Written Answers Nos. 321-340
321. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport the number of WTE transport planners employed by the National Transport Authority in the years of 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [28434/23]
View answerAs the Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport.
The issue of the number of WTE transport planners employed by the National Transport Authority (NTA) in the years of 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, as raised by the Deputy, is a matter for the NTA and I have therefore forwarded the Deputy's question to the Authority for direct reply.
Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
322. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Transport if he will examine a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28453/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, daa has the statutory responsibility to operate, manage and develop Dublin Airport including the issuing of taxi permits.
Accordingly, as the issue raised by the Deputy is an operational one, I have forwarded your request to daa for a direct response. If a response is not received within 10 days, please contact my private office.
323. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Transport if he can provide an update on the work underway as part of Project BRUCE, Better Road User Charging Evaluation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28457/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the operation and management of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Therefore, matters relating to the day to day operations regarding national roads, including toll roads and the establishment of a system of tolls, are within the remit of TII. More specifically, the statutory power to levy tolls, to make toll bye-laws and to enter into agreements with private investors are vested in TII under Part V of the Roads Act 1993 (as amended).
Project BRUCE will examine if a case exists to develop and apply next generation road user charging to reduce reliance on Exchequer funding while enabling government to deliver on climate targets while supporting economic growth. This is in a context where existing PPP contracts will expire in the coming decades and the network will return to public ownership.
This also presents an opportunity to investigate demand management techniques that will support transport outcomes defined most recently in the Department of Transport’s National Investment Framework for Transport in Ireland (NIFTI).
Work on Project BRUCE is at a very early stage. Under the Climate Action Plan an Implementation Plan for Project BRUCE is due to be completed by the end of June 2023. This will outline the objectives of the BRUCE study, examine the various options and the advantages and disadvantages of each, and detail potential implementation pathways for the various options. It will also seek to align BRUCE with related Government policy and initiatives. This will form the basis for a national conversation on Project BRUCE
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply updating you on Project BRUCE. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
324. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Transport if additional funding will be awarded to South Dublin County Council in the coming years for active travel/cycle infrastructure. [28478/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to Active Travel. Funding is administered through the National Transport Authority (NTA), who, in partnership with local authorities, have responsibility for the selection and development of specific projects in each local authority area.
The Deputy will be aware that the Programme for Government earmarked approximately €360 million in cross-Departmental funding per annum for walking and cycling, the majority of which is administered by my Department through the NTA's Active Travel Infrastructure Programme and Transport Infrastructure Ireland's Greenways Programme. In 2023, €290 million and €63 million were allocated to these programmes respectively.
While this significant level of funding is outlined in the Programme for Government and the National Development Plan, the exact level of investment that my Department can allocate to active travel and cycling infrastructure is dependent on the outcome of the annual estimates process. Following the Budget and confirmation of funding levels, the NTA and TII undertake an annual programme of work with the local authorities to identify projects for inclusion in their Programmes in the following year.
Local authority allocations are announced as soon as possible following the culmination of this process, and any additional funding for South Dublin County Council in 2024 will be dependent on same.
325. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Transport the reason TII has not engaged with a group water scheme (details supplied) along the N63 in Galway despite An Bord Pleanála sanctioning works and the CPO process commencing with no engagement or contact made with local land owners impacted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28487/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the planning, design and construction of national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Public Spending Code and the necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
326. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the N5 bypass at Ballaghadreen to Scramoge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28489/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Public Spending Code and the necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you on the status of this project.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply as to the latest status of this project. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
At a Departmental level, my Department has recently been engaging with TII in relation to required Public Spending Code approvals.
327. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Transport if he will report on his meetings based on media accounts (details supplied) with toll companies regarding the imminent proposed hike in toll prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28502/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the setting of tolls is a statutory function of Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII).
In the twelve month period used to calculate maximum tolls for 2023, inflation was obviously a significant issue and that was at the heart of the toll increases announced for the M50 and the eight PPP schemes. In late 2022, I directed that Departmental officials engage with TII to develop options that might allow for the suspension of the planned toll increases.
Following this direction, TII commenced engagement with all eight PPP companies and the suspension of these increases was agreed upon for a six month period until the end of June 2023.
As this period is coming to an end, and as maximum toll rate is set each year based on the rate of inflation, the planned toll increases will come into effect in July 2023.
There is no formal consultative role for me as Minister in relation to tolls, which are a matter for TII. Therefore I have not held meetings with toll companies regarding the toll price increases.
328. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport the steps he is taking to ensure that E10 petrol does not damage older cars or boat engines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28590/23]
View answerThe regulations establishing a minimum 5.5% ethanol in petrol placed upon the market by renewable transport fuel obligation account holders were made on 1 April 2023. In making the regulations consideration was given to the responses received through a statutory consultation on the draft regulations, the impact on fuel prices, and other economic and environmental impacts.
The policy and regulation supporting the move to E10 take into account the over-riding consideration of the public good in decarbonising transport through increasing biofuels. Moving to E10 will bring an immediate climate-change mitigation measure using the existing vehicle fleet. Ethanol (E5) in petrol currently accounts for almost 10% of annual tailpipe carbon emission savings (8.5% in 2022).
In making these regulations, while I have noted the concerns of the older vehicle community on the move to E10, experience from jurisdictions where E10 and higher ethanol blends have been used widely for a prolonged period of time has not indicated issues of damage to petrol engines as a result of E10 use. Recent analysis published on the website of the US Department of Energy indicates no reliability or operability issues concerning E10, which has been in use in the US since the late 70s. The AA has also issued guidance assuring the use of E10, with advice for the maintenance and use of some older vehicles and equipment.
My Department continues to run an E10 public information and awareness campaign through advertising and the gov.ie/E10 website remains as the main point of reference for further information.
The regulations will be kept under review within the context of the development and implementation of the Renewable Transport Fuel policy.
329. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport if he will engage with local groups concerning the assignment of bus stops and the timetable on the 232 bus