Written Answers Nos. 185-203
186. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will support humanitarian aid to the 30,000 Palestinians currently resident in Yarmouk refugee camp outside Damascus in Syria. [2637/14]
View answerThe tragic and unrelenting crisis in Syria has resulted in unprecedented levels of humanitarian need, requiring a sustained response from the international community. As the number of fatalities rises towards 130,000, there are now over 9.3 million people who are in need of immediate life-saving support. In addition to more than 6.5 million people who are displaced within Syria, there are currently 2.3 million Syrians who have fled to neighbouring countries.
The Palestinian refugee population is of increasing concern to the international humanitarian community. Prior to the conflict, the 500,000 Palestinian refugees in Syria were already poorer and more vulnerable than the general population. While they were originally spared the excesses of the violence, their communities have been increasingly affected by the violence, and are often directly targeted. Increasing numbers of Palestinian refugees are fleeing to neighbouring countries to escape the violence but those that are left behind are at risk.
I am deeply concerned about the plight of Palestinian refugees in Yarmouk refugee camp just outside of Damascus. UN agencies, including UNRWA, have been unable to access the camp due to fighting in this besieged part of Syria. I was alarmed to learn that UNRWA convoys carrying essential food and medical supplies had to withdraw from Yarmouk recently because of hostilities. Over the past year I have used every opportunity at the international level to call upon all sides of the conflict to ensure that relief organisations can deliver life-saving assistance to those under siege.
Ireland will continue to call for increased support to the humanitarian relief effort, both within the EU and the United Nations. Our overarching priority remains achieving an end to this appalling conflict and the horrific loss of life and mass violations of human rights which are its principal result. I am working with my colleagues through the EU and at the UN to support the Geneva II framework, which remains the best option for a negotiated end to the conflict.
Ireland has been to the fore in the international efforts to help alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people and is one of the ten most generous contributors to the humanitarian response on a per capita basis. Last week I attended a Pledging Conference on Syria, kindly hosted by the Government of Kuwait, at which I announced a pledge of €12 million towards the humanitarian response in Syria and neighbouring countries. With this pledge, Ireland will have committed more than €26 million in assistance to respond to the crisis through a range of established UN partners, the Red Cross and Irish and international NGOs. This humanitarian aid has been targeted at both Syrians and Palestinian refugees affected by the crisis within the country and in neighbouring countries.
Ireland is a longstanding supporter of UNRWA (the UN agency dedicated to responding to the needs of Palestinian refugees). As well as providing €4 million in core funding to the agency on an annual basis, we have specifically provided €1,200,000 to UNRWA for its humanitarian response to Palestinian refugees directly affected by the Syria crisis. We will continue our support to UNRWA in 2014.
187. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied) in Pakistan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2660/14]
View answerThe Government remains concerned about the case of Mrs. Bibi. When the case came to the attention of my Department, the Ambassador accredited to Pakistan at the time called upon the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad to convey our concern at the conviction and sentence. He also expressed our disquiet at the nature of Pakistan’s blasphemy law. Officials in my Department keep in regular contact with the Embassy of Pakistan on this and a number of other issues.
At European level, freedom of religious belief and expression plays a central role in the EU’s dialogue with Pakistan. The High Representative for Foreign Affairs of the European Union, Catherine Ashton has expressed her concerns at the Bibi judgment, and others like it, numerous times and called on Pakistan to respect human rights as guaranteed under international conventions.
During a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council in March 2013, Ireland together with our EU partners urged the authorities in Pakistan to take the necessary action to protect the rights of all citizens, including those belonging to religious minorities.
Pakistan underwent a ‘Universal Periodic Review’ of the human rights situation in the country at the United Nations in October 2012. At this review, concern was expressed about the case of Mrs. Bibi and calls for Pakistan to consider adopting an official moratorium on the death penalty. During the process, Ireland recommended that Pakistan take all appropriate measures to combat and prevent discrimination against religious and other minority groups, including by removing educational material which could serve to perpetuate discrimination.
Ireland attaches great importance to the fundamental human rights of freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief. We are well aware of the vulnerable situation of persons belonging to religious minorities in Pakistan and will continue to raise the case of Asia Bibi and others bilaterally with the Pakistan Government as well as through the framework and mechanisms of the European Union and the United Nations.
188. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department has drawn up a digital strategy document, similar to that operated by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2880/14]
View answerWhile the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has not drawn up a digital strategy document, many aspects of such a strategy are already in train across the Department, such as online provision of a number of consular services and the roll out of a new social media strategy.
189. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if there are any plans to establish a trade czar to work with our embassies in the promotion of Ireland as a trading partner and as a place for businesses to set up; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2884/14]
View answerSince coming into office, the Government has made some key changes in the coordination of trade, tourism and investment promotion overseas.
A centrally important development has been the establishment of an Export Trade Council (ETC), which I chair. The role of the ETC is to strengthen cooperation and coordination across all Government Departments and State agencies involved in the promotion and development of trade, tourism and investment, and to oversee the progressive implementation of the Government Trade, Tourism and Investment Strategy. Other Members of the Council include Minister Bruton, Minister Varadkar, Minister Coveney and Minister of State Costello. Other relevant Departments are represented at senior official level, while the CEOs of Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, SFI and Tourism Ireland are also members. In addition, the private sector is represented on the Council through representatives of IBEC and the IEA, as well as through the participation of a number of individuals from the private sector with a track record in the relevant sectors.
The ETC also oversees the work of Local Market Teams, which have been established in Ireland’s 27 priority markets. These Teams are chaired by our Ambassadors on the ground and consist of representatives of the Embassy and the State agencies. Each Team is responsible for developing an annual Local Market Plan and the implementation of these plans is reviewed by the ETC.
A key task for my Department in the last year has been to coordinate a review of the Government Trade, Tourism and Investment Strategy. The Review is designed to ensure that the State coordinates its efforts overseas in a manner which yields the best possible economic return and I look forward to presenting it in the coming weeks.
Given the already high level of coordination facilitated by the ETC and Local Market Team structures, the appointment of a “Trade Czar” is not under consideration at this time.
190. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Finance in view of the latest revelations regarding a sub-prime mortgage lender (details supplied), if he will take urgent steps to introduce legislation to prevent persons with criminal convictions in other jurisdictions from being granted money lending or mortgage lending licences here. [2288/14]
View answer193. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance the way a convicted fraudster, who dodged long-standing creditors in another jurisdiction, received regulatory approval as a licensed lender from the Central Bank of Ireland when a key requirement is that firms must be of the highest financial and personal probity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2370/14]
View answer194. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance his views on the establishment of an inquiry within the Central Bank of Ireland to establish the facts as to how a retail credit licence was granted to an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2392/14]
View answer206. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance if he will call for a full investigation by the relevant authorities into the activities of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2507/14]
View answer208. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance if he will confirm that all the required application forms and required details were supplied to the Central Bank by a person (details supplied) at the time an application was made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2509/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 190, 193, 194, 206 and 208 together.
Pursuant to section 33AK of the Central Bank Act 1942, the Central Bank cannot disclose confidential information in relation to this individual.
However, generally, retail credit firms are required to be authorised under Part V of the Central Bank Act, 1997 and a register of all such firms is maintained on the Central Bank of Ireland's website.
Authorised Retail Credit Firms are required to comply with (among others) the:
- Central Bank Act 1997
- Consumer Protection Code 2012
- Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears
Compliance with this legislation is monitored on an on-going basis through the supervision process.
Fitness & Probity (2012)
On 1st October 2010, Part 3 of the Central Bank Reform Act, 2010 created for the first time in Irish law a harmonised statutory system for the regulation by the Central Bank of Ireland of persons performing controlled functions or pre-approval controlled functions in regulated financial service providers.
The Fitness and Probity Standards Code issued under Section 50 of the Central Bank Reform Act 2010, which is available on the Central Bank website, specifies the Standards of Fitness and Probity which all persons performing controlled functions or pre-approval controlled functions (except where those functions are performed in and on behalf of Credit Unions) shall, at a minimum, comply with.
Fitness & Probity (2007 - 2011)
Prior to the introduction of the Central Bank Reform Act, 2010 applicants for authorisation were required to complete a comprehensive individual questionnaire outlining, inter alia, details of their experience, reputation and character, business interests in other financial entities and other firms and shareholdings in the firm. Applicants were also required to authorise the Central Bank to make enquiries of relevant authorities to check on the background of the applicant.
