Written Answers Nos. 6-25
6. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has the power to order data centres to turn to auxiliary power if the demand on the grid could cause potential blackouts. [48724/21]
View answerThe Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) has statutory responsibility to monitor and take measures necessary to ensure the security of electricity supply in Ireland. The CRU is assisted in its statutory role by EirGrid, the electricity transmission system operator. The CRU is an independent statutory body and solely accountable to a committee of the Oireachtas for the performance of its functions. The implementation of demand reduction measures in the event of insufficient generation being available to meet demand is an operational matter for the transmission system operator, EirGrid and the distribution system operator, ESB Networks in consultation with the CRU.
7. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport the number of cancellations of the Bus Éireann Dublin to Donegal Town Route X30 Expressway for each month of 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48428/21]
View answer8. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport the number of times that the cancellation of the Bus Éireann Dublin to Donegal Town Route X30 Expressway was published on the Bus Éireann website for each time the route was cancelled for each month of 2020 and to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48429/21]
View answer9. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport the number of reserve drivers in County Donegal for Bus Éireann routes in each of the years 2017 to 2020 and to date in 2021. [48430/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 7, 8 and 9 together.
As 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 operation of public transport services.The issues raised are a matter for Bus Éireann and I have forwarded the Deputy's questions to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
10. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport the status of a bus driver test application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48566/21]
View answerUnder legislation, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is the body responsible for the operation of the Driving Test.
The protocol for scheduling appointments is an operational matter for the RSA and I do not have any role in this process. This question is therefore being referred to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
11. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport the rationale behind the delay of the MetroLink project to 2034; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48590/21]
View answer13. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Transport his views on reports that MetroLink and elements of DART+ are due to be arbitrarily delayed for several years. [48723/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 11 and 13 together.
I would like to clarify the current position in relation to the DART+and MetroLink projects.
DART+ is a programme which actually comprises five different projects, each of which is progressing at a different pace resulting in different stages of development. MetroLink is likely the largest ever public investment project in the history of the State.
Both face imminent and important milestones in the coming months which will determine the progress of each in the coming years.
Firstly, there is Government’s approval of the Preliminary Business Case and secondly there is the submission of a Railway Order application to An Bord Pleanála.
On that first milestone, my Department has received Preliminary Business Cases for both. This represents Decision Gate 1 under the Public Spending Code and those Preliminary Business Cases are currently under review. For major projects, like DART+ and MetroLink, the Public Spending Code requires a Government decision and I expect to seek such a Government decision in the near future.
If approved by Government, that will allow the contracts to be signed in relation to DART+ Fleet and will also allow MetroLink and DART+ West move into the statutory planning system, subject to the completion of the necessary planning and environmental documentation.
The second impending milestone is the submission of Railway Order applications for DART+ West and MetroLink. Those applications require the finalisation of an extensive set of documentation, including environmental impact assessment reports, and that work is ongoing in relation to both projects.
On MetroLink I understand that an extensive body of work remains in relation to finalising the preliminary design, completing the required environmental impact assessment reports and closing out property referencing issues. This should be completed during Q1 next year and, subject to the Government decision mentioned above, the project will then be ready to seek planning permission.
On DART+, the most advanced of the proposed infrastructure projects is DART+ West. The second round of public consultation on DART+ West has recently been extended until early October, today in fact. Issues raised during this consultation process, including those raised by public representatives, will need to be fully considered and appropriately addressed before they’re ready to enter the planning system. Once that has been completed, and similar to MetroLink, DART+ West can then move into the planning system subject to the aforementioned Government approval and finalisation of planning documentation.
I hope this clarifies the current position.
12. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport the reason vehicle testing (details supplied) is not available in Killarney, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48598/21]
View answerUnder the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 477 of 2006), the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has responsibility for the operation, oversight, development, quality assurance and delivery of commercial vehicle roadworthiness testing arrangements.
I have therefore forwarded this Question to the RSA for direct reply to the Deputy. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
14. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport if he will ensure asylum seekers are permitted to apply for a driving licence. [48733/21]
View answerIn line with the Programme for Government, my Department is committed to providing access to the driving licence system for asylum seekers.
