Written Answers Nos. 73-92
73. Deputy Maria Bailey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the reason the NSAI appears unwilling to accept that the method of measuring the aperture of vehicles to establish compliance with EU Regulation 678/2011 is open to interpretation in view of the report by a person (details supplied) which has been furnished to the NSAI. [43123/17]
View answerThe National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) is the National Type Approval Authority for motor vehicles appointed under regulations made by my colleague, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport. The relevant regulation is EU Regulation 678/2011, which establishes a framework for the approval of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
In this role, the NSAI carries out European and national type approvals of new unregistered vehicles, and not used vehicles. While working closely with the Revenue Commissioners with regard to the registration of new vehicles, the NSAI has no function in relation to the requirements for used or already registered vehicles, the subjects of the report referred to in this question.
The NSAI also informs me that it conducted a full review of its measuring methodology, equipment and procedures earlier this year and no new matters were identified. Consequently, the Authority is satisfied with the efficacy of its measurements in respect of the criteria contained in EU Regulation 678/2011, for which it has responsibility as a National Type Approval Authority in Ireland.
74. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if specific measures will be introduced to assist businesses in the Border region which have been impacted adversely by the fall in the value of sterling and sectors that are dependent on Northern Ireland and Britain as export markets; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43143/17]
View answerSince the Brexit vote outcome, my Department has had extensive engagement with businesses to understand what they need to help them adapt to the challenges posed by Brexit, not least of which the pronounced currency fluctuations that have been felt in recent months.
Given that the border counties are particularly exposed to these challenges, InterTrade Ireland, the cross-border body co-funded by the Department, is now offering two vouchers to help businesses seek advice on issues related to currency.
The first is the Trade Accelerator voucher, offering €1,000 towards the cost of practical advice from experts on specific issues, such as currency management. The second is the Brexit Start to Plan Voucher, which offers up to €2,000 towards professional advice in relation to Brexit matters.
In Tuesday's Budget, I announced a new Brexit Loan Scheme which will provide affordable working capital financing to Irish businesses that are either currently impacted by Brexit, or will be in the future. The new Scheme will be delivered by the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) through commercial lenders to get much needed working capital into Irish businesses.
The new Brexit Loan Scheme aims to make up to €300 million available to businesses of up to 499 employees. The scheme will be open both to development agency clients and those businesses that do not have any relationship with State Agencies.
My Department is also exploring the development of a longer-term Business Development Loan Scheme which would assist firms in long term investing for a post-Brexit environment.
The 2017 Action Plan for Jobs has also identified a range of actions to facilitate the resilience of Irish businesses in anticipation of Brexit. Seventeen actions are aimed at promoting market diversification, improving competitiveness, realising opportunities in foreign markets and attracting research and innovation talent to Ireland. Three actions focus on the specific sectors of agri-food and tourism which is a very important aspect of cross border trade. All twenty actions will be of benefit to the border region with one of them (Action 13) focusing on delivering economic growth and jobs through the North-South Council and outreach activities.
The North East/North West Regional Action Plan for Jobs is a key policy response, in the context of Brexit, for supporting employment growth in the Border region. The Plan aims to deliver 28,000 extra jobs in the counties of Cavan, Monaghan, Sligo, Leitrim, Donegal and Louth by 2020. The Plan is stimulating job creation across the region by facilitating collaborative initiatives between the public and private sector.
Enterprise Ireland also continues to support companies, including their many clients in the border counties, on a one to one basis to enhance their competitiveness and capability and build on their success in existing and new markets. Enterprise Ireland’s ‘Brexit SME Scorecard’, a new interactive online platform which can be used by all Irish companies to self-assess their exposure to Brexit, is available on www.prepareforbrexit.ie. This tool is a starting point for SME management teams looking to develop an action plan to help mitigate risks and leverage opportunities which may arise from Brexit.
My Department’s Local Enterprise Offices the LEOs are hosting information events around the country for core and non-core clients. These sessions enable companies learn about the potential impacts and opportunities of Brexit, and to engage in a process of strategic planning to ensure their companies have a robust strategy in place.
The LEOs are also now offering a Technical Assistance for Micro-exporters (TAME) grant, designed to help LEO clients to find new markets and exports by part-funding expenditure incurred investigating and researching export markets.
