Darren O'Rourke
Question:183. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the projects that have been submitted by the Government to the Ten-T review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8943/22]
View answerTransport Policy
Questions (183)
Written answers
In April 2019, the European Commission commenced the review of the TEN-T network with an evaluation of the existing TEN-T Regulation (EU) No 1315/2013. This review looked at TEN-T policy and methodology in the context of developments in the transport sector, digitalisation, climate and resilience.
No projects were submitted in the TEN-T review as this was a consultative process. However, my Department participated fully in this review and raised a number of issues with the Commission related to ports, road and rail infrastructure in Ireland.
The Commission published the results of this review in May 2021 and the report is available at the following link:
eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52021SC0117
Transport Policy
Questions (184)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:184. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the final deadline date for the State to make a submission to the EU Commission on the Ten-T review (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8944/22]
View answerWritten answers
The European Commission’s review of the 2013 Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) Regulation commenced in 2019 and is now complete. My Department participated fully in this review process. The Commission published the results of this review in May 2021 and its report is available at this link:
eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52021SC0117
Based on the results of this review and on its consultations with stakeholders, the EU Commission, in December 2021, published its proposal for a revised TEN-T Regulation. The text of the proposal is available at this link:
eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=COM:2021:812:FIN
This proposal is now under negotiation in the Council of the European Union and in the European Parliament. During this process Member States and MEPs can seek changes to the Commission's proposal, including the network maps. There is no set timeframe for completion of the negotiations but it is likely that they will continue at least until the latter half of this year.
Maritime Safety
Questions (185)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:185. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the nature of the geophysical survey works in relation to Marine Notice No. 09 of 2022; the way that they are applied for; the number of surveys issued each year; if these surveys involve the use of technology that may clear fish from an area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8945/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Department has no role in processing or approving applications for the survey works referred to in your question and interested parties are advised to contact the relevant companies directly for further information if required.
My Department issues Marine Notices mainly for safety of navigation purposes in order to advise mariners of operations taking place so they may navigate safely. This is done on foot of notifications received in the Department and based on the information provided. This is set out in the Marine Notices themselves where is it noted that they are “issued purely for maritime safety and navigation reasons and should not be construed as conferring rights or granting permissions”. My Department published 66 Marine Notices in 2021, 48 of which were issued for safety of navigation purposes. The remaining notices related to statutory requirements, public consultations or reminders for safety on board vessels.
Bus Services
Questions (186)
Bríd Smith
Question:186. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport the position in relation to bus services provided by a company (details supplied) operating in Dublin; the routes which currently operate reduced services that is, Saturday schedules from Monday to Friday; the length of time this has been happening; the actual amount of the reduction in scheduled departures compared to a regular service on these routes; and the reason for reduced services given the lifting of other restrictions due to Covid-19 [8951/22]
View answerWritten answers
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 operations of public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling of these services in conjunction with the relevant operators.
Therefore, I have forwarded the Deputy’s question, in relation to Go-Ahead Ireland bus services to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
Tax Exemptions
Questions (187)
Neale Richmond
Question:187. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Finance if he has considered implementing a VAT exemption for self-build houses as is the case in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8886/22]
View answerWritten answers
I am advised by Revenue that the VAT rating of goods and services is subject to the requirements of the EU VAT Directive, with which Irish VAT law must comply. In general, the VAT Directive provides that all goods and services are liable to VAT at the standard rate, currently 23% in Ireland, unless they fall within categories of goods and services specified in the Directive, in respect of which Member States may apply a lower rate or exempt from VAT.
A person who is self-building a house would expect to incur costs mainly for building materials and construction services, both of which are subject to VAT.
Under the EU VAT Directive and Irish VAT legislation the, supply of the building materials is liable to VAT at the standard rate. By way of special derogation from the general rule, however, Ireland is permitted to continue its long-standing practice of applying a reduced rate, currently 13.5%, to the supply of ready-to-pour concrete and certain concrete blocks but there are strict restrictions on this derogation, including that its scope cannot be extended to other building material and that the rate cannot be reduced below 12%.
Under the EU VAT Directive the supply of construction services is liable to VAT at the standard rate generally across the EU but Ireland applies a 13.5% reduced rate of VAT to all construction services under a derogation from the EU VAT Directive, again subject to strict restrictions.
There is no provision in the Directive to permit the application of an exemption from VAT on construction services or building materials provided for a self-build.
