Written Answers Nos. 81-100
81. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the average waiting times persons are experiencing in receiving free legal aid broken down by category such as family law, repossessions and so on; the actions she will take to address this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24265/16]
View answerThe waiting times for civil legal aid services as at 1 June 2016 are set out on a law centre by law centre basis in the following table. The Deputy should note that most of the Legal Aid Board’s law centres operate a ‘triage’ approach which involves giving an applicant a short consultation (45 minutes) for legal advice. Those persons remain on the Board’s waiting list if they require further legal services.
The Board does not maintain separate waiting lists for each category of case. Certain matters are dealt with as priority matters which means they receive the next available appointment at the law centre. Such matters include domestic violence, child abduction, child care, and asylum and related matters.
|
Law Centre |
Part-Time Centre |
Waiting time for a first consultation 1 June 2016 (weeks) |
Waiting time for a second consultation 1 June 2016 (weeks) |
|
Athlone |
- Athlone |
11 |
36 |
|
- Mullingar |
13 |
19 |
|
|
Blanchardstown |
- |
11 |
n/a |
|
Castlebar |
- |
5 |
33 |
|
Cavan |
- |
8 |
n/a |
|
Clondalkin |
- |
14 |
26 |
|
Cork Popes Quay |
- |
16 |
n/a |
|
Cork South Mall |
- |
17 |
35 |
|
Dundalk |
- |
8 |
0 |
|
Ennis |
- |
13 |
14 |
|
Finglas |
- |
16 |
2 |
|
Galway Francis St |
- |
11 |
15 |
|
Galway Seville House |
- |
7 |
8 |
|
Jervis Street |
- |
3 |
25 |
|
Kilkenny |
- Carlow |
12 |
n/a |
|
- Kilkenny |
13 |
n/a |
|
|
Letterkenny |
- |
12 |
14 |
|
Limerick |
- |
7 |
19 |
|
Longford |
- |
16 |
14 |
|
Monaghan |
Drogheda |
13 |
n/a |
|
Monaghan |
12 |
n/a |
|
|
Montague Court |
- |
12 |
n/a |
|
Navan |
- |
3 |
10 |
|
Nenagh |
- |
4 |
31 |
|
Newbridge |
- |
6 |
n/a |
|
Personal Injuries Unit |
31 |
n/a |
|
|
Portlaoise |
- |
13 |
n/a |
|
Sligo |
Boyle |
10 |
n/a |
|
Sligo |
14 |
n/a |
|
|
Smithfield |
- |
30 |
19 |
|
Tallaght |
- |
11 |
29 |
|
Tralee |
- |
11 |
n/a |
|
Tullamore |
- |
11 |
16 |
|
Waterford |
- |
19 |
0 |
|
Wexford |
- |
5 |
51 |
|
Wicklow |
- |
11 |
0 |
Note: With respect to the items listed as n/a on the waiting list schedule, the n/a applies where that law centre does not operate the 'Triage approach'.
82. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of prisoners currently on temporary release by prison in tabular form; the type of offence the prisoners were convicted of; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24266/16]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware the Irish Prison Service collates and publishes the prisoner population breakdown, including those on temporary release, on a daily basis and this information is available on the Irish Prison Service website.
