors trends in the illicit tobacco trade on an ongoing basis and adjusts its actions and redeploys its resources in response to new developments or methodologies employed by the criminal gangs involved in that trade.
The smuggling of tobacco products has a transnational and cross border dimension and in addition to Revenue’s ongoing cooperation with An Garda Síochána in this area, I am advised that Revenue also works closely with its counterparts in other jurisdictions including colleagues in Northern Ireland through the Cross Border Joint Agency Task Force (JATF) and international bodies including OLAF (the EU’s anti-fraud agency), Europol and the World Customs Organisation.
I am pleased to acknowledge that Revenue has achieved considerable success in tackling the illicit tobacco trade. In 2023, 5,164 seizures of cigarettes valued at €55.7m and 1,673 seizures of tobacco with an estimated value of €7.7m. To the end of April 2024, Revenue had 1,824 seizures of cigarettes valued at €47.7 million and 536 seizures of tobacco valued at €24.4m. In addition to this for 2023 Revenue secured 92 convictions, of which 5 were indictable with fines of €211,700 being imposed and to the end of April 2024 Revenue secured 25 convictions, of which 3 were indictable with fines of €60,750 being imposed, all relating to the smuggling or illegal sale of cigarettes and tobacco products.
Further successes, highlighting Revenue’s approach to the illicit tobacco trade include the detection and dismantling of an illicit commercial cigarette factory in Dublin in February 2024. This detection was as a result of an intelligence-led operation and follow-up investigations are ongoing nationally and internationally.
Revenue’s high detection rate is attributable to its multi-faceted tobacco strategy, continued cooperation and intelligence sharing with other national and international law enforcement agencies and its advanced profiling methods and strategic use of appropriate detection technology and assets.
Revenue optimises media engagement in terms of successful prosecutions, significant seizures and enforcement initiatives, ensuring the general public is aware of the commitment by Revenue to tackling the illicit cigarette and tobacco trade and to deter those involved. To further encourage the general public to engage with Revenue in its efforts targeting the shadow economy and the supply of illegal tobacco products, Revenue includes a message on all press releases relating to tobacco products seizures, notifying that businesses or members of the public can contact Revenue in confidence on the free phone number 1800 295 295.
Finally, the Government has ensured through the Finance Acts over the years that Revenue has the necessary statutory powers to tackle the illicit tobacco trade. I am satisfied that the current legislative framework provides an effective basis for undertaking and continuing its important work in this area. I am assured that Revenue is aware of the threat that tobacco smuggling poses to health, to legitimate business interests and to the Exchequer and I commend Revenue and all the relevant State agencies for their work in this important area and I am satisfied that there is an appropriate focus on tackling this form of criminality.
This Government has been consistent in its strong support for ensuring that Revenue has the necessary resources to fulfil its mandate in respect of functions that are critical for its effective functioning as a tax and customs administration and I remain open to considering any proposals from Revenue that will support its work in combatting fraud, illicit trade and smuggling.
Illicit Trade
Ceisteanna (153)
Pa Daly
Ceist:153. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Finance the number of scanners the Revenue Commissioners have in possession to scan shipping containers at major ports in the State. [20219/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am advised by Revenue that x-ray scanners, which are an integral component of its response framework targeting fraud, illicit trade, smuggling and organised crime, are just one component of a suite of resources, detection equipment and technologies deployed by them, in addition to the application of the comprehensive legal framework as set out in relevant tax and customs legislation. Intelligence development, electronic risk analysis tools, x-ray scan technology and maritime cutters are deployed as part of Revenue’s overall response.
Revenue’s suite of x-ray scanners ranges from handheld scanning devices to scan small packages, baggage scanners for the scanning of passenger luggage and parcels and mobile scanners to scan vehicles and containers.
Revenue currently operates three mobile container x-ray scanners and an x-ray backscatter van that allows for the deployment to any port or other relevant location, such as warehouses, throughout the country, having regard to risk and operational needs.
Revenue keeps its operational requirements and arrangements regarding the deployment and use of detection technology and resources, including mobile x-ray scanners, under continuous review having regard to ongoing risk assessment of smuggling and criminal activities and evolving operational needs. I am satisfied with the risk-focused approach adopted by Revenue.
I remain open to consider any proposals from Revenue that will support its work in combatting fraud, illicit trade and smuggling.
Departmental Staff
Ceisteanna (154)
Carol Nolan
Ceist:154. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Finance the number of employees within his Department and bodies under the aegis of his Department who are currently suspended on full pay pending disciplinary investigations; to outline, in tabular form, the length of time these employees have been under suspension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20314/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I wish to advise the Deputy that neither my Department, nor any of the bodies under the aegis of my Department, has any staff suspended from work on full pay pending disciplinary investigations.
European Union
Ceisteanna (155)
Matt Carthy
Ceist:155. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Finance the EU programmes or funds outside of the multiannual financial framework that Ireland has paid into from the year 2014 to date; any receipts from same, by programme or fund, by year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20355/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department does not have responsibility for the management of specific EU funds and programmes, which are managed individually by Departments with the relevant lead policy responsibilities. In this regard, I understand the Deputy has submitted a similar question to a number of Departments.