As a general point of EU law, VAT is a tax on consumption and is applied to supplies being made by a person and not to supplies received by a person. For that reason, it is not permissible to apply different VAT rates or exemptions to different customers. Therefore, it would not be possible to accept a proposal to exempt from VAT supplies to particular categories of buyers, such as individual self-builders.
In relation to self-build properties, substantial support is already available through the tax system for first-time buyers, including those self-building their first home. The Help to Buy (HTB) incentive gives a refund of Income Tax and Deposit Interest Retention Tax (DIRT) paid in Ireland over the previous four years, subject to limits outlined in legislation. Section 477C Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 outlines the definitions and conditions that apply to the HTB scheme.
Finally, the Deputy referred to the VAT rate on self-builds in Northern Ireland. When it was within the EU, the UK, by way of special derogation from the general rule, was permitted to continue its long-standing practice of applying a zero rate of VAT to the supply of certain residential buildings and I understand it also has arrangements for a refund of VAT incurred on building materials and services when building a new home. Since 1 January 2021, the UK is no longer part of the EU and, therefore, its VAT arrangements are no longer subject to the VAT Directive.
Tax Collection
Questions (188, 189, 190, 191)
Catherine Murphy
Question:188. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a schedule for each heading for the amount collected by the Revenue Commissioners in respect of mineral oil tax in each of the years 2015 to 2021 and to date in 2022. [8866/22]
View answerCatherine Murphy
Question:189. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a schedule for each heading for the amount collected by the Revenue Commissioners in respect of alcohol products tax in each of the years 2015 to 2021 and to date in 2022. [8867/22]
View answerCatherine Murphy
Question:190. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a schedule for each heading for the amount collected by the Revenue Commissioners in respect of tobacco products tax in each of the years 2015 to 2021 and to date in 2022. [8868/22]
View answerCatherine Murphy
Question:191. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a schedule for each heading for the amount collected by the Revenue Commissioners in respect of sugar sweetened drinks tax in each of the years 2015 to 2021 and to date in 2022. [8869/22]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 188 to 191, inclusive, together.
I am advised by Revenue that the receipts for Mineral Oil Tax (MOT), Alcohol Products Tax (APT), Tobacco Products Tax (TPT) in each of the years 2015 to 2020, and for Sugar Sweetened Drinks Tax (SSDT) since its introduction in 2018 up to 2020, are published on the Revenue website at www.revenue.ie.
The provisional receipts for 2021 are contained in the following table. Receipts for 2022 to date are not yet available.
|
Year |
MOT Non-Carbon Component €m |
MOT Carbon Component €m |
APT €m |
TPT €m |
SSDT €m |
|
2021 (Provisional) |
1,926.80 |
540.53 |
1,176.23 |
1,317.63 |
30.45 |
Question No. 189 answered with Question No. 188.
Question No. 190 answered with Question No. 188.
Question No. 191 answered with Question No. 188.
Tax Collection
Questions (192)
Catherine Murphy
Question:192. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance the amount collected by the Revenue Commissioners from the 9% VAT band since the rate was reintroduced to date in 2022; and the amount forgone since the 9% rate was reintroduced to date in 2022. [8881/22]
View answerWritten answers
I am advised by Revenue that an estimated €820m in VAT was collected at the 9% rate during the period from 1 November 2020 to end December 2021 (the most recent available data). An estimated additional €410m would have been collected had the rate remained at 13.5% over the period.
Tax Exemptions
Questions (193)
Emer Higgins
Question:193. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Finance when the tax exemption limit for persons aged 65 years and over will be reviewed in order that it increases in line with the increase in the old age pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8882/22]
View answerWritten answers
The general position is that all tax expenditures and reliefs fall to be considered as part of the annual Budget and Finance Bill process.
In relation to the annual age exemption limits, section 188 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 (TCA 1997) provides for these exemptions and associated marginal relief. Where the age exemption applies the claimant’s income will be exempt from income tax in that year.
The age exemption applies for any year of assessment where an individual is aged 65 years or over and his or her total income does not exceed €18,000. Where an individual is a married person or civil partner and is jointly assessed to tax, the age exemption will apply where either individual is aged 65 or over and where the couple’s total income does not exceed €36,000. The relevant income thresholds may be increased further if the individual has a qualifying child. The thresholds are increased by €575 in respect of both the first and second child, and €830 in respect of each subsequent child.