The six LEOs in the Border region are also working together with their Northern Ireland counterparts under the EU Co-Innovate Programme. The aim of Co-Innovate is to give SMEs from the manufacturing and tradable services sectors in the regions the tools and tailored support to help them to innovate, differentiate and compete successfully.
Finally, the Lean4Micro programme was designed to encourage clients to adopt Lean business principles in their organisation to increase performance and competitiveness.
75. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation when decisions are likely to be made in relation to the identification of suitable sites as locations for the establishment of data centres; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43144/17]
View answer76. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if centres (details supplied) have been given further consideration in respect of the location of inward investment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43145/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 75 and 76 together.
Earlier this year, IDA Ireland sought submissions from suitable consultants to undertake a study to identify potential strategic land banks in Ireland that would be particularly suitable to accommodate the sustainable development of large scale Data Centre projects. Following this process Jacobs Engineering, supporting by AOS Planning, were appointed to produce this report.
The study, being undertaken to ensure that Ireland continues to be best placed and future proofed to compete for, win and sustain mobile data centre investments of scale, is now approaching its final stages. The study will evaluate all potentially viable property options nationally, including site availability in Cavan, that are supported by the necessary infrastructure and are compatible in meeting the complex and ever evolving needs of data centre investments.
Over recent years, leading international technology and computing companies have announced significant data centre investments for Ireland and the goal is to ensure that this trend continues. The analysis being undertaken should support those efforts. IDA Ireland, supported by the relevant key stakeholders, will continue to highlight credible and flexible property solutions that form part of the competitive value proposition for this sector.
More broadly, the IDA continues to market County Cavan to relevant FDI opportunities, enquiries and potential investors through our IDA overseas network. IDA Ireland will continue to encourage potential investors to locate in Cavan and in the wider border area.
77. Deputy James Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if she has given consideration to the provision of an annual funding scheme for the provision of physical infrastructure such as equipment, buildings, libraries and laboratories untied to specific centres or priority areas to further research activities in third level institutions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43136/17]
View answerInnovation 2020 contains an action to develop a strategic approach to the development of existing and new research infrastructure programmes. A number of bodies are involved in its implementation, including my own Department.
Science Foundation Ireland, an agency of my Department runs research infrastructure calls for research equipment to support the research community in the areas determined by the Research Prioritisation process. Such calls are run periodically and are subject to availability of budget. In February 2017, Ministers Mitchell O’Connor and Halligan announced a new investment by Science Foundation Ireland of €47.4 million in 36 research infrastructure and facilities projects. The awards covered areas including Advanced Manufacturing, Drug Delivery; 3D Imaging; Nanotechnology; Future Networks; Big Data; Marine Renewable Energy; Food and the Environment; and Animal and Human Health.
My colleague, the Minister for Education and Skills, Mr Richard Bruton, TD, announced yesterday (in Budget 2018) that following the Mid Term Review of the Capital Plan, an additional €257 million will be invested in higher education infrastructure and equipment over the period 2018-2021. This will bring direct capital investment in the sector over that period to €367 million. This investment will take place in addition to a €200 million Public Private Partnership Programme in projects for the higher education sector.
78. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Finance if an exception can be made in the case of a person (details supplied) who was recently refused a primary medical certificate on the basis of the strict medical criteria laid down; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43066/17]
View answerThe Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (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, payment of a fuel grant, and an exemption from Motor Tax.
To qualify for the Scheme an applicant must be in possession of a Primary Medical Certificate. To qualify for a Primary Medical Certificate, an applicant must be permanently and severely disabled within the terms of the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations 1994 and satisfy one of the following conditions:
- be wholly or almost wholly without the use of both legs;
- be wholly without the use of one leg and almost wholly without the use of the other leg such that the applicant is severely restricted as to movement of the lower limbs;
- be without both hands or without both arms;
- be without one or both legs;
- be wholly or almost wholly without the use of both hands or arms and wholly or almost wholly without the use of one leg;
- have the medical condition of dwarfism and have serious difficulties of movement of the lower limbs.
The Senior Medical Officer for the relevant local Health Service Executive administrative area makes a professional clinical determination as to whether an individual applicant satisfies the medical criteria. A successful applicant is provided with a Primary Medical Certificate, which is required under the Regulations to claim the reliefs provided for in the Scheme.
