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Tuesday, 23 Oct 2018

Written Answers Nos. 220-235

Employment Data

Questions (220)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

220. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if the Revenue Commissioners hold data on the number of workers paid weekly, fortnightly, monthly and so on; and if so, if it will provide same. [43676/18]

View answer

Written answers

I am advised by Revenue that information in respect of employee payment frequencies is not a mandatory requirement for employers when completing their annual (P35) return. As a consequence, it is not currently possible to provide the Deputy with the information requested. However, Revenue has confirmed that it will be possible to provide this information from 1 January 2019 following the move to real time reporting of employees pay and deductions under the PAYE Modernisation project.

Imports Data

Questions (221)

Michael McGrath

Question:

221. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the quantity in tonnes and value of imports from outside the European Union, EU, that were physically checked, that is, red, by the Revenue Commissioners upon entry in 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018; the quantity and value of imports from outside the EU that underwent documentary checks, that is, orange, by the Revenue Commissioner in these years; the quantity and value of imports from outside the EU that were not checked, that is, green in these years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43684/18]

View answer

Written answers

I am advised by Revenue that the details requested by the Deputy on the quantity and value of imports from outside the EU and the risk ranging associated with those imports are as set out in the table.

Year

Risk Rank

(Tonnes)

Value

2016

Green

4,556,790

€24,945,333,394.28

2016

Orange

7,424,937

€4,797,397,899.97

2016

Red

1,705,704

€1,048,000,539.36

 

 

 

 

2017

Green

5,964,396

€29,230,882,753.56

2017

Orange

6,012,864

€11,014,787,056.92

2017

Red

2,085,287

€1,672,873,507.04

 

 

 

 

2018 to date

Green

6,361,449

€21,206,923,379.02

2018 to date

Orange

2,298,748

€5,443,180,660.62

2018 to date

Red

2,433,424

€1,499,044,246.83

Revenue Commissioners

Questions (222)

Michael McGrath

Question:

222. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if all goods imported from the European Union, EU, require no checks by the Revenue Commissioners, that is, green; if not, the quantity in tonnes and value of imports from within the EU that were physically checked, that is, red, by the Revenue Commissioners upon entry in 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018; the quantity and value of imports from within the EU that underwent documentary checks, that is, orange, by the Revenue Commissioners in these years; the quantity and value of imports from within the EU that were not checked, that is, green, in these years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43685/18]

View answer

Written answers

I am advised by Revenue that the red, orange and green classifications referred to by the Deputy are features of the trade facilitation framework and associated customs control regime associated with goods arriving from third countries.  In keeping with the rules of the Single Market, EU goods do not require customs declarations upon arrival in the State and are not subject to systematic controls.

Disabled Drivers and Passengers Scheme

Questions (223)

Michael McGrath

Question:

223. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the number of applications made to the Revenue Commissioners under the disabled drivers and disabled passengers tax concession scheme in each of the years 2014 to 2017; the number approved and rejected, respectively in tabular form; his plans to review the terms of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43711/18]

View answer

Written answers

I am advised by Revenue that the table below includes the number of applications received, approved and rejected under the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers scheme for the years 2014 to 2017.

Year

Total Applications

Approved

Rejected

2014

5,060

4,997

63

2015

5,494

5,440

54

2016

6,506

6,490

16

2017

6,080

6,052

28

I can confirm to the Deputy that I have no plans to review the scheme at this time.

Local Authority Funding

Questions (224)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

224. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Finance the categories of funding available to local authorities through his Department; the amount of funding provided for each scheme in 2016 and 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43730/18]

View answer

Written answers

My Department does not have a direct role in funding local authorities.

EU Directives

Questions (225)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

225. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance the steps he has taken to ensure that all the relevant institutions are in compliance with SI No. 482 of 2016 in Part 4 Article 15(3)(b)(i) (details supplied); the way in which this is assessed and reported; the number of bank accounts operating here under this SI; if he is satisfied that all institutions are delivering on this requirement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43793/18]

View answer

Written answers

The Payment Accounts Directive, transposed in September 2016 by the European Union (Payment Accounts) Regulations 2016 (S.I. No. 482 of 2016), contains a right to open a payment account with basic features with a credit institution. This right extends to any person who is legally resident in the European Union, regardless of whether he or she has a fixed address.

A payment account with basic features is similar to a regular payment account in many respects. It allows a person to place money in the account, withdraw cash from the account, and to make payments using direct debits, debit cards, or credit transfers. An important difference is that a payment account with basic features does not offer credit facilities, such as an overdraft.

In Ireland, a payment account with basic features is free of charge for the first year for regular payment transactions in euro within the European Union.  Where less than the equivalent of the national minimum wage is lodged to the account in a year, the account stays free of charge on a year-by-year basis for up to five years.  After that, an account holder may be charged reasonable fees. 

