Tuesday, 20 Oct 2015

Written Answers Nos. 280-300

Central Bank of Ireland Investigations

Questions (280)

John Halligan

Question:

280. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Finance further to previous parliamentary questions on the issue of the mis-selling of payment protection insurance policies, if he will confirm the current status of the investigation being held by the Central Bank of Ireland; the progress that has been made in the ongoing negotiations with small entities, including credit unions, which sold this insurance; the amount of the total refund to date; the number of policies refunded to date; when is it estimated that the refund process will cease; if he is satisfied that the process of refunding the mis-sold policies is being adequately run; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36082/15]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

As I said in response to Question No. 209 on 10 March this year, the Central Bank issued a Summary Report of its Payment Protection Review ("the PPI Review") in March 2014. The PPI Review included the sales by 11 credit institutions since July 2007. This resulted in a total refund of €69.5 million (including €6.1 million in interest). Around 83,490 policies have been refunded. I understand from the Central Bank that the projects in the 11 institutions are completed.

As part of the overall PPI review, all consumers were written to by firms participating in the review giving them the opportunity to complain to the Financial Services Ombudsman if they were unhappy with the findings of the individual review of their PPI policy. I am informed by the Central Bank that it is continuing to engage with smaller entities that sold PPI including Credit Unions. It is expected that this review will conclude later this year. The objective of the review was to identify if there were instances where the Consumer Protection Code was not complied with in respect of the sale of PPI by credit institutions and where appropriate to remediate consumers. This Code, of course, continues to protect consumers of financial products sold by regulated financial institutions.

Tax Code

Questions (281)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

281. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Finance his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding stamp duty relief for farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36134/15]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

Following last year's comprehensive review of agri-taxation that was published by myself and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, a number of outstanding recommendations were examined further and are being implemented as part of Budget 2016. These include:

- the extension of four measures which were due to expire at end December 2015 for a further three years. This includes the general stock relief, the stock relief for young trained farmers, the stock relief for registered farm partnerships and the stamp duty exemption for young trained farmers;

- the introduction of a new succession transfer proposal. This new proposal is a model whereby two people, for example family members, enter into a partnership with an appropriate profit-sharing agreement and the provision for the transfer of the farm to the younger farmer at the end of a specified period, not exceeding ten years. To support this transfer, an income tax credit worth up to €5,000 will be allocated to the partnership, split according to the profit-sharing agreement. The partnership model will enable a gradual transfer of control, facilitates knowledge transfer, and will provide extra income for the partnership. The purpose of this new model is to provide increased certainty about the timing of the transfer of a farm, which would greatly assist with long-term planning and farm productivity. This new incentive will be subject to state aid approval.

Tax Code

Questions (282)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

282. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Finance his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding capital gains tax relief for farmland sold under a compulsory purchase order; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36135/15]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

The details supplied suggest a Capital Gains Tax (CGT) rollover relief in respect of the proceeds from the sale of farmland under a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO). General rollover relief was abolished in Budget 2003. One result of rollover relief was that the CGT due on an asset disposal was often never paid. While the public finances are improving, it is still the case that the yield from the various taxes, including CGT, needs to be protected.

An Agri-Taxation review was carried out last year, the objective of which was to maximise the benefits for the farming sector and the wider economy of the existing level of State support through the tax system. The report of the Review was published in the context of Budget 2015 in October last year. The Review bore Food Harvest 2020, among other things, in mind. It sets out a strategy for agri-taxation policy for the future and concluded that the three main policy objectives are:

1. Increase the mobility and the productive use of land

2. Assist succession

3. Complement wider agriculture policies and schemes, such as supporting environmental sustainability

The Review made policy recommendations, taking into consideration the cost of the existing Agri-taxation measures that were already in existence and the need to protect the position of the public finances. Many of the recommendations made were introduced by way of last year's Budget and Finance Bill process including amendments to income tax land leasing reliefs, CGT Farm Restructuring relief and CGT retirement relief. I announced further measures on foot of the Review's recommendations in my Budget 2016 speech on Tuesday last.  However, the Review did not recommend change to the tax treatment of land disposed under a CPO.