An unsuccessful applicant can appeal the decision of the Senior Medical Officer to the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal. The Regulations mandate that the Medical Board of Appeal is independent in the exercise of its functions to ensure the integrity of its clinical determinations.
79. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Finance the number of pubs and licensed premises registered in each licence band; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43088/17]
View answerI am advised by Revenue that the following tables set out the number of pubs and licensed premises registered in each licence band and the number of fixed duty licences issued as at 30 September 2017.
Alcohol Licences Issued by Turnover Band
|
Turnover Band |
Number Issued |
|
€0 - €190,499 |
4,041 |
|
€190,500 - €380,999 |
1,836 |
|
€381,000 - €634,999 |
814 |
|
€635,000 - €952,499 |
517 |
|
€952,500 - €1,269,999 |
242 |
|
€1,270,000+ |
390 |
|
Total |
7,840 |
|
Fixed Duty Alcohol Licences Issued |
6,968 |
80. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance the number and value of tax appeals in each tax district and division. [43149/17]
View answer81. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance the detail of the €1.534 million currently under appeal between tax paid and which would fall due to be repaid if the Revenue Commissioners lost the appeals and tax not yet paid; and the estimated interest payable on refunds arising if the Revenue Commissioners lost those appeals. [43150/17]
View answer82. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance the amount currently held under appeal by tax head. [43151/17]
View answer83. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide an analysis of open tax appeals by tax head, the tax years involved and the date the appeal was made. [43152/17]
View answer84. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance the number of appeals settled by the Revenue Commissioners in each of the years 2014 to 2016 and to date in 2017 by negotiation. [43153/17]
View answer86. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance the number of appeals received by the Revenue Commissioners to date in 2017, by tax head, district and division. [43155/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 80 to 84, inclusive, and 86 together.
I am advised by Revenue that it is important to make some general comments in relation to the information collated by it on tax appeals and the sources and limitations of this information. Revenue obtains the information relating to the amount of tax that is ‘held under appeal’ from its IT systems. Outstanding tax liabilities are automatically identified by the presence of an appeal stop marker that is input to suspend the collection of the disputed tax pending the determination of the appeal. This information is contained in Revenue’s ‘stop 16’ database. However, not all appeals involve an outstanding tax liability requiring the input of an appeal stop marker. A second ‘non-stop 16’ database contains such appeals. The information on this second database must be entered manually by Revenue caseworkers. In addition to the outstanding tax balance obtained from Revenue’s IT systems, caseworkers are also required to enter on both databases what they consider to be the amount in dispute in a particular appeal. This may differ from the outstanding tax liability where an appellant has made a ‘protective’ payment in case he or she loses the appeal. This disputed amount figure may not be an outstanding tax liability as such but could be the amount that Revenue may potentially have to repay or forgo should it lose the appeal.
The information contained in the databases is captured at a particular point in time and is not retrospective or cumulative. It is constantly changing as appeals are finalised either by determination by the Tax Appeals Commission or the Courts or by agreement with Revenue, and as new appeals are received.
An appeal against an appealable matter may relate to a number of tax periods in respect of the same issue. Each of these is counted as an individual appeal in the tables below.
In relation to the number and value of tax appeals in each tax district and division, Revenue has provided this information at a divisional level and not the much more detailed tax district level as it was not possible to do so in the limited time available. The following table shows the number of appeals with an outstanding tax liability (‘stop 16’ database) and the amount of that tax liability allocated to the relevant Revenue divisions.
|
Division |
No. of appeals |
Amount held under appeal (€) |
|
Border Midlands West |
519 |
64,685,230 |
|
Dublin |
829 |
166,914,457 |
|
East Southeast |
578 |
38,249,260 |
|
Large Cases Division |
900 |
840,385,025 |
|
Local Property Tax |
<10 |
87 |
|
Southwest |
1,211 |
43,214,713 |
|
Totals |
4,040 |
1,153,448,772 |
The following table shows the number of appeals with an outstanding tax liability (‘stop 16’ database) and the amount of that tax liability broken down by taxhead.
|
Taxhead |
No. of appeals |
Amount held under appeal (€) |
|
CGT |
182 |
121,975,064 |
|
CT |
239 |
172,655,822 |
|
IT |
3,130 |
346,557,489 |
|
PAYE |
188 |
233,896,324 |
|
VAT |
202 |
174,165,036 |
|
Other |
99 |
104,199,037 |
|
Totals |
4,040 |
1,153,448,772 |
The amount estimated to be in dispute in relation to these 4,040 appeals is €1,179,006,96.