The information requested by the Deputy in relation to the type of offence which the person on temporary release was convicted of, is set out in the following table:
Table 1. Breakdown by Offence Group 20/07/16
|
Offence Group Description |
Total |
|
Homicide Offences |
3 |
|
Sexual Offences |
1 |
|
Attempts/Threat to Murder, Assaults, Harassments and Related Offences |
33 |
|
Dangerous or Negligent Acts |
19 |
|
Kidnapping and Related Offences |
2 |
|
Robbery, Extortion and Hijacking Offences |
12 |
|
Burglary and Related Offences |
18 |
|
Theft and Related Offences |
69 |
|
Fraud, Deception and Related Offences |
12 |
|
Controlled Drug Offences |
75 |
|
Weapons and Explosives Offences |
5 |
|
Damage to Property and the Environment |
7 |
|
Public Order and Social Code Offences |
18 |
|
Road and Traffic Offences |
65 |
|
Offences against Government, Justice Procedures and Organisation of Crime |
10 |
|
Offences Not Elsewhere Classified |
18 |
|
Grand Total |
367 |
On 20 July 2016, there were 367 prisoners (10%) on temporary release across the prison system. This included 90 prisoners who were serving less than 3 months solely for the non-payment of a Court ordered fine and 168 prisoners who were on structured temporary release programmes such as the Community Return Programme or Community Support Scheme. The legislative basis for making decisions on temporary release are fully set out in the Criminal Justice Act 1960, as amended by the Criminal Justice (Temporary Release of Prisoners) Act 2003.
A prisoner may apply through the prison Governor for consideration for temporary release. Their family or their legal representative can also apply for consideration of such a concession. It is very important to note that it does not necessarily follow that a prisoner will receive temporary release even if the recommendation made by the prison authorities and/or therapeutic services is to that effect. Each application is considered on its individual merits and a number of factors are taken into account when making a decision on whether to grant temporary release.
The Deputy will be aware that the Irish Prison Service Three Year Strategic Plan 2016 - 2018 and the Joint Prison Service/Probation Service Strategic Plan 2015 - 2017 includes working towards the objective of ensuring that all prisoners released early from custody are placed on appropriate structured programme of temporary release.
The Community Return Scheme is an initiative whereby carefully selected prisoners, serving sentences between 1 year and 8 years, can be granted reviewable temporary release coupled with a requirement to do community service work such as painting, gardening or graffiti removal in a supervised group setting. The type of work involved is intended to assist the community and the scheme is involved with a large number of charitable organisations and local community groups.
In addition to Community Return, a Community Support Scheme has also been introduced to reduce recidivism rates of short term prisoners by arranging for additional support structures post release and by providing for a more structured form of temporary release.
83. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the total population currently residing in direct provision centres; the number of persons in tabular form, by centre; the capacity and the percentage occupation of each centre; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24267/16]
View answerThe Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) is responsible for the accommodation of asylum seekers while their application for asylum is being processed.
RIA records statistical information on centre occupancy in the format presented below, which covers most of the information sought by the Deputy.
The Deputy will appreciate that for good operational reasons there is a need to always retain some spare capacity in the system, given that the requirements are subject to unpredictable demands.
|
COUNTY |
