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Wednesday, 29 May 2013

Written Answers Nos. 82-90

Tax Yield

Questions (82)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

82. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the estimated loss to the Exchequer from the corporation tax exemption from capital gains tax on gains arising from the disposal of substantial shareholdings where the Irish parented group is engaged in trading activities and the subsidiary is resident in an EU member state or a tax treaty country. [26071/13]

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Written answers

Gains and losses arising from disposals of certain shareholdings are disregarded for tax purposes, provided that the conditions applying to the relief are fully satisfied. The exemption was introduced in 2004, and is contained in S626B TCA 1997. The purpose of its introduction was to encourage the establishment of regional headquarters and holding companies in Ireland. Most other EU Member States have similar provisions and the EU Commission approved the measure from a State aid perspective. Disposals coming within the scope of the relief are ignored for tax purposes, while losses on disposals are not available for set-off. I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that, as there is no requirement to make a claim, it is not possible to provide the Deputy with the information requested.

Tax Credits

Questions (83)

Kevin Humphreys

Question:

83. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a recent cost-benefit analysis of the research and development tax credit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26077/13]

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Written answers

I assume the Deputy is referring to the comprehensive review of the R&D Tax Credit which was announced in Budget 2013. The terms of reference of the Review have been published on the Department’s website. One of the central purposes of this review is to ensure that the R&D tax credit gives value for money to the Irish taxpayer and accordingly a cost benefit analysis will be included. This review is already underway in the Department, and will be completed later this year. It is expected that the results will be published in due course.

Departmental Staff Retirements

Questions (84)

Kevin Humphreys

Question:

84. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Finance the number of civil servants in his Department that have left to go to work in the financial services sector here during the past year; of those, the number that would have had interactions with the IFSC Clearing House Group and associated sub-groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26078/13]

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Written answers

No officials from my Department have moved into jobs in the financial sector. I understand that three members of my Department’s Shareholder Management Unit, seconded to my Department from the NTMA, who resigned from the NTMA subsequently took up employment in the financial sector.

NAMA Loan Write-Downs

Questions (85, 86)

Arthur Spring

Question:

85. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Finance the total number of companies which have had loans transferred to the National Asset Management Agency; the highest value of such a loan; the discount that has been applied to that loan; and from which financial institution. [26159/13]

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Arthur Spring

Question:

86. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Finance the total number of persons that have had loans transferred to the National Asset Management Agency; the highest value of such a loan; the discount that has been applied to that loan; and from what financial institution. [26160/13]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 85 and 86 together.

I am advised that NAMA acquired loans which had been advanced to over 5,000 debtor entities by the five participating institutions. NAMA advises that the average discount across the portfolio of acquired loans was 57%. The discount varied on a loan by loan basis depending on the quality and location of the underlying security. Detailed information on NAMA’s acquisition of loans and its engagement with close to 800 debtor connections, including details relating to the overall par and loan acquisition value of loans acquired and the discounts applied is set out in the Agency’s annual reports for 2010 and 2011, both of which are available on the NAMA website, www.nama.ie.

Illicit Trade in Tobacco

Questions (87, 88)

John Lyons

Question:

87. Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Finance in view of the Exchequer losses from the smuggling of illicit tobacco products here and the resulting health effects, if he has any plans to increase the number of freight x-ray scanning machines to cover all our ports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26182/13]

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John Lyons

Question:

88. Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Finance if he will examine the staffing allocations to Customs and Excise to ensure 24 hour operation of existing freight X-ray scanning machines and to allow for the operation of new machines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26183/13]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 87 and 88 together.

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners, who are responsible for the collection of taxes and duties and for tackling the smuggling of dutiable and prohibited goods, that they regard the prevention of smuggling, including the smuggling of illicit tobacco products, as a high priority area. The use of enforcement equipment such as mobile X- ray scanners and other detection technologies is just one element of a multifaceted strategy employed by Revenue to tackle smuggling. This strategy includes ongoing analysis of the nature and extent of smuggling activity and developing and sharing intelligence on a national, EU and international basis. It necessitates ongoing review of operational policies and optimum deployment of resources at points of importation and inland to intercept contraband product.

Revenue continually monitors ongoing developments in the market place in available X- ray and other technologies. Revenue also continuously review their requirements and capability together with their selection and deployment of detection equipment. Revenue has made use of the European Union’s Hercule II programme to part-fund the acquisition of detection equipment and will apply for further funding, where appropriate, in the future. The actual technology selected and the operational deployment of that technology are matters for the Revenue Commissioners.

Revenue currently has three mobile X-ray systems. Two of these are mobile X-ray container scanning systems that are based at Dublin Port and Rosslare Ferry Port respectively. Both these scanners are available for deployment at other ports, and at other locations such as warehouses, as required, and Revenue utilises them, on a risk assessment basis, at various locations throughout the country. Revenue’s other mobile X-ray system is a scan van, which is available for deployment and is used at airports, ports and warehouses. Revenue also uses smaller static baggage/parcel scanners at all major ports, airports and postal depots and are currently in the process of replacing units in Dublin Airport, Shannon Airport and Rosslare Ferry Port.

