Tuesday, 16 Jun 2015

Written Answers Nos. 221-233

Disability Allowance Data

Questions (221)

Billy Timmins

Question:

221. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of persons on a disability allowance, by county, for counties Wicklow, Wexford, Louth, Tipperary and Mayo. [23865/15]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

The following table relates to the number of disability allowance recipients by county at the end of May 2015.

Wicklow	Wexford	Louth	Tipperary	Mayo
3051	4122	3075	5158	3740

Question No. 222 withdrawn.

Rent Supplement Scheme Payments

Questions (223)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

223. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection further to and notwithstanding Parliamentary Question No. 269 of 9 June 2015, if rent support for two outstanding weeks can be authorised in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare who was previously in receipt of the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23897/15]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

The client concerned should inform the Department of the date their previous tenancy ceased. On receipt of this information, any entitlement to Rent Supplement arrears can be assessed.

Disability Allowance Payments

Questions (224)

Willie Penrose

Question:

224. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when arrears in relation to a claim for a disability allowance in respect a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath will be paid; if same will now be expedited, as this person was granted disability allowance on appeal 11 weeks ago; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23899/15]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

Disability allowance arrears will issue to the person concerned in the next few days.

Jobseeker's Allowance Data

Questions (225)

Catherine Byrne

Question:

225. Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of jobseeker's allowance claimants aged 18, 19, 20, 21, and 22; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23928/15]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

The number of Jobseeker's Allowance recipients aged 18, 19, 20, 21, and 22 at the end of May was 24,799. A breakdown of this number by age is detailed in the following tabular statement.

Number of Recipients of Jobseeker’s Allowance aged 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22 at end of May 2015.

Age of Recipient	Number of Recipients on Jobseeker’s Allowance
18	2,989
19	5,146
20	5,445
21	5,544
22	5,675

Tribunals of Inquiry Recommendations

Questions (226)

Micheál Martin

Question:

226. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Finance the actions taken from the recommendations made in the Moriarty tribunal report, which he received in March 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23083/15]

Written answers

Minister for Finance (Deputy Michael Noonan)

In response to the Deputy's question the Moriarty Tribunal made a number of recommendations which affected a number of Government Departments. As Minister for Finance I can only respond in relation to the recommendations made in relation to my own Department.

The tribunal pointed out problems to be addressed in our system of financial regulation.  Poor supervision, an overly-deferential attitude by regulators, poor assessment of risks and a lack of follow-through on enforcement, all played a part in the financial crisis.  This Government has undertaken a number of significant reforms since the financial crisis towards building a strengthened regulatory framework for the Irish financial services sector and to respond to the shortcomings identified.  In 2011 the new Fitness and Probity regime was rolled out by the Central Bank in accordance with the provisions of the Central Bank Reform Act 2010. The regime provides for new powers to be exercised by the Central Bank to ensure the fitness and probity of nominees to key positions within financial service providers and of key office-holders within those providers. Following on from the Central Bank Reform Act, 2010, the Central Bank (Supervision and Enforcement) Act 2013 enhances the Central Bank's regulatory powers, drawing on the lessons of the recent past in Ireland and abroad. It strengthens the ability of the Central Bank to impose and supervise compliance with regulatory requirements and to undertake timely prudential interventions.  The Act also provides the Central Bank with greater access to information and analysis and underpins the credible enforcement of Irish financial services legislation in line with international best practice. The reforms introduced under the Central Bank (Supervision and Enforcement) Act 2013 are complemented by a number of strategically important reforms at EU level in financial services. Under our Presidency, agreement was reached on the single supervisory mechanism, one of the main cornerstones of Banking Union which will provide for the European Central Bank to act as supervisor for systemic important banks throughout the Union. Agreement was also reached on the Capital Requirements package which will ensure that European banks hold enough good quality capital to withstand future economic and financial shocks. These legislative reforms have been supplemented by a significant increase in regulatory activity by the Central Bank with a corresponding increase in staff numbers and skill levels. The Central Bank of Ireland's Enforcement Priorities for 2015 highlight the importance of enforcement within its risk-based regulatory framework (PRISM). PRISM represents a challenging and proportionate risk-based system of supervision for all financial institutions operating in Ireland. The Central Bank's Strategic Plan 2013 2015 also sets out a strategy of assertive risk-based supervision underpinned by a credible threat of enforcement.

In response to the Tribunal recommendations I considered the provision of tax relief for donations to political parties and decided against introducing such relief. The Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Act 2012 provided for changes to the Electoral Act 1997 and imposed new limits for donations. Donations to individuals exceeding €600 must be declared and donations exceeding €1,000 in any one year may not be accepted. Political party donations greater than €1,500 must be declared and donations greater than €2,500 in any one year may not be accepted. These limits, in themselves, should act to deter any attempts by wealthy individuals to influence political activity.

The Office of the Revenue Commissioners have provided me with the following information in relation to Revenue issues raised in the recommendations of the Moriarty Tribunal.

Recommendation: Independence of the Revenue Commissioners

Section 101 of the Minister and Secretaries (Amendment) Act 2011 placed on a statutory basis the independence of the Revenue Commissioners in the exercise by the Commissioners of their statutory functions under the various taxation and customs enactments. This has given effect to the recommendation of the Report of the Tribunal into Payments to Politicians and Related Matters (that is, the report of Mr. Justice Moriarty), that the principle or convention of the independence of the Revenue Commissioners be placed on the more robust status of a legislative provision.

