Written Answers Nos. 154-174
154. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport his plans to encourage increased use of the commuter rail services in County Kildare with a view to alleviating road traffic congestion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36098/20]
View answerAs the Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. However, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport.
The issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA), in conjunction with Iarnród Éireann, and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply.
Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
155. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport his plans to increase the traffic capacity of the M50 or alternative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36099/20]
View answerAs Minister for Transport I have responsibility for overall policy and securing exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the operation and management of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you on this issue.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
156. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport when the provision of low noise level surfaces will be completed on the M4; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36100/20]
View answer157. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the number of vehicles currently using the M4 for commuting purposes daily; the future plans in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36101/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 156 and 157 together.
As Minister for Transport I have responsibility for overall policy and securing exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the upgrading and improvement of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Public Spending Code Guidelines and the necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to provide you with an update on the provision of low noise level surfaces on the M4.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
In relation to the number of vehicles currently using the M4 for commuting purposes, TII provide a daily traffic flow update examining the traffic flows at a number of locations (including the M4). This report is available on their website: www.tii.ie.
158. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport if changes are afoot in respect of integrated ticketing to compensate for reduced use due to Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36102/20]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including integrated ticketing.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
160. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Transport his plans to expand bus services across County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36125/20]
View answerAs Minister for Transport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.
It is the National Transport Authority (NTA) which has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. The NTA also has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including management of the Rural Transport Programme which operates under the Local Link brand.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities in this matter, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
161. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if the event industry and associated sectors can access the Covid restrictions support scheme as announced on 6 November 2020 (details supplied); if he will provide a schedule of the sectors and business types that can access the scheme; and the criteria for accessing same. [35891/20]
View answer165. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the Covid restrictions support scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35916/20]
View answer171. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to an anomaly relating to the Covid restrictions support scheme raised by an organisation (details supplied); his views on same; his plans to address the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36070/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 161, 165 and 171 together.
The details of the Covid Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS) are set out in the Finance Bill 2020 and guidelines on the operation of the scheme are available on the Revenue website (www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/press-office/budget-information/2021/crss-guidelines.pdf). The CRSS is a targeted support for businesses significantly impacted by restrictions introduced by the Government under public health regulations to combat the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The CRSS was announced on Budget day and the operational details are being worked though as quickly as possible. The scheme will be implemented by the Revenue Commissioners who have shown as an organisation that they are very effective in operating schemes to support businesses in this crisis. Revenue have been accepting registrations for the scheme since 1 November, and claims will be accepted from mid-November with payments made shortly thereafter.
The support will be available to companies and self-employed individuals who carry on a trade or trading activities from a business premises located in a region subject to restrictions, introduced in line with the Living with Covid-19 Plan, with the result that the business is required to prohibit or considerably restrict customers from accessing their business premises. Generally, this refers to Covid restrictions at Level 3, 4 or 5 of the Government’s Plan for Living with Covid-19 but certain businesses may qualify for the support where lower levels of restrictions are in operation.
Where, as a result of the restrictions, a company or a self-employed individual is either forced to temporarily close their business, or their business is required to operate at significantly reduced levels, they will qualify for support under the scheme. Certain other conditions will apply, including that the person has a tax clearance certificate.
Where businesses ordinarily operate from a business premises (generally a building) located in a region for which restrictions are in operation, they may qualify under the scheme provided they meet the eligibility criteria, including the requirement that customers are either prohibited, or significantly restricted, from accessing their business premises to purchase goods or services due to the specific terms of the Covid restrictions announced by Government.
Where a business does not ordinarily operate from a fixed business premises located in a region that is subject to restrictions, such as an outside caterer or an events company, that business will not meet the eligibility criteria. A business that does ordinarily operate from a music or entertainment venue (for example, a company that operates a theatre) or a business in the tourism sector carrying on a trade consisting of, for example, the operation of a gallery or other cultural attraction, located in a region subject to restrictions, and who meets the eligibility criteria, will however be able to claim support under CRSS.
