Written Answers Nos. 161-179
161. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Finance the latest update regarding farmers being exempt from the residential zoned land tax (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26770/23]
View answerFinance Act 2021 introduced Part, 22A Residential Zoned Land Tax (RZLT), into the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997. The RZLT is designed to prompt residential development by landowners, including farmers, of land that is zoned for residential or mixed-use (including residential) purposes and that is serviced.
RZLT is an annual tax, calculated at a rate of 3% of the market value of the land within its scope. The tax will be due and payable from 2024 onwards in respect of land which fell within the scope of the tax on or before 1 January 2022. Where land is zoned or serviced after 1 January 2022, the tax will be first due in the third year after the year in which it comes within scope.
It is important to note that, to come within the scope of RZLT, farmland must be both zoned for residential use and serviced. Farmland that is zoned for residential use, but which is not currently serviced, is not within the scope of the tax and will only come within the scope of the tax should the land become serviced at some point in the future.
Land will be considered to be serviced for the purposes of the tax where it is reasonable to consider that the land has access to, or may be connected to, public infrastructure and facilities, including roads and footpaths, public lighting, foul sewer drainage, surface water drainage and water supply, necessary for dwellings to be developed on the land and with sufficient service capacity available for such development.
Agricultural land which is zoned solely or primarily for residential use meets the criteria set out within the legislation and therefore falls within the scope of the tax. Agricultural land that is zoned for a mixture of uses including residential is not in scope. These zonings are considered to reflect the housing need set out within the core strategy for the relevant local authority area and landowners within such zonings may fall within the scope of the tax, in the interests of ensuring an appropriate supply of housing on zoned lands.
A draft RZLT map was published by local authorities on 1 November 2022. The purpose of the draft map was to allow landowners, including farmers, to see if their land is within the scope of the tax. If a landowner sees that their land is included on the draft map and believes that it should not be, they had the opportunity to make a submission to the local authority by 1 January 2023 seeking to have the map updated and their land removed from the map, or they could have sought to have their land rezoned.
Local authorities considered the submissions received and made written determinations on whether the land should stay on the map or be removed from it. If the landowner disagreed with the determination they had the opportunity to appeal to An Bord Pleanála. If a landowner requested a rezoning of their land, the local authority would consider the request and, if appropriate, they would commence a variation procedure to alter the zoning of the land. This variation procedure, and the local authority’s decision on whether or not to commence one, is part of the normal zoning process.
Officials in the Department of Finance and Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage continue to engage with industry representatives, including those from the agricultural industry, with regard to consideration of their concerns about the residential zoned land tax.
Furthermore, Finance Bill 2022 introduced an exemption for land that is within the scope of the tax but is subject to a contract that precludes the landowner from developing it. For the exemption to apply, the contract must have been entered into prior to 1 January 2022, i.e., prior to the introduction of RZLT. For example, where a farmer leased land prior to 1 January 2022 and the requisite conditions are met, the farmer may claim an exemption from the tax for the period of the lease.
162. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a full list of public bodies under the aegis of his Department; and Oireachtas contact details for each. [26911/23]
View answerCircular 25/2016 states that State Bodies under the aegis of Government Departments must provide and maintain a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members. The circular applies to all bar three of the bodies under the aegis of my Department. These three bodies are the Credit Union Advisory Committee (CUAC), the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal (DDMBA) and the Credit Union Restructuring Board (ReBo). CUAC is an advisory committee set up to advise the Minister for Finance in relation to credit union matters. It meets in my Department, with Department officials providing a secretariat function to the committee; it does not have a dedicated email address. The DDMBA is a board of medical practitioners appointed by the Minister for Finance from a body of interested registered medical practitioners, on the recommendation of the Minister for Health. While it does not have a dedicated email address, it is contactable through the National Rehabilitation Hospital. Having concluded its restructuring work, ReBo was operationally wound down in 2017 and is awaiting formal dissolution.