I note the concerns of the Deputy and of landowners who have been subject to CPO. However, for the reasons outlined, I have no plans to introduce CGT roll-over relief in respect of gains on land disposed under CPO. I did, however, announce in my Budget 2016 speech that I am introducing a revised CGT entrepreneur relief from 1 January 2016 under which a lower 20% rate of CGT will apply to chargeable gains arising on the disposal of an individual's qualifying business assets (up to a lifetime limit of €1 million). The revised relief will apply to disposals of qualifying business assets by farmers, among others.  

Question No. 283 answered with Question No. 244.

Tax Code

Questions (284)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

284. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Finance his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding an income tax incentive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36140/15]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

In last week's Budget, I announced the introduction of a Succession Farm Partnership, subject to EU State Aid approval. A Succession Farm Partnership is a succession planning model that encourages older farmers to form partnerships with young trained farmers and to transfer ownership of the farm, within a specified period, to that young trained farmer. This relief is available to any individuals, including families, who meet the qualifying criteria. 

The key terms of a Succession Farm Partnership are:

- Where a Registered Farm Partnership exists, where one participant is a farmer who owns land and the other participant is a young trained farmer, this partnership may become a Succession Farm Partnership.

- In general, there can only be two partners: an anchor farmer and a young trained farmer successor.  Where the anchor farmer's land was co-owned, or where the anchor farmer intends to pass the farm jointly to a successor and that successor's spouse or civil partner, then exceptions are made.

- The anchor farmer must agree to transfer the farm to the successor within 3 to 10 years of entering into the partnership.

- For the first five years of the partnership, or up until the successor reaches the age of 40, the partners are entitled to a 'succession tax credit' of €5,000 per annum divided between them. This tax credit can only be used against the profits of the farm. The partners can apportion the tax credit between them based on relevant agreements. If the farm is not transferred as agreed at the outset, then this tax credit is clawed back.

Tax Code

Questions (285)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

285. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Finance his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding an income tax volatility measure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36143/15]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

I have no plans to introduce an individualised income tax volatility measure for farmers that would allow farmers to delay payment of taxes. As the Deputy will be aware, income averaging is available to farmers in recognition of the volatility of their income, which I believe is ultimately more beneficial than delaying the payment of tax.

The Deputy may be aware that following the review of agri-tax measures that was carried out in 2014, I amended the income averaging scheme for farmers to extend the period over which income can be averaged from three years to five, in order to give more scope for income smoothing within a commodity price cycle.

Tax Code

Questions (286)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

286. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Finance his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding agricultural leave; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36141/15]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

I assume that the Deputy is referring to Capital Acquisitions Tax (CAT) agricultural relief. The importance of agriculture in the Irish economy is well recognised. In this context, a specific relief from CAT is provided for gifts and inheritances of agricultural property once certain conditions are satisfied. This relief is known as Agricultural Relief. The aim of the relief is to ensure the active use of agricultural land. The relief takes the form of a reduction in the market value of the agricultural property by 90% for the purposes of establishing whether or not a CAT liability arises on the gift or inheritance and that relief remains in place.

The tax-free thresholds above which CAT applies were reduced considerably over the period of the financial crisis and at a time of falling asset prices in order to help maintain the yield from capital taxes.  Asset prices, particularly property prices, have been recovering strongly although not to the levels experienced during the boom. In recognition of this recovery, I announced in my Budget Speech on Tuesday last an increase in the Group A tax-free threshold, which broadly applies to transfers between parents and their children, from €225,000 to €280,000.

Office of Public Works Properties

Questions (287)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy

Question:

287. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if there are procedures in place in order to make disused buildings available to the community, for example old courthouses or Garda stations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36164/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

The policy in relation to non-operational properties held by the Office of Public Works (OPW), such as the former Garda stations, is in the first instance to identify an alternative State use. If there is no identifiable State use, then the option of disposing of the property on the open market is considered, if and when conditions prevail, in order to generate revenue for the Exchequer.