In relation to those appeals not involving an outstanding tax liability (‘non-stop 16’ database), there are an additional 520 appeals accounting for a disputed amount of €494,134,885.
The following table contains information relating to all open appeals by taxhead, the year in which an appeal was made and giving the range of tax years for all appeals in that category. It is not possible to show all of the individual dates of appeal in the table. Instead, the year in which the appeals were made is shown.
|
Taxhead |
Year appeal made |
No. appeals |
Range of years involved |
|
CGT |
2007 |
<10 |
2001 to 2005 |
|
CGT |
2008 |
<10 |
1988 to 2002 |
|
CGT |
2009 |
24 |
2003 to 2004 |
|
CGT |
2010 |
12 |
2002 to 2007 |
|
CGT |
2011 |
19 |
2004 to 2009 |
|
CGT |
2012 |
45 |
2005 to 2008 |
|
CGT |
2013 |
29 |
2006 to 2009 |
|
CGT |
2014 |
43 |
2002 to 2010 |
|
CGT |
2015 |
29 |
2003 to 2013 |
|
CGT |
2016 |
39 |
1998 to 2017 |
|
CGT |
2017 |
31 |
1998 to 2016 |
|
CT |
2001 |
<10 |
1994 to 1997 |
|
CT |
2005 |
<10 |
1976 to 1999 |
|
CT |
2009 |
<10 |
2004 to 2008 |
|
CT |
2010 |
<10 |
2003 to 2010 |
|
CT |
2011 |
13 |
2000 to 2011 |
|
CT |
2012 |
16 |
2005 to 2011 |
|
CT |
2013 |
15 |
2006 to 2012 |
|
CT |
2014 |
14 |
2004 to 2013 |
|
CT |
2015 |
50 |
1999 to 2015 |
|
CT |
2016 |
60 |
2009 to 2016 |
|
CT |
2017 |
96 |
2007 to 2016 |
|
IT |
1996 |
<10 |
1991 to 1992 |
|
IT |
1998 |
<10 |
1991 to 1992 |
|
IT |
2002 |
<10 |
1998 to 2001 |
|
IT |
2005 |
<10 |
1980 to 2009 |
|
IT |
2006 |
<10 |
2000 to 2006 |
|
IT |
2007 |
<10 |
2000 to 2001 |
|
IT |
2008 |
<10 |
1996 to 2002 |
|
IT |
2009 |
47 |
1989 to 2007 |
|
IT |
2010 |
43 |
1985 to 2008 |
|
IT |
2011 |
179 |
1996 to 2010 |
|
IT |
2012 |
156 |
1998 to 2011 |
|
IT |
2013 |
280 |
1996 to 2012 |
|
IT |
2014 |
383 |
1996 to 2015 |
|
IT |
2015 |
488 |
1995 to 2015 |
|
IT |
2016 |
639 |
1987 to 2016 |
|
IT |
2017 |
1,096 |
1987 to 2017 |
|
PAYE |
2010 |
<10 |
2009 to 2010 |
|
PAYE |
2011 |
<10 |
2006 to 2008 |
|
PAYE |
2012 |
<10 |
2008 to 2010 |
|
PAYE |
2013 |
<10 |
2005 to 2011 |
|
PAYE |
2014 |
19 |
2008 to 2013 |
|
PAYE |
2015 |
28 |
2004 to 2015 |
|
PAYE |
2016 |
101 |
2004 to 2016 |
|
PAYE |
2017 |
85 |
2003 to 2016 |
|
VAT |
2004 |
<10 |
2001 to 2003 |
|
VAT |
2005 |
<10 |
2001 to 2001 |
|
VAT |
2006 |
<10 |
2005 to 2006 |
|
VAT |
2007 |
<10 |
2003 to 2004 |
|
VAT |
2009 |
<10 |
2005 to 2008 |
|
VAT |
2010 |
<10 |
2006 to 2013 |
|
VAT |
2011 |
<10 |
2003 to 2014 |
|
VAT |
2012 |
<10 |
2002 to 2012 |
|
VAT |
2013 |
13 |
2004 to 2013 |
|
VAT |
2014 |
18 |
2002 to 2014 |
|
VAT |
2015 |
39 |
1999 to 2015 |
|
VAT |
2016 |
45 |
2004 to 2017 |
|
VAT |
2017 |
69 |
2006 to 2017 |
|
Other |
2004 |
<10 |
2000 to 2002 |
|
Other |
2006 |
<10 |
2006 to 2006 |
|
Other |
2009 |
<10 |
2006 to 2006 |
|
Other |
2011 |
<10 |
2005 to 2012 |
|
Other |
2012 |
20 |
2001 to 2012 |
|
Other |
2013 |
14 |
1999 to 2015 |
|
Other |
2014 |
21 |
1999 to 2013 |
|
Other |
2015 |
33 |
2005 to 2015 |
|
Other |
2016 |
76 |
1999 to 2016 |
|
Other |
2017 |
28 |
2007 to 2017 |
|
Total |
4,560 |
Since 21 March 2016, taxpayers must appeal directly to the Tax Appeals Commission (TAC) and not to Revenue. The TAC is then required to notify Revenue of all new appeals that it has received. I am advised by Revenue that the number of new appeals notified by the TAC to date in 2017 is 1,536.