The relevant information in respect of the remaining bodies is set out in the table below.
|
Body under aegis of the Department of Finance |
Oireachtas contact details |
|
Central Bank of Ireland |
pqs@centralbank.ie |
|
Credit Review Office |
info@creditreview.ie |
|
Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman |
oireachtas@fspo.ie |
|
Home Building Finance Ireland |
oireachtas@hbfi.ie |
|
Investor Compensation Company DAC |
pqs@centralbank.ie |
|
Irish Bank Resolution Corporation |
pqs@ibrc.ie |
|
Irish Financial Services Appeals Tribunal |
registrar@ifsat.ie |
|
Irish Fiscal Advisory Council |
oireachtas.queries@fiscalcouncil.ie |
|
National Asset Management Agency |
oir@nama.ie |
|
National Treasury Management Agency |
OireachtasQuery@ntma.ie |
|
Office of the Revenue Commissioners |
chairmansoffice@revenue.ie |
|
Office of the Comptroller & Auditor General |
pq@audit.gov.ie |
|
Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland |
oireachtas@sbci.gov.ie |
|
Tax Appeals Commission |
oireachtas@taxappeoireachtas@taxappeals.ieals.ie |
163. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Finance the number of WTE staff, by grade, working in the Revenue Commissioners investigation and prosecution unit as of 24 May 2023, in tabular form. [26941/23]
View answerI am advised by Revenue that the previous Investigation and Prosecution Division (IPD) amalgamated with the five frontier management branches in July 2021 and formed a new Division called Investigation, Prosecution and Frontier Management Division (IPFMD).
I am advised by Revenue that the number serving in Investigation, Prosecution and Frontier Management Division on the 24 May 2023 is as follows:
|
IPFMD |
MAC |
PO |
AP |
HEO |
AO |
EO |
CO |
SVO |
Totals |
|
FTE |
FTE |
FTE |
FTE |
FTE |
FTE |
FTE |
FTE |
FTE |
|
|
Serving |
1.0 |
11.0 |
43.9 |
130.9 |
5.5 |
299.9 |
554.6 |
3.0 |
1,049.8 |
Prior to amalgamation of Investigation and Prosecution Division with the five-frontier management branches the number of staff serving in Investigation and Prosecution Division in July 2021 was as follows:
|
IPD |
MAC |
PO |
AP |
HEO |
AO |
EO |
CO |
SVO |
Totals |
|
FTE |
FTE |
FTE |
FTE |
FTE |
FTE |
FTE |
FTE |
FTE |
|
|
Serving |
1.0 |
4.0 |
18.9 |
57.9 |
5.0 |
42.9 |
16.6 |
1.0 |
147.3 |
164. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the revenue raised by introducing a 3% income tax surcharge, levied through USC, on individual incomes with respect to the portion above €140,000, in first- and full-year terms. [27010/23]
View answerI am advised by Revenue that the estimated first and full year yield to the Exchequer of the Deputy’s proposal would be €290 million and €375 million respectively. This would have the result of increasing the top marginal tax rate on PAYE income from 52 per cent to 55 per cent and for non-PAYE income from 55 per cent to 58 per cent.
165. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the revenue raised by removing tax personal, PAYE and earned income tax credits on a tapered basis from individual incomes between €100,000 and €140,000 (at a rate of 2.5% per €1,000 above €100,000), in first- and full-year terms. [27011/23]
View answerI am advised by Revenue that their micro-simulation modelling tool, Tax Modeller, is built to model scenarios on a taxpayer unit basis (i.e. including jointly assessed couples as one taxpayer unit). As such, it does not generate any outputs on an individualised basis, and it is therefore not possible to estimate changes to tax credits on an individual basis for a projected tax year.
However, incomes recorded on historic tax returns can be used to estimate the potential yield and/or cost associated with the adjustment of tax credits. As 2020 is the latest year for which full tax return data is currently available to be analysed, Revenue has undertaken estimates in relation to the 2020 tax year for the tapering of the tax credits referred to by the Deputy to provide an estimated yield that may arise from this proposal.
It should be noted that although the values of the personal tax credit, employee tax credit and the earned income credit have increased since 2020, (as provided for in Budget 2022 and 2023), the 2020 values for the credits were utilised for consistency purposes in preparing these estimates.
Based on this, I am advised by Revenue that the yield in 2020 from tapering the credits as outlined by the Deputy would have been an estimated €285 million and €340 million on a first and full year basis respectively.
166. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the revenue raised by reducing the standard fund threshold to €1.75, €1.5 and €1.2 million in first- and full-year terms. [27013/23]
View answerI am advised by Revenue that the administrators of pension schemes and personal pension arrangements are not generally required to provide information on the numbers and values of individual pension funds or on individual accrued benefits to Revenue. Therefore, there is no underlying data available to Revenue on which to base reliable estimates of the savings that would arise from the proposed change to the SFT threshold.
167. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the revenue raised by increasing the rate of stamp duty on commercial property from 7.5% to 10% and 12.5% percent respectively, in first- and full-year terms. [27014/23]
View answerI am advised by Revenue that pages 18 and 19 of Revenue’s Ready Reckoner can be used to estimate the yield from changes to the rate of Stamp Duty on property. The Ready Reckoner is available on the Revenue website at www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/documents/statistics/ready-reckoner.pdf
The Ready Reckoner can be used to extrapolate the estimated additional yield from increasing the rate of stamp duty on commercial property from 7.5% to 10% and 12.5%.
The estimated additional yield would be in the region of €295 million and €590 million respectively. However, it should be noted that this estimate does not take account of behavioural changes that would arise from changing the rate.
168. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the revenue raised by introducing a higher 40% rate of capital gains tax, applied to the portion of gains where an individual's ordinary income and gains exceeds €500,000, taking into account the continued operation of the revised entrepreneur relief, in first- and full-year terms. [27015/23]
View answerI 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 €500,000 is of the order of €86 million. The first-year yield would depend on the timing of the introduction of the change.
This estimate is based on 2020 data, the latest year for which fully analysed data are available, with the higher proposed rate being applied to the amount of the gains above the combined threshold only and assumes the continuation of entrepreneur relief. Additionally, it assumes no change in behaviour by individuals resulting from the increase in the tax rate.
169. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Finance if the new system whereby tenants deduct a withholding tax from their rental payments where the landlord is living overseas will be applied after the deduction of allowable interest and other chargeable costs; if not, how these legitimate reliefs will be recovered; and if the system has been trialled to ensure that landlords and tenants do not face administrative difficulties in operating the new system. [27037/23]
View answerI am advised by Revenue that the system referred to by the Deputy, whereby tenants deduct and remit to Revenue withholding tax at the standard rate of income tax (currently 20%) from rental payments to a landlord who lives outside the State, has been in operation for many years. However, some changes were introduced in last year’s Finance Act.
The relevant legislation provides that tenants of a non-resident landlord – and other parties paying rent directly to a non-resident landlord, such as local authorities - are required to deduct and remit to Revenue withholding tax from payments made directly to that non-resident person. This includes payment into a bank account in the landlord’s name, even if the bank account is within the State. Where a tenant makes rental payments to a resident person acting on behalf of a non-resident landlord, known as a “collection agent”, there is no obligation on the tenants to operate withholding tax.
The withholding tax to be deducted is 20% of the gross rental payments, with no account taken of any expenses such as allowable interest or any other costs. The tenant (or other person making a direct payment) must also provide the non-resident landlord with a certificate of the tax deducted on the Form R185 (Certificate of Income Tax Deducted).
Finance Act 2022 amended the existing withholding tax system for those making payments directly to non-resident landlords, requiring them to provide Revenue with certain information regarding the landlord, the rental property, and the rental payment. As part of this new system, instead of completing a Form R185, tenants of non-resident landlords will complete a “rental notification” (RN) and remit the tax deducted online using ROS or MyAccount, using the new “non-resident landlord withholding tax” (NLWT) system.
The non-resident landlord who does not have a collection agent is required to file an Irish income tax return. S/he is taxable on the rental profit arising from the property; that is, rental income after deduction of allowable expenses. S/he may also be entitled to a proportion of personal allowances. When filing her/his income tax return, a non-resident landlord can claim the tax deducted by the tenants, recorded on the form R185, against her/his Irish tax liability. Credit for tax deducted from rents is confined to the tax actually deducted and remitted to Revenue.
Finance Act 2022 also amended the requirements for collection agents acting for such landlords. Collection agents for a non-resident person are assessable and chargeable to tax for the income of that person, which means they are required to file a tax return and pay the tax due on that income. Under the new provisions, a collection agent will not be chargeable and assessable for such income, provided that the agent deducts and remits to Revenue withholding tax (also at 20%) from rental payments and provides information on the landlord and the tenancy. Collections agents will also complete the new RN and remit the withholding tax online.
These new provisions are not yet operational because they are subject to a commencement order. The new system is scheduled to be launched on 1 July 2023.