In the event that a sale does not proceed, community use of the property may be considered subject to the submission of an appropriate business case that demonstrates the capacity of the community/voluntary group to insure, maintain and manage the property. There are procedures in place in the OPW to assess each business case in accordance with established criteria.

I am advised by the Courts Service that it operates a similar policy and have procedures in place in relation to assessing community use of non-operational Courthouses.

Public Sector Staff Retirements

Questions (288)

Michael McNamara

Question:

288. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if measures will be put in place to ensure that employees of State agencies and local authorities may remain in their employment until they reach the age at which they qualify to receive the State pension where their contracts of employment envisaged retirement at 65 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36208/15]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

Responsibility for conditions in respect of occupational pension and any maximum or compulsory retirement ages in particular areas of the public service are in general a matter for the relevant employer, pension administrator or Government Department in the first instance. However, I understand that public servants who began employment in a public service body prior to 1 April 2004 normally have a maximum retirement age of 65 under their terms and conditions of employment. For certain roles, such as members of the fire brigade or An Garda Síochána, the maximum retirement age may be lower. Public servants who have a maximum retirement age of 65 and have completed the applicable vesting period are eligible to receive a public service pension and retirement lump sum upon retirement. The minimum pension age for such persons is normally 60 or 65 years of age.

When a public service pension is integrated (or co-ordinated) with the Contributory State Pension (CSP), the public service pension amount paid is based on the assumption that the pensioner also receives the CSP. Where such a public service pensioner does not receive the CSP, or receives it only at a rate less than the maximum rate payable to a single person without dependants, then a discretionary supplementary pension may be payable under the relevant public service pension scheme.

In such cases, the public service supplementary pension is only payable where the pensioner remains unemployed and, through no fault of their own, does not qualify for any relevant social welfare benefit or qualifies at less than the maximum personal rate. It is therefore necessary for the person to claim any available social welfare benefits, for example Jobseeker's Benefit, in order to receive a supplementary pension. This situation is not new and already applies to public service workers who have a maximum retirement age below 65, such as members of the fire brigade or An Garda Síochána. 

This supplementary pension, subject to meeting the terms and conditions outlined, may be payable to persons required to retire from public service jobs at age 65 years. The rate of payment of the supplementary pension is the difference between the combined amount of the public service pension and any available social welfare pension received by the retiree, and the amount of public service pension he or she would have received if that pension had been calculated on a basis which was not integrated with the CSP.

Severe Weather Events Expenditure

Questions (289)

Michael McNamara

Question:

289. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the works to be funded by the proposed additional storm funding allocation to Clare County Council of €1,435,952 will be carried out; if he will outline any conditions pertaining to the expenditure of the funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36207/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

The programming and execution of works for which the Office of Public Works (OPW) is providing additional storm damage repair funding is a matter for the local authority.

Clare County Council has been requested to identify and submit to the OPW by the end of 2015 the additional priority areas to which it will allocate this funding, with a description of the works and an estimate of costs.

The Council is required to submit an expenditure report to the OPW by the end of 2016 in relation to all of the 2014 storm damage funding allocated to it setting out the projects on which all the monies have been expended and the projection for expenditure of any outstanding funding balances remaining at that time. The report is also to confirm:

(i) The total amount that has been spent on each project, giving a detailed breakdown of the actual costs incurred.

(ii) That the expenditure involved relates solely to works carried out in respect of essential repairs to coastal protection infrastructure damaged in the winter 2014 severe weather.

(iii) That the expenditure represents satisfactory value for money for the State.

(iv) That all necessary consents or approvals have been secured.

(v) That all the specified works have actually been completed.

The monies provided to the Council in this regard are a one-off support for the repair of storm damage. The OPW is not accepting liability for any continued maintenance of any works or repairs. I am satisfied that the funding will help the Council to prioritise the storm damage works in Clare and to finalise these essential repair works.

