Robert Troy
Question:34. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport the total number of public transport buses currently operating in counties Longford and Westmeath. [36620/22]
View answerBus Services
Questions (34)
Written answers
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; However, I am not involved in day-to-day operations of public transport services. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the collection and publication of statistics relating to public transport.
Therefore, I have forwarded the Deputy’s question, in relation to the total number of public transport buses currently operating in counties Longford and Westmeath, 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
Public Transport
Questions (35)
Robert Troy
Question:35. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport the number of persons that used Bus Éireann, Local Link and Irish Rail services in 2020 and 2021. [36621/22]
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 operation of public transport services.
The query raised regarding the number of persons that used Bus Éireann, Local Link and Irish Rail services in 2020 and 2021 is a matter for the individual companies and the National Transport Authority (NTA). Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's question to Bus Éireann, Irish Rail and 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
Public Transport
Questions (36)
Robert Troy
Question:36. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport the new routes proposed under the Connecting Ireland scheme in counties Longford and Westmeath; the funding allocated to this scheme in the counties; and the process by which new routes may be added to the scheme. [36622/22]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. It is the National Transport Authority (NTA) that 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, operating under the TFI Local Link brand, and the implementation of the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan.
The Deputy will be pleased to learn that the Connecting Ireland consultation process wrapped up in December 2021, and the consultation report was published on the 3rd of May 2022. It is now available online on the NTA's website - www.nationaltransport.ie/connecting-ireland-rural-mobility-plan-public-consultation-report/
Regarding the timeline, currently, delivery and improvement of routes identified through the Connecting Ireland consultation process are being prioritised. Additional public transport services are being made available through an acceleration of network improvements, which include the provision of additional stops, route modifications, and delivering more services with the aim of increasing connectivity. These services will ensure better access for all those housed in our rural communities.
For further details on the rollout of the Connecting Ireland plan in counties Longford and Westmeath, I have referred the Deputy's question 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
Bus Services
Questions (37)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:37. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport the proposals in relation to a bus service (details supplied); the expected timeframe for the bus service to commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36671/22]
View answerWritten answers
As 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 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 TFI Local Link brand.
The Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan is a major national public transport initiative developed by the NTA with the aim of increasing public transport connectivity, particularly for people living outside the major cities and towns. It will significantly increase both the number of routes and the frequency of existing services right across the country.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities for the development of the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan and new town services, including in County Kerry, 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.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
Tax Reliefs
Questions (38)
Steven Matthews
Question:38. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding the living cities initiative; the number of successful applications; the number of residential units that it has added to the housing stock; the cost to the Exchequer of each broken down by county to date in tabular form; if any consideration is being given to expanding the criteria for eligibility for this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36456/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Living City Initiative (LCI) is a scheme of property tax incentives provided for in sections 372AAA to 372AAD of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997. It offers income or corporation tax relief for qualifying expenditure incurred in the refurbishment and conversion of qualifying residential and commercial buildings located within ‘Special Regeneration Areas' in Cork, Dublin, Galway, Kilkenny, Limerick and Waterford.
There are three distinct types of relief available under the Initiative. These are:
- owner-occupier residential relief;
- rented residential relief; and
- commercial or retail relief
Applications are required to be made to the relevant local authority under the owner-occupier and rented residential elements of the LCI scheme and the local authority may issue a letter of certification in respect of these elements. Applications to the local authority are not required to be made under the commercial element of the scheme. Revenue obtains information from the City and County Councils in respect to the number of valid applications received by them. Based on the most recent information received by Revenue from the City and County Councils, the number of successful applications per eligible city since the introduction of the scheme are as follows:
|
Local Authority |
Number of applications |
|
Cork |
111 |
|
Dublin |
176 |
|
Galway |
<10 |
|
Kilkenny |
18 |
|
Limerick |
37 |
|
Waterford |
70 |
Data in relation to claims for the LCI, including the maximum tax cost, are available on the Revenue website for the years 2013 to 2018, the latest year for which fully analysed data are available, at:
www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/documents/statistics/tax-expenditures/property-reliefs.pdf.
