Wednesday, 6 May 2015

Written Answers Nos. 156-178

IBRC Loans

Questions (156)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

156. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if he will confirm that the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation, up to the time of its liquidation, was recovering 100% of loans repaid by a person (details supplied); whether this person had any outstanding loan balances after the corporation went into liquidation; if the special liquidator received a 100% repayment of these loans, of if the special liquidator allowed this person to purchase the loans back, at a discount; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17657/15]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

Neither I nor the Special Liquidators of IBRC are in a position to comment on individual borrowers. The requested information is confidential and it would not be appropriate for the Special Liquidators to release such information.

Banking Sector Remuneration

Questions (157)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

157. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance with regard to the report of a person's departure from Allied Irish Banks (details supplied), if he will provide full details of all forms of remuneration, including all benefits, temporary or otherwise, housing allowances, travel, or any type of payment, provided to the person on an annual basis, during that person's time at the bank; if that person will remain a member of the bank's defined benefit pension plan, and if that person will, at a certain point, be entitled to receive a pension; if so, when calculated by an actuarial pension specialist, the amount this equates to in net present value terms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17659/15]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

As the Deputy will be aware details of the individual's remuneration including pension is reported annually in the bank's annual report and accounts. I can confirm that the individual is not a member of the bank's defined benefit pension scheme. Details of the individual's remuneration for 2014 and 2013 can be found on pages 180-182 of the 2014 report and for 2012 and 2011 can be found on pages 316-317 of the 2012 annual report. 

Mortgage Arrears Proposals

Questions (158)

Finian McGrath

Question:

158. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Finance his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding mortgages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17665/15]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

I thank the Deputy for bringing the Irish Home Assist Mortgage Scheme to my attention.  As the Deputy is aware, the Government has put in place a broad strategy to address the problem of mortgage arrears and family home repossessions. The primary focus of this strategy is to support those homeowners in difficulty with their mortgage repayments and, in so far as possible, to avoid repossession of the family home. 

The Central Bank's Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears (CCMA) sets out requirements for mortgage lenders dealing with borrowers facing or in mortgage arrears on their primary residence. The CCMA 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 borrowers.

I am strongly of the view that where a borrower engages with his lender with a view to putting in place a restructure arrangement to address his/her mortgage arrears situation, repossession of the family home should only be considered as a last resort.  The Central Bank's most recent quarterly release on Residential Mortgage arrears and Repossessions (Q4 2014) indicates that almost 115,000 restructure arrangements have been put in place.

Where a mortgage in arrears is deemed to be unsustainable by the lender the mortgage to rent scheme, administered by my colleague, Alan Kelly, TD, Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, may be a viable alternative which will keep the borrower in the family home.

The effective management of the mortgage arrears issue is, however, an area that remains under continuous review.  More and concerted action can be undertaken by the banks to assist customers in arrears and, as the Taoiseach has previously announced, the Government is considering a range of options to support the existing framework and to improve the uptake of personal insolvency solutions.

Property Tax Collection

Questions (159)

Finian McGrath

Question:

159. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Finance his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the local property tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17670/15]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

The statutory date for payment of Local Property Tax (LPT) is 1 January in the due year, for example 1 January 2015 for the 2015 tax year.  I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that specifically in regard to 2015, Revenue extended the payment due date from 1 January 2015 to 7 January 2015 to take account of the holiday period. This date was again extended to 9 January 2015 in light of the high volume of payments being received at that time. Revenue has confirmed to me that the payment compliance rate in respect of 2015 exceeded 75% by 9 January, which is an outstanding achievement for a relatively new tax. As of April 2015, the LPT 2015 compliance rate is estimated to be 94%.  

As part of the 2015 campaign Revenue wrote to all property owners in October 2014 who either paid their 2014 LPT liability in a single transaction or by way of regular cash payments through one of the approved Payment Service Providers advising them of their 2015 LPT liability. Revenue did not write to property owners who availed of the various phased payment options in 2014 such as Direct Debit and Deduction at Source from salary or pension because these methods automatically carried on into 2015.