Marginal relief may be available where the individual’s or couple’s income exceeds the relevant exemption limit but is less than twice that amount. Where marginal relief applies the individual or couple is taxed at 40% on all income above the exemption limit to a ceiling of twice the exemption limit. Once the income exceeds twice the exemption limit marginal relief is no longer available and the individual pays tax under the normal tax system. It should be noted, however, that where the individual’s income is greater than the exemption limit but below twice that limit, the taxpayer is always given the benefit of the more favourable treatment as between the use of marginal relief or the normal tax system of credits and bands.
As the Deputy will be aware, Budget 2022 included a significant tax package amounting to a cost of €520 million. This included a substantial income tax package comprising of an increase of €50 in each of the main tax credits – personal tax credit, employee tax credit and the earned income credit – from €1,650 to €1,700. An increase of €1,500 in the income tax standard rate band for all income earners was also introduced. Furthermore, the 2% rate band ceiling for USC was also increased for 2022 in line with the increase in the national minimum wage to ensure that a full-time adult worker who benefits from the increase in the hourly minimum wage rate of €10.20 to €10.50 will remain outside the top rates of USC. Further details can be located at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/7e491-taxation-measures/.
Having regard to the fiscal demands and pressures facing the State in 2022, it would not have been possible to increase all tax credits and reliefs and remain within the fiscal parameters. However, it is worth pointing out that the age exemption limits are at a level which compares favourably with the tax treatment of the generality of taxpayers.
Additional guidance on a range of other tax credits and reliefs, such as the age tax credit, that may be available for individuals over 65 years of age can be found in Tax and Duty Manual Part 15-01-26, which can be located at the following link – Tax and Duty Manual: www.revenue.ie/en/tax-professionals/tdm/income-tax-capital-gains-tax-corporation-tax/part-15/15-01-26.pdf.
In addition, it is also worth noting that the State Contributory Pension and the State Non-Contributory Pension are not chargeable to Universal Social Charge or Pay Related Social Insurance.
Taking all of the above factors into consideration, I am satisfied that the age exemption limits in their current form are appropriately calibrated at present and there are no immediate plans to review or amend the limits.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Questions (194)
Pearse Doherty
Question:194. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the time that was taken to bring the temporary wage subsidy scheme from design stage to its operational phase when it was introduced in 2020. [8898/22]
View answerWritten answers
On 24 March 2020, the Government announced measures to provide financial support to workers affected by the COVID-19 crisis. As part of these measures, Revenue operated a COVID-19 Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme. The Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS) provided the payment of income supports to employers in respect of eligible employees, where the employer’s business activities experienced significant negative disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The TWSS started from 26 March 2020 and superseded the Employer COVID Refund scheme, which Revenue operated on behalf of the Department of Social Protection. The Employer COVID Refund scheme was an emergency support to employers that had run for a very short period from 19 March 2020.
The purpose of the TWSS was to get much needed financial assistance to employees, while retaining the employer/employee relationship which facilitated the early recommencement of normal business when conditions permitted.
The TWSS was open to employers who self-declared to Revenue that they experienced significant negative economic disruption due to Covid-19. They had to demonstrate that they met the criteria laid out in Revenue’s published Guidance on Employer Eligibility and Supporting Proofs
The TWSS was legislated for in section 28 of the Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Covid-19) Act 2020. The scheme was predicated on the employer wanting to keep the employees on the payroll and to retain them until business picked up. The employer was expected to make best efforts to maintain the employee’s net income for the duration of the scheme.
I am advised by Revenue that a ‘transitional phase’ of the TWSS ran from 26 March 2020 to 3 May 2020. During this period, the rate of subsidy was based on an employee’s Average Revenue Net Weekly Pay (ARNWP) and, where eligible employees’ ARNWP was:
- less than or equal to €586 per week, a maximum subsidy of €410 was payable
- greater than €586 and less than or equal to €960 per week, a maximum subsidy of €350 was payable.
Revenue implemented the ‘operational phase’ of TWSS from 4 May 2020. Under this phase, where an employee’s ARNWP was:
- less than, or equal to, €412, he/she would have received a subsidy of 85% of their ARNWP, up to a maximum of €350 per week
- more than €412, and up to €500, he/she would have received a flat rate of €350 per week
- more than €500, and up to €586, he/she would have received 70% of their ARNWP up to a maximum of €410 per week.
Where an employee’s ARNWP exceeded €586 per week, the wage subsidy did not exceed €350 per week. It was calculated with reference to the additional payment an employee received from his/her employer and its effect on his/her average weekly pay.