This report will be updated over the coming months with data for both 2019 and 2020. The data for the scheme, to the extent that they are available, are set out below:
Living City Initiative
|
Tax Year |
Amount claimed (€m) |
Maximum tax cost* (€m) |
Number of claimants |
|
2018 |
0.5 |
0.2 |
27 |
|
2017 |
0.4 |
0.2 |
23 |
|
2016 |
0.5 |
0.2 |
15 |
|
2015 |
0.5 |
0.2 |
13 |
|
2014 |
0.2 |
0.10 |
N/A |
|
2013 |
0.1 |
0.0 |
N/A |
*assumed at 40% for IT and 12.5% for CT.
Revenue advise me that it is not possible to specify the extent to which tax relief under the scheme may have supported qualifying work within each of the local authority areas; and that statistical data are not available on the specific number of residential units that have been added to the housing stock under the LCI from 2014 to date.
The LCI is due to sunset on 31 December 2022 and a review of the Initiative is currently being undertaken by my Department in the context of Tax Strategy Group deliberations. Ultimately, the future of the LCI beyond its current sunset date is a matter that will fall to be considered by Government in the light of the findings of this review and in the context of the Budget 2023 and Finance Bill 2022 process.
Tax Code
Questions (39, 40)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:39. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Finance if he has examined the impact business aviation is having on Ireland’s carbon emissions; if he has considered imposing a tax on business aviation and private jets considering the disproportional impact they have on carbon emissions; his views on the EU Commission’s draft proposals that will exclude executive jets from the proposed tax on aviation fuel (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36491/22]
View answerDarren O'Rourke
Question:40. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Finance if he has examined the impact that luxury yachts operating in Irish waters and ports are having on Ireland's carbon emissions; if he has considered imposing a tax on luxury private yachts considering the disproportional impact they have on carbon emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36493/22]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 39 and 40 together.
Ireland’s excise duty treatment of fuel used for air and waterborne navigation is governed by European Union law as set out in Directive 2003/96/EC on the taxation of energy products and electricity, commonly known as the Energy Tax Directive (ETD). The ETD is transposed into national law in Finance Act 1999 (as amended). Under the ETD, Member States are obliged to exempt from excise duty, certain mineral oils used for commercial aviation purposes and all mineral oils used for commercial maritime navigation.
In relation to aviation fuels, the scope of the ETD exemption covers jet fuel, also described as heavy oil, which is the most commonly used fuel type in air navigation. The exemption must encompass all jet fuel used for intra-Community and international air transport purposes. A Member State may however waive this exemption for intra-community flights but only where it has entered into a bilateral agreement with another Member State to tax fuel. Ireland has no such agreements at present and therefore the exemption from taxation is applied to all jet fuel used for commercial intra-community flights. No other Member States currently have bilateral agreements in place to allow for taxation of jet fuel.
The ETD provides that Member States may opt to fully or partially exempt from taxation jet fuel used for commercial domestic air navigation. Currently Ireland’s Mineral Oil Tax (MOT) law provides for a full relief to apply to jet fuel used for all commercial air navigation, including domestic, intra-community and international.
Light oil, referred to as aviation gasoline, is also used as an aviation fuel, although much less commonly than jet fuel. Under the ETD, Member States may opt to fully or partially exempt aviation gasoline used for international or intra-community commercial air navigation. They may also opt to fully or partially exempt fuels used for domestic commercial aviation. MOT law currently provides for a partial exemption for aviation gasoline used for commercial air navigation. There is no distinction in national legislation between domestic, intra-community and international commercial aviation in the operation of the partial relief.
With regard to aviation fuel for commercial international transport, the scope for a Member State to take a unilateral approach on taxation of aviation fuels is limited not only by the ETD but by international law and a range of bilateral and multilateral agreements that operate under the 1944 Convention on International Civil Aviation (known as the Chicago Convention).
Jet fuel and aviation gasoline used for private pleasure flying, i.e. non-commercial purposes, are mandatorily taxed under the ETD. The relevant standard rates of MOT apply to all such fuel uses in the State.