Revenue carries out full testing of all applications and systems it releases for use by the public, and the NLWT system has received extensive testing prior to the planned launch date. Because NLWT is a change to the process of withholding arrangements for non-resident landlords, Revenue has also implemented a change management and communications plan for the various stakeholders that could benefit from the planned changes. Revenue has engaged with practitioner bodies and software groups who support public sector bodies about the changes, and has highlighted the support and test facilities available.
170. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if his Department is negotiating with European Union officials to extend timelines and funding under the Brexit adjustment reserve fund into 2024, conscious that the current deadline is set for 31 December 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26861/23]
View answerThe European Union’s Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR) is a unique regulation established specifically to provide for Brexit. It provides support to counter the adverse economic, social, territorial and, environmental consequences of the withdrawal of the UK from the European Union.
The regulation is clear that in order to be eligible for BAR funding, the expenditure must fall within the BAR eligibility period for expenditure which runs from the 1st of January 2020 to the 31st of December 2023. I am aware that a number of other Member States had previously raised the issue of the possibility of extending these deadlines, but no extension was provided. However, the EU did provide that Member States might, in view of the impact of the Ukrainian conflict, transfer some BAR funding to the RePowerEU initiative. Ireland has transferred €150 million of BAR funding to RePowerEU.
My Department is in regular contact with the European Commission to ensure there is a clear understanding of the requirements under the BAR regulation, to allow Ireland to submit an accurate and complete claim in September 2024.
Ireland’s allocation from the reserve will be €1.015 billion. Funding from the BAR will be disbursed in two allocation rounds. The first round (80%) was in the form of pre-financing and was paid in three instalments across 2021-2023. The third tranche of this pre-financing from the Brexit Adjustment Reserve of €164 million was received in recent weeks. This brings the total BAR funding received so far to €0.8 billion. The remaining amount will be paid in 2025.
The application for BAR funding must set out the negative impacts of the withdrawal of the UK from the European Union, and how the measures carried out under the Fund alleviate the adverse consequences. The Government has therefore, over a series of budgets, allocated BAR funding across a number of impacted sectors in order to mitigate those adverse effects of Brexit and to adapt to regulatory changes.
Following the BAR Regulation coming into force in October 2021, specific funding of €389 million was provided in Budgets 2022 and 2023 across a number of sectors.
This was allocated as follows:
|
Department |
€m |
|
Agriculture |
271 |
|
Enterprise |
15 |
|
Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science |
37.3 |
|
Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform |
4.4 |
|
Foreign Affairs |
2.2 |
|
Tourism Culture Arts Gaeltacht Sports and Media |
7.75 |
|
Environment Climate and Communications |
24 |
|
Health |
5.5 |
|
Justice |
21.5 |
|
Transport |
0.1 |
|
Total |
389 |
Further funding can also be considered for allocation over the remainder of 2023. This would include consideration of funding in relation to permanent infrastructure at Rosslare port required for customs and SPS checks.
Officials in my Department are currently engaging in a review exercise of Brexit related spending, from the 1st of January 2020 to the end of December 2023, for possible inclusion in Ireland’s BAR claim to the EU Commission in September 2024. This involves engaging with Departments on spending outside of that allocated under Budgets 2022 and 2023 which may qualify for inclusion in the BAR claim. A figure of approximately €0.7 billion has been identified in this regard.
This work is ongoing and the exact makeup of Ireland's BAR claim will not be decided until the claim is submitted in September 2024. It should be noted that in addition to the above, the Government also provided significant funding to prepare for Brexit prior to the BAR eligibility period.
171. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the reason his Department refused to participate in the WRC Conciliation Conference on 19 May, especially given that there could not have been a resolution to the unpaid pay awards to health service senior managers without its key inputs; if his Department will now engage in the matter under the auspices of the WRC to agree a payment mechanism before discussions on the next public service pay agreement commence over the coming months, as requested by the WRC; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26784/23]
View answerMy Department works closely with all Government Departments on industrial relations matters encompassed by the current public service Agreement, Building Momentum and will continue, to liaise with both the HSE and the Department of Health in relation to this matter, as appropriate.
As the matter is part of an ongoing industrial relations process it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.
172. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform when he will introduce legislation in relation to the Office of the Information Commissioner to ensure its procedures comply with the administration of justice requirements of the requirements of the Zalewski decision. [26900/23]
View answerThe Information Commissioner is independent in the performance of his functions in practice and by law, section 43(3) of the Freedom of Information Act 2014 refers. Section 45(6) of the Act further provides that the Commissioner may adopt such procedures as are appropriate in the particular circumstances, which should be as informal as is consistent with the performance of the function concerned. The character of the Commissioner's process is inquisitorial rather than adversarial, and places an onus on public bodies to demonstrate that their decisions are justified, rather than requiring an individual to show that they are not.
A review of the FOI legislation is currently close to completion. Both the independence of the Commissioner and the informal, inquisitorial nature of the relevant processes as set out in the 2014 Act are central and essential features of the FOI framework. Insofar as any interventions are required to support and maintain these principles, this may be undertaken following the review. However, although the final review report and recommendations have not yet been finalised, it is not obvious at this point that any changes to the current arrangements in this regard are in fact necessary.
173. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will provide a full list of public bodies under the aegis of his Department; and Oireachtas contact details for each. [26917/23]
View answerThe information is set out in the table below.
|
Vote |
Organisation Name |
Accounting Officer |
Oireachtas Contact Details |
|
Vote 14 |
State Laboratory |
Barbara O’Leary |
SLOireachtasRequests@statelab.ie |
|
Vote 17 |
Public Appointment Service |
Margaret McCabe |
oireachtasqueries@publicjobs.ie |
|
Vote 18 |
National Shared Services Office |
Hilary Murphy Fagan |
oireachtas@nsso.gov.ie |
|
Vote 19 |
Office of The Ombudsman |
Elaine Cassidy |
riar@ombudsman.ie |
|
Non-Voted – Levy Funded |
Office of the Regulator of the National Lottery |
Carol Boate |
oireachtas@rnl.ie |
174. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the applications that were submitted by Ireland to the Brexit adjustment reserve in the years since it was established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26956/23]
View answerThe European Union’s Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR), provides support to counter the adverse economic, social, territorial and, environmental consequences of the withdrawal of the UK from the European Union. Ireland's BAR claim is due to be submitted to the European Commission in September 2024.
Ireland’s allocation from the reserve will be €1.015 billion. In order to be eligible for BAR funding, the expenditure must fall within the BAR eligibility period for expenditure which runs from the 1st of January 2020 to the 31st of December 2023.
Funding from the BAR will be disbursed in two allocation rounds. The first round (80%) was in the form of pre-financing and was paid in three instalments across 2021-2023. The third tranche of this pre-financing from the Brexit Adjustment Reserve of €164 million was received in recent weeks. This brings the total BAR funding received so far to €0.8 billion. The remaining amount will be paid in 2025.
The application for BAR funding must set out the negative impacts of the withdrawal of the UK from the European Union, and how the measures carried out under the Fund alleviate the adverse consequences. The Government has therefore, over a series of budgets, allocated BAR funding across a number of impacted sectors in order to mitigate those adverse effects of Brexit and to adapt to regulatory changes.
Following the BAR Regulation coming into force in October 2021, specific funding of €389 million was provided in Budgets 2022 and 2023 across a number of sectors.
This was allocated as follows:
|
Department |
€m |
|
Agriculture |
271 |
|
Enterprise |
15 |
|
Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science |
37.3 |
|
Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform |
4.4 |
|
Foreign Affairs |
2.2 |
|
Tourism Culture Arts Gaeltacht Sports and Media |
7.75 |
|
Environment Climate and Communications |
24 |
|
Health |
5.5 |
|
Justice |
21.5 |
|
Transport |
0.1 |
|
Total |
389 |
Further funding can also be considered for allocation over the remainder of 2023. This would include consideration of funding in relation to permanent infrastructure at Rosslare Port required for customs and SPS checks.
Officials in my Department are currently engaging in a review exercise of Brexit related spending, from the 1st of January 2020 to the end of December 2023, for possible inclusion in Ireland’s BAR claim to the EU Commission in September 2024. This involves engaging with Departments on spending outside of that allocated under Budgets 2022 and 2023 which may qualify for inclusion in the BAR claim. A figure of approximately €0.7 billion has been identified in this regard.
This work is ongoing and the exact makeup of Ireland's BAR claim will not be decided until the claim is submitted in September 2024. It should be noted that in addition to the above, the Government also provided significant funding to prepare for Brexit prior to the BAR eligibility period.
175. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the decisive actions he is undertaking to urgently accelerate the implementation of the Crossmolina flood relief schemes in order to safeguard residents, businesses and local communities under imminent threat; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27009/23]
View answerThe latest position regarding the proposed River Deel Flood Relief Scheme in Crossmolina is unchanged from the updates recently provided on the 9th and 11th May 2023. The Office of Public Works has sought consent for the scheme in accordance with the European Union (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Arterial Drainage) Regulations 2019.
An initial round of public consultation was held beginning on the 1st December 2020 and concluding on the 11th January 2021. Following this period of public consultation, my Department sought additional information regarding the scheme from the Office of Public Works. The OPW provided this information to my Department in July 2021. On foot of receiving further information, a further period of public consultation was then required and this took place over the period from the 6th May 2022 to the 1st July 2022. My Department has retained independent environmental consultants to review the submissions received during the consultation and to carry out any necessary environmental assessments as required by EU Directives 2011/92 and 2014/52. Section 7E(4) of the regulations provides that I have access to sufficient expertise to examine an environmental impact assessment report submitted by OPW.
In light of this requirement, independent consultants have been appointed to provide this expertise. My Department has been advised by the independent consultants that this work is well advanced due to be completed in the coming weeks. On completion, I expect to receive a recommendation on whether it to confirm the scheme in accordance with Section 7E(1) of the Regulations.
Under Section 7E(1) of the Regulations it is open to me to:
(a) make an order confirming the scheme;
(b) refuse to confirm the scheme, or
(c) refer the scheme back to the Commissioners of Public Works for revision in specified respects.
Any decision made under Section 7E(1) will be published on the Department's website as required under Section 7F(1)(a) of the Regulations.
176. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if a visa application will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26762/23]
View answerThe Employment Permits Section of the Department informs me that on 15th May 2023 a Critical Skills Employment Permit application was submitted in respect of the person named in the details supplied. On 16th May 2023 the application was formally accepted and placed in the processing queue.
Applications for employment permits are dealt with in date order. The Employment Permits Section of my Department are currently processing standard new Critical Skills Employment Permit applications within 11- 12 business days.
Due to the significant improvement in the processing times in respect of Employment Permits, an application to have an Employment Permit expedited will only be considered in exceptional circumstances. Each request is considered on a case-by-case basis and there are separate channels in place for these requests if they are deemed necessary.
Regarding the application concerned in the details supplied it is expected that it will be drawn for processing in the coming days.
177. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if there are any proposals to fund or commence a property tech-related innovation fund to try and encourage and grow new and innovative ideas to tackle the many issues being faced regarding housing stock and supply at the moment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26898/23]
View answerUnder the Housing for All plan, my Department is working to promote innovation and increased productivity in the residential construction sector, including the more widespread adoption of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC).
To promote research and development and disseminate the best and most relevant innovations to the players in the construction value-chain in Ireland, my Department with Enterprise Ireland has established a new Construction Technology Centre, Construct Innovate with initial funding of €5m over 5 years. The Centre is a consortium hosted by University of Galway that also includes Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin, University College Cork and the Irish Green Building Council.
Through the Built to Innovate programme, Enterprise Ireland is focused on driving productivity and innovation in housebuilding, including increased use of MMC, and has opened up lean and digital grants and funding for research and innovation projects to the domestic residential construction sector.
