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Thursday, 18 Apr 2013

Written Answers Nos. 80 to 89

Eligible Liabilities Guarantee Scheme

Questions (80)

Michael McGrath

Question:

80. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the amount of funds covered by the eligible liabilities guarantee; the amount he expects that will be covered by it at the end of 2013, 2014 and 2015 respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18168/13]

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Written answers

The Central Bank of Ireland report an amount of €68.349 bn. for outstanding liabilities covered under the Eligible Liabilities Guarantee scheme 2009 (ELG scheme) at end February, 2013, which is the latest available figure. Estimated ELG liabilities at end 2013, 2014, and 2015 as recently reported by the participating institutions are set out in the following table.

2013

2014

2015

€21.446 bn.

€16.025 bn.

€3.264 bn.

The Deputy will be aware that the ELG Scheme issuance period for eligible liabilities ended at midnight on 28 March, 2013. However, eligible liabilities covered under the scheme which were incurred up to that time continue to be covered up to their maturity date which could be up to five years maximum from the date the liability was incurred. This means that covered liabilities will wind down over the period 28 March, 2013 to 27 March, 2018 at the latest.

Central Bank of Ireland

Questions (81)

Michael McGrath

Question:

81. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will set out in tabular form the value of the Central Bank holdings of gold at the end of each year from 2005 to 2012; the value of all purchases and sales of gold by the Central Bank in each year from 2005-2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18169/13]

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Written answers

The Central Bank has not bought or sold gold holdings since 2005. The value of the Central Bank holdings of gold at the end of each year from 2005 to 2012 is set out in tabular form.

Year

Value (€m)

2012

266 (figure as at 28 December, year-end figure will be published in Annual Report)

2011

237

2010

204

2009

148

2008

120

2007

110

2006

93

2005

84

Tax Code

Questions (82)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

82. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Finance his views on certificate 2 in respect of persons (details supplied). [18214/13]

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Written answers

For reasons of taxpayer confidentially the Revenue Commissioners do not discuss or reveal information regarding any taxpayer to third parties, including business associates of the taxpayer. The Commissioners have, however, noted the details supplied by you.

Tax Code

Questions (83)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

83. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Finance his views on C2 certificates (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18217/13]

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Written answers

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the C2 certificate to which the Deputy refers is no longer in use. The Revenue Commissioners have substantially modernised the operation of the Relevant Contracts Tax (RCT) system following the introduction of a dedicated online facility on 1 January 2012, which offers principal contractors a fast, efficient and paper free system. This has streamlined the process for the submission of information and payments to Revenue and has had the effect of significantly reducing the administrative burden associated with RCT. A feature of the new system is the online notification to principal contractors of the rate of tax to be applied to payments to subcontractors. The system provides for three rates of deduction - zero, 20% and 35%. All subcontractors are issued with a Notification of Determination showing the deduction rate determined by the Revenue Commissioners for the subcontractor. This has removed the need for C2 certificates as the new online notification carries out the same function in a more efficient and streamlined way.

The zero rate is only applied where the Revenue Commissioners are satisfied, among other things, that the subcontractor has complied with all of his income tax, capital gains tax and VAT obligations throughout the previous three years.

A newly registered subcontractor, who has no previous tax history or a subcontractor who has not complied with all of his income tax, capital gains tax and VAT obligations throughout the previous three years but who has complied substantially with those obligations is allocated a deduction rate of 20%, compared to 35% under the old RCT system. The rate of deduction is reviewed periodically and if the subcontractor meets the necessary conditions the deduction rate is adjusted to zero.

In tandem with the introduction of the new system, the Department of Finance has revised the procedures for tax clearance in respect of public service contracts. In the case of all public sector contracts of a value of €10,000 or more, the contractor will be required either to produce a current tax clearance certificate or demonstrate a satisfactory level of tax compliance. A subcontractor who is subject to the 20% rate is regarded as having a satisfactory level of tax compliance and can use the Notification of Determination to demonstrate this.

Accordingly there is no intention or need to introduce a temporary C2 certificate.

Ministerial Advisers Remuneration

Questions (84, 85)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

84. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide details of all pay increases awarded to special advisers in his Department over the last two years. [18312/13]

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Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

85. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide in a tabular format a list of all his special advisers' pay and that of his Minister of State, to include each salary, name of employee above principal officer standard scale salary rate; and if he will supply the total pay bill for all his special advisers for 2012 [18326/13]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 84 and 85 together.