Where a proposed approved person had been convicted, on indictment, of dishonesty, fraud, money laundering, theft or financial crime within the previous 10 years, that would be regarded as an indication that a person was not proper and would, in principle, bar a person from holding a position as an Approved Person. Where a person had a conviction dating beyond 10 years, such information should be notified. Older convictions on indictment would be reviewed in order to adjudicate upon the application.
On examination of any material received, an applicant may be asked to supply further information or invited to a meeting with the authorisation staff in the Central Bank.
The company to which the Deputy refers holds an authorisation as a retail credit firm since 4 November 2009.
If a Deputy has any evidence of wrongdoing by the company, I would recommend that he brings it to the attention of the Central Bank.
191. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance if the tax relief provided in the home renovation initiative can be provided over a number of years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2296/14]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, I announced the Home Renovation Incentive in the recent Budget. This scheme came into operation on 25 October 2013 and will run until 31 December 2015. The incentive provides tax relief for homeowners by way of a tax credit at 13.5% of qualifying expenditure incurred on repair, renovation or improvement work carried out on a principal private residence.
Qualifying expenditure is expenditure subject to the 13.5% VAT rate. The work must cost a minimum of €5,000 (inclusive of VAT). Where the cost of the work exceeds €30,000 (exclusive of VAT) a maximum credit of €4,050 will apply. The credit is payable over the two years following the year in which the work is carried out. Any unused credit will be carried forward to future years.
It is worth noting that the minimum threshold does not have to be reached by each contractor where a homeowner engages a number of contractors to carry out different works. So long as the aggregate payments reach the minimum threshold of €5,000 inclusive of VAT, the homeowner will qualify for relief.
The scheme will be administered through Revenue's online systems. Contractors will be required to inform Revenue in advance of details of works to be carried out and will also be required to notify Revenue in relation to any payments received in respect of the works. Homeowners will be able to view the information provided to Revenue by the contractor through the Revenue electronic systems and will also claim the relief through those systems.
Full details of the scheme are available at http://www.revenue.ie/en/tax/it/reliefs/hri/index.html along with a newly produced Guide for Homeowners. Copies of the Guide are being distributed to all local Revenue Offices and Citizens Advice centres.
192. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide in tabular form the total amount spent since February 2011 on external reports commissioned by his Department including payments from ministerial allowances, broken down by report; if he will provide the details of any consultant employed; the names of each report and their status as published or ongoing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2361/14]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is set out in a table.
None of the payments were funded from Ministerial remuneration.
|
Consultant |
External Report |
Amount Paid |
Year |
Published/Ongoing |
|
PMCA Economic Consulting |
Assistance and Analysis in the Preparation of the Medium-Term Economic Strategy 2014-2020 |
€49,043.00 |
2013 |
Final report submitted 6.12.13* |
|
Crowe Horwath |
Report to Department in respect of a survey of R&D Active Companies 2013 |
€36,850.80 |
2013 |
Published |
|
Indecon |
Ex ante cost benefit analysis of proposed Living City Initiative |
€28,290.00 |
2013 |
Published |
|
Red C Research & Marketing Limited |
SME Lending Survey October-March 2013 |
€59,593.50 |
2013 |
Published** |
|
Red C Research & Marketing Limited |
SME Lending Survey April-September 2013 |
€58,978.50 |
2013 |
Published** |
|
Mercer (Ireland) Limited |
Remuneration Review of Covered Institutions |
€146,370.00 |
2013 |
Published |
|
Deloitte & Touche |
External Review of the Compilation of General Government Debt Statistics |
€ 61,553 |
2012 |
Published |
|
BDO and Amarach |
(a) Survey of audio-visual producers (b) Review on international review of audio-visual state supports |
€64,575.00 |
2012 |
Published |
|
Brendan Ryan B.L. |
Public Finance Procedures in Ireland |
€900.00 |
2012 |
The report was completed in January 2013 but it was not published. It was obtained for the purposes of informing the Department's approach in the David Hall case rather than for publication |
|
Grant Thornton |
Assessment of Credit Review Office |
€31,807.80 |
2012 |
Published |
|
Mazars |
SME Lending Survey October-March 2012 |
€60,885.00 |
2012 |
Published** |
|
Mazars |
SME Lending Survey April-September 2011 |
€52,453.50 |
2011 |
Published** |
|
Red C Research & Marketing Limited |
SME Lending Survey April-September 2012 |
€61,438.50 |
2012 |
Published** |
|
Charles River Associates |
Acquisition by AIB of EBS Building Society |
€50,000.00 |
2011 |
Published |
*Following conclusion of post-submission assessment report will be published on the MTES website in the near future.