Regulation 16 of the European Union (Payment Accounts) Regulations 2016 permits a credit institution to refuse to open an account on one of two grounds. Those grounds are set out in the legislation, but essentially are that the applicant already holds a payment account or that refusal is necessary to comply with money laundering and terrorist financing legislation.

If an applicant is refused an account he or she can submit a complaint against that decision to the credit institution. A consumer who has a complaint that is not resolved by the credit institution’s internal complaints mechanism may make a complaint to the independent Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman.

The Central Bank is the designated competent authority for the purposes of the European Union (Payment Accounts) Regulations 2016. It informs me that, in the period from September 2016 to the end of June 2018, 69,182 accounts that met the criteria of a payment account with basic features were opened across all six Irish credit institutions.

The Central Bank collects this data from firms for the purposes of evaluation of the Payment Accounts Directive, and I do not have a further breakdown of the number of payment accounts by institution.

Help-To-Buy Scheme Administration

Questions (226)

Michael McGrath

Question:

226. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance when he plans to make and announce a decision on the future of the help-to-buy scheme; if he has received or is expecting to receive a cost-benefit analysis or other report on the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43852/18]

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Written answers

Section 477C of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 (Help-to-Buy Incentive) includes a sunset clause for the incentive, coming into effect on 31 December 2019. Any decisions regarding the future of Help to Buy will be made next year in the context of Budget 2020. 

As the Deputy may be aware, earlier this year I commissioned an independent Cost benefit Analysis (CBA) of the Help to Buy incentive. Following a competitive tender process, Indecon International Economic Consultants were appointed to carry out this analysis. The report of the CBA was published on the day of Budget 2019, in the Department of Finance Report on Tax Expenditures, and is available at the following link: 

www.budget.gov.ie/Budgets/2019/Documents/Tax%20Expenditures%20Report%20Budget%202019.pdf.

The main findings of the CBA were as follows:

- Prices: While there may have been a very small increase in prices attributable to the introduction of the HTB incentive, the primary driver of house prices remains the continued misalignment between demand and supply.

- Supply: The evidence suggests that following the introduction of the Help to Buy incentive there was an increase in supply which can be attributed, in part, to HTB.

- Affordability: The analysis also finds that the availability of HTB has reduced the time to needed to save for a deposit and improved the overall affordability of housing for HTB claimants.

- Benefit/Cost Ratio: The analysis finds a benefit-cost ratio of 1.28. indicating a moderate positive effect for the incentive. However, the study also notes that if the price of new HTB units was to increase due to the incentive, the net benefit would be reduced.

Banking Sector Regulation

Questions (227, 228, 229)

Michael McGrath

Question:

227. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if consultation or consent is required of the Minister only on material matters under paragraphs 10 to 12 of the relationship framework for a bank (details supplied); the number of times the Minister's consent or consultation was required by him in relation to the bank under paragraph 10 of the relationship framework; the dates this consent and a consultation was given by him; the material matters which each consent or consultation was related to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43960/18]

View answer

Michael McGrath

Question:

228. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if consultation or consent is required of the Minister only on material matters under paragraphs 10 to 12 of the relationship framework for a bank (details supplied); the number of times the Minister's consent or consultation was required by him in relation to the bank under paragraph 10 of the relationship framework; the dates this consent and or consultation was given by him; the material matters which each consent or consultation was related to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43961/18]

View answer

Michael McGrath

Question:

229. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the grounds for requiring his consent or consultation for a bank (details supplied) under paragraph 9 of the relationship arrangement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43962/18]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 227 to 229, inclusive, together.

The requirements for AIB and PTSB to seek the consent of/consult with the Minister for Finance are set out in the banks’ respective Relationship Frameworks.

A list of matters which require consultation are included in Appendix 2 of each Relationship Framework. Where “material” is referred to in Appendix 2, Paragraph 12 provides a definition in this regard.

In addition to the list of matters included in Appendix 2, each bank is required to consult with The Minister on certain matters relating to the Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer, and Board appointments (see Paragraphs 17&18); and matters of Material Litigation (see Paragraph 29).

Each bank is also required to seek the Minister’s consent on certain remuneration related matters and this is referred to in Paragraph 32 of the Framework.

The banks have sought the Minister’s consent, or consulted with the Minister, on a number of occasions since the Relationship Frameworks came into force covering a range of topics. It should be noted that consent/consult matters typically include information that is commercially sensitive. The Deputy will be aware that both AIB and PTSB are independent listed companies on the Irish and London stock exchanges and rules and best practice in relation to commercially sensitive matters must be complied with. Accordingly, it would not be appropriate for me to disclose any further information in this regard.

In the case of Bank of Ireland, the requirement to seek the Minister’s consent on certain remuneration related matters is in line with that of AIB and PTSB which is referred to above.

VAT Rate Application

Questions (230)

Brendan Howlin

Question:

230. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance his plans to alter the VAT regime on health supplements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43963/18]

View answer

Written answers

Issues of clarity relating to the VAT rating of health food supplements arise from the fact that a small selection of food supplements have historically been applied at the zero rate of VAT by concession of the Revenue Commissioners since the introduction of VAT in 1972.  The majority of food supplements, however, are charged at the 23% standard VAT rate.