In my Department, I have appointed Mary Kenny and Eoin Dorgan as special advisers. The salaries below are in line with guidelines issued by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on the appointment of Ministerial staff.

Name

2011

2012

2013

Mary Kenny

€83,337 (Mar 2011)

€86,604 (Mar 2012)

€89,898 (Mar 2013)

Eoin Dorgan

€83,337 (Oct 2011)

€86,604 (Oct 2012)

---

Total (approx.)

€166,674

€173,208

My colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, has not appointed a special advisor.

State Bodies Establishment

Questions (86)

Niall Collins

Question:

86. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Finance the number of new State bodies that have been established under the aegis of his Department since February 2011; the number of such bodies subject to a sunset clause; the number of new public bodies currently being planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18340/13]

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Written answers

In response to the Deputy’s question, details requested are contained in the following table.

Name of Body

Date Established

Is the Body subject to a sunset clause

Credit Union Restructuring Board

(ReBo)

1 January 2013

ReBo is subject to a sunset clause in relation to its continuance after 1 January 2016.

Irish Fiscal Advisory Council

Created on an administrative basis on 07 July 2011. Became a statutory body on 31 December 2012

The Body is not subject to a sunset clause

In September 2011 the Government announced the establishment of the New Economy and Recovery Authority (NewERA) within the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA). Work on the necessary draft legislation to put NewERA on a statutory footing is ongoing.

There are no further plans to set up any new public bodies under the aegis of my Department.

Higher Education Institutions

Questions (87)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

87. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the suggestion of technological university status for a merged Cork IT and IT Tralee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18004/13]

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Written answers

As you are aware, I endorsed the framework for system development laid out in the National Strategy for Higher Education to 2030 which outlines a developmental pathway towards designation as a Technological University for merged institutes of technology who seek to apply.

In relation to the evolutionary pathway laid out in the National Strategy for institutes of technology, the implementation process is well underway. The Landscape document published in February 2012 lays out a clear four stage process and criteria for institutes of technology who wish to apply for designation as a technological university. The process for designation is designed to ensure educational quality, objectivity, international expertise, fairness and transparency. The process will consist of four stages overseen by HEA, with an independent international panel of experts to advise the Authority in the final stages.

The first stage requires institutes of technology to submit a formal expression of interest in merging and seeking designation. I understand from HEA that three such expressions of interest have been received including one from Cork Institute of Technology and Institute of Technology Tralee. The Higher Education Authority are considering all proposals and their advice on system configuration will include their advice on the progress of institutes of technology interested in seeking designation to the second stage of the designation process. I am expecting to receive their advice for my consideration shortly.

Having regard to the process that has been put in place to assess proposals for designation as technological universities I do not propose to comment specifically on any potential applications for designation by any group of Institutes of Technology.

School Transport Provision

Questions (88)

Seán Fleming

Question:

88. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide school transport or a grant towards school transport for a student (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18027/13]

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Written answers

Under the terms of my Department's School Transport scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs arising from a Diagnosed Disability, children are eligible for transport where they have special educational needs arising from a diagnosed disability in accordance with the designation of high and low incidence disability set out in Department of Education and Skill's (DES) Circular 02/05 and are attending the nearest recognised mainstream school, special class/special school or a unit, that is or can be resourced, to meet their special educational needs. Eligibility is determined following consultation with the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) through its network of Special Education Needs Organisers (SENO).

My Department has not received an application for school transport on behalf of the child referred to by the Deputy in the details supplied.

Student Grant Scheme Eligibility

Questions (89)

Ciaran Lynch

Question:

89. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a person (details supplied) in County Cork who was unable through illness to complete first year, will be grant aided on the basis of a new Central Applications Office application if successful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18043/13]

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Written answers

Officials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland that the student referred to by the Deputy has been awarded a grant and an award letter issued on 4 January, 2013.If the student is commencing a new course of study in the academic year 2013/14 it will be necessary for her to establish her eligibility by submitting a fully completed online grant application to Student Universal Support Ireland via the studentfinance.ie website once the application process for the 2013/14 academic year opens.Article 15(8) of the Student Grant Scheme 2012 provides awarding authorities with discretion to waive the provisions of Article 15(7)(b)(ii) in exceptional circumstances and consider funding for a repeat period of study, in line with guidelines drawn up by the Minister.The Deputy will appreciate that in the absence of all of the relevant details that would be contained in an individual's application in relation to exceptional circumstances for a repeat period of study, it would not be possible for me to say whether or not a student would qualify for a grant.

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