The letters confirmed that any property owners choosing to meet their 2015 liabilities in a single payment were obliged to do so no later than 7 January 2015. 7 January was also confirmed as the latest date to inform Revenue of the intention to opt for the Single Debit Authority payment method even though it would not be debited until 21 March 2015 unless an earlier date was specified by the property owner.

In regard to property owners who paid their 2014 LPT in full by a single transaction but wished to change to a phased payment option for 2015 (Direct Debit or Deduction at Source) the letter requested that they inform Revenue of their preferred choice no later than 25 November 2014. This lead in period was necessary to allow Revenue time to put the various debit arrangements in place before the start of the calendar year.

In February 2015 warning notice letters issued to the minority of property owners who did not meet their LPT obligations by the extended due date. I am aware that these notices were clearly worded so that there could be no doubt as to the possible consequences of continued non-compliance. However the letters were balanced in that they also allowed a further 14 day grace period before any debt collection/enforcement action was started so that property owners who might have inadvertently forgotten to pay the outstanding liabilities by the due date were afforded ample time to get their affairs up to date. This was a proper approach for Revenue to adopt in fairness to the vast majority of people who met their LPT obligations on time and is one that I fully endorse.

In regard to Revenue's customer service provision for LPT, the online system is the simplest and most efficient way to access records and submit returns or payments as required. The system is available 24 hours a day and can be accessed using the secure PIN and Property ID codes that are provided to property owners. The system can also be used at any time to check balances due, change payment methods or submit queries to Revenue by secure email. I am assured that where the online system is used to its maximum potential there should be very little requirement for property owners to make any direct personal contact with Revenue.

Where direct contact with Revenue is required, the LPT Helpline should be the first point of contact. Revenue assures me that the Helpline is fully resourced to meet demand but has also acknowledged that on occasion the service did temporarily fall below normal Revenue customer service standards due to unusually high levels of demand. This mainly occurred in the earlier phases of the tax as Revenue tried to gauge the level of service required. However, these shortcomings were always quickly rectified through additional deployments, extended opening hours and call back services as required.

Revenue has assured me that the officials operating both the external and internal elements of the LPT Helpline are fully trained to the same customer service standard that applies to all other taxes and that the individual performance of each operator is fully monitored to ensure the high level of service is maintained.

Property Tax Exemptions

Questions (160)

Brian Walsh

Question:

160. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Finance if an application for exemption from local property tax in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway will be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17676/15]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

I am advised by Revenue that Section 10B of the Finance (Local Property Tax) Act 2012 (as amended) provides for a full exemption from Local Property Tax (LPT) for properties occupied by individuals who are permanently and totally incapacitated to such an extent that they are unable to maintain themselves.

The Deputy may be aware that following a review of the exemption in May 2014 I extended the scope of reliefs from LPT to certain disabled and/or incapacitated individuals to correct anomalies and inequities where there is no award from a court or the Injuries Board or where no public trust fund was established or where no grant was received from a local authority.

Revenue has confirmed to me that it has published detailed guidelines on its website at www.revenue.ie describing the revised qualifying criteria under the new arrangements, including information on the application process.

In regard to the specific case to which the Deputy refers, Revenue has advised me that the person in question only recently lodged a claim for full exemption as provided for by Section 10B of the Act. However, the application form (Form LPT 7) was only partially completed and the LPT team was obliged to return it to him requesting additional supporting information, including a request that he file the statutory LPT Return confirming the correct Property Valuation Band for his property

I am assured that as soon as the revised application form and statutory LPT Return are returned to Revenue, the LPT team will review his entitlement to the exemption as a priority.

Finally, Revenue has confirmed that if the exemption is granted, it will apply to all years from 2013 to 2016 inclusive.

VAT Rate Reductions

Questions (161)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

161. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will support a proposal to rejuvenate e-commerce in rural areas, that is, that all Irish online businesses in communities under 1,000 persons have a reduced value-added tax rate of 10% applied to their online sales; if not, the reason for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17683/15]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

VAT is governed by the EU VAT Directive, with which Irish VAT law must comply.  The VAT Directive provides that the supply of goods and services by taxable persons is subject to VAT at rates specified in the VAT Directive. 