By its nature, the ‘transitional phase’ of the TWSS was delivered in a very short timeframe as was necessary to get critical funding to employers as quickly as possible to ensure employees were retained in employment. It was always acknowledged that there was potentially an element of overclaim involved with this phase. The ‘operational phase’, on the other hand, was delivered over a longer period of time and accommodated tapering of the subsidy rates and other features that ensured a more precise subsidy amount was paid out based on the payroll data provided by employers.
I am further advised that Revenue carried out a comprehensive reconciliation process on the TWSS that opened on 22 March 2021 and concluded on 30 June 2021. This process has ensured that any material overpayments of subsidies made to employers have either been paid back or are in the debt warehouse, to be paid back in the future.
It is fair to say that the development of the TWSS was an ongoing process from its introduction by the Government in March 2020 to well beyond its expiry at the end of August 2020. Revenue has confirmed to me that the delivery of the TWSS, which was a sophisticated and bespoke system that delivered wage subsidies to eligible employers for eligible employees, would not have been possible without the investment by Revenue in its PAYE Modernisation programme that was delivered over many months between 2016 and 2019.
I want to acknowledge the exemplary work that went into the TWSS by my own officials and the staff in Revenue at what was an incredibly difficult time for our country. The success of these endeavours is evident from the fact that €2.8 billion was paid to over 67,000 employers in respect of almost 690,000 employees.
Finally, work is underway at senior official level on an inter-departmental basis to review the experience from the introduction and operation of Covid-19 emergency income supports paid to/in respect of people whose employment was impacted due to public health restrictions, and to identify lessons learnt. My Department is represented on the relevant group which is chaired by the Department of Social Protection and also includes representatives from the Departments of Public Expenditure and Reform and Enterprise Trade and Employment and from the Office of the Revenue Commissioners.
Tax Credits
Questions (195)
Neale Richmond
Question:195. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider introducing tax credits for owner-occupiers of defective apartments and duplexes who have paid levies for the remediation of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8920/22]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy may 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. A final paper is due to be completed by Q2 2022.
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, any intervention by me would seem to be premature at this point.
Departmental Reports
Questions (196)
Pearse Doherty
Question:196. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the number of studies, research and reviews undertaken or commissioned by him in 2021, in tabular form; and the date by which each study, review or research was completed. [8962/22]
View answerWritten answers
Details of studies, research and reviews undertaken or commissioned by my Department in 2021 are set out in the table below.
It should be noted that a number of these are ongoing and are not expected to be completed until 2022, in which case the expected completion date is listed.
|
Studies, Reviews, and Research undertaken or commissioned in 2021 |
Completion Date |
|
Economic Research into Outbound Payments of Dividends and Interest |
Q1 2021 |
|
Economic Research into Outbound Payments of Royalties |
Q2 2021 |
|
Review on Corporation Tax Relief for Certain Start-up Companies |
Q3 2021 |
|
Charities VAT Compensation Scheme |
Q3 2021 |
|
Review of Tax Arrangements for Remote Working (Tax Strategy Group) |
Q3 2021 |
|
Review of Trans-Border Workers’ Relief (Tax Strategy Group) |
Q3 2021 |
|
Review of Help to Buy Scheme (Tax Strategy Group) |
Q3 2021 |
|
Exploring the Impact of COVID-19 and Recovery Paths for the Economy |
Q3 2021 |
|
Responsiveness of corporate taxes to profits and taxable income |
Q4 2021 |
|
Early Reactions of EU-UK Trade Flows to Brexit |
Q4 2021 |
|
Initial impact of Brexit on Ireland-UK trade flows |
Q4 2021 |
|
Review of the Young Trained Farmer stamp duty relief and of the age limits applicable to certain agri-tax reliefs (2021) |
Q4 2021 |
|
Review of Home Building Finance Ireland (HBFI) in line with Section 24(2) of the HBFI Act. |
Q4 2021 |
|
The Impacts of Electric Vehicles Uptake and Heat Pump Installation on the Irish Economy |
Q4 2021 |
|
Budget 2022: Distributional Analysis of Budget 2022 Tax and Welfare Measures |
Q4 2021 |
|
Budget 2022: A Review of Green Budgeting from a Tax Perspective |
Q4 2021 |
|
Forecasting Modified GNI |
Q4 2021 |
|
Recent Trends in SME Investment in Ireland |
Q1 2022 |
|
SME Credit Demand Survey April – September 2021 |
Q1 2022 |
|
Risk Assessment - Trust and Company Service Providers |
Q1 2022 |
|
Survey of consumers in relation to their experience and perceptions of the banking sector in Ireland |
Q2 2022 |
|
Review of the policy framework for credit unions (PfG commitment) |
H1 2022 |
|
The Retail Banking Review |
Q4 2022 |
|
Recent Trends in SME Investment in Ireland: Exploring the Pandemic and the Barriers to Growth |
H2 2022 |
|
Modelling the Irish Banking sector and impacts of bank capital changes |
H2 2022 |
|
Intangible Investment and the role of Multi-Nationals in the Irish Economy |
H2 2022 |
|
The role of firm dynamism in aggregate productivity growth |
H2 2022 |
|
Assessing the Potential Impact of Population Ageing on the Public Finances |
H2 2022 |
Housing Schemes
Questions (197)
Brendan Smith
Question:197. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance if further consideration will be given to a request outlined in correspondence (details supplied) to his Department; if he plans to amend the criteria for this scheme at an early date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8977/22]
View answerWritten answers
Help-to-Buy (HTB) is a scheme to assist first-time purchasers with the deposit they need to buy or build a new house or apartment. The incentive gives a refund of Income Tax and Deposit Interest Retention Tax paid in the State over the previous four years, subject to limits outlined in the legislation. Section 477C of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 outlines the definitions and conditions that apply to the scheme. Another main aim of the policy underpinning the design of scheme is to help encourage the building of additional new properties.