The scheme will not apply to a business in the events industry or in other sectors, which does not ordinarily operate from a fixed business premises located in a region subject to the restrictions, but rather supplies goods or services to a business that does qualify for support under CRSS because, under the Covid restrictions, that other business is required to temporarily close or significantly reduce its activity. Each business must satisfy the eligibility criteria in their own right.
It is not sufficient that the business supplies goods or services to another business that qualifies for the support because, under the Covid restrictions, that other business is required to temporarily close, or significantly reduce, its activity.
I would also point out that the CRSS is an additional measure for businesses in a region subject to significant Covid-19 restrictions. Companies and self-employed workers who do not qualify under this scheme may be entitled to support under various measures put in place by Government, including existing supports available under the COVID Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) and the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) and the range of measures announced as part of Budget 2021 to support particular sectors including Tourism and live entertainment. They may also be eligible to warehouse VAT and PAYE (Employer) debts and also excess payments received by employers under the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme, and the balance of Income Tax for 2019 and Preliminary Tax for 2020 for self-assessed taxpayers if applicable.
Businesses may also be able to benefit from the Live Performance Support Scheme details of which are available at www.gov.ie/en/service/08aff-live-performance-support-scheme/.
162. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Finance if he will review correspondence (details supplied) regarding the local property tax; if his attention has been drawn to the change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35825/20]
View answerRevenue provides a wide range of phased and single payment options for Local Property Tax (LPT). These include Debit Card, Credit Card, Annual Debit Instruction (ADI), monthly Direct Debit (DD) through a financial institution, Deduction at Source (DaS) from salary, pension, or certain social welfare payments, and approved service providers including, An Post, Omnivend and Payzone.
While Revenue does not charge transaction fees for the payment options it directly provides, the approved service providers, who are commercial operations, do levy charges over which Revenue has no control. For example, An Post charges €1 per transaction, Omnivend charges 4% of the transaction and Payzone charges between 75c to €2 depending on the transaction value. Further details regarding the available payment options for LPT are available at: www.revenue.ie/en/property/local-property-tax/paying-your-lpt/index.aspx.
Revenue has advised me that the property owner in question did not receive a Direct Debit mandate for his 2021 LPT payment because he changed his payment option to Debit Card in 2020. The person can still select any of the other available payment options for 2021, including Direct Debit should he choose to do so. He can complete this change through his online account at: https://lpt.revenue.ie/lpt-web/views/login.html?execution=e1s1 or alternatively he can contact the LPT Helpline at telephone number at 01-7383626, who will assist him to complete the change.
163. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if his Department leases additional office space that is outside its departmental building and the estates section of the OPW; and, if so, the details of the lease, including the terms of the lease, location, price and duration. [35874/20]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that my Department does not engage in the leasing of any office space outside its current buildings and the Estates Section of OPW.
164. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the challenges facing the nursing home sector following the withdrawal of a major insurance provider to nursing homes that have fewer than 40 beds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35896/20]
View answerThe cost and availability of insurance for many businesses, including private nursing homes, is an issue that I am very much conscious of. Having said that, neither I, nor the Central Bank of Ireland can direct the pricing or provision of insurance products, as this is a commercial matter which individual companies assess on a case-by-case basis. This position is reinforced by the EU Single Market framework for insurance (the Solvency II Directive) which expressly prohibits Member States from doing so.
In this respect, I am aware that earlier this year a company active in the Irish market ceased offering commercial liability insurance, and that this decision would have impacted certain private nursing homes. Unfortunately, the Government cannot compel insurers to provide insurance products that they, for commercial reasons, have chosen to discontinue.
Notwithstanding this, I can assure the Deputy that the Government will continue to prioritise reform of the insurance sector with particular emphasis on motor, public, and employer liability insurance. This insurance reform agenda will be driven by the recently established Insurance Reform Sub-Group of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Recovery and Investment, chaired by An Tánaiste. This Sub-Group also includes Ministers McGrath, McEntee, and O’Gorman, together with Ministers of State Troy, Fleming and myself, as standing members. I strongly believe that this Sub-Group provides the best opportunity to address the cost and availability of insurance through a cross-Governmental response. It has recently met and is currently developing an action plan of key deliverables in line with the commitments contained in the Programme for Government.