Ministerial Appointments

Questions (290)

Clare Daly

Question:

290. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the appointment of a member to the Top Level Appointments Committee who simultaneously holds the post of chair of the Revenue Commissioners is in line with procedures and practices for such appointments. [36244/15]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

The membership of the Top Level Appointments Committee (TLAC) is appointed by the Taoiseach.  The Taoiseach in making such appointments consults with me in my role as Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. 

The person holding the position referred to in the Deputy's question is not a member of TLAC but there is no impediment to a person holding that position being considered for appointment to TLAC in circumstances that a vacancy arose.

Ministerial Appointments

Questions (291)

Clare Daly

Question:

291. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the policy around appointments to the Top Level Appointments Committee in cases where persons have complaints against them outstanding at the time an appointment is made. [36245/15]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

The membership of the Top Level Appointments Committee (TLAC) is appointed by the Taoiseach. The Taoiseach in making such appointments consults with me in my role as Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. TLAC operates strictly in accordance with the principles of merit, consistency, accountability, probity, best practice and professional confidentiality.  In this context all appointments to TLAC are made on the basis that a person appointed can fully discharge their responsibilities as a member of TLAC in a manner fully consistent with these key principles.

Commercial Rates Calculations

Questions (292)

Seán Fleming

Question:

292. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the difference between the approach to commercial rates for hair salons versus premises that are being used as an educational establishment for persons in the hairdressing business; if there is an exemption from commercial rates for educational establishments; if this applies to educational establishments that are providing their educational services on a commercial basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36322/15]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

The Valuation Act, 2001 provides in Schedule 3, Sections 1(a) and (b) that all buildings and lands used or developed for any purpose including constructions affixed thereto are rateable. The basic premise under the Act is that all interests (including buildings) and all developed land are rateable unless expressly exempted under Schedule 4.

Paragraph 10 of Schedule 4 has an exemption for schools, colleges, universities, institutes of technology or other educational institutions, and that paragraph lays down the conditions for qualifying for the exemption which include that the property be used exclusively for the provision of educational services and otherwise than for private profit.  Educational services provided on a commercial basis are rateable.

The decision whether or not to grant exemption in individual cases is a matter for the Valuation Office and I have no role in the matter. It will depend on the particular circumstances of the property and, without knowing the detail, it is not possible to give the Deputy a more precise answer. I have  been informed by the Valuation Office that there may be a number of instances where education/training in hairdressing or other skills is provided on a not-for-profit or charitable basis and may, taking all other circumstances into consideration, qualify for exemption.

The rateable valuation of all commercial property is based on net annual value (NAV) i.e. the rental value of the property.  Any ratepayer dissatisfied with the rateability of a property, the valuation assessed on a particular property or the method of calculation can appeal to the Valuation Tribunal, an independent body set up for such purposes.  There is also a further right of appeal to the High Court and ultimately to the Supreme Court on a point of law.

Estimates Process

Questions (293)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

293. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the 2015 forecast outturn for health as detailed on page 6 of his Department's 2016 expenditure report includes any supplementary budget for 2015; and if so, the amount of same. [36372/15]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

The published Forecast Outturn for 2015 Gross Current Health Expenditure includes provision for a Supplementary Estimate of €600 million.

Public Sector Staff Remuneration

Questions (294)

Clare Daly

Question:

294. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to reverse the two-tier pay scale for teachers and other public servants introduced in 2011. [36415/15]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

I assume the Deputy is referring to the 10% reduced rates of pay for new entrant public servants. This was one of a number of measures introduced over the period since the fiscal crisis which directly affected the pay of public service staff. The reductions in starting pay were introduced in January 2011 as part of the National Recovery Plan in order to reduce the Public Service Pay Bill by the previous Government. 