Member States must apply a standard VAT rate of between 15% and 25% to the majority of economic activity.  In Ireland the standard rate is 23%, and under the VAT Directive any reduction in this rate would necessarily apply to all activity at that rate.  It is also possible for Member States to apply up to two reduced rates of between 5% and 15% on goods and services as specified in the VAT Directive.  Ireland applies two such reduced rates of 9% and 13.5%, however most of the activity at the 13.5% rate applies under a derogation of the VAT Directive that states they must apply at a rate of 12% or more.

There is no provision under the VAT Directive to apply a reduced rate of 10% to online sales for businesses in communities under 1,000 persons as proposed by the Deputy.

VAT Rate Application

Questions (162)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

162. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Finance the reason value-added tax is charged on the repair of artificial limbs while no value-added tax is applicable on new artificial limbs; if he will remove the value-added tax; if so, when; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17697/15]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that EU VAT Directive (Council Directive 2006/112/EC), with which Irish VAT legislation must comply, generally provides that supplies of goods and services be chargeable to VAT at the standard rate but that lower rates are permitted in very limited circumstances.  Ireland has applied a zero rate of VAT to the supply of artificial limbs since 1981 and was permitted to retain the zero rate by Article 110 of the EU VAT Directive.  The zero rate also applies to parts or accessories suitable for use solely or principally with the artificial limb.  Ireland has applied the reduced rate to the repair of movable goods, including artificial limbs, since 1986 and was permitted to retain that reduced rate by Article 113 of the EU VAT Directive.  The EU VAT Directive does not allow Irish VAT legislation to apply the zero rate of VAT to the repair of movable goods.

IBRC Operations

Questions (163)

Micheál Martin

Question:

163. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation engaged a company (details supplied) to do work, without going through normal procurement procedures; if there were reasons given for this; and if any action was taken by his Department. [17709/15]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

Officials in my Department are aware that IBRC proceeded with the appointment of the company referred to in the question without following a standard procurement process. The CEO of IBRC at the time used his authority under bank policy to waive the requirement of Board approval for the engagement.  IBRC felt that given the sensitivities around the piece of work which the company referred to in the question was engaged to undertake, they decided that a targeted selection process for this limited piece of work was the best approach to take.

My Department took the opportunity to address the matter of advisers in the revised relationship framework dated 29 March 2012, paragraph 27 of this details the role IBRC had in respect of advisers, it states that:

"In respect of advisers, the Bank shall:

27.1 notify the Minister in writing in advance of the proposed appointment or engagement by the Bank of any Key Adviser;

27.2 if requested to do so by the Minister, provide the Minister with any substantive written instructions to and substantive advice by any Key Adviser (including drafts of same) either on a non-reliance basis or, subject to agreement with the Key Adviser, on a reliance basis;

27.3 cooperate with the Minister and provide such information as the Minister may reasonably require from time to time and ensure that all Key Advisers shall agree to do the same;

27.4 allow the Minister full and direct access without restriction to any Key Adviser and their work product at all times, which may include separate meetings or discussions between the Minister and the Key Adviser; and

27.5 be responsible for the appropriate procurement of advisers (including Key Advisers) in a manner which ensures value for money and minimises cost to the Bank and, indirectly, the Exchequer and the taxpayer.

If Minister is of the opinion that an adviser is a Key Adviser within the meaning of this paragraph and notifies the Bank accordingly, that adviser shall be deemed to be Key Adviser for the purposes of this paragraph."

Property Tax Data

Questions (164)

Michael McGrath

Question:

164. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a detailed breakdown of the distribution of the local property tax collected in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17710/15]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners, that approximately €242 million was collected in respect of Local Property Tax (LPT) for 2013.  The table sets out the amount collected under each Local Authority for 2013. 