With regard to the Deputy's question about extending the scheme to previously owned (but not occupied) properties, HTB is specifically designed to encourage an increase in demand for new build homes in order to encourage the construction of an additional supply of such properties. A move to include previously owned properties within the scope of the relief would be unlikely to improve its effectiveness; on the contrary, it could serve to dilute the incentive effect of the measure in terms of encouraging additional supply. I have no plans to amend the scheme in this regard.
However, in my Budget 2022 address, I announced an extension of HTB for a further year until the end of 2022 and also that a formal review of the scheme would take place in 2022. The intention is that the HTB extension will allow time for the other Housing for All measures with similar policy objectives to be put in place in the period ahead. It is also the intention that the review that I mention will be fundamental in nature and that it will help inform decisions for Budget 2023 and Finance Bill 2022.
Issues related to the terms of reference and a specific timeline for completion as well as the question of who will carry out the review are being considered by my Department at present and the matter is expected to be moved forward shortly.
Brexit Supports
Questions (198)
Seán Sherlock
Question:198. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when a scheme or schemes will become operational to allow for access to the Brexit Adjustment Reserve to help counter the adverse economic and social consequences of Brexit in the European Union member states, specifically in relation to the fish processing sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8895/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Brexit Adjustment Reserve aims to provide financial support to the most affected Member States, regions and sectors to deal with the adverse consequence of Brexit. Expenditure under the Reserve must demonstrate a direct link to the negative impact of the withdrawal of the UK from the EU.
Ireland will be the largest beneficiary of the Reserve with an allocation of over €1 billion, equivalent to just over 20% of the entire Reserve.
The BAR Regulation provides that a minimum amount must be ring-fenced for fisheries. In Ireland’s case that amounts to €56 million, although that amount may be exceeded at the discretion of the Government and I expect it will.
The allocation of resources from the Reserve is being aligned with the annual Estimates process which has been the vehicle for allocating Brexit resources since the UK referendum on EU membership in 2016. Budget 2022 announced that around €500 million of the overall BAR allocation will be made available as a first tranche of funding, with the remainder available in 2023. Indicative areas for BAR funding that were identified include: enterprise supports; measures to support fisheries and coastal communities; targeted supports for the agri-food sector; reskilling and retraining; and checks and controls at ports and airports.
As the Deputy may be aware, my colleague the Minister for Agriculture, Food & the Marine established a Seafood Sector Task Force last year which reported to the Minister in October. It recommendations are being examined urgently by his Department and the Minister and I will be working closely together to ensure that appropriate supports are available to the sector to deal with the impacts of Brexit.
Flood Risk Management
Questions (199)
Denis Naughten
Question:199. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 62 of 10 April 2019, the number of the 169 applications received from each county in which there are five or more applications under the OPW home relocation scheme on foot of the severe flooding of winter 2015 and 2016; the counties in which less than five applications were received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8940/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Voluntary Homeowners Relocation Scheme was introduced by the Government in 2017 to address the very serious flooding of those homes that flooded in the Winter of 2015/16, including those homes flooded by turloughs.