Recommendation: Representations to Revenue by Office holders

In relation to this proposal, I remain of the view that this recommendation could best be considered in the context of the Government's overall approach to political and parliamentary reform. Representations are a valid part of the political process. The Government may wish to consider whether this recommendation should be confined to Revenue, or to Officeholders, or whether the Commissioners decision to publish data on the volume of representations made by each Deputy is an adequate response.

Recommendation: Transmission to other agencies of information obtained by Revenue under bilateral agreements

This recommendation has been considered. These agreements are international treaties which are very precisely drawn as to the purpose for which information may be used and would not permit such transmission. However if opportunities arise in the future, the Commissioners will consider the matter further. The Deputy will appreciate that Revenue is not in a position to comment on matters relating to individuals for reasons of taxpayer confidentiality.

Tribunals of Inquiry Recommendations

Questions (227)

Micheál Martin

Question:

227. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Finance the number of meetings he has held in his Department in relation to the recommendations in the Moriarty tribunal report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23084/15]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

In response to the Deputy's question, the Moriarty Tribunal made a number of recommendations. Since the publication of the report in March 2011, my Department has undertaken to implement recommendations that fall under my remit. This work continues and is discussed at a Divisional level within the Department and at regular policy meetings held by officials.

VAT Payments

Questions (228)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

228. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Finance the changes on VAT returns with respect to sales of coal for the periods November-February 2014 and November-February 2015 compared to the period November-February 2013; if any reduction in VAT can be attributed to the carbon tax and the resultant increase in the number of people sourcing their coal from Northern Ireland instead of the Republic due to the higher cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23145/15]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioner that the information to be furnished on VAT returns does not require the yield from particular products or activities to be identified. In these circumstances, the amount of VAT collected in respect of coal, as returned by traders registered for VAT, cannot be identified in the overall yield of VAT.

I am advised also by the Commissioners that the taxation of solid fuels is dependent on the regulatory regime for coal put in place by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government in 2011. This regulatory regime establishes higher environmental standards for coal supplied in the State compared with Northern Ireland, and provides for enforcement of those standards by the local authorities.  Suppliers who produce or supply solid fuels in contravention of the coal regulations are subject to investigation and prosecution by local authorities and other State agencies charged with preventing such supply.

Invalidity Pension Payments

Questions (229)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

229. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the reason a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary is being taxed on an invalidity pension, second pension, for the year 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23831/15]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

An invalidity pension is a taxable source of income and this was not changed by any provisions announced in the 2011 Budget.

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that in March of this year the person concerned requested a tax review for the years 2011 to 2014 inclusive. In the course of that review it was established the person concerned was in receipt of an invalidity pension which had not previously been taxed. The resulting underpayment of tax will be collected over a 4-year period commencing in 2016.

The Revenue Commissioners will contact the person concerned regarding the matter of a second pension referred to by the Deputy.

IBRC Expenditure

Questions (230)

Michael McGrath

Question:

230. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a breakdown of the legal and professional fees incurred by the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation in relation to the ongoing legal dispute between the corporation and a family (details supplied), the said fees, including fees paid to solicitors, barristers, accountants, expert witnesses, information and technology consultants, nominee directors and receivers, both personal receivers and share receivers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23024/15]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

I am advised by the Special Liquidators that they are not in a position to provide the requested information due to commercial confidentiality and ongoing litigation involving the family referred to in the question.

IBRC Expenditure

Questions (231)

Michael McGrath

Question:

231. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a breakdown of fees paid to barristers, senior and junior counsel, by the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation for each of the years 2011 to 2014, including the name of, and amount paid to, each recipient; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23025/15]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

I would like to direct the Deputy to the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation Limited (in Special Liquidation) update report of 12 March 2015 which is available on the Department of Finance website at http://www.finance.gov.ie/sites/default/files/DOF_IBRC_Progress%20update%20report%20to%2031%20Dec%2014.pdf and in particular pages 58  to 67 inclusive.  The report provides details of the fees paid to A&L Goodbody, Linklaters and other legal advisers up to 31 December 2014.

I am advised that the Special Liquidators are unable to provide the information requested due to the fact that the systems in place in Irish Bank Resolution Corporation Limited (in Special Liquidation) do not differentiate between fees paid to legal firms and fees paid to barristers; and typically, barrister fees would be included in fee notes raised by the relevant legal firm.

Commissions of Investigation

Questions (232, 233)

Lucinda Creighton

Question:

232. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Finance if the current €10 million threshold for the commission of investigation into Irish Bank Resolution Corporation is credible. [23034/15]

Lucinda Creighton

Question:

233. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Finance the reason the sum of €10 million was chosen as the threshold for the commission of investigation into Irish Bank Resolution Corporation. [23036/15]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

I propose to take Questions Nos. 232 and 233 together.

As the Deputy is aware, the Terms of Reference of the Commission of Investigation into IBRC, including the €10 million threshold, were debated in Dáil Éireann last Tuesday and Wednesday.

The €10 million threshold will ensure that the investigation is focused on the largest transactions and that transactions relating to small and medium enterprise loans or mortgages are not subject to the investigation. It is estimated at this time that approximately 30 to 40 transactions are in excess of this €10 million threshold. Any series of transactions relating to a single borrower or entity that resulted in a capital loss of €10 million is also included. In addition, the commission will also have the power to investigate any transaction that may have resulted in a smaller capital loss to IBRC, but gives rise to potential public concern. If the Deputy is aware of potential public concerns about specific transactions below the level of the €10 million cap, she should bring these to the attention of Judge O'Keeffe who is chairing the commission.