As Irish driving licence legislation is based on a framework of EU law, consideration must be given to the relevant EU Directives. While the legislative requirements are being examined, work is continuing on the administrative and technical solutions needed, in conjunction with the Road Safety Authority and the Department of Justice, to address the Programme for Government commitment. It is not possible at this time to give a definitive date for when these changes will be in place. However, I am assured that my officials are working hard, in close co-operation with all the stakeholders, to make this happen.
15. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 295 and 296 of 28 September 2021, if he will provide a measure of redress through the tax system for owner-occupiers and social landlords that have paid or are paying defects levies as part of Budget 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48526/21]
View answer20. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to a campaign led by a group (details supplied) that is seeking comparable tax liability for owner-occupiers and social landlords paying defect levies as compared to commercial landlords that have the capacity to right these levies off against their tax liabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48579/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 15 and 20 together.
I am aware of the campaign mentioned by Deputy Matthews.
However, as the Deputies will also be aware, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, has established an Independent Working Group to examine the issue of defective housing. Officials from my Department participate in this Working Group. The objectives of the group are to identify the scope of relevant significant defects in housing, to evaluate the scale of housing affected, to propose a means of prioritising defects, to evaluate the cost of remediation, to recommend appropriate mechanisms for resolving defects and, to consider financing options in line with the Programme for Government commitment to identifying options for those impacted by defects to access low-cost, long-term finance.
Separately, my Department's Tax Expenditure Guidelines are clear that a tax-based intervention should only be considered where it would be more efficient than a direct expenditure measure.
In the circumstances, consideration of an intervention along the lines mentioned by Deputy O'Callaghan would seem to be premature at this point.
16. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Finance his views on the retention of the 9% VAT rate for the tourism and hospitality sector. [48716/21]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, it is a longstanding practice of the Minister for Finance not to comment, in advance of the Budget, on any tax matters that might be the subject of Budget decisions.
17. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the closure of a bank (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48425/21]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, as Minister for Finance, I have no role in the commercial decisions made by any bank in the State. This includes banks in which the State has a shareholding.
Decisions in this regard, including the management of branch networks, are the sole responsibility of the board and management of the banks which must be run on an independent and commercial basis. The independence of banks in which the State has a shareholding is protected by Relationship Frameworks which are legally binding documents that cannot be changed unilaterally. These frameworks which are publicly available, were insisted upon by the European Commission to protect competition in the Irish market. The AIB Relationship Framework can be accessed on the Department's website.
With regards to the AIB branch the Deputy has referred to, officials in my Department have been provided with the following update from AIB:
"The AIB branch in Rathkeale, Co. Limerick is not closing. While the branch will no longer offer over the counter cash services, the team in Rathkeale will continue to personally support and advise their customers on their financial needs, be it account opening, mortgages, business or personal loans or financial planning. The branch remains open Monday from 10am – 5pm and Tuesday – Friday from 10am to 4pm.
Through AIB’s partnership with An Post, our customers can continue to conduct the vast majority of their day to day banking transactions through their local post office, located on Thomas Street, Rathkeale. These services, available to Personal and Business customers, include cash withdrawal, cash and coin lodgements. More banking services will become available in the Post Office from November 29th , including an 'off counter' facility for business customers to enable faster lodgements. These services are listed below and the Post Office has longer opening hours than the AIB branch, including Saturday opening.
The team in Rathkeale is in ongoing contact with customers about this change and to ensure any individual issues are addressed. Customers will be able to access full banking services at AIB branches in Newcastle West and also in Adare."
18. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance his views on the call made by an organisation (details supplied) for the design of a special relief on carbon tax in order that relevant good producers can continue to increase sustainable production and consumption of Irish grown products on the domestic market in line with the Food Vision 2030 Strategy. [48434/21]
View answerMineral Oil Tax (MOT) applies to minerals oils used for motor or heating purposes in the State. The rate of MOT is comprised of a carbon and non-carbon component.
I am advised by Revenue that Section 98 of Finance Act 1999 provides for a partial relief for MOT for heavy oil and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) used in horticultural production and the cultivation of mushrooms. Heavy oil refers to diesel, kerosene, and fuel oil, and LPG is defined in MOT legislation as “petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons falling within CN Codes 2711 12 11 to 2711 19 00”. The relief is operated by way of repayment only. The repayment amount is the difference between the MOT paid and the predetermined rate set out in section 98 for heavy oil/LPG. More information on the operation of the relief is also available on Revenue’s website .