**Reimbursed by AIB & Bank of Ireland
Questions Nos. 193 and 194 answered with Question No. 190.
195. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance if the delay in following through on his commitment to have local property tax as an allowable expense against private rental income is fair and reasonable in view of the unique taxes already imposed on the private rental sector, such as restricting mortgage interest to 75%, continuing to categorise private rental income as unearned, and the follow on from this of effectively being required to pay tax on a loss; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2398/14]
View answerI am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that at present Local Property Tax (LPT) is not a deductible expense for income tax or corporation tax purposes.
The Thornhill Group, the inter-departmental group, chaired by Dr Don Thornhill, set up to consider the design of a property tax (the "Thornhill Group") recommended that the LPT paid in respect of a rented property should be deductible for income tax or corporation tax purposes, in a similar manner to commercial rates.
The group recognised the considerable pressures on the public finances and the need to bridge the gap between expenditure and revenue, and, for this reason, suggested that consideration be given to phasing in deductibility over a period of years. The group also considered that it was for Government, having regard to the prevailing budgetary situation, to decide on the time span for phasing-in deductibility and what percentage of LPT to allow as a deduction from gross rents for tax purposes.
The Government accepted the recommendation of the Thornhill Group in principle, but has not yet considered the manner or the timing in which this will happen. Any such change would have to be provided for by primary legislation. Allowing LPT as a deductible expense will reduce the tax base. Therefore I must be mindful of the public finances and the many demands on the Exchequer, given the significant budgetary constraints.
I am further advised by the Revenue Commissioners that under existing legislation income tax is charged under Schedule D of the Taxes Consolidation Act (TCA) 1997 in respect of a number of sources of income, which are classified into five separate Cases. Under this provision, rent received by landlords (both individuals and companies) from property in the State is chargeable to tax under Case V, while income from trading activity in the State is chargeable under Case I.
In the case of trading activity, the law provides that taxable income is closely aligned to the accounting profit (subject to certain explicit prohibitions). In the case of rental activity, however, taxable income is the gross rent as reduced by a limited number of specified deductions as set out in section 97 (2) TCA 1997. These are:
- any rent payable by the landlord in the case of a sub-lease;
- the cost to the landlord of any goods provided or services rendered to a tenant;
- the cost of maintenance, repairs, insurance and management of the property
- the interest paid on borrowed money used to purchase, improve or repair the property (which, in the case of residential property, is restricted to 75% of the interest and is subject to compliance with PRTB registration requirements for all tenancies that existed in relation to the property in the relevant year); and
- payment of local authority rates.
In addition, wear and tear capital allowances are available in respect of the capital expenditure incurred on fixtures and fittings provided by a landlord for the purposes of furnishing rented residential accommodation. These allowances are granted at the rate of 12.5% per annum of the actual cost of the fixtures and fittings over a period of 8 years.
196. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the number of residential mortgages here that are classified as sub-prime; the number of sub-prime lenders currently operating in the market; the total value of sub-prime mortgages outstanding; the rate of arrears on these mortgages; the actions specific to the sub-prime sector which are being taken to address arrears; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2423/14]
View answerRetail credit firms are a regulated category of entities authorised to provide credit (in the form of cash loans) directly to individuals. A register of all Retail Credit Firms is available on the Central Bank website at the following link: http://registers.centralbank.ie/DownloadsPage.aspx.
I am informed by the Central Bank that, at end September 2013, six of these firms had a total of 17,807 primary dwelling (PDH) mortgage accounts and four had a total of 659 buy to let (BTL) mortgage accounts. Regarding the level of outstanding debt on these accounts, there was a total of €3.354bn in outstanding PDH debt and a further €0.132bn in outstanding in BTL mortgage debt. Of that outstanding debt, mortgage accounts amounting to €1.885bn (PDH) and €0.050bn (BTL) respectively were in arrears of over 90 days.