Local Authority	LPT collected €million*
Carlow	2.0
Cavan	2.3
Clare	5.1
Cork City	5.6
Cork Co	20.4
Donegal	5.6
Dublin City	39.7
DLR	25.9
Fingal	18.4
Galway City	4.1
Galway Co	7.4
Kerry	7.3
Kildare	10.5
Kilkenny	3.8
Laois	2.4
Leitrim	1.1
Limerick City	2.2
Limerick Co	5.7
Longford	1.1
Louth	4.7
Mayo	5.4
Meath	8.5
Monaghan	2.0
North Tipperary	2.8
Offaly	2.5
Roscommon	2.1
Sligo	2.7
South Dublin	15.3
South Tipperary	3.3
Waterford City	1.6
Waterford Co	3.0
Westmeath	3.2
Wexford	6.1
Wicklow	8.4
Total	242.0

*This includes amounts paid by Local Authorities in respect to properties they own and payments collected through mandatory deduction at source.    

In addition, further details regarding the collection and compliance of LPT can be obtained on the Revenue Commissioners website at the following link:  

http://www.revenue.ie/en/about/statistics/index.html

Financial Services Regulation

Questions (165)

Michael McGrath

Question:

165. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the number of persons working in international financial services in County Cork; if he has considered supporting the development of an international financial services cluster in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17739/15]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

There are no reliable statistics on the specific number of individuals working in the financial services sector in County Cork. However, there is an estimated 12,000 individuals working in financial services related activity outside the greater Dublin area which includes Cork. As the Deputy will be aware, the Government launched its strategy for the development of the financial services sector - IFS 2020 - in March of this year.  In terms of employment the aim is to increase the number of net new jobs in the sector by 10,000 at the end date for the current strategy.  It is expected that a significant proportion of these jobs will be located across the country outside the greater Dublin region without any clustering in a specific location. 

State Banking Sector

Questions (166)

Michael McGrath

Question:

166. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the current value of the State's investments in Allied Irish Banks, Bank of Ireland and Permanent TSB; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17743/15]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

The current valuation of the State's remaining investments in the banks are:

Bank	Investment type	Valuation	Source
Allied Irish Banks	Equity and preference shares Contingent capital (CoCo)	€11.7bn €1.6bn	ISIF end 2014 preliminary valuation Par redemption value
Bank of Ireland	Equity	€1.6bn	Irish Stock Exchange closing price 1st May 2015
Permanent TSB	Equity	€1.5bn	At €4.50 per share see as follows

 

The Permanent TSB capital raise was completed by close of business 5th May. As part of the capital raise, the bank asked the Minister for Finance to sell some of the State's shares to allow it meet the 25% minimum free float requirements of the Irish and London Stock Exchanges. The Minister agreed to this request and the shares were sold at a price of €4.50 generating total proceeds of €97.2 million. This price of €4.50 was used in calculating the value of the State's residual equity stake included in the table above.

As part of the capital raise, the bank agreed to repurchase the Contingent Capital ("CoCo") from the State at a price equivalent to 102.6% of the par value of €400 million. Including accrued interest, the total proceeds agreed in relation to the CoCo are €442 million. This transaction is due to complete by close of business 7th May.     

In summary, the combined proceeds for the State from the share sale and CoCo repurchase are expected to total €539m.

Tax Yield

Questions (167)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

167. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Finance the revenue that would be generated by the introduction of a 1% income levy on all gross income. [17750/15]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that a 1% income levy on all gross income would generate an estimated revenue of €925 million.

These figures are estimates from the Revenue tax forecasting model using latest actual data for the year 2012, adjusted as necessary for income, self-employment and employment trends in the interim. They are estimated by reference to 2015 incomes and are provisional and may be revised.

Banking Sector Regulation

Questions (168)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

168. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the safeguards in place to prevent loan books at Irish banks that are sold being bought by those who may have, through previous work, knowledge of the loan books or a conflict of interest; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17753/15]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

It is the responsibility of the Directors of banks operating in Ireland to ensure that they have governance and control arrangements in place that comply with, inter alia, the Central Bank of Ireland's Corporate Governance Code and the European Banking Authority's Governance Guidelines (GL44).  These governance and control arrangements are expected to include strong controls in their front-line businesses, in their risk management and compliance functions and finally an effective internal audit capability, such that conflicts of interest in all matters, including the sale of loan books, are managed appropriately and the associated risks are mitigated.   