My Department is primarily responsible for the management of Ireland’s contribution to the EU Budget, which currently takes place within the context of the Multiannual Financial Framework (2021-2027).
In general, Member States' contributions to the EU budget are not assigned to specific expenditure categories. Instead the contributions are made to the overall Own Resources pool in accordance with the principle of universality.
However, there are exceptions to this rule which are referred to as assigned revenue, as provided for by Article 21 of the Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2018/1046.
Due to the extraordinary and tragic circumstances of the ongoing war in Ukraine, the Oireachtas recently gave its approval to me in my capacity as Minister for Finance, via the enactment of the Finance (State Guarantees, International Financial Institution Funds, and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2024, to enter into guarantee and contribution agreements regarding EU Macro Financial Assistance supports to Ukraine which were provided during 2022 and 2023.
In essence this legislation provides a statutory basis for the Minister for Finance, acting on behalf of State, to enter into the relevant guarantee and contribution agreements and for any payments required to meet commitments under the agreements to be made from the Exchequer Central Fund. Any such payments would be made in the form of external assigned revenue to the EU Budget.
The legislation necessarily reflects the different financial arrangements around each support programme. It allows for a potential Irish contribution of up to €76.9 million related to EU member state guarantees for the 2022 EU Macro Financial Assistance programme, which would only be called in the event of non-repayment of the loans by Ukraine.
The legislation also provides for a contribution of up to €63.625 million related to an interest cost subsidy that the EU Member States will provide to Ukraine in respect of the 2023 EU Macro Financial Assistance programme. I expect that payments of this interest cost subsidy will commence during 2024 and the Member States are awaiting confirmation from the European Commission regarding the details of the payments for the remainder of this year.
It should be noted that the contribution agreements between the Member States and European Commission cover the period until the end of the current MFF in 2027. It is possible that the subsidy will be paid from within the next MFF from 2028 onward, however this will be subject to negotiation.
If it is not agreed that this cost will be met from within the next MFF, the existing contribution agreements between the Member States and the European Commission would need to be renewed. If this is the case approval of Dáil Éireann would be sought by the Minister for Finance to do so in accordance with the legislation recently enacted.
Tax Data
Ceisteanna (156, 157)
Michael Ring
Ceist:156. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Finance to outline the amount of USC tax paid in 2023 by a single PAYE worker who has a gross income of €60,000, €70,000, €80,000, €90,000, €100,000 and €110,000, in tabular form. [20501/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMichael Ring
Ceist:157. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Finance the amount of USC tax paid in 2023 by a couple who are jointly assessed and have equal incomes which gross at €60,000, €70,000, €80,000, €90,000, €100,000, €110,000 and €120,000, respectively, in tabular form. [20502/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 156 and 157 together.
The Universal Social Charge (USC) was designed and incorporated into the Irish taxation system in 2011 to replace the Health and Income Levies. Its primary purpose was to widen the tax base and to provide a steady income to the Exchequer to provide funding for public services. It is a more sustainable charge than those it replaced and is applied at a low rate on a wide base, which ensures that it is a stable and sustainable source of revenue for the State.
The USC is an individualised tax, meaning that a person’s liability to the tax is determined on the basis of a person’s own individual income and personal circumstances. As such the amount of USC paid in 2023 will depend on facts and circumstances pertaining to the individual’s situation.
The Table below sets out the USC rates and thresholds for a PAYE worker in 2023. The USC structure contains a €13,000 per annum exemption threshold. However, once income exceeds €13,000 an individual is liable to pay USC.
Table 1 – USC Thresholds and Rates for 2023
|
Threshold for 2023 |
Rate |
|
First €12,012 |
0.5% |
|
Next €10,908 |
2% |
|
Next €47,124 |
4.5% |
|
Balance |
8% |
As part of the overall Budget documentation, the Tax Policy Changes document includes detailed distributional analysis of the personal income tax measures announced in the Budget. The distributional analysis incorporates tables demonstrating the impact of the Budget changes on various household types, including single persons, married couples with and without children, PAYE and self-employed income earners over a wide distribution of income levels. For example, in relation to Budget 2024, the distributional analysis shows the existing amount of income tax and USC (relating to 2023), and the proposed amount of income tax and USC taking account of the Budget 2024 measures. While not all of the specific income levels specified by the Deputy are included in the distributional analysis, I am satisfied that the distributional analysis covers a range of income levels which are broadly comparable.
It is available at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/ccc22-budget-2023-taxation-measures/.
Question No. 157 answered with Question No. 156.
Tax Code
Ceisteanna (158)
Claire Kerrane
Ceist:158. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Finance if consideration will be given to including automatic calf feeders as VAT refundable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20743/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The VAT treatment of goods and services is subject to EU VAT law, with which Irish VAT law must comply.
As the Deputy will be aware, Irish VAT law permits flat-rate farmers to reclaim VAT they incur on some particular business expenditure, as set out in the 2012 Refund Order. The Refund Order is permitted under EU law, subject to certain conditions, including that its scope is not extended. This means that the order may not be altered to permit refunds of VAT incurred on farming business costs that are not currently provided for in the order, such as automatic calf feeders.
The Deputy may wish to note that VAT registered farmers can claim an input credit for the automatic calf feeder through their VAT return.