With regard to carbon tax and Budget 2022, as the Deputy will be aware, it is a longstanding practice of the Minister for Finance not to comment, in advance of the Budget, on any tax matters that might be the subject of Budget decisions.
The Deputy will also be aware that there are support schemes and investment aid available to horticultural producers from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and Bord Bia. Full details are available at the website addresses below.
www.gov.ie/en/service/d6dde0-commercial-horticulture-investment-aid-scheme-2020/
www.bordbia.ie/farmers-growers/get-involved/how-we-help/
19. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance if the employment wage subsidy scheme will continue to be made available to childcare providers in quarter 4 of 2021 without the income reduction requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48549/21]
View answerSection 28B of the Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Covid-19) Act 2020 provides for the operation of the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS), which is an economy-wide enterprise support for eligible businesses in respect of eligible employees. It provides a flat-rate subsidy to qualifying employers based on the numbers of paid and eligible employees on the employer’s payroll and charges a reduced rate of employer PRSI of 0.5% on wages paid which are eligible for the subsidy payment.
As the Deputy will be aware, special arrangements are provided for within the EWSS legislation in respect of childcare businesses.
I have been clear that there will be no cliff-edge to the EWSS and, as the Deputy will be aware from announcements made in June, it has been decided that the scheme is now to be extended until the end of December 2021. For Q3 2021, the Government has decided to broadly maintain the status quo for EWSS, including the enhanced rates of support, with a modification to widen eligibility, and maintaining the reduced rate of Employers’ PRSI of 0.5%.
Further, as announced on Tuesday 28th September, the Government has agreed that there will be no change to the EWSS for the month of October 2021, which means that the scheme will continue to operate in its current form as per the arrangements for Q3 2021. Issues around the configuration of the scheme beyond October are currently being considered and full details will be announced on Budget Day, 12 October 2021.
The Government remains fully committed to supporting businesses and employers insofar as is possible at this time.
21. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Finance the number of persons that claimed the help-to-buy scheme since its inception for a self-build home; the value of these claims broken down by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48588/21]
View answer22. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Finance the number of persons that claimed the help to buy scheme since its inception to purchase a home; the value of these claims broken down by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48589/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 21 and 22 together.
According to latest data available from Revenue as at 31 August 2021, since the inception of the Help to Buy (HTB) scheme there have been 6,971 claims for self-builds, and 21,348 claims for new builds, giving a total of 28,319 claims.
Revenue advise that a combined breakdown of build type broken down by county is not available.
They further advise that the available information regarding the HTB scheme is provided in the detailed statistics published on the Revenue website. Statistics by year to the end of 2020 are available at:
www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/information-about-revenue/statistics/tax-expenditures/htb/htb-yearly.aspx .
Statistics for 2021 to-date are available at: www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/information-about-revenue/statistics/tax-expenditures/htb/htb-monthly.aspx .