These arrangements should be assessed through, for example, independent external audits, and are also subject to ongoing supervisory engagement by the Central Bank of Ireland, including through regular inspections.

In addition, the Central Bank of Ireland's Fitness and Probity regime requires credit institutions to assess the suitability of members of the management body and requires high standards of behaviour of those individuals on an ongoing basis.

More generally, Directors of any Irish company including banks incorporated under the Companies Act 1963 or the Companies Act 1990, are required to comply with their fiduciary duties to that company, which include:  

- acting in good faith and in the interests of the company as a whole;

- avoiding conflicts of interest;

- a prohibition on making undisclosed profits from their position as directors and must account for any profit which they secretly derive from their position as a director; and,

- an obligation to carry out their functions with due care, skill and diligence.

Pension Provisions

Questions (169)

Michael McGrath

Question:

169. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 57 of 7 November 2012, if he will confirm the arm's length and market value basis for the transaction involving the transfer of €1.1 billion of par value loan assets from the company's balance sheet to the pension fund; if he will specify the amount the bank was actually paid for the loan assets by the pension fund; if he will confirm the person who approved the transaction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17756/15]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

I have been informed by AIB that, this transaction was made using arm's length valuations, based on discounted expected cash flows, by two independent external parties and was agreed by both the Pension fund Trustees and the Bank.

As this was a contribution to the Scheme, there was no payment due to the Bank. Further details of the transaction can be found on page 240 of the bank's 2012 Annual Financial Report.

This transaction was approved by the Board and the Bank's deleveraging committee at the time which included non-voting observers from the Department of Finance and the Central Bank. The bank also consulted with the Pensions Board as part of the process.

Questions Nos. 170 and 171 answered with Question No. 132.

Disabled Drivers and Passengers Scheme

Questions (172)

Patrick O'Donovan

Question:

172. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Finance if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding tax relief; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17807/15]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

The legislation governing the Drivers and Passengers with Disabilities Scheme is contained in Section 92 of the Finance Act 1989 (as amended), Section 134(3) of the Finance Act 1992 (as amended) and the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations 1994 (S.I. 353 of 1994). Full details of the scheme, including the criteria which must be met, are set out in Information Leaflet VRT 7 which is available from the Revenue website www.revenue.ie

The Regulations specify that tax relief under the scheme is restricted to a vehicle purchased from an authorised person. An authorised person means a person authorised under Section 136 of the Finance Act 1992 such as a car dealership.  A vehicle which is purchased privately in the State rather than from an authorised person does not qualify for any relief under the scheme.

All the reliefs and grants are available under the Scheme, including receipt of the fuel grant and exemption from motor tax, if the vehicle is purchased from an authorised person and the applicant meets all of the other qualifying criteria.

Fiscal Policy

Questions (173)

Paul Murphy

Question:

173. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Finance the reason table 10 in the stability programme update of April 2015 does not include a line showing the underlying general government primary balance, as has been provided in previous years; and if he will provide that information. [17885/15]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

The recommendation of the Council of the European Union dated 7th of December 2010 provided a ceiling for the general government deficit for the years 2011 to 2015. This ceiling excluded any potential bank support measures that may be required in the context of the Government's financial sector strategy. As such, fiscal projections produced by my Department contained a forecast of the underlying general government (which excluded any support to the financial sector) to allow a comparison to be made between the ceiling allowed by the Council's recommendation and the forecast deficit.

The forecast for the underlying general government deficit is still published in Table A1 of the Supplementary Data in the SPU.  However, as the Deputy will be aware, Ireland is on course to reduce the general government deficit to below 3% of GDP in 2015 and exit the excessive deficit procedure thereafter. Once out of the excessive deficit procedure, the underlying deficit is no longer relevant.  In any event, the difference between the headline and underlying deficit is now relatively small (c. €120 million related to the credit union sector in 2015) and is expected to reduce to zero by 2017.

Separately, the achievement of a primary surplus is an important metric is terms of debt sustainability in the medium to long term.  A primary surplus means that, excluding debt service costs, revenues are sufficient to meet expenditures. 