Work is also underway in relation to increasing market transparency, including through the planned expansion of the scope of the NCID to include employer and public liability insurance; reviewing duty of care legislation; providing for the Judicial Council’s accelerated adoption by 31 July 2021 of new personal injuries guidelines to replace the Book of Quantum; consideration by the Department of Justice of the Law Reform Commission’s recent Report on Capping Damages in Personal Injuries Actions, with a view to presenting options for progressing this by the end of the year; looking at how to further enhance the role of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board; and making proposals on increasing competition in the Irish insurance market. It is my hope that the Sub-Group should be able to report on progress in relation to these before the end of the year.
In addition to this work, there has been a fresh round of intensive engagement with key stakeholders. In this regard, Minister of State Fleming has held meetings with the Alliance for Insurance Reform, the State Claims Agency, Insurance Ireland, Irish Public Bodies Mutual Insurance, the Central Bank of Ireland, and Brokers Ireland. More recently, he has also commenced a series of meetings with the main insurers in the Irish market. It is also his intention to meet shortly with the Law Society of Ireland and the Bar Council of Ireland.
In conclusion, the Deputy can rest assured that seeking to secure sustainable competition through deepening and widening the supply of insurance in Ireland is a key priority issue for the new Government and that Minister of State Fleming and I will play a lead role to ensure that progress is made in this policy area. Finally, for nursing homes that have queries, complaints or difficulties in obtaining insurance, Insurance Ireland operates an Insurance Information Service, which may be of assistance and can be accessed at: feedback@insuranceireland.eu.
166. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Finance if a tax amnesty in respect of accumulated holiday pay can be granted to essential workers who had no opportunity to take holidays due to Covid-19. [35937/20]
View answerIreland has a progressive income tax system which is structured such that the more income you have, the more tax you pay. As an individual’s income increases they move up through the various rates and bands and, as a result, while the levels of take home pay increase overall, the amount of tax paid also increases. Total income tax receipts account for around 40% of Ireland’s annual tax receipts, thereby making a significant contribution towards the cost of the various Exchequer funded State services, many of which are experiencing additional pressures at this time on account of the crisis we are facing as a result of the necessary response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Government greatly appreciates the additional efforts of essential workers, front line staff and all those working during this difficult time. They are making a key contribution to the State-wide response to the COVID-19 crisis. Rather than waiving tax payments or introducing a tax relief for those who are working at this time, resources are being focused on new initiatives to support those who are no longer in employment or who will have reduced income in the coming weeks and months, as well as measures seeking to support employers in retaining staff and restarting businesses.
167. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Finance if his Department or an agency operating under his Department has encountered expenditure in respect of hand sanitisation products or other PPE products that were subsequently subject to a recall by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in 2020; if so, the expenditure in respect of such products; if the expenditures will be recouped from the sellers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36003/20]
View answerI would like to advise the Deputy that the PPE and hand sanitisation products purchased for use within my Department have not been subject to the product recall issued by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in 2020.
There are also 17 bodies under the aegis of my Department, 16 of which incurred no expenditure in respect of hand sanitiser or other PPE products which were subject to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine recall.
The one remaining body, the Central Bank of Ireland, purchased 200 bottles of 50ml Virapro 70% hand sanitiser at a cost of €597.78 (incl. VAT). Upon receiving the recall order on the 27 October 2020, the Central Bank identified that 97 bottles of unused hand sanitiser remained in stock. This remaining stock is being securely stored and is awaiting collection by the service provider who has confirmed they will collect and replace these remaining bottles of hand sanitiser with an alternative brand, free of charge.
168. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance the number of nursing homes and long-term care facilities that have availed of the temporary wage subsidy scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36021/20]
View answerThe Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS) was administered by Revenue, on behalf of the Government, from 26 March 2020 to 31 August 2020. Over 66,500 employers received subsidy payments totalling €2.9 billion in respect of approximately 664,000 employees through the scheme.
