Written Answers Nos. 45-51
45. Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will ensure that Ireland meets its commitment to spend 0.7% of gross national product on overseas aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42171/12]
View answerIreland’s aid programme prioritises the fight against global poverty and hunger. Every day it saves lives and builds capacity for the future. The programme is central to our foreign policy, enjoys strong support across the political spectrum and has an enviable international reputation.It reflects the values of the Irish people and is strongly supported by the public. This is clearly evident by the level of support for the programme expressed at the public consultations held earlier this year for the upcoming new White Paper on Irish Aid, and further reinforced by a recent opinion poll commissioned by Dóchas, the umbrella organisation for development NGOs. Our Programme for Government has a clear commitment to supporting the aid programme, and to the UN target of providing 0.7% of Gross National Product (GNP) for Official Development Assistance (ODA). As recently as last week in his speech to the United Nations General Assembly in New York, the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr Eamonn Gilmore TD clearly stated that we have maintained our ODA above 0.5% of GNP - an important achievement in the face of major economic difficulties - and also confirmed our commitment to reaching the 0.7% UN target as soon as we possibly can.
Ireland’s aid programme represents a genuine investment by the Irish people in the world we share with the people of developing countries. We focus in particular on the countries of sub-Saharan Africa. We have prioritised investments in education, in health, in good governance, in the lives and the rights of girls and women, and of those living with HIV and AIDS.We have seen remarkable economic progress made in African countries as a result of such investments. But great inequalities still persist.
The Government remains ambitious for, and committed to, the aid programme. We are determined to maintain and build on its high international reputation, and to ensure that it continues to build the foundation of real change, future prosperity and wellbeing in the lives of many of the world’s poorest people.
46. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Finance the total numbers of retired civil servants with pensions and lump sums who have been re-employed across every Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42111/12]
View answerInformation regarding the number of retired public servants who have been re-hired is detailed in the Appropriation Accounts. The Appropriation Accounts are available online at www.audgen.gov.ie. During the period January 2012 to date, one former staff member provided contractual services to this Department for 1.5 days and was paid at a per diem rate. The Deputy may wish to contact other Departments directly on the matter.
47. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the revenue that could be raised for the State from introducing a 5% on course betting tax. [42115/12]
View answerBased on an estimate of around €170 million of bets having been placed with on-course bookmakers at race meetings in 2011, it is estimated that applying the 5% betting duty to such bets would yield the Exchequer approximately €8.5 million. However, this is a straight line calculation and does not take account of the impact of such a duty on betting activity, attendance at race meetings or any other variables.
48. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide an update on the additional revenue to date and the estimated revenue for the full year from tax changes in Budget 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42116/12]
View answerThe estimated full year costs and/or yields of the tax revenue measures introduced in Budget 2012 are set out on pages B5 – B11 of the Summary of 2012 Budget and Estimates Measures Policy Changes section of the Budget 2012 book. In the context of producing the Budget 2013 tax revenue forecasts in the coming weeks, the Revenue Commissioners will advise my Department if the estimated full year costs and-or yields of the tax revenue measures introduced in Budget 2012 need to be revised.
I should inform the Deputy also that the end-September Exchequer Returns were published yesterday afternoon on my Department’s website and data in relation to the performance of tax revenues, both against profile and in year-on-year terms, was published as part of those returns.
49. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Finance the number of people who availed of the tax reliefs on private pensions last year and in each of the two previous years; the rate involved; and the value of same. [42181/12]
View answerThe following table provides a breakdown of the estimated cost of tax and PRSI reliefs relating to private pension contributions for 2007, 2008 and 2009, the latest year for which the most up-to-date data is available. Figures of the numbers availing of the tax reliefs are also provided, where available. Tax relief on employee or individual contributions is allowed at the taxpayer’s marginal rate of tax subject to limits based on annual earnings and age. Figures have been rounded where appropriate.
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that while corresponding updates of the figures are not yet available for the tax year 2010 the necessary work of assembling the basic data to enable this to be done is ongoing. No data is yet available for 2011.
Finally, it should be borne in mind that the information imparted by the costing of tax and other reliefs in the pensions area is inherently limited. It may suggest a significant notional loss in terms of tax foregone as compared with the savings that might be expected if the tax relief was not available.
However, where tax relief arrangements are of such significance, as in this instance, the removal of the reliefs would represent a fundamental adjustment to the current balance of the tax system and would have very significant implications in terms, among other things, of the economic and behavioural impacts which would ensue. These impacts would be difficult to model in advance. For these reasons, the real informational content of the costings of tax reliefs is limited and should be treated with some caution.