However, this Government has since provided for an agreed process under the Haddington Road Agreement (Section 2.31) in 2013 allowing for the amalgamation of pay scales to address any imbalance in pay scales between those who entered the public service as new entrants after January 2011 and those who applied to become public servants before January 2011. This has addressed the issue of the 'two-tier pay-scale' referred to.  The revised scales provide for assimilation of new entrant public servants to a single applicable scale to each grade and represent a significant redressing of any imbalance particularly in the context of the savings then required under the Haddington Road Agreement.

The Lansdowne Road Agreement, which was recently accepted by the Public Services Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, has extended the provisions of the Haddington Road Agreement up to September 2018.

Garda Station Closures

Questions (295)

Pat Breen

Question:

295. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding a Garda station (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36536/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

Lissycasey Garda station was built on a site in Lissycasey, Co. Clare held under a 99 year lease and the Commissioners of Public Works can confirm that the lease has expired.

The Commissioners of Public Works are currently engaged with the ground landlord of this property.

Flood Risk Assessments

Questions (296)

Michael McCarthy

Question:

296. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason the Office of Public Works has deemed a portion of land (details supplied) in County Cork to be a flood plain; if this adjudication will be reviewed, given that this land has never been the subject of, or at risk to, flooding; the options available to a person wishing to build a one-off family home on this land; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36104/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

As indicated in my replies of 26 February 2015, 28 April 2015 and 16 June 2015, the draft predictive flood maps for Dunmanway are currently available for inspection on the South Western Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Study website www.southwestcframstudy.ie and the landowner may currently provide feedback on same. The CFRAM Programme flood maps will be finalised following a national public consultation which is due to be held in late 2015, details of which will be advertised in the national media and on the CFRAM Programme website www.cfram.ie.

Dunmanway is one of the 300 locations nationwide that are being assessed under the Office of Public Works' (OPW) CFRAM Programme, the purpose of which is to implement the EU Floods Directive and national flood policy.

The CFRAM Programme, which is being undertaken by engineering consultants on behalf of the OPW working in partnership with the Local Authorities, involves the production of predictive flood risk and hazard mapping for each location, the development of preliminary flood risk management options and flood risk management plans.

The draft flood maps do not represent flood events that have occurred in the past but are ‘predictive’ flood maps designed, in accordance with the EU Floods Directive, to show the chances of different types of flood events that could occur in the future and their impact.

The finalised CFRAM flood maps will inform the most feasible Flood Risk Management Plan for Dunmanway and will also be available for use as an information source for sustainable planning. Planning authorities have a range of options and information sources available to them in the context of decision making, including using their professional judgement, on planning applications.

The OPW has no statutory role in the planning process. The OPW has worked with the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government in the development of guidance on how flood risk should be taken into account in the area of planning. This resulted in the publication of The Guidelines on the Planning System and Flood Risk Management (2009). These have introduced a comprehensive and transparent framework for the incorporation of flood risk identification, assessment and management into the planning process.

Local Enterprise Offices

Questions (297)

Finian McGrath

Question:

297. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation further to Parliamentary Question No. 318 of 6 October 2015, his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding a small tourist business that is creating employment and uses an innovative model, and yet receives no support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36163/15]

Written answers

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

As I stated in my response to Parliamentary Question No. 318 of 6 October 2015 in relation to this matter, the reasons for a refusal by a Local Enterprise Office (LEO) of a grant application are a matter between the LEO and the applicant, in which I have no function. An independent evaluations committee makes such decisions.

In general, the LEOs may offer financial support to unique tourism services projects that are focused predominantly on generating revenues from overseas visitors and which do not give rise to deadweight and/or displacement in the local economy. In that regard, State funding should not be used to support jobs if the consequence might be to displace jobs elsewhere in the sector.

The potential for job displacement exists where a new business could only prosper by diverting sales, output, or employment away from existing local businesses already providing essentially the same offering, thus placing existing jobs and the viability of existing businesses at risk.