The following table contains a summary of the appeal notifications received by Revenue in 2017 by taxhead and Revenue division.
|
Taxhead |
Division |
No. of appeals |
|
CGT |
Border Midlands West |
<10 |
|
CGT |
Dublin |
<10 |
|
CGT |
East Southeast |
<10 |
|
CGT |
Large Cases Division |
<10 |
|
CGT |
Southwest |
<10 |
|
CT |
Border Midlands West |
15 |
|
CT |
Dublin |
29 |
|
CT |
East Southeast |
24 |
|
CT |
Large Cases Division |
21 |
|
CT |
Southwest |
13 |
|
IT |
Border Midlands West |
113 |
|
IT |
Dublin |
160 |
|
IT |
East Southeast |
187 |
|
IT |
Large Cases Division |
29 |
|
IT |
Southwest |
670 |
|
IT |
Other |
<10 |
|
PAYE |
Border Midlands West |
<10 |
|
PAYE |
Dublin |
59 |
|
PAYE |
East Southeast |
25 |
|
PAYE |
Large Cases Division |
<10 |
|
PAYE |
Southwest |
17 |
|
VAT |
Border Midlands West |
12 |
|
VAT |
Dublin |
14 |
|
VAT |
East Southeast |
31 |
|
VAT |
Large Cases Division |
11 |
|
VAT |
Southwest |
15 |
|
Other |
Border Midlands West |
<10 |
|
Other |
Dublin |
<10 |
|
Other |
East Southeast |
<10 |
|
Other |
Large Cases Division |
<10 |
|
Other |
Local Property Tax |
<10 |
|
Other |
Southwest |
13 |
|
Total |
1,536 |
In a recent PQ (no. 39468/17), Revenue provided information in relation to the amount of tax in dispute by band and the number of cases in each band. The figure provided (i.e. €1,534 million) was the amount considered by Revenue caseworkers to be the amount in dispute rather than the amount of outstanding tax liabilities held under appeal. It included information taken from both of the Revenue databases (‘stop 16’ and ‘non-stop 16’). The Deputy has requested further information in relation to this disputed amount figure of €1,534 million. Revenue has advised that, given the ‘point in time’ nature of the information contained in its appeals databases and other limitations, it is not possible to provide a breakdown between the tax that may fall to be repaid should Revenue lose an appeal and the tax not yet paid.
Revenue has also advised that it is not possible to estimate the amount of interest that might ultimately be payable by it in relation to potential repayments of tax without identifying the dates on which potentially repayable payments were made and without knowing the date of any future repayment or the circumstances of the repayment.
In relation to the number of appeals that were settled by negotiation between Revenue and appellants, I am advised by Revenue that it is not in a position to provide this information as it is not information that is routinely captured.
85. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance the number of appeals heard by the Tax Appeals Commission in each month to date in 2017. [43154/17]
View answerIn response to the Deputy’s request for information on the number of appeals heard by the Tax Appeals Commission (“the TAC”) in each month to date, in 2017, I am advised by the TAC that the position is as follows:
|
MONTH |
SCHEDULED HEARING |
HEARING |
Further Details |
|
January |
7 |
6 |
1 case settled prior to hearing |
|
February |
12 |
9 |
2 cases adjourned; 1 was vacated by consent |
|
March |
6 |
6 |
|
|
April |
1 |
0 |
1 case adjourned by request |
|
May |
9 |
8 |
1 case adjourned by request |
|
June |
10 |
10 |
|
|
July |
3 |
3 |
|
|
August |
7 |
7 |
|
|
September |
3 |
3 |
|
|
TOTAL |
58 |
52 |
A further 2 hearings are scheduled for later in October.
In one of the 58 cases, the determination will have a bearing in respect of 179 appellants.
In addition to the above, as of 9 October, 2017, a further 445 cases that had been appealed to and processed by the TAC, during 2016 and 2017, were closed during 2017. This included 112 “legacy cases”, which involved appeals transferred to the TAC, from the Office of the Revenue Commissioners, following the TAC’s establishment in March 2016. In each of these 445 cases, work would have been carried out by the TAC towards disposal of the matter in some manner, whether by hearing, or facilitation of negotiation and settlement between the appellants and the Revenue Commissioners.
I am also advised that as of today’s date, in approximately 69 cases on which the TAC has conducted preliminary or advanced work that has facilitated information-sharing between the parties, the matter will now be withdrawn by the appellant, or is the subject of settlement negotiations as between the appellant and the Revenue Commissioners. There are further hearings scheduled throughout the remainder of 2017, including one case which will have a bearing in respect of approximately 350 appellants.
87. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Finance if he will review the medical criteria of the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations 1994 in view of their restrictive nature which in turn excludes persons that suffer from serious and debilitating conditions other than the qualifying conditions disability; if he received representations from other Ministers on the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43156/17]
View answerThe Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme provides relief from VAT and Vehicle Registration Tax, an exemption from motor tax and a grant in respect of fuel expenditure, on the purchase of an adapted car for transport of a permanently and severely disabled person within the terms of the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations 1994.
The scheme and qualifying criteria were designed specifically for those with severe physical disabilities and are, therefore, necessarily precise. To qualify for the scheme an applicant must be in possession of a primary medical certificate, which can be obtained if an applicant meets one of the following conditions:
- be wholly or almost wholly without the use of both legs;
- be wholly without the use of one leg and almost wholly without the use of the other leg such that the applicant is severely restricted as to movement of the lower limbs;
- be without both hands or without both arms;
- be without one or both legs;
- be wholly or almost wholly without the use of both hands or arms and wholly or almost wholly without the use of one leg;
- have the medical condition of dwarfism and have serious difficulties of movement of the lower limbs.
After six months an unsuccessful applicant can re-apply if there is a deterioration in their condition.
From time to time representations are received on behalf of individuals who feel they would benefit from the scheme but do not qualify under the criteria. While I have sympathy for these cases, given the scale and scope of the scheme, I have no plans to expand the medical criteria beyond the six currently provided for in the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations 1994.
88. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Finance the joint ventures NAMA has entered into with house builders and developers; the name and location of each development; the corresponding developer in question; the number of units developed on each site or plan to be developed; the amount of capital supplied by NAMA for each site or development, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43196/17]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that NAMA invests in projects with third parties on a joint venture basis from time to time. I am advised that NAMA takes a minority non-controlling interest in the investment in order to facilitate the delivery of commercial and residential property and in order to achieve the best financial return for the State, as set out in Section 10(2) of the NAMA Act. The list of investments in which NAMA holds equity is set out in the table below as at end-June 2017.
|
Company Name |
Type |
Property Name |
Number of Residential Units Granted Planning Permission on each site to date |
|
Kennedy Wilson Fund VIII |
Irish QIF |
Capital Docks |
190 |
|
South Docks Fund |
Irish QIF |
5 Hanover Quay |
122** |
|
South Docks Fund |
Irish QIF |
76 Sir John Rogerson’s Quay |
70 |
|
City Development Fund |
Irish QIF |
13-18 City Quay |
N/A |
|
Greenacre Residential DAC |
Irish Company |
Citywest, Dublin |
236* |
|
Balgriffin P13-15 DAC |
Irish Company |
Parkside, Belmayne |
71* |
|
Green River Limited |
Irish Fund |
Portfolio of Irish assets |
N/A |
*These sites have the capacity to deliver additional residential units subject to planning approval after submission of additional planning applications.
