Thursday, 22 Oct 2015

Written Answers Nos. 120-134

Rent Supplement Scheme Eligibility

Questions (120)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

120. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if partial rent support is applicable for persons (details supplied) in County Kildare who are unable to meet their current rent, notwithstanding a take-home pay of €572 per week, given that the weekly rent is currently more than one third of the family's disposable income, which family consists of two adults and one child; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37091/15]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

I refer the Deputy to the replies to previous Parliamentary Questions Nos 88 of 5 February 2015, No 71 of 2 April 2015 and No. 82 of 16 July 2015 regarding this case.

Rent Supplement Scheme Applications

Questions (121)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

121. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the reason rent support has not been awarded to a person (details supplied) who has been homeless for the past two years, has lived in a variety of hostels, has serious health issues and has incurred arrears of rent through no personal fault; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37096/15]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

As advised in the reply to the Deputy's most recent question on this matter (Question No. 269 of 22 September 2015), the documentation submitted by the person concerned to the Designated Person on 24th July 2015 was not the required documentation which had been sought. It was also advised that further notification had been sent to the person concerned on 7th August 2015 informing her of this, and stating once again precisely what documentation was required. This information was not received by the extended date and her rent supplement claim was subsequently closed.

Should the person concerned wish to re-apply for a rent supplement she should provide the information previously requested along with up-to-date documentation pertaining to her situation.

Question No. 122 withdrawn.

Disability Allowance Eligibility

Questions (123)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

123. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when a disability allowance payment will be approved for a person (details supplied) in County Dublin who is currently attending the Mater hospital and has three dependent children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37104/15]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

I confirm that a review of the entitlement of person in question to Disability Allowance (DA) from July 2014 has been completed. It has been established that the person concerned had an entitlement to DA up to 3rd November 2014.

The person in question was disallowed from 4th November 2014 as there was a change of circumstances as a result of which she was deemed not to be habitually resident in the State and, therefore, not entitled to DA. The person in question has been notified of the revised decision, the reason(s) for it and advised of her rights of review and appeal.

Questions Nos. 124 and 125 withdrawn.

Maternity Benefit Expenditure

Questions (126)

Michael McGrath

Question:

126. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the cost of extending maternity benefit to 30 weeks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37127/15]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

Maternity benefit is an income maintenance payment awarded to eligible women for a 26 week period while they are on Maternity Leave. As with all social insurance payments entitlement to Maternity Benefit is predicated on a minimum number of contributions being paid.

In 2016 it is estimated that my Department will spend approximately €266 million on maternity benefit, in respect of an average of 22,000 recipients per week.

Entitlement to maternity benefit for employees is contingent on their entitlement to statutory maternity leave. Statutory maternity leave entitles a mother to 26 weeks leave. Any decision to change the duration of maternity leave would be the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Justice and Equality.

If the duration of Maternity Leave was extended for 4 weeks and Maternity Benefit was payable for those additional weeks, the cost to the Social Insurance Fund in a full year would be in region of €40 million per annum. This figure does not include any additional costs to the Exchequer incurred by augmenting public servant salaries for the additional 4 week period.

Primary Medical Certificates Provision

Questions (127)

Terence Flanagan

Question:

127. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding the primary medical certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36915/15]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

The Drivers and Passengers with Disabilities (Tax Concessions) Scheme provides relief from VAT and VRT (up to a certain limit) on the purchase of an adapted car for transport of a person with specific severe and permanent physical disabilities, assistance with fuel costs, and an exemption from Motor Tax.

As the Deputy is aware, to qualify for the Scheme, an applicant requires a Primary Medical Certificate. To be eligible for a Primary Medical Certificate, an applicant must have a permanent and severe physical disability within the terms of the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations 1994 (S.I. 353 of 1994) and satisfy one of the six qualifying criteria outlined in the Regulations.

The Scheme represents a significant tax expenditure. Between the Vehicle Registration Tax and VAT foregone, and the assistance with fuel costs used by members of the Scheme, the Scheme represented a cost of €48.6 million to the Exchequer in 2014, an increase of €5.1 million on the 2013 cost. This figure does not include the revenue foregone to the Local Government Fund in respect of the relief from Motor Tax provided to members of the Scheme.