From the correspondence supplied as part of Parliamentary Question No. 318 of 6 October 2015 and this one, it is apparent that the applicant has been notified by the LEO Dublin City as to the steps that need to be taken should he wish to pursue the application; that is, for the applicant to provide new information, such as in the form of a letter of support from Fáilte Éireann, citing evidence of the need for this service, to support reconsideration of the claim. If the applicant wishes to appeal the decision, or should he want further information as to any other options available to him, then he should contact the Head of the LEO Dublin City directly.

Registered Employment Agreements

Questions (298)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

298. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the consultation with employers that took place before the reinstatement of the employment regulation orders; if a provision has been put in place to offset the negative effect this will have on small contract cleaning companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35959/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

A public consultation process on draft proposals for an Employment Regulation Order for the Contract Cleaning Sector was undertaken in early 2015. Notice of making of the proposals was advertised in national newspapers on March 25th and observations on the proposals were invited to be submitted by April 15th. Copies of the draft proposals were available from the Joint Labour Committees Secretariat and were also uploaded on the Workplace Relations Commission website.

The JLC, made up of representatives of the main union in the sector, SIPTU, and the main employer representatives, including the Irish Contract Cleaners Association, considered submissions made and submitted its final proposals to the Labour Court for consideration. In this instance the Labour Court adopted the proposals and sent them to me. Being satisfied that the provisions of the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Act 2012 were complied with, I signed the Order to effect the proposals on October 1st 2015 - the date that the JLC had indicated in its proposals should be the date that the increased pay rates come into effect.

If enterprises that are covered by EROs are experiencing severe financial difficulties they may apply to the Labour Court for an exemption from their obligation to pay the rates provided for in the ERO for a specified period of time. The criteria relating to such exemptions is provided for in the 2012 Act.

Microenterprise Loan Fund Applications Data

Questions (299)

John McGuinness

Question:

299. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation further to Parliamentary Question No. 99 of 1 October 2015, if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding Microfinance Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35974/15]

Written answers

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

I wish to inform the Deputy that of the 683 applications approved by Microfinance Ireland (MFI) at 28th September 2015, 593 applicants had drawn down funds as of that date with a total of €8,948,228 in loan value which had been drawn down at 28th September 2015.

The net operating cost of MFI since its inception until 30th June 2015 was €2.076 million. Figures to the end of Quarter 3, 2015 are not yet available.

The number of applicants that were not approved as at 28th September 2015 was 449. This excludes 234 applications which were withdrawn. Different rates of interest are charged by MFI with 5% interest being charged for the Irish Best Young Entrepreneurs (IBYE) product and 7.8% interest being charged for applicants who are introduced through the Local Enterprise Offices and 8.8% interest being charged for direct applicants.

MFI does not take any collateral in relation to the loans that it provides. However, in order to ensure a level playing field, for company structures MFI requires a personal indemnity from shareholders and/or directors. The projected loan approvals due to be made available by MFI by the end of this year are €12.3m.

The Deputy is aware of the review of the Microenterprise Loan Fund which was published in April 2015. This review contained a number of recommendations aimed at improving the operation and take up of microfinance in Ireland. In this connection, a new Scheme for the Microenterprise Loan Fund has recently been approved and removes the requirement for an enterprise to obtain a bank refusal before seeking funding from Microfinance Ireland.

I am confident that with the recommendations being implemented and a new MFI communications and marketing strategy in place, MFI will further improve the take up of its product. This can already be seen through the most recent quarterly reports of MFI which are available on my Department’s website.

Work Permits Applications

Questions (300)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

300. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the procedure to be followed by a person (details supplied) in County Longford in updating a work permit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36076/15]

Written answers

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

The person named by the Deputy currently holds a Dependant Employment Permit that will expire on 1 November 2015. There is no record in my Department of a renewal application in relation to this individual.

On the receipt of a renewal application from the person named by the Deputy the matter will receive due attention. The renewal application form for a Dependant Employment Permit is available on my Department's website at the following link: https://www.djei.ie/en/Publications/Dependant-Partner-Spouse-Employment-Permit-RENEWAL-Application.html