The same consumer protection framework applies to these retail credit lenders as to other regulated entities including the Consumer Protection Code (for PDH and BTL customers) and the Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears (CCMA) (for PDH customers only). These are statutory codes with which lenders are required to comply. In particular, the CCMA sets out requirements for all mortgage lenders, including retail credit firms, dealing with borrowers facing or in mortgage arrears on a mortgage secured on a primary home and provides a strong consumer protection framework to ensure that borrowers struggling to keep up mortgage repayments are treated in a fair and transparent manner by their lender and that long term resolution is sought by lenders with each of their co-operating borrowers in mortgage difficulty.
197. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance when the review of National Asset Management Agency operations will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2424/14]
View answerUnder Section 226 of the NAMA Act, as soon as may be after 31 December 2013, and every 3 years after that while NAMA remains in existence, the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) shall prepare and present a copy of a progress report on NAMA to the Minister for Finance. I am advised by the C&AG that it has prepared an initial draft Section 226 report and I expect that the final report will be submitted to me shortly. My officials will then examine the findings as part of my Department's review of NAMA.
While my Department's review of NAMA is on-going, it cannot be completed until the final C&AG report has been received. I expect my Department's review of NAMA to be completed in the coming months.
198. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Finance if he has considered the possibility of intergenerational mortgages; if legislative or Central Bank authorisation would be needed if such a product were to be offered; if such products are authorised in any other member State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2441/14]
View answerThe Deputy will appreciate that it is a matter for financial institutions to consider what products are made available. The Central Bank of Ireland does not approve products offered by regulated entities and does not collect data on product availability in other Member States. Regarding the issue of inter-generational mortgages, the Inter-Departmental Mortgage Arrears Working Group Report, 2011, indicated that research showed that country specific factors are very important and that the product would likely encounter serious legal difficulties in Ireland. However, regarding those existing mortgages in difficulty, the Report suggested that a split mortgage, which may contain a residual balance, at the end of the mortgage term, was one possible approach that a lender may take to address such a difficult situation.
199. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will ensure that all registered VAT agri-contractors and FCI members will be entitled to claim back the carbon tax against their income tax as this tax is double taxation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2456/14]
View answerI assume that the Deputy's question relates to the double deduction for carbon tax on farm diesel which I provided for in Finance Act 2012.
Under this provision, farmers are allowed a deduction in computing their farming profits or losses for the amount of additional carbon tax they incur on purchases of Marked Gas Oil following the €5 per tonne increase in the rate of carbon tax on certain fuels from 1 May 2012.
This was provided in the context of a commitment in the Programme for Government.
I have no plans to extend the current double deduction for carbon tax in respect of Marked Gas Oil to agricultural contractors.
200. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will ensure that all invoices carry a VAT number or PPS number for moneys claimed against income tax and that if a sole trader does not have this then that payment should go down to personal drawings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2457/14]
View answerFor a payment to qualify as an allowable deduction, by either a sole trader or a company, the payment must be expended wholly and exclusively for the purposes of a trade or profession. It would appear the Deputy is proposing that, notwithstanding that expenditure met that test, a deduction would not be permitted unless an invoice carried either a VAT or a tax reference number.
The Irish economy is one of the most open economies in the world and significant amounts of services and goods are both acquired and sold cross border. In many instances there can be no requirement that the foreign provider must register for tax in this State. The proposal would therefore require a further administrative burden be placed on Irish businesses over businesses carried on outside the State by requiring those businesses to amend their records to incorporate this proposal. In order to prevent abuse there may also be a need or requirement for the taxpayer to verify the PPS number. Again this would be a further administrative burden. Therefore, while I appreciate the proposal is attempting to thwart non-compliance for the present I do not believe this is the correct approach.
Revenue's tax and duty compliance programmes are under constant review to ensure that they are focussed on the areas of greatest risk, including risks from the shadow economy. Revenue tackles the problem of the shadow economy through a range of compliance and audit interventions including targeted special projects. A variety of methodologies are used by Revenue to identify those who are operating in the shadow economy including covert surveillance, cold calls to businesses and venues as well as pre-arranged aspect queries on specific items.
201. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will set out the latest estimate available to the Revenue Commissioners for the tax years 2011 and 2012 of the total number of taxpayers in each of the following bands, the latest estimate of the total income for each of these bands, the latest estimate of the total income tax, universal social charge and PRSI paid for each of the following income bands, that is, those earning less than €5,000, between €5,001 and €10,000, between €10,001 and €20,000, between €20,001 and €30,000, between €30,001 and €40,000, between €40,001 and €50,000, between €50,001 and €60,000, between €60,001 and €70,000, between €70,001 and €80,000, between €80,001 and €90,000, between €90,001 and €100,000, between €100,001 and €125,000, between €125,001 and €150,000, between €150,001 and €175,000, between €175,001 and €200,000, between €200,001 and €250,000, between €250,001 and €1,000,000, between €1,000,001 and €2,000,000, and €2,000,000 and over. [2459/14]
View answerI am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the information requested, estimated by reference to the income tax years 2011 and 2012, is set out in tables.
All Income earners for Income Tax Year 2011
|
Gross Income Range |
Gross Income |
Numbers |
Income Tax/USC/PRSI |
|
€ |
€ |
€ |
|
|
0 - 5,000 |
476,324,603 |
221,975 |
2,873,398 |
|
5,000 - 10,000 |
1,223,068,809 |
163,594 |
30,447,443 |
|
10,001 - 20,000 |
5,946,700,923 |
391,418 |
220,080,501 |
|
20,001 - 30,000 |
9,863,159,444 |
397,338 |
926,066,650 |
|
30,001 - 40,000 |
10,498,797,412 |
301,860 |
1,476,130,438 |
|
40,001 - 50,000 |
9,240,109,093 |
206,907 |
1,739,314,590 |
|
50,001 - 60,000 |
7,484,752,895 |
136,986 |
1,654,814,223 |
|
60,001 - 70,000 |
6,125,728,891 |
94,596 |
1,471,909,694 |
|
70,001 - 80,000 |
4,915,717,564 |
65,814 |
1,278,563,831 |
|
80,001 - 90,000 |
3,819,777,293 |
45,098 |
1,062,823,943 |
|
90,001 - 100,000 |
3,000,808,600 |
31,674 |
883,816,297 |
|
100,001 - 125,000 |
5,110,208,361 |
46,086 |
1,613,591,619 |
|
125,001 - 150,000 |
2,875,158,046 |
21,135 |
975,713,275 |
|
150,001 - 175,000 |
1,875,260,223 |
11,624 |
666,359,135 |
|
175,001 - 200,000 |
1,284,902,371 |
6,887 |
470,652,541 |
|
200,001 - 250,000 |
1,706,492,389 |
7,677 |
640,029,238 |
|
250,001 - 1,000,000 |
4,907,270,674 |
12,363 |
1,951,386,471 |
|
1,000,001 - 2,000,000 |
674,581,704 |
506 |
263,833,481 |
|
Over 2,000,000 |
503,251,373 |
123 |
201,948,888 |
|
Total |
81,532,070,668 |
2,163,661 |
17,530,355,656 |
All Income earners for Income Tax Year 2012
|
Gross Income Range |
Gross Income |
Number |
Income Tax/USC/PRSI |
|
€ |
€ |
€ |
|
|
0 - 5,000 |
476,814,459 |
222,573 |
0 |
|
5,000 - 10,000 |
1,231,777,292 |
164,818 |
7,920,807 |
|
10,001 - 20,000 |
6,031,691,541 |
397,349 |
215,519,625 |
|
20,001 - 30,000 |
9,865,715,489 |
397,747 |
919,284,312 |
|
30,001 - 40,000 |
10,437,304,322 |
300,158 |
1,459,051,240 |
|
40,001 - 50,000 |
9,029,974,010 |
202,162 |
1,688,224,445 |
|
50,001 - 60,000 |
7,292,815,442 |
133,487 |
1,599,849,449 |
|
60,001 - 70,000 |
5,977,318,688 |
92,335 |
1,425,687,653 |
|
70,001 - 80,000 |
4,749,476,057 |
63,605 |
1,228,411,799 |
|
80,001 - 90,000 |
3,690,936,335 |
43,571 |
1,022,088,986 |
|
90,001 - 100,000 |
2,877,687,348 |
30,368 |
844,029,866 |
|
100,001 - 125,000 |
4,893,133,583 |
44,140 |
1,539,717,394 |
|
125,001 - 150,000 |
2,749,312,171 |
20,208 |
930,411,900 |
|
150,001 - 175,000 |
1,803,044,757 |
11,177 |
637,904,149 |
|
175,001 - 200,000 |
1,246,245,548 |
6,678 |
454,127,487 |
|
200,001 - 250,000 |
1,656,067,635 |
7,448 |
618,937,234 |
|
250,001 - 1,000,000 |
4,839,748,815 |
12,152 |
1,917,974,467 |
|
1,000,001 - 2,000,000 |
683,443,023 |
511 |
267,966,021 |
|
Over 2,000,000 |
500,776,364 |
123 |
198,130,658 |
|
Overall Total |
80,033,282,879 |
2,150,610 |
16,975,237,492 |
It should be noted that the income ranges shown in the above tables relate to Gross Income as defined in Revenue Statistical Report 2011.