The table below summarises the mandatory exemptions and excise duty measures for aviation fuels required under Article 14 of the Energy Tax Directive. It also summarises the MOT treatment of such fuels used for air navigation as set out in national legislation.
|
Aviation Fuel/Use |
Energy Tax Directive |
Finance Act 1999 |
|
Heavy oil (jet fuel) used for domestic commercial aviation |
No mandatory tax exemption, Member States may opt to exempt or partially exempt |
Full exemption (section 100(2)(b) Finance Act 1999) |
|
Heavy oil (jet fuel) used for used for intra-Community/international commercial aviation |
Mandatory tax exemption, except where bilateral arrangement entered into with another Member State |
Full exemption (section 100(2)(b) Finance Act 1999) |
|
Heavy oil (jet fuel) used for private pleasure flying |
Mandatory taxation |
Full MOT rate of €405.38 per 1,000 litres (section 96 Finance Act 1999) |
|
Light oil (aviation gasoline) used for domestic commercial aviation |
No mandatory tax exemption, Member States may opt to exempt or partially exempt |
Partial relief from MOT, effective rate of €233.71 per 1,000 litres (section 97B Finance Act 1999) |
|
Light oil (aviation gasoline) used for intra-Community/international commercial aviation |
No mandatory tax exemption, Member States may opt to exempt or partially exempt |
Partial relief from MOT, effective rate of €233.71 per 1,000 litres (section 97B Finance Act 1999) |
|
Light oil (aviation gasoline) used for private pleasure flying |
Mandatory taxation |
Full MOT rate of €465.98 per 1,000 litres (section 96 Finance Act 1999) |
With regard to mineral oils used for commercial sea navigation, including fishing, the ETD mandates that such use is exempt from taxation. In line with the provisions of the ETD, light oils and heavy oils used for commercial sea navigation are exempted from MOT by section 100(2)(a) of the Finance Act 1999 (as amended).
In the same way as fuels used for private pleasure flying must be taxed under the ETD, all mineral oils used as fuel for private pleasure water borne navigation are mandatorily taxed. The relevant standard rates of MOT apply to all such fuel uses in the State, currently €465.98 per 1,000 litres for light oils and €405.38 per 1,000 litres for heavy oils. In the context of mandatory taxation for private pleasure flying and navigation the ETD defines private pleasure as the use by an owner or the natural or legal person who enjoys the use either through hire or through any other means, for other than commercial purposes and in particular other than for the carriage of passengers or goods or for the supply of services for consideration or for the purposes of public authorities.
A proposal to revise the Energy Tax Directive is currently being negotiated at EU level, and Ireland is actively engaged in these discussions.
Question No. 40 answered with Question No. 39.
Public Sector Staff
Questions (41)
Michael Ring
Question:41. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Finance the number of former county managers and CEOs of local authorities who are currently working within his Department and any agency or body under the remit of his Department, including details for persons employed in any format such as on a contract or advisory basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36298/22]
View answerWritten answers
I am not aware of any former county managers and CEOs of local authorities currently working within my Department.
In respect of the bodies under the aegis of my Department, the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) assigns staff to Home Building Finance Ireland (HBFI), the National Asset Management Agency (NAMA) and the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI). In respect of persons that have contracts of employment with the NTMA, to the best of its knowledge, there are no former county managers or CEOs of local authorities currently employed by the NTMA. In the time allowed, it has made enquiries and is aware of one company providing consultancy services to the NTMA, procured by way of tender competition, a Director of which is a former county manager.
Tax Code
Questions (42)
Sorca Clarke
Question:42. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Finance the estimated full-year revenue that would be generated if a 40% rate of capital gains tax on individuals income in excess of €250,000 inclusive of income deriving from capital gains was introduced . [36478/22]
View answerWritten answers
I am advised by Revenue that the estimated full-year revenue generated from a 40% Capital Gains Tax (CGT) rate being applied to the taxable gains of individuals with aggregate income and gains in excess of €250,000 would be in excess of €85 million.
This full-year estimate is based on 2019 data, the latest year for which fully analysed data are available, with the higher proposed rate being applied to the proportionate amount of the gains above the combined threshold only. This estimate assumes no change in behaviour by individuals resulting from the increase in the tax rate.