I regularly receive correspondence from individuals with disabilities that do not meet the criteria but who believe they would benefit from the Scheme. While I have sympathy with those who do not qualify for Scheme, I cannot, given the scale and scope of the Scheme, expand the criteria further within the current context of constrained resources.

NAMA Property Sales

Questions (128)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

128. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that the National Asset Management Agency is breaking the tenancy of residents in dwellings that have fallen under its control owing to repossession or similar; if he has issued directions to the agency on this issue or if there is an official procedure in this circumstance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37124/15]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

NAMA does not own or manage properties.  NAMA has acquired loans.  Its role in relation to properties is, like a bank, that of a secured lender.  I am advised by NAMA that, other than properties that have been enforced, all of which are managed by the appointed receiver/administrator, properties continue to be managed by their original owners.  These parties are responsible for the efficient management of properties securing NAMA's loans.  This includes all engagement with tenants and other commercial counterparties.  Where the owners of property or, on their behalf, receivers/administrators seek vacant possession of a rented residential unit in advance of the sale of the unit they must give the relevant notice to tenants as required under their leases and they must act fully in accordance with the statutory rights and other protections afforded to tenants.

NAMA requires that the sale of properties securing its loans are openly marketed and this ensures that all interested parties, including existing tenants, are given an opportunity to bid for the property.

If the Deputy has any particular instance in mind she may wish to raise it directly with NAMA through its dedicated email address for members of the Oireachtas, [e-mail].

Universal Social Charge Yield

Questions (129, 130, 131, 132, 133)

Michael McGrath

Question:

129. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the amount expected to be collected from the 1% band of the universal social charge in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36833/15]

Michael McGrath

Question:

130. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the amount expected to be collected from the 3% band of the universal social charge in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36834/15]

Michael McGrath

Question:

131. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the amount expected to be collected from the 5.5% band of the universal social charge in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36835/15]

Michael McGrath

Question:

132. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the amount expected to be collected from the 8% band of the universal social charge in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36836/15]

Michael McGrath

Question:

133. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the amount expected to be collected from the 11% band of the universal social charge in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36837/15]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

I propose to take Questions Nos. 129 to 133, inclusive, together.

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that, on the basis of my Department's projected forecast of €4 billion in Universal Social Charge (USC) receipts for 2016, the USC yield for the 1%, 3%, 5.5%, 8% and 11% rates is tentatively estimated to be in the order of €171 million, €213 million, €1,519 million, €313 million and €665 million respectively. These are the estimated first year yields for each of the new Budget 2016 USC rates and the balance of the overall 2016 USC receipts will be at the pre-Budget USC rates.

The full year yield for the Budget 2016 USC rates of 1%, 3%, 5.5%, 8% and 11%  rates is estimated to be in the order of €237 million, €296 million, €2,109 million, €434 million  and €924 million respectively.

It is assumed that the question pertaining to the 11% rate of USC is in regards to the 3% surcharge on individuals who have non-PAYE income that exceeds €100,000 per annum. The figures quoted above for the 11% rate includes both receipts at 8% and from the 3% surcharge for all cases paying the surcharge. In effect, these receipts include all USC charged on incomes above €70,044 for those paying the surcharge.

All the figures provided are based on estimates for 2016, using the actual data for the year 2013 (the latest year for which data are available) adjusted as necessary for income, self-employment and employment trends in the interim. They are provisional and may be revised.

Tax Relief Data

Questions (134)

Michael McGrath

Question:

134. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the number of first-time buyers who have received a refund of deposit interest retention tax paid in the previous 48 months; when the scheme is due to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36937/15]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

Section 266A of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 provides for refunds of Deposit Interest Retention Tax (DIRT) for first-time buyers who purchase a house or apartment to live in as their home and excludes properties acquired for investment purposes.  It also applies to first-time buyers who self-build a home to live in.

The scheme applies to properties purchased by first time buyers or self-builds, during the period from 14 October 2014 to 31 December 2017 inclusive. DIRT eligible for refund is DIRT deducted from interest earned on savings used for the purchase or self-build of a property in the 4 years prior to the purchase date or completion date, respectively.

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that, for the period up to end-September 2015, a total of 118 applications for this relief have been received.  Of these, 31 are currently being processed, and 74 applicants have received a refund of DIRT amounting to around €74,880.  13 applications have been refused.