The underlying general government primary balance is calculated by deducting interest expenditure from the underlying general government balance. Tables consistent with the SPU are set out in the table.  

Underlying general government primary balance

	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020
Primary Balance €m	-115	2,365	3,290	4,830	6,665	8,535	10,750
Primary Balance % GDP	-0.1	1.2	1.6	2.2	2.9	3.6	4.4

Consumer Protection

Questions (174)

Finian McGrath

Question:

174. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Finance his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the Consumer Credit Act 1995; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17893/15]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

I am advised by the Central Bank of Ireland that it considers the circumstances of each case on its own merits in deciding an appropriate course of action such as exercising its discretion to proceed under the Administrative Sanctions Procedure or issue a summary prosecution.  It also advises that all investigations are considered on their own specific facts as to whether or not investigation is merited into the actions of one or more entities or individuals.

It is not possible for the Central Bank to make decisions in relation to potential responsibility without being aware of all of the facts and circumstances of a particular issue or complaint.  If a person has any complaint or information regarding an alleged contravention of this particular section of the Consumer Credit Act, this can be provided directly to the Central Bank which is the appropriate and independent authority on this matter.

Carbon Tax Implementation

Questions (175)

Brendan Smith

Question:

175. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware of the serious concern of fuel merchants in the Border counties following the imposition of carbon tax on household fuel products; that the viability of many of these businesses is under threat; and that revenue is being lost to the State; his proposals to reduce the level of carbon tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17894/15]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

The introduction of Carbon Tax was about sending a price signal that there is a cost associated with the consumption of fossil fuels to the detriment of the environment. It should also be noted that solid fuels have the highest carbon content of all fossil fuels. As a result they are considered the dirtiest fuels and given the environmental impact it is important that they are taxed.

Carbon Tax was introduced in Budget 2010 but its application to solid fuels was delayed to allow for the development of a robust mechanism to counter the large scale sourcing of coal from Northern Ireland where lower sulphur standards apply. Such a mechanism is in place since June 2011.

The carbon tax on solid fuels was introduced in two phases i.e. €10 per tonne of CO2 from 1st May 2013 and a further €10 per tonne of CO2 from 1st May 2014 thus bringing the carbon tax on solid fuels in line with that on all other fossil fuels i.e. at €20 per tonne of CO2.  In 2014 the overall carbon tax yield was €385.36m of which the carbon tax on solid fuels accounted for €17.2m.

While tax increases are unpopular, it makes sense to increase taxes in areas where some benefits can arise, in this instance a carbon tax promotes energy efficiency, reduces emissions and reduces our dependence on imported fossil fuels.

As a matter of principle the reliefs from the carbon tax are limited to ensure as wide an application as possible.  Placing a carbon tax on solid fuels also offers an opportunity to develop cleaner more efficient and environmentally friendly alternative fuels.

Accordingly I have no plans to reduce the level of carbon tax on solid fuels.

Public Sector Staff Recruitment

Questions (176)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

176. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide details of recruitment under the aegis of his Department to the public sector since the partial lifting of the embargo on recruitment. [18252/15]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

I wish to inform the Deputy that in respect of my Department the following recruitment took place from 1st December 2014 to 30th April 2015.

1st Dec. - 31st Dec. 2014 - 2 staff were recruited, 1 at Higher Executive Officer level and 1 at Statistician level, from the Central Statistics Office.  

1st Jan. 2015 - 30th April 2015 - 29 staff were recruited, 1 at Assistant Principal level, 11 at Administrative Officer level, 5 at Clerical Officer level, 1 at Service Officer level, 1 Specialist from KPMG and 10 temporary Clerical Officers recruited for the Banking Inquiry. In addition 4 staff have accepted offers of employment and are due to start in the coming weeks.

The filling of all senior posts in my Department are advertised and conduced by the Public Appointments Service.

In addition to the recruitment within my own Department I have been advised of the following recruitment in respect of bodies under the aegis of my Department, since the lifting of the embargo:

Comptroller and Auditor General: Two trainee auditors have been hired in 2015. This is the CandAG's entry grade.