Revenue, I understand, is generally satisfied with their current scanning capability and consider that the container ports are adequately serviced by their scanners. Revenue has no plans at present to acquire any additional scanners. In relation to the hours of operation of the existing X-ray scanners, I am advised that Revenue staff are rostered to be available to operate these scanning systems during port operational hours, which do not normally extend to a 24-hour basis.

European Council Meetings

Questions (89)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

89. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Finance which Minister or Minister of State represented Ireland at the ministerial Council meetings of the European Union during the Irish Presidency of the Council to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26213/13]

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Written answers

Ecofin usually meets monthly, although it can meet more frequently, if required. During Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the EU in the first half of 2013, as President of Ecofin, I have chaired four formal meetings and one informal meeting of the Ecofin Council. Mr Brian Hayes TD, Minister of State at the Department of Finance, has represented Ireland at these meetings and will continue to do so for the remainder of the Irish Presidency. The attached table set outs the dates and locations of the five Ecofin Council meetings that I have chaired to date during Ireland’s Presidency of the Council, and which Minister of State, Brian Hayes TD has attended as the national representative.

Economic and Financial Affairs Council (Ecofin)

Irish Presidency 2013

Date of Council meetings

Location

22/01/2013

Brussels

12/02/2013

Brussels

05/03/2013

Brussels

12-13/04/2013

(Informal meeting) Dublin (Dublin Castle)

14/05/2013

Brussels

Education and Training Provision

Questions (90)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

90. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the total number of training, upskilling and or education places he expects to be in a position to provide in the current year, with particular reference to addressing the levels of long-term unemployment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26265/13]

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Written answers

My Department will fund over 430,000 part time and full time education and training places across the range of provision in the higher education, further education and training sectors in 2013. Unemployed participants are prioritised for places in further education and training. In line with commitments under the Pathways to Work initiative, over 51,000 places across this provision will be targeted specifically at the long-term unemployed in 2013.1) Further Education provision The main providers of FE programmes are Vocational Education Committees (VECs). Programmes are usually certified by the Further Education and Training Awards Council (FETAC) and certification is available for all FE learners. Full-time programmes are: Youthreach, for early school leavers between 15 – 20 years of age; Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) for unemployed adults over 21 years of age; Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) for learners over 16 years of age who have completed the Leaving Certificate (LC) or who are adults returning to education.Part-time programmes are provided under: The Back to Education Initiative (BTEI), free for adults with a less than upper second level education; Adult Literacy (AL) for adults with specific needs in basic skills areas and includes English as a Second Language (ESOL) provision; and Community Education (CE) providing informal and non-formal education for hard-to-reach adults.2) FAS/SOLAS Training servicesFÁS Training Services will facilitate unemployed individuals through a range of training programmes that provide industry/occupational specific skills as well as preparatory type training, to enable a diverse range of unemployed individuals referred to FÁS through "Intreo", to gain a recognised qualification, access job opportunities or progression opportunities to further/higher education/training. 3) Redundant Apprentice Placement Scheme (RAPS)FÁS the National Training and Employment Authority introduced the Redundant Apprentice Placement Scheme in 2011 (RAPS) to provide redundant apprentices with the opportunity to complete the minimum on-the-job training with assessments for Phase 3, Phase 5 and Phase 7 of the Standard Based Apprenticeship Programme. This Programme was extended in 2012 and there were over 2,200 beneficiaries. RAPS will continue in 2013.4) SkillnetsSkillnets which is an enterprise-led body funded through the National Training Fund (NTF) to provide companies with new opportunities to develop relevant, effective answers to their training and development needs was set ambitious targets for 2013 to train 40,000 persons, of which up to 8,000 will be unemployed,. 5) Momentum "Momentum" has been designed to provide targeted interventions to tackle the skills shortages in particular sectors of the Irish economy where vacancies have been identified and will provide up to 6,500 training places for the long term unemployed. Some of the places have been targeted specifically at young unemployed people. Momentum will be co-financed by the European Social Fund.6) National Strategy for Higher Education National Strategy for Higher Education is a detailed framework and range of recommendations that ensures the system continues to respond to enterprise needs. This includes structured employer surveys and interaction, increased work placement opportunities, staff mobility into enterprise and a renewed focus on generic skills. The Higher Education Authority has also published guidelines for the establishment of higher education institutional clusters at a regional level to support enterprise development and employment needs. 7) SpringboardSpringboard is a new funding stream that has been introduced since 2011 to address the specific skills needs of enterprise and to support jobseekers to re-skill in areas where employment opportunities are emerging as the economy is recovering. To date more than 10,000 unemployed or previously self employed people have been provided places under Springboard and a further 5,000 places are expected to be delivered in 2013. 8) ICT SkillsA joint Government-Industry ICT Action Plan, which has been developed as a direct response to identified ICT skills shortages, contains a comprehensive range of measures to build the domestic supply of ICT graduates.

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