**The residential element of this development has been sold.
In relation to NAMA’s residential funding programme, the Deputy will be aware that in October 2015 NAMA committed to facilitate the delivery of up to 20,000 units, assuming commercial viability, on sites securing its loans over the period from October 2015 to end-2020. I am advised that, up until end-September 2017, NAMA had funded the construction of 5,566 homes. An additional 2,900 units are under construction. An additional 6,400 units have received planning permission and planning applications have been lodged, or will be lodged within a year, for another 10,200 units.
The Deputy will also be aware that another of NAMA’s key strategic objectives is to facilitate the delivery of Grade A office accommodation in the Dublin Docklands SDZ, and it is estimated that 4m square feet of commercial space and in excess of 2,000 apartments could potentially be delivered on sites in which NAMA originally held an interest. Much progress has been made, with construction commenced on sites which are expected to deliver 1.92 million square feet of commercial space and almost 500 residential units, while planning permission has been obtained or sought for an additional 1m square feet of commercial space and 900 residential units.
I wish to advise the Deputy that a breakdown of the amount of capital invested by NAMA in relation to each site or development is commercially sensitive and, for this reason, NAMA is unable to provide such a breakdown.
89. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has received a report independently commissioned by an organisation (details supplied) carried out by persons who are experts in flood management and climate change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43108/17]
View answerThe Office of Public Works (OPW) has received in recent days a copy of a report by HR Wallingford commissioned by the “savecorkcity” group to support that group's claims that a tidal barrier for Cork City would cost in the region of €140 million. The report is being considered by the OPW and its technical advisers. The OPW would note that the report addresses the estimated cost of the particular tidal barrier design proposal put forward by “savecorkcity” rather than being a report by HR Wallingford on its own consideration of the potential for and design of a tidal barrier.
From a preliminary review of the Wallingford report, the OPW notes that it lacks detail on cost breakdowns and does not adequately address some fundamental issues such as navigation requirements within Cork harbour or the environmental constraints which would arise due to the proximity of Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) and Special Protection Areas (SPA) in the Harbour and which would be very difficult to overcome. It is also noted that the report sets out the project costs at €165m rather than the figure of €140m being quoted in the media.
In addition, the report does not include for any measures to deal with the fluvial flooding problem which exists through the City up to Inniscarra dam, all of which would still be required even if a tidal barrage was constructed.
As part of the public consultation process on the Lower Lee Flood Relief Scheme, the OPW is committed to producing a comprehensive report on the costs surrounding the potential for a tidal barrier in Cork and this report is currently being finalised by our consultants. Its preliminary findings confirm the previously advised position of the OPW that a tidal barrier is not currently viable and would in fact, cost many times the figures being put forward by the “savecorkcity” group. OPW with its technical advisers will also, as part of this process, undertake a cost estimate of the “savecorkcity” proposal.
90. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the Skellig Michael island season will be extended (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43139/17]
View answerAs I have indicated in response to the Deputy’s previous PQ on this subject on 11th September, I have requested the Office of Public Works to review the position with regard to the opening season at Skellig Michael. This process is underway at present and I would expect that it will be concluded within the next few weeks.
91. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 103 of 26 September 2017, the reason the purchaser of property sold by the State cannot be identified; the reason so many properties are sold by private treaty rather than auction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43053/17]
View answerFor the most part, the Commissioners of Public Works (CPW) dispose of State owned property by way of public auction. However, there are occasions when Estate Agents / Auctioneers advise the CPW that private treaty is a more suitable approach to sale. In addition, there can be special purchase arrangements with, for example, Local Authorities, the Health Service Executive and adjoining landowners.
The CPW do not provide personal information relating to purchasers of properties under the Data Protection Acts 1988 – 2003.
92. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of planning applications the OPW has made regarding telecoms masts located on sites that were formerly used as Garda stations by location in each of the past 10 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43057/17]
View answerUnder the terms of the licences granted by the Commissioners of Public Works (OPW) to third parties in relation to the installation of telecommunications equipment on the masts at Garda Stations, the Licensees are responsible for any planning applications. OPW has not made any applications for planning permission in respect of telecommunications masts at former Garda Stations.