Departmental Data
Questions (43, 44)
Catherine Murphy
Question:43. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance the amount of gold reserves held in Ireland on a quarterly basis since the year commencing 2000 to Quarter 2 2022, in tabular form. [36590/22]
View answerCatherine Murphy
Question:44. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance the tonnage and value of precious metals and or receivables held in reserve that are not gold as of month end of June 2022. [36591/22]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 43 and 44 together.
The Central Bank of Ireland holds a portfolio of investment assets dominated by investments in traditional assets such as fixed income securities, together with smaller holdings in other suitable asset classes, including gold. The Bank’s investment assets contribute to maintaining its financial independence in respect of operating costs, alongside other income streams such as the regulatory levy and income derived from monetary policy implementation.
Over the past several years, the Central Bank has made a number of changes to its investment assets in order to increase diversification across asset classes. These changes have been achieved through the reinvestment of maturing funds in a broader range of international bond markets, a small allocation to equities plus a further allocation to gold. The Central Bank does not hold any precious metals and/or receivables other than gold.
The goal of diversifying asset holdings is to support the long-term resilience of the Bank’s balance sheet and to underpin future earnings. All developments within the Bank’s investment assets are reported in its published accounts each year.
Gold does not constitute a major investment for the Central Bank of Ireland and despite the recent asset reallocation, the Bank’s holdings of gold in relation to balance sheet size remain below those of many other Eurosystem central banks.
The Central Bank's holdings of gold from Q1 2000 to the end of Q2 2022 are shown in the table:
|
Quarter |
Q1 2000 to Q2 2021 |
End Q3 2021 |
End Q4 2021 |
End Q1 2022 |
End Q2 2022 |
|
Amount (metric tonnes) |
6 |
7 |
9.5 |
12 |
12 |
Question No. 44 answered with Question No. 43.
Public Sector Staff
Questions (45)
Michael Ring
Question:45. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of former county managers and CEOs of local authorities who are currently working within his Department and any agency or body under the remit of his Department, including details for persons employed in any format such as on a contract or advisory basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36304/22]
View answerWritten answers
I wish to advise the Deputy that there are no former County Managers or former Chief Executive Officers of a local authority employed in my Department (including the Office of Government Procurement), under any employment terms. This is also the case with regard to the bodies under the aegis of my Department.
Departmental Expenditure
Questions (46, 48)
Jennifer Carroll MacNeill
Question:46. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a project (details supplied) has planning permission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36328/22]
View answerJennifer Carroll MacNeill
Question:48. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when a project (details supplied) commenced; the amount that has been spent to date by the State on the project; the costs to the State of arbitration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36331/22]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 46 and 48 together.
I wish to advise the Deputy that the original planning permission for the Irish Children's Museum project, know as the National Children's Science Centre, at Earlsfort Terrace expired on 9th November 2021 and the Office of Public Works had sought an extension from Dublin City Council which was refused under current planning regulations. A new planning application is currently being prepared by the Office of Public Works and will be submitted in the near future to Dublin City Council.
As the arbitration hearing is still not fully finalised and discussions ongoing between the two sides, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on the cost of the arbitration to date at this stage.
Since 2015 the Office of Public Works has spent €500,000 on the appointment of a Design Team and associated consultants covering the National Children's Science Centre and the development of a detailed master plan for the entire Earlsfort Terrace campus incorporating both the National Concert Hall and the National Children's Science Centre, costs to date also include surveys, opening up and other works associated with preparation and submission of a planning application. I wish to also advise the Deputy that the matter of expenditure incurred by other Departments on this project is a matter for those Departments concerned.
Departmental Policies
Questions (47)
Jennifer Carroll MacNeill
Question:47. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if an impact assessment has been carried out on other related existing businesses performing similar functions as a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36330/22]
View answerWritten answers
I wish to advise the Deputy that the Office of Public Works has discussed with the Irish Children's Museum Ltd other related business that have opened since the 2013 contractual agreements were put in place. I understand the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media may have planned to conduct an evaluation of this and other related matters but that this did not proceed once the current Arbitration process was triggered in 2020.
Question No. 48 answered with Question No. 46.