These statistics include the numbers of claims broken down by county, and by build type (i.e. self-build or purchase).
The following HTB claims (cumulative) were made in each half-year period 2017 to 2020:
|
- |
2017 H1 |
2017 H2 |
2018 H1 |
2018 H2 |
2019 H1 |
2019 H2 |
2020 H1 |
2020 H2 |
|
Carlow |
12 |
36 |
52 |
72 |
101 |
132 |
160 |
192 |
|
Cavan |
14 |
35 |
52 |
77 |
96 |
138 |
168 |
208 |
|
Clare |
30 |
62 |
102 |
136 |
183 |
263 |
308 |
371 |
|
Cork |
232 |
490 |
737 |
1,035 |
1,377 |
1,848 |
2,148 |
2,670 |
|
Donegal |
25 |
43 |
68 |
93 |
131 |
185 |
236 |
304 |
|
Dublin |
982 |
2,008 |
2,834 |
3,589 |
4,452 |
5,286 |
5,751 |
6,452 |
|
Galway |
96 |
207 |
308 |
430 |
560 |
724 |
879 |
1,062 |
|
Kerry |
18 |
45 |
65 |
86 |
123 |
171 |
223 |
272 |
|
Kildare |
262 |
520 |
756 |
994 |
1,262 |
1,672 |
1,947 |
2,446 |
|
Kilkenny |
17 |
37 |
60 |
86 |
124 |
173 |
235 |
319 |
|
Laois |
31 |
65 |
109 |
154 |
191 |
240 |
292 |
385 |
|
Leitrim* |
59 |
|||||||
|
Limerick |
72 |
165 |
240 |
321 |
425 |
536 |
620 |
751 |
|
Longford* |
94 |
|||||||
|
Louth |
56 |
132 |
209 |
319 |
420 |
540 |
623 |
733 |
|
Mayo |
23 |
66 |
101 |
146 |
203 |
293 |
350 |
427 |
|
Meath |
269 |
606 |
913 |
1,197 |
1,620 |
2,054 |
2,340 |
2,809 |
|
Monaghan |
11 |
34 |
54 |
78 |
103 |
148 |
174 |
214 |
|
Offaly |
26 |
56 |
69 |
92 |
114 |
151 |
180 |
232 |
|
Roscommon |
17 |
34 |
49 |
67 |
91 |
133 |
164 |
194 |
|
Sligo* |
164 |
|||||||
|
Tipperary |
30 |
83 |
128 |
170 |
227 |
283 |
327 |
383 |
|
Waterford |
67 |
130 |
183 |
243 |
304 |
388 |
456 |
553 |
|
Westmeath |
32 |
62 |
100 |
134 |
170 |
216 |
253 |
313 |
|
Wexford |
30 |
66 |
111 |
165 |
257 |
360 |
437 |
533 |
|
Wicklow |
141 |
260 |
353 |
473 |
617 |
780 |
856 |
1,009 |
* Revenue advise that In certain periods Leitrim, Longford and Sligo data are not included as the numbers are small.
The following HTB claims (non-cumulative) were made in Q1 and Q2 2021.
The following table provides a breakdown of the HTB claims (cumulative) by build type.
|
Build Type |
Number |
|
Purchased |
21,348 |
|
Self-Build |
6,971 |
|
Total |
28,319 |
The following is a geographical breakdown of HTB claims (cumulative) as at 31 August 2021.
|
County |
Number |
Claim Amount (€m) |
|
Carlow |
248 |
3.8 |
|
Cavan |
271 |
4.1 |
|
Clare |
486 |
8.2 |
|
Cork |
3,425 |
65.0 |
|
Donegal |
381 |
5.0 |
|
Dublin |
7,258 |
136.9 |
|
Galway |
1,337 |
23.4 |
|
Kerry |
337 |
5.1 |
|
Kildare |
3,114 |
61.0 |
|
Kilkenny |
395 |
6.9 |
|
Laois |
553 |
8.9 |
|
Leitrim |
79 |
1.1 |
|
Limerick |
929 |
16.0 |
|
Longford |
110 |
1.7 |
|
Louth |
936 |
14.6 |
|
Mayo |
537 |
8.4 |
|
Meath |
3,419 |
60.0 |
|
Monaghan |
275 |
4.2 |
|
Offaly |
313 |
5.2 |
|
Roscommon |
242 |
3.8 |
|
Sligo |
214 |
3.2 |
|
Tipperary |
472 |
7.1 |
|
Waterford |
695 |
10.7 |
|
Westmeath |
389 |
6.4 |
|
Wexford |
709 |
11.3 |
|
Wicklow |
1,195 |
21.9 |
|
Total |
28,319 |
503.8 |
Note: Figures may be subject to an element of rounding.
23. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance the supports in place for a family whose family home has been sold on by their mortgage provider to a vulture fund and in cases in which that same mortgage provider had blocked the family from taking up the mortgage to rent scheme; if an appeal mechanism is in place for the family; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48591/21]
View answerThe Central Bank Act 1997 (as amended) provides, inter alia, that any entity (unless it is otherwise authorised to provide credit) carrying out credit servicing activities (which includes the holding of legal title to credit, or managing or administering a credit agreement) requires authorisation by the Central Bank of Ireland as a 'credit servicing firm'. Accordingly, such firms must comply with all relevant requirements of financial services legislation, including the Central Bank’s Consumer Protection Code 2012, Code of Conduct for Mortgage Arrears 2013 (CCMA), Code of Conduct for Business Lending to Small & Medium Enterprises 2012 and Fitness and Probity Standards (including minimum competency requirements).