Central Bank of Ireland: The Central Bank was not subject to the recruitment embargo. Since 1 December 2014, the Bank has recruited 113 external candidates to fill vacancies. In some cases, it is still awaiting the person to start but offers have been accepted.

Irish Fiscal Advisory Council: Dr. Íde Kearney was appointed as a Member of the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council on 12 March 2015.  The IFAC has advertised to fill the role of Research Assistant and expects an appointment will be will be made shortly.

NTMA: The recruitment embargo does not apply to the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA). The NTMA also assigns staff to the National Asset Management Agency (NAMA) and the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI).  All NAMA and SBCI staff are employees of the NTMA. NAMA and the SBCI reimburse the NTMA in respect of the costs of these staff.  Staff assigned to NAMA are employed on the basis of specified purpose contracts - their employment lasts for as long as their role is required by NAMA - or fixed term contracts.  Net recruitment by the NTMA from 1 January to 30 April 2015 is as follows: NTMA (ex NAMA and SBCI), 24; NAMA, -1; and SBCI, 5.

Revenue Commissioners: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that under a delegated sanction received from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform the Revenue Commissioners have started recruiting staff from Public Appointments Service panels and from existing Revenue open recruitment panels. Using its recruitment licence from the Commission for Public Service Appointments, Revenue is also recruiting specialist staff at Principal, Assistant Principal, Administrative Officer and Executive Officer levels.

Revenue recently held open competitions at Assistant Principal Level for a panel of tax professionals and Information and Communications Technology specialists. Recruitment competitions for two Principal Officers (Chief Analytics Officer and District Manager Sligo), Administrative Officers (Compliance and ICT) and Executive Officers (Compliance) are in train for 2015. The number of posts to be filled will depend on critical vacancies arising, projected business needs and the number of posts that can be filled through redeployment and from internal promotion panels. Overall Revenue expects to fill around 400 posts from open competitions advertised in 2014 and 2015. All Revenue's open competitions will be advertised nationally and on the PAS website.

In addition two Revenue vacancies at Assistant Secretary level will be filled through the TLAC process.

In total there have been 109 positions filled through recruitment up to end of April 2015.

Office of Public Works Projects

Questions (177)

Seamus Healy

Question:

177. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding the proposal by a former Minister (details supplied), whereby the Office of Public Works would take charge of the Bolton Library, Cashel, County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17861/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

I am advised by the Commissioners of Public Works that in May 2010 the then Minister of State at the Department of Finance with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, Mr. Martin Mansergh TD, announced that the OPW would take the Bolton Library in Cashel in its charge and would work with the Church of Ireland, who are the owners, and the University of Limerick, to secure the future of the collection and facilitate its future storage, conservation, exhibition and research.

In the period immediately following this announcement, it became clear that the very considerable resources necessary to undertake this project were not available owing to the difficult Exchequer position at the time and the consequent significant restriction on funding to the Office of Public Works. Throughout this period however, it was also clear that the Bolton Library collection continued to be under direct threat of damage arising from its being housed in very unsuitable accommodation in a building next to the Church of Ireland Cathedral in Cashel and that a viable solution to its future care needed to be found urgently.

Following further consideration of the position in 2012 and 2013, the Office of Public Works advised the Church of Ireland that it was not in a position to proceed with the proposal outlined by the previous Minister and indicated that it would be withdrawing from direct participation in it. However, understanding that the Church was proposing to return to an earlier proposal of its own to secure the future of the collection with the direct assistance of the University of Limerick, the OPW also agreed to assist practically in any way possible and to work with the owners of the collection, once it had been safeguarded, to facilitate the exhibition of parts of the Library and allow the public to access it.

I understand that at this stage, the owners of the Bolton Library are in discussions with the University of Limerick in relation to the future conservation of the Library. The Office of Public Works is not directly involved therefore at this point.

Departmental Contracts Data

Questions (178)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

178. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the value of contracts awarded to a company (details supplied) by his Department. [17217/15]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

In response to the Deputy's question I can confirm that my Department has not awarded any contracts to Roankabin.