2007
|
Estimate of the cost of certain tax reliefs for private pension provision |
Estimated costs |
Numbers availing |
|
€ million |
||
|
Employees’ Contributions to approved Superannuation Schemes |
590 |
708,500 |
|
Employers’ Contributions to approved Superannuation Schemes |
150 |
364,700 |
|
Estimated cost of exemption of employers’ contributions from employee BIK |
540 |
364,700 |
|
Retirement Annuity Contracts (RACs) |
408 |
121,300 |
|
Personal Retirement Savings Accounts (PRSAs) |
61 |
46,600 |
|
Estimated cost of PRSI and Health Levy relief on employee contributions |
240 |
Not available |
2008
|
Estimate of the cost of certain tax reliefs for private pension provision |
Estimated costs |
Numbers availing |
|
€ million |
||
|
Employees’ Contributions to approved Superannuation Schemes |
655 |
792,600 |
|
Employers’ Contributions to approved Superannuation Schemes |
165 |
362,700 |
|
Estimated cost of exemption of employers’ contributions from employee BIK |
595 |
362,700 |
|
Retirement Annuity Contracts (RACs) |
353 |
116,000 |
|
Personal Retirement Savings Accounts (PRSAs) |
74 |
53,900 |
|
Estimated cost of PRSI and Health Levy relief on employee contributions |
255 |
Not available |
2009
|
Estimate of the cost of certain tax reliefs for private pension provision |
Estimated costs |
Numbers availing |
|
€ million |
||
|
Employees’ Contributions to approved Superannuation Schemes |
730 |
713,600 |
|
Employers’ Contributions to approved Superannuation Schemes |
155 |
342,200 |
|
Estimated cost of exemption of employers’ contributions from employee BIK |
560 |
342,200 |
|
Retirement Annuity Contracts (RACs) |
237 |
101,300 |
|
Personal Retirement Savings Accounts (PRSAs) |
77 |
56,200 |
|
Estimated cost of PRSI and Health Levy relief on employee contributions |
230 |
Not available |
50. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he has explored the potential for a patent box similar to that in operation in Britain and the Netherlands; if he has, if any estimates have been undertaken of tax that would be forgone if such a provision was made, or if there would be a tax gain from attracting companies to this tax jurisdiction. [42193/12]
View answerThe development of the knowledge economy is seen as essential for generating new jobs. In particular, research and development and innovation are of vital importance in increasing economic activity both in terms of domestic business sectors and in attracting foreign direct investment.
Many countries are continuing to develop fiscal policy tools to promote investment in intellectual assets. Jurisdictions are increasingly in competition with each other to attract global businesses seeking advantageous locations for developing and commercialising intellectual property.
My Department is aware that other countries have recently introduced patent box schemes, including those available in the UK and the Netherlands. The general objective of such schemes is to provide a lower rate of tax on income derived from patents and other intellectual assets that are developed and commercially exploited by companies, generally by deducting or excluding a certain percentage of income from the tax base.
In considering the merits of introducing a patent box scheme in Ireland, it is important to bear in mind that countries which have introduced such schemes have corporation tax rates that are significantly higher than our general 12.5% corporation tax rate for trading income. Alongside the 12.5% rate, Ireland provides attractive incentives to encourage R&D and the creation and exploitation of intellectual property, including a 25% tax credit for R&D expenditure. In addition, Ireland has a comprehensive capital allowances regime for expenditure on the provision of intangible assets for use in trading activities. While my Department has not, at this stage, undertaken any estimates of the cost of introducing measures similar to those in the UK and the Netherlands, it will continue to keep Ireland’s tax offering under review to ensure that it remains competitive and effective in promoting investment in R&D, innovation and high-quality employment.
51. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Finance if he will extend the deadline for renewal of an off licence in a case (details provided) whilst the holder of the licence attempts to work out an arrangement with the Revenue Commissioners to deal with outstanding tax liabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42201/12]
View answerI am advised by the Revenue Commissioners whilst the individual referred to by the Deputy has submitted a Court Certificate to Revenue, he has not subsequently submitted the necessary formal application for his licence.
In addition, the individual must be in possession of a valid current Tax Clearance Certificate. In this case there are tax compliance issues, which must be addressed before a Tax Clearance Certificate can be issued. The individual involved should contact their local tax office to resolve these issues.