The figures are estimates from the Revenue tax-forecasting model using actual data for the year 2011 adjusted as necessary for income and employment trends in the interim. These are, therefore, provisional and likely to be revised.
The numbers of income earners shown in the tables counts a married couple who has elected or has been deemed to have elected for joint assessment as one tax unit although USC and PRSI are individualised charges and as such the yield is calculated on the basis of individual incomes.
202. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the number of properties valued at greater than €1 million for purposes of the local property tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2460/14]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that the Revenue Commissioners are continuing to refine the Local Property Tax (LPT) Register and that work will continue for some time. However I am advised that, based on the values declared by residential property owners in LPT Returns filed to date, there are approximately 3,600 properties valued at over €1m in the Register.
203. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance the reason for situations where a person, liable for property tax, whose sole income derives from a social welfare payment, wishes to have the tax deducted from a weekly income but is prevented from doing so as it would result in that weekly income falling below a minimum essential standard of living and is then forced to pay by other means such as by credit card, which incurs extra charges; if he will explain the way it is considered acceptable by the State to charge low-income persons for local property tax in a single amount while it is not considered acceptable by the State to charge them the same or lower sum in instalments; if he will explain the failures to anticipate this situation in designing the local property tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2461/14]
View answerThe situation referred to by the Deputy would potentially arise where weekly Local Property Tax (LPT) deductions from a property owner's Department of Social Protection (DSP) payment would have the effect of reducing that individual's personal rate payment to below the weekly rate of supplementary welfare allowance which is currently €186 per week.
This issue was well anticipated and was the subject of discussions between my officials, officials from Revenue and from DSP on a number of occasions when planning for the implementation of LPT. One particular difficulty was that the concept of a de minimis welfare payment from DSP is enshrined in social welfare legislation and it was considered, at the time of the introduction of LPT, that it was not appropriate to change that particular piece of law. Secondly, given that the individuals to whom the Deputy refers were low-income property owners, it was expected that a large number of these would have opted to defer the LPT charge. The deferral option was introduced in the LPT legislation specifically to deal with low-income property owners. The income limits are such that a person whose only income is a DSP payment will qualify, and undoubtedly, a number of these property owners did choose to defer the tax.
For those who qualify for deferral but do not wish to defer their payment, Revenue has provided a wide range of payment options. This enables property owners to select a payment option that suits their particular circumstances and the Deputy should note that there is no additional charge for paying by debit card. Owners who wish to pay their LPT in instalments but who are precluded from paying the tax by deduction at source from their DSP payment on account of the €186 threshold, can spread their payments over the course of the year using monthly direct debits through certain credit union accounts or their bank account or, by making regular weekly or monthly payments to one of the three payment service providers which are An Post, Payzone and Omnivend. Details of the costs payable to the three service providers are set out on the Revenue website at http://www.revenue.ie/en/tax/lpt/payment-options/cash-payments.html#section5.
I am advised by the Commissioners that where a property owner discovers that deduction of LPT from their DSP scheme is not possible, they should contact the LPT Branch helpline on 1890 200 255 to make alternative arrangements for paying the tax or to confirm whether they are eligible to defer the charge.