The expansion and diversification of the food supplement market since 1972, has led to a significant growth in the number and variety of food supplement products which do not qualify for the Revenue concession.  Revenue have received a large volume of requests for confirmation of the VAT treatment on a broad range of food supplements in recent years, leading to compliance concerns and calls for fiscal neutrality.

Officials from my Department have engaged with Revenue, the Department of Health and industry representatives on the matter, however, investigations are ongoing.

Ministerial Meetings

Questions (231)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

231. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the details of engagements, meetings or correspondence that he has had with a person (details supplied) in the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43398/18]

View answer

Written answers

I wish to advise the Deputy that, having carried out a search of records of engagements, meetings and correspondence over the course of the past three years, I can confirm that neither I, nor my predecessor, met with Mr David McCourt, Chairman of Granahan McCourt.

Budget 2019

Questions (232)

Barry Cowen

Question:

232. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number and locations of regional budget briefings taking place throughout the country; the Ministers attending each briefing; the cost of holding each briefing; the cost of transporting Ministers to each briefing; if these costs are incurred by the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43422/18]

View answer

Written answers

I wish to inform the Deputy that two regional budget briefings took place on Wednesday, 17th October 2018. The first session took place in the Athlone Civic Centre, Church Street, Athlone, Co Westmeath and was attended by both myself and Minister of State for the Office of Public Works and Flood Relief, Kevin Boxer Moran.  The second briefing session took place in the Parade Tower, Kilkenny Castle, Co Kilkenny and was attended by Minister for Employment and Social Protection, Regina Doherty, Minister of State for Local Government and Electoral Reform, John Paul Phelan and myself.  Departmental officials liaised with Local Authorities who provided the venues and assisted with the issuing of the invitations.

The purpose of the briefing sessions was to provide people in regional areas with an opportunity to discuss the budget. The sessions involved a short video piece on the budget, an address by each of the Ministers in attendance and a questions and answers session.

It is not possible at this time to provide a figure for the cost of each briefing session until all payments have been processed. While each of the Ministers used their personal cars to transport them to these events, any other costs associated with travel in respect of additional departmental attendees will be forwarded to the Deputy as part of the overall cost of the briefings when the information is readily available.

There are no further regional budget briefings planned.

Flood Relief Schemes Status

Questions (233)

Seán Fleming

Question:

233. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when funding will be provided for flooding relief works at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43465/18]

View answer

Written answers

Local flooding issues are a matter, in the first instance, for each Local Authority to investigate and address, and Laois County Council may carry out flood mitigation works using its own resources. The Office of Public Works ‘Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme’, however, also makes funds available to Local Authorities to undertake minor flood mitigation works or studies to address localised flooding problems within their administrative areas.  The eligibility criteria of this scheme, including a requirement that any measures are cost beneficial, are published on the OPW website, www.opw.ie.  It is open to the Council to submit a funding application for flood mitigation works under the Scheme.  Any application received will be considered in accordance with the scheme's eligibility criteria and the overall availability of resources for flood risk management.

No application has been received from Laois County Council under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection scheme for the area mentioned in the Deputy’s question. 

Public Service Pay Commission Reports

Questions (234)

Clare Daly

Question:

234. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when he expects the Public Service Pay Commission to produce an outcome for Defence. [43466/18]

View answer

Written answers

The Public Service Pay Commission has adopted a modular approach to its work programme. Module 1 reported in August 2018 on issues relating to the areas of Nursing and Midwifery, Non-Consultant Hospital Doctors and Hospital Consultants. The Commission has not yet indicated a timeline for completion of Module 2 of its work programme. 

Programme for Government Implementation

Questions (235)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

235. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the progress made to date in implementing the commitment in the programme for partnership Government (details supplied) regarding the provision of external experts for Oireachtas committees; the name of the officials or the section in his Department taking the lead on the implementation of this commitment; the number of meetings held to discuss this commitment; if engagement or consultation has taken place with committee chairpersons or officials in the Houses of the Oireachtas on the way in which this commitment will be delivered and the level of expertise that will be required; if funds or a budget has been allocated for the implementation of the commitment; if a tender process has been considered or undertaken regarding this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43538/18]

View answer

Written answers

The Programme for a Partnership Government was agreed in May 2016 during the formation of the Government. This is a five year programme of work being undertaken for the duration of the present Dáil. The relevant commitment in the Programme which focuses on the Oireachtas Committee Structure, Resources and Responsibilities, sets out a number of commitments in this area, including Panels of outside experts being made available to assist committees in their work.

Since 2016 significant progress has been made in reforming how business is done in the Oireachtas.  The Houses of the Oireachtas and the Department of the Taoiseach have been key players in driving the reform agenda. However, the engagement of experts by a committee is, in the first instance, a matter for the committees and similarly the allocation of resources is a matter for the Houses of the Oireachtas Service.

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