To be eligible for assistance under this once-off Scheme, a homeowner had to meet a number of conditions, including that floodwater entered and damaged the building during or as a result of flooding during relevant dates such as to render it uninhabitable and that there is no viable engineering solution that could protect the building from future flooding.
Under this national Scheme, a total of 174 potentially eligible homes were identified to the OPW in two ways, either by the local authorities or through direct expressions of interest from homeowners. At all times, participation in the Scheme has been voluntary for homeowners. Through follow-up meetings with the homeowners and both desk-based and engineering assessments, approximately half of those homeowners either were not interested in engaging with the Scheme or did not meet the Scheme criteria.
Some homeowners identified as being potentially eligible will benefit from engineering solutions that will protect their homes from future flooding. The OPW and the Local Authorities identified 33 homeowners who would otherwise be eligible for relocation who will benefit from inclusion in planned flood relief schemes and Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme projects. In addition to these projects, an important element of the administrative arrangements of the relocation Scheme was the establishment of a unique and once-off scheme of remedial works for identified engineering solutions for eligible homes for which there is no other funding source. To date, remedial works have been identified to protect some 19 homes from future flooding and work is continuing to explore possible engineering solutions for a further 3 homes.
Where an engineering solution is not feasible, based on best available information at the time of each decision, the OPW offers financial assistance towards relocation to a replacement home, equivalent to the cost to the relevant local authority, on a like for like basis.
To date, 29 homeowners have received formal offers of financial assistance for relocation, with a further 2 applications being considered. Of these, 14 homeowners have now completed the process, at a cost of €3.46m, which has enabled them to relocate and purchase or build a replacement home under the Scheme.
The information requested by the Deputy on a County basis, if provided, presents a risk that individual homeowners could be identified. For that reason, it is not possible to provide the information requested.
Public Sector Pensions
Questions (200)
Bríd Smith
Question:200. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position in relation to the RTÉ pension scheme; if he plans to sanction a rise for pensioners whose pensions have been frozen since 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8950/22]
View answerWritten answers
I do not have primary Ministerial responsibility for any of the Commercial Semi State Bodies (CSSBs). It is usually a matter for the Government Department under whose aegis responsibility for individual CSSBs falls to consider and propose, as appropriate, any changes to pension scheme rules together with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
The Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media is responsible for the governance of RTÉ and for ensuring that RTÉ is fully compliant with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies including in relation to pension scheme issues.
My Department will consider the issue when a completed set of business case and technical assessment documents are submitted, in line with the requirements of Circular 16/2021 (Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies - Amendments to the Annex on Remuneration and Superannuation).
The overall maturity of pension schemes and the impact of pension increases on the long term sustainability of pension funds are important overall considerations in such cases.
Office of Public Works
Questions (201)
Mairéad Farrell
Question:201. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of board members of the OPW who hold the Property Services Regulatory Authority qualification; the date on which they received these qualifications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8965/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Property Services Regulatory Authority (PSRA) is the registering authority for property in Ireland, established under the Property Services (Regulation) Act, 2011. The PSRA fulfils this mission through licensing and regulating Property Services Providers (i.e. auctioneers or estate agents, letting agents and management agents). The remit of the PSRA includes, licensing all such services providers; the provision of a complaints investigation and redress system for consumers; the setting and enforcement of standards in the provision of property services and the maintenance of a compensation fund. Section 3(1) of the Act references that the Act does not apply to a person acting as agent for a Minister of Government or the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland.
The qualifications of the OPW’s Management Board incorporate a diverse and wide range of professional, technical, academic and executive qualifications, skills and experience. The broad scope of functions carried out by the OPW requires a leadership team that is qualified to meet the evolving needs of government, to respond effectively to changing environmental and policy priorities and to comply with extensive governance obligations.
Strategic vision, governance and leadership capabilities are core requisites for OPW’s Management Board and have been the focus of recent continuous professional development with a view to adding to the Board’s competencies in areas including chartered directorship, talent management and executive leadership.
Office of Public Works
Questions (202)
Mairéad Farrell
Question:202. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 170 and 171 of 20 January 2022, the dates on which the meetings between the OPW and NAMA referred to took place. [8966/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Office of Public Works (OPW) has engaged with NAMA, its debtors and receivers, on a number of occasions since its establishment in relation to properties that were secured to Nama. It will be appreciated by the Deputy that due to the sensitive nature of the work carried out by NAMA all engagement was necessarily on a strictly confidential basis. Due to the passage of time since the meetings referred to in the previous PQ further research is necessary to establish precise dates and the OPW will revert directly to the Deputy in this regard.