Enterprise Ireland engages with the property technology sub-sector, with a number of proptech companies on its books, as well as ‘construction services’ companies, many of whom are start-ups. Enterprise Ireland offers a wide range of financial supports for start-ups, such as equity investment, development grants and non-financial supports such as capability building, engaging with clients in-market via its overseas offices, connecting founding teams with potential investors and with strategic partners, and identifying business opportunities for clients. In line with my Department's enterprise policy, efforts focus on developing an integrated approach that accelerates start-up growth and scaling and includes access to public and private funding, investment in research and development and innovation, access to skills, an appropriate regulatory environment as well as a tax system that encourages investment in start-ups and scaling.Regarding early-stage funding streams, there are several funds in existence that can be accessed by property technology companies. These include:• The Pre-Seed Start Fund : to accelerate the growth of early-stage start-up companies that have the capacity and ambition to succeed in global markets. Applicants can apply for €50,000 or €100,000 investment. In addition to this investment, successful applicants will be supported by an Enterprise Ireland Development Advisor and can avail of a range of start-up supports from Enterprise Ireland such as 10 mentoring sessions with a mentor from the Enterprise Ireland panel of mentors, access to Enterprise Ireland’s Market Research Centre and other appropriate services. • High Potential Start-Up (HPSU) Funding : HPSUs are start-up businesses with the potential to develop an innovative product or service for sale on international markets and the potential to create 10 jobs and €1m in sales within 3 years of starting up. Funding supports from Enterprise Ireland are closely aligned to a company’s stage of development. Broadly, HPSU companies are viewed as being at feasibility stage, investor-ready stage, or growth stage.• Seed and Venture Capital Scheme : The Irish Government, through Enterprise Ireland, has made €175m available as part of the Seed and Venture Capital Scheme (2019-2024) to stimulate job creation and support the funding requirements of early-stage innovative Irish companies with global ambition.• The Irish Innovation Seed Fund (IISF) : a €90 million fund-of-funds, made up of a €30m investment from DETE, through Enterprise Ireland, which is matched by a €30m investment from the EIF, and a €30m co-investment from ISIF. As a fund-of-funds, the programme invests in other specialist fund managers who target high growth innovative companies based on disruptive intellectual property, who are at the early stages of external funding for innovative, high growth, scalable sectors.• Halo Business Angel Network (HBAN) : HBAN is the all-island umbrella group for business angel networks. It is focused on creating investor groups/ syndicates across the island. This helps companies source monies from private investors.• Irish Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF): invests in funds, companies and projects which generate commercial returns and supports economic impact and employment in Ireland. Key areas of focus for ISIF are; Housing and enabling investments, Climate, Food and Agri, and Indigenous Companies. ISIF supports indigenous Irish companies with strong growth potential through its investments. ISIF has supported several domestic venture capital funds who invest in a broad spectrum of early-stage companies, including those within the prop-tech segment.
178. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide a full list of public bodies under the aegis of his Department; and Oireachtas contact details for each. [26909/23]
View answerMy Department and the bodies under our aegis are committed to providing an efficient, timely, professional, and courteous service to all our customers. The tables below list the email addresses at which members of the Oireachtas can contact the bodies under the aegis of my Department:
|
DETE Agencies |
Email address |
|
Corporate Enforcement Authority (CEA) |
Ian.Drennan@cea.gov.ie |
|
Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB) |
Oireachtas.Enquiries@piab.ie |
|
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) |
Oireachtas@ccpc.ie |
|
Irish Auditing & Accounting Supervisory Authority (IAASA) |
oireachtas_members@iaasa.ie |
|
Enterprise Ireland |
oireachtas@enterprise-ireland.com or Jim Barry: jibarry@enterprise-ireland.com |
|
IDA Ireland |
Orla.NicMhathuna@ida.ie; Mary.Seery@ida.ie; catherine.dowling@ida.ie |
|
National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) |
Oireachtasmembers@nsai.ie |
|
Health and Safety Authority |
oireachtas@hsa.ie |
|
DETE Offices |
Email address |
|
Intellectual Property Office of Ireland (IPOI) |
ipinfo@ipoi.gov.ie |
|
Companies Registration Office (CRO) |
Maureen.OSullivan@enterprise.gov.ie |
|
Registry of Friendly Societies |
Maureen.OSullivan@enterprise.gov.ie |
|
Registrar of Beneficial Ownership of Companies and Industrial and Provident Societies |
Maureen.OSullivan@enterprise.gov.ie |
|
Labour Court |
info@labourcourt.ie |
|
Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) |
customerservice@workplacerelations.ie |
|
North/South Body |
Email address |
|
InterTradeIreland |
info@intertradeireland.com |
|
Other Bodies |
Email address |
|
Design & Crafts Council Ireland |
eimearharding@dcci.ie |
179. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education if she will confirm when a school (details supplied) can progress to construction for a three-classroom extension; the current status of the project; the reason for delays in this project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26769/23]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that the school referred to has been approved for a project under my Department's Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme.
The project will provide the following accommodation at the school: 3 mainstream classrooms to replace temporary accommodation, 3 Mainstream classrooms and 1 Multi Sensory room.
This project is at Stage 1 of the architectural planning process and has been devolved for delivery to the school authority. A Stage 1 submission was received in my Department.
A site visit was also carried out by technical officials on the 26th of May 2023 with a view to progressing this project. Following from the learnings obtained on-site, Department officials are currently reviewing this project and will revert to the school with appropriate guidance when this review has been completed.