Revenue has prepared a detailed statistical report on the TWSS, which is published at https://revenue.ie/en/corporate/documents/research/statistical-overview-of-covid-19-twss.pdf.
In accordance with legislative requirements set out in section 28(8) of the Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Covid-19) Act 2020, Revenue has published the names and addresses of employers who received TWSS payments. The list, which includes a number of nursing homes, is available at https://revenue.ie/en/employing-people/twss/list-of-employers.aspx for the Deputy’s information.
169. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance if a nursing home can avail of both the standard assistance scheme and the enhanced assistance outbreak scheme for nursing homes and still avail of the temporary wage subsidy scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36023/20]
View answer170. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance if supports given to a nursing home under the standard and enhanced outbreak schemes are calculated as income for the facility if it then applied for the wage subsidy scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36024/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 169 and 170 together.
The Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS) was administered by Revenue, on behalf of the Government, from 26 March 2020 to 31 August 2020.
A key eligibility criterion for the scheme required that where a business was experiencing a significant negative economic disruption due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the employer made a declaration which stated that, based on reasonable projections, as a result of disruption to the business caused or to be caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, there would be a decline of at least 25% in the future turnover of, or customer orders for, the business for the duration of the pandemic and that as a result the employer could not pay normal wages and outgoings fully but nonetheless wanted to retain its employees on the payroll.
The Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) replaced the TWSS from 1 September 2020. As regards employer eligibility for the EWSS scheme, an employer must be able to demonstrate that his or her business will experience a 30% reduction in turnover or orders between 1 July and 31 December 2020 as compared to the corresponding 2019 period as a result of the disruption to business caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Additionally, and unlike TWSS, the employer must have a tax clearance certificate to be eligible to join the EWSS and must continue to meet the requirements for tax clearance throughout the scheme.
As part of the measures introduced to assist businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Government introduced the Temporary Assistance Payment Scheme to support private and voluntary nursing homes with additional costs due to Covid-19. Where such a support is paid by the HSE, this would be considered an income support and required to be included in turnover when assessing eligibility for either the TWSS or EWSS.
I have been advised by Revenue that there was or is no restriction on nursing homes availing of the TWSS or EWSS, assuming they meet the criteria of the scheme in the same manner as any other employer from any sector.
172. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has signed off on the Glashaboy flood relief scheme. [35831/20]
View answer173. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the timeline for the Glashaboy flood relief scheme. [35832/20]
View answer174. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when work will commence on the Glashaboy flood relief scheme. [35833/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 172 to 174, inclusive, together.
I am advised that the Glashaboy Flood Relief Scheme has been submitted by the Office of Public Works, under the provisions of the Arterial Drainage Acts, accompanied by an Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) and Natura Impact Statement (NIS), to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for formal Confirmation.
On foot of the European Union (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Arterial Drainage) Regulations 2019, which were published in Iris Oifigiúl on 27 September 2019, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has undertaken an environmental assessment of the proposed scheme in line with required legislative requirements. This involved an independent assessment of the EIAR / NIS and a public consultation process.
On the 5 May 2020, the Office of Public Works received correspondence from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform that the independent assessment is now complete. This correspondence requested, pursuant to section 7(B) sub-section 4 of the 2019 European Union (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Arterial Drainage) Regulations, certain items of further information that are required to complete the process. My Office, working together with Cork City Council and environmental consultants appointed for this project, provided the information to the Department by the deadline on 30th October 2020. If, following review of this supplementary information, as statutorily required, the scheme is deemed to be compliant with all relevant environmental directives and regulations, the Minister for Public Expenditure & Reform will then be in a position to formally consent to the scheme at Glashaboy.
The procurement and appointment of a Contractor will be progressed for this scheme following formal Ministerial Confirmation. The flood relief scheme will be funded from within the allocated €1 billion for flood risk management over the period National Development Plan 2018-2027. Provision for the cost of the Scheme is included in the Office of Public Works' multi annual capital allocation.
The Office of Public Works is committed to funding this project and attends monthly steering meetings to offer every assistance to Cork City Council to ensure a contractor is engaged, and the works commences, as soon as possible.