CENTRE |
ADDRESS |
CURRENT CONTRACTED CAPACITY |
CURRENT OCCUPANCY |
CURRENT VACANCIES |
UNAVAILABLE DUE TO ILLNESS |
OTHER UNAVAILABLE |
|
|
1 |
Clare |
Knockalisheen* |
Meelick |
250 |
206 |
33 |
11 |
|
|
2 |
Ashbourne Hse |
Glounthaune |
95 |
74 |
21 |
0 |
||
|
3 |
Kinsale Road* |
Cork City |
275 |
202 |
41 |
32 |
||
|
4 |
Glenvera |
Wellington Road |
107 |
90 |
17 |
0 |
||
|
5 |
Millstreet |
Millstreet |
237 |
236 |
1 |
0 |
||
|
6 |
Cork |
Clonakilty Lodge |
Clonakilty, Co. Cork |
108 |
76 |
15 |
17 |
|
|
7 |
The Towers |
The Ninth Lock, Clondalkin, D. 22 |
225 |
210 |
15 |
0 |
||
|
8 |
Georgian Court |
77-79 Lower Gardiner St. Dublin 1 |
110 |
70 |
20 |
20 |
||
|
9 |
Staircase |
21 Aungier Street, Dublin 2 |
33 |
21 |
12 |
0 |
||
|
10 |
Dublin |
Hatch Hall ** |
28 Lower Hatch Street, Dublin 2 |
200 |
103 |
0 |
78 |
19 |
|
11 |
Eglinton |
The Proms, Salthill |
200 |
172 |
19 |
9 |
||
|
12 |
Galway |
Great Western House |
Eyre Square |
152 |
144 |
8 |
0 |
|
|
13 |
Atlas House (Killarney) |
Killarney |
90 |
63 |
19 |
8 |
||
|
14 |
Atlas House (Tralee) |
Tralee |
110 |
99 |
8 |
3 |
||
|
15 |
Johnston Marina** |
Tralee |
90 |
68 |
0 |
16 |
6 |
|
|
16 |
Kerry |
Park Lodge |
Killarney |
55 |
42 |
12 |
1 |
|
|
17 |
Kildare |
Eyrepowell |
Newbridge |
87 |
58 |
29 |
0 |
|
|
18 |
Laois |
Montague |
Emo, Portlaoise |
202 |
169 |
33 |
0 |
|
|
19 |
Hanratty's |
Glentworth Street, Limerick |
112 |
93 |
19 |
0 |
||
|
20 |
Westbourne |
Dock Road |
90 |
72 |
18 |
0 |
||
|
21 |
Limerick |
Mount Trenchard |
Foynes, Co. Limerick |
85 |
78 |
7 |
0 |
|
|
22 |
Longford |
Richmond Court |
Richmond Street, Longford |
80 |
70 |
7 |
3 |
|
|
23 |
Mayo |
The Old Convent |
Ballyhaunis |
267 |
178 |
46 |
43 |
|
|
24 |
Meath |
Mosney |
Mosney |
600 |
405 |
0 |
195 |
|
|
25 |
Monaghan |
St. Patricks |
Monaghan |
185 |
140 |
45 |
0 |
|
|
26 |
Sligo |
Globe House** |
Chapel Hill |
226 |
160 |
0 |
49 |
17 |
|
27 |
Tipp. South |
Bridgewater House |
Carrick-On-Suir |
95 |
92 |
3 |
0 |
|
|
28 |
Atlantic House |
Tramore, Co. Waterford |
80 |
70 |
10 |
0 |
||
|
29 |
***Ocean View |
Tramore, Co. Waterford |
65 |
66 |
0 |
0 |
-1 |
|
|
30 |
Birchwood** |
Ballytruckle Road |
125 |
90 |
0 |
33 |
2 |
|
|
31 |
Waterford |
Viking House |
Coffee House Lane |
75 |
68 |
7 |
0 |
|
|
32 |
Westmeath |
Athlone |
300 |
251 |
49 |
0 |
||
|
5011 |
3936 |
514 |
176 |
385 |
||||
|
78.55% |
10.26% |
3.51% |
7.68% |
|
SELF CATERING CENTRES |
||||||||
|
COUNTY |
LOCATION |
ADDRESS |
CURRENT CONTRACTED CAPACITY |
CURRENT OCCUPANCY |
CURRENT VACANCIES |
UNAVAILABLE DUE TO ILLNESS |
OTHER UNAVAILABLE |
|
|
33 |
Dublin |
Watergate House |
11-14 Usher's Quay, Dublin 8 |
68 |
47 |
0 |
21 |
|
|
34 |
Louth |
Carroll Village |
Dundalk |
60 |
57 |
0 |
|
3 |
|
128 |
104 |
0 |
0 |
24 |
||||
|
81.25% |
0.00% |
0.00% |
18.75% |
|||||
|
RECEPTION CENTRE |
||||||||
|
COUNTY |
LOCATION |
ADDRESS |
CURRENT CONTRACTED CAPACITY |
CURRENT OCCUPANCY |
CURRENT VACANCIES |
UNAVAILABLE DUE TO ILLNESS |
OTHER UNAVAILABLE |
|
|
35 |
Dublin |
Balseskin |
St. Margarets, Finglas, Dublin 11 |
320 |
210 |
110 |
0 |
0 |
|
320 |
210 |
110 |
0 |
0 |
||||
|
65.63% |
34.38% |
0.00% |
0.00% |
|||||
|
CURRENT CONTRACTED CAPACITY |
CURRENTOCCUPANCY |
CURRENTVACANCIES |
UNAVAILABLE DUE TO ILLNESS |
OTHER UNAVAILABLE |
||||
|
Totals |
5459 |
4250 |
624 |
176 |
409 |
|||
|
77.85% |
11.43% |
3.22% |
7.49% |
|||||
|
CENTRE OVERVIEW |
||||||||
|
CENTRES |
COUNTIES |
OCCUPANCY |
CAPACITY |
% |
||||
|
35 |
17 |
4250 |
5459 |
77.9% |
84. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of outstanding warrants nationwide on the PULSE system; if she is concerned at the number of outstanding warrants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24268/16]
View answerI have requested the statistical information which the Deputy is seeking from An Garda Síochána, as well as an update in relation to the measures which are being taken to manage warrants and will contact the Deputy directly when this information is to hand.
85. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons currently supervised in the community under a post-release supervision order under Part 5 of the Sex Offenders Act 2001; the number of persons currently in breach of conditions under this Part; the number of cases pending; the number of convictions; if she will provide a regional breakdown of these figures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24269/16]
View answerThere are 114 persons being supervised by the Probation Service under the conditions of a Post Release Supervision Order as provided for in Part 5 of the Sex Offenders Act 2001. A regional breakdown of this number is illustrated in the following table:
|
Region |
Number |
|
Dublin North and North East |
28 |
|
Dublin South and Wicklow |
22 |
|
Midlands and South East |
17 |
|
South West |
17 |
|
West and North West (including Westmeath) |
30 |
|
Total |
114 |
The information the Deputy has requested in respect of cases involving non-compliance with a Supervision Order under Section 33 of the Act is not readily available.
86. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if there has been progress on an investigation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24271/16]
View answerI express my sympathy to the families of the families bereaved by the bombing at Belturbet in December 1972. It was a senseless and unjustifiable act of violence which tragically took the lives of two innocent young people.
I am informed by the Garda Authorities that the bombing and two murders in Belturbet were the subject of a thorough investigation at the time by An Garda Síochána, with expert assistance provided by the Army. The investigations at that time involved close liaison with the authorities in Northern Ireland in an effort to bring the perpetrators to justice. However, although every avenue of inquiry open to the investigation was pursued at that time there was no evidence to bring those responsible for this crime to justice. It remains a source of disappointment that no one has yet been brought to justice for these murders.
I am informed by the Garda Authorities that the investigation into these murders remains open. While regrettably it is the case that with the passage of time and in the absence of any new evidence emerging, one must be realistic about the prospects of successful prosecutions, it is nonetheless the case that Garda Authorities will pursue any new information or evidence that becomes available and would work with the PSNI to seek to progress the investigation in those circumstances. I would call on anyone with any relevant information to bring it to the attention of the Garda Authorities.
87. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of freedom of information requests received by her Department to date in 2016; the number of requests fully refused; and the number of requests partially refused. [24286/16]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the information sought is set out in the following table:
|
No of requests |
Refused in full |
Part granted |
|
1099 |
207 |
288 |
The available statistics are from 1 January up to and including 30 June 2016.
88. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of miles claimed for and the travel expenses paid to her and each Minister of State in her Department in respect of their functions as a Minister in her Department between 1 January 2016 and 10 March 2016; between 11 March 2016 and 6 May 2016; and since 7 May 2016. [24301/16]
View answerThe following expenses have been paid to date in 2016 in accordance with the relevant procedures:
Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald: €2,579.03 paid in January 2016. The expenses in question relate to the period May 2014 to December 2015. No mileage related costs were claimed.
Former Minister of State Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: paid €2,879.99 in mileage expenses in January 2016 relating to 2015.
89. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide the name, position and annual salary awarded to her special advisers; if she will provide details for requests, if any, for an increase above the special adviser's pay cap as set by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24318/16]
View answerThe information requested in relation to my special advisors is set out as follows:
Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality
|
Post |
Name |
Salary |
|
Special Advisor |
Marion Mannion |
€93,297 |
|
Special Advisor |
Stephen O'Shea |
€79,401 |
|
Special Advisor |
Matthew Lynch |
€79,401 |
Following my appointment as Tánaiste, sanction was sought and secured from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for an increase in the salary paid to one of my special advisors from €87,258 to €93,297.
This increase reflects the higher duties and responsibilities commensurate with the requirements of my combined roles as Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality.
90. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Finance his views on the maintenance of the 9% VAT rate for tourism and hospitality related services in budget 2017; his plans to present a case for the retention of the 9% VAT rate to his Government colleagues prior to budget 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23439/16]
View answerThe 9% reduced VAT rate for tourism related services was introduced in July 2011 as part of the Government Jobs Initiative. The measure was designed to boost tourism and create additional jobs in that sector. In my Budget Day speech last year, I suggested that while the case for retaining the measure for the hotel sector in Dublin is diminishing each year with room rates rising particularly during major events, the case for retention of the measure for the rest of the country remained. The Programme for a Partnership Government, published in May, includes a commitment to retain the hugely successful 9% VAT rate on tourism related services, providing that prices remain competitive.
91. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Finance the amount collected in local property tax receipts by each individual local authority in 2015 and in 2016. [23547/16]
View answerI am advised by Revenue that statistics relating to Local Property Tax (LPT) can be found on the statistics webpage of the Revenue website at www.revenue.ie/en/about/statistics/index.html. Specifically, the most recently available LPT information, including LPT collected in respect of each Local Authority area, is available at www.revenue.ie/en/tax/lpt/lpt-stats-2013-2015.pdf in respect of 2015 and www.revenue.ie/en/about/statistics/local-property-tax-june2016.pdf to end June 2016. Updates to the statistics available on the website will be provided in due course.
92. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Finance the figures for his Department on the percentage of working days lost to sickness absence through certified leave and uncertified leave in each year from 2011 to 2015, inclusive. [23412/16]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the following table contains the figures for the Lost Time Rate for my Department for the years 2011 to 2015 inclusive, as well as the Self Certified Lost Time Rate.
|
Year |
Overall Lost Time Rate |
Self Certified Lost Time Rate |
|
2011 |
3.43% |
0.31% |
|
2012 |
2.43% |
0.26% |
|
2013 |
1.86% |
0.18% |
|
2014 |
2.6% |
0.25% |
|
2015 |
3% |
0.22% |
The lost time rate represents the percentage of working days lost. It is calculated by dividing the total number of working days lost to sick absences by the number of working days in a standard working year multiplied by the number of Full Time Equivalents (FTEs) in the Department.
These numbers compare favourably and are below the Civil Service Average.
93. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Finance the way in which inheritance tax will be treated for transfer of a family farm to a son or daughter if the income from solar panels or wind turbines is part of the transfer. [23448/16]
View answerI am advised by Revenue that where an inheritance is taken from a parent by a son or daughter, the Group A tax-free threshold for Capital Acquisitions Tax (CAT) of €280,000 applies. The son or daughter will not be liable to CAT if the value of the inheritance, when aggregated with all other gifts and inheritances received from a parent since 5 December 1991, does not exceed this threshold. CAT, currently at a rate of 33%, is payable on aggregate inheritances in excess of this threshold.
In addition, where the inheritance consists of agricultural property, including land, it may qualify for relief, known as 'agricultural relief', from CAT once certain conditions are satisfied. Section 89 of the Capital Acquisitions Tax Consolidation Act (CATCA) 2003 provides for this relief which takes the form of a 90% reduction in the taxable market value of the gifted or inherited agricultural property.
The person taking the inheritance (the 'beneficiary') of the agricultural property must qualify as a 'farmer' for the purpose of section 89 CATCA 2003. This means, among other conditions, that a beneficiary's agricultural property must comprise at least 80% by gross market value of the beneficiary's total property at a particular date. Revenue take the view that land on which a wind turbine or solar panels are installed is not agricultural property.
Thus, depending on the amount of an individual's land that is actually occupied by wind turbines or solar panels, the use of agricultural land for wind turbines or a solar farm may result in a beneficiary not meeting the '80%' test to qualify for agricultural relief.
94. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Finance the plans, if any, he has to lower the VAT rate on items (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23558/16]
View answerAll fruit juices, soft drinks, bottled water and smoothies are subject to the standard VAT rate, currently 23%. The standard rate is the VAT rate applied to such products in the majority of EU Member States. Prior to 1992 bottled waters and fruit juices had applied at the zero rate, but were made subject to the standard rate from 1 November 1992 in order to correct a competitive anomaly, as similar competing products such as soft drinks were standard rated. The change in the VAT treatment coincided with the removal of excise duty from bottled water.
Where a product was zero rated prior to 1 January 1991 but subsequently standard rated, it is not possible to reintroduce the zero rate for that product. However, under Annex III of the EU VAT Directive, Member States are permitted to apply a reduced rate of not less than 5% to soft drinks, bottled water and fruit juices. However, a reduction in the rate of VAT on such products would be costly to the Exchequer and I have no plans to reduce the rate of VAT on bottled water, fruit juices or smoothies.
95. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Finance his plans if any to introduce a sugar tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23560/16]
View answerThe Programme for Partnership Government commits to the introduction of a tax on sugar-sweetened drinks (SSDs). The tax will contribute towards important public health goals, as well providing a new source of revenue for public spending and decreases in personal income taxation. The tax on sugar-sweetened drinks has been proposed by the Department of Health in order to reduce added-sugar in diets, particularly the diets of children and young people, and comprises one measure in a comprehensive Department of Health plan to tackle obesity in Ireland, which is due to be published this year. Sugar-sweetened drinks taxes have been introduced in a number of European countries in recent years, with the UK due to introduce a soft-drinks industry levy from 2018. The design and implementation of the tax is a matter for the budgetary process.
96. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the date on which the last life loan products were issued here; if his Department or the Central Bank has ever reviewed the legality of these loans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23595/16]
View answerI do not have the exact date that the last life loan products were issued here but I understand from the Central Bank that these loans are regarded as a niche product and they have not been provided in the Irish market for a number of years. Neither my Department nor the Central Bank have carried out a specific review of the legality of these loans.
However, it should be noted that the Consumer Protection Code 2006 and the Consumer Protection Code 2012 contain a number of provisions regarding the provision of information to consumers in respect of these products.
The Consumer Protection Code 2006 contains requirements relating to:
- advising the consumer of the consequences of the lifetime mortgage including details of total costs involved,
- making consumers aware of the importance of seeking independent legal advice
- inclusion of a warning on any information document, application form etc. that "Purchasing this product may negatively impact on your ability to fund future needs"
The Consumer Protection Code 2012 contains more comprehensive provisions, including informing the customer of:
- the consequences of purchasing a lifetime loan,
- the circumstances in which the loan will have to be repaid,
- details of the interest rate that will be charged,
- an explanation of the impact of the rolling up of the interest over the duration of the loan,
- an indication of the amount required to repay the loan at maturity, the effect on the existing mortgage, if any; and
- an indication of the likely early redemption costs which would be incurred if the loan was redeemed on the third and fifth anniversary of the loan and at five yearly intervals thereafter.
The Consumer Protection Code 2012 also requires, at least annually, the provision of a statement of account including the opening balance, all transactions, all interest charged, all charges, the outstanding balance and details of the interest rate(s) applied to the account during the period covered by the statement.
97. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if, with regard to whole of life insurance policies, data has been collected on the average premium increases in the latest reviews carried out under the policies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23598/16]
View answerThe provision of insurance cover and the price at which it is offered is a commercial matter for insurance companies and is based on an assessment of the risks they are willing to accept and adequate provisioning to meet those risks. This would include any post-sale reviews on whole-of-life policies, which are an individual matter for each insurance company and may differ from policy to policy. There is no role for my Department or the Central Bank in this area. As Minister for Finance, I am responsible for the development of the legal framework governing financial regulation. Neither I, nor the Central Bank can interfere in the provision or pricing of insurance products. The EU framework for insurance expressly prohibits Member States from adopting rules which require insurance companies to obtain prior approval of the pricing or terms and conditions of insurance products.
It should be noted that consumer issues are covered by the Central Bank's Consumer Protection Code which, amongst other things, sets out a series of general principles about how financial service firms (including all insurance companies) should interact with their customers. The Code, however, does not prohibit or restrict an insurance company from increasing its annual premium rates, as this is a commercial decision for the company in question and is generally determined by such issues as higher claims volumes and the nature of the product.
The Central Bank has informed me that it has not carried out a review of the sale of unit linked whole-of-life products in recent years and it has no current plans to so. However, it considers these products in its risk and evidence-based approach to prioritising its work. This ensures that it is focussing its resources on those areas where it considers there to be a significant threat to its consumer protection objectives. This includes carrying out a comprehensive annual consumer risk assessment, whereby it examines each of the retail sectors regulated by the Central Bank to identify current and emerging risks.
98. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the number of exemptions granted in each of the past three years by the Revenue Commissioners for residents of the State living and working across the Border or in a different country under the exemptions for such cases in legislation regarding vehicle registration tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23602/16]
View answerI am advised by Revenue that the table below indicates the number of temporary exemptions granted in each of the past three years to State residents living in the border counties who are employed by an employer established in another Member State and have been provided with a Category "A" (passenger) vehicle registered outside the State (either owned or leased by the employer) for business/private use in the State, and the vehicle is used principally for business use in the other Member State.
|
Year |
Approved applications |
|
2014 |
23 |
|
2015 |
11 |
|
2016 (to date) |
5 |
99. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Finance the tax breaks and incentives, if any, available to a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23742/16]
View answerThe Irish tax system is statute-based and is operated in an open and transparent manner. All companies in Ireland pay the standard 12.5% rate on their trading profits arising in Ireland. All companies here pay a corporation tax rate of 25% on their non-trading income, and chargeable capital gains are taxable at the capital gains tax rate of 33%. These rates, along with any reliefs, credits or allowances that are available to companies, are set down in statute law.
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that for reasons of taxpayer confidentiality it does not disclose details of the tax affairs of any individual or company to a third party.
100. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the total number of cases processed regarding mortgage arrears resolutions achieved in each of the past two years to date; the total number of borrowers who have retained their homes; the number who have lost their homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23824/16]
View answerI would refer the Deputy to the Central Bank's latest mortgage arrears and repossession statistics for quarter 1 2016 which are publicly available at www.centralbank.ie/polstats/stats/mortgagearrears/Documents/2016q1_ie_mortgage_arrears_statistics.pdf. This publication, together with previous quarterly publications back to quarter 1 of 2012, provide a detailed breakdown of mortgage restructuring arrangements and property repossession activity for each year.
The numbers in mortgage arrears have been steadily declining. Over the last two years, from Q1 2014 to Q1 2016, the number of PDH mortgage accounts in arrears has fallen by almost 35 per cent from 132,217 accounts to 85,989 accounts and PDH mortgage accounts classified as restructured have risen by 30 per cent from 94,442 to 120,447.
The Deputy may be aware that the Central Bank has also published a spreadsheet with mortgage arrears and repossessions data from September 2009 at www.centralbank.ie/polstats/stats/mortgagearrears/Pages/Data.aspx. However details about the number of borrowers who have retained their homes is not available.
The Deputy will be aware that 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 way by their lender and that long term resolution is sought by lenders with each of their borrowers.
Finally, the Deputy will also be aware of the Government's commitment to continue to implement policies that will alleviate the distress of indebted borrowers, as set out in the Programme for a Partnership Government and in the Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, published earlier this week.