For borrowers who are experiencing difficulty with a mortgage which is secured on a primary home, the CCMA requires regulated entities, including credit servicing firms, to have a fair and transparent process for dealing with borrowers in or facing mortgage arrears. The mortgage arrears resolution process that is contained in the CCMA sets out the steps a regulated entity must follow in respect of communication with the borrower, gathering of financial information, assessment of the borrower's situation and consideration of resolution options. In particular, in relation to a 'co-operating borrower', provision 39 of the CCMA provides that, in order to determine options for alternative arrangements for each particular case, a regulated entity must explore all of the options for alternative repayment arrangements offered by that entity. Provision 45 further provides that if a regulated entity does not offer a borrower an alternative repayment arrangement, for example, where it is concluded that the mortgage is not sustainable and an alternative repayment arrangement is unlikely to be appropriate, the lender must provide the reasons to the borrower. In these circumstances, the lender must inform the borrower of other options available to the borrower and the implications of each option for the borrower; and his/her mortgage loan account. These options could include mortgage to rent, voluntary surrender, trading down, or voluntary sale.
Provision 49 of the CCMA also requires that each regulated entity must have an appeals process to enable a borrower to appeal in relation to a decision of the regulated entity including:
- where an alternative repayment arrangement is offered by a regulated entity and the borrower is not willing to enter into the alternative repayment arrangement;
- where a regulated entity declines to offer an alternative repayment arrangement to a borrower;
- where a regulated entity classifies a borrower as 'not co-operating'.
More generally, a consumer has a right to make a complaint to a regulated financial services provider if they are not satisfied with the service they have received. Should they remain not satisfied with the final response from the regulated financial services provider in question they then have a right to make a complaint to the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (‘FSPO’).
Final decisions on eligibility for the mortgage to rent scheme, however, will rest with the relevant local authority.
24. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when a decision will be made on the allocation of the Brexit adjustment fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48431/21]
View answerIreland has been allocated €1.065 billion in constant (2018) prices, equivalent to €1.165 billion in current prices. This represents 21% of the total value of the Reserve, the largest allocation for any Member State. The reference period for expenditure under the Reserve runs from 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2023.
The objective of the Reserve is to provide support to counter the adverse economic, social, territorial and, where appropriate, environmental consequences of the withdrawal of the UK from the EU. Importantly, the Reserve may only support measures specifically taken by Member States to contribute to this objective.
In Ireland’s case, the allocation of resources from the Reserve will be aligned with the annual Estimates process. Ireland has already spent a considerable amount on preparing for Brexit, with successive Budgets since the UK referendum providing significant supports for business and the agri-food sectors, as well as the infrastructure required at the port and airport to maintain the flow of east west trade.
Possible areas for support under Reserve include enterprise supports; supports for the agri-food sector; fisheries; reskilling and retraining; and infrastructure for the ports and airport.
25. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide a detailed breakdown of the demographic costs for Budget 2022 provided for in the Summer Economic Statement with specific details on the demographic costs associated with disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48593/21]
View answerAs part of the medium term expenditure strategy, the Summer Economic Statement (SES) set out set out the budget package for each year to 2025, with the provision under this to meet the expected costs of delivering existing levels of service (ELS) set out in Table 2.1 of the Mid-Year Expenditure Report.
For Budget 2022, provision has been included for an additional €4.2 billion in core expenditure. €1.1 billion of this relates to increased capital expenditure under the National Development Plan with €3.1 billion relating to increased current expenditure, including €1 billion for new current expenditure measures. The remaining €2.1 billion of the current expenditure increase relates to the provision made for meeting the expected ELS costs across Departments, of which demographics is a component along with the costs of meeting pay agreements, carryover costs of previous year measures and other pressures on demand led schemes.
A different approach from previous years was adopted in the SES in relation to ELS costs, with the €2.1 billion provision for 2022 based on 3% of the current expenditure base. In previous years an amount was set aside for demographics in Health, Education, and Social Protection; the cost of pay deals; and the carryover of prior year Budget measures only. The 3% provision is based on budgets in previous years and an assessment of the position in advance of Budget 2022. This is a higher amount than would have been set out as “pre-committed” expenditure in previous years and provides a better overall reflection of the additional costs required to deliver existing services.
Work is continuing as Budget 2022 approaches to finalise details on the requirements for meeting ELS costs, including those related to demographics and disability, and allocation of this provision at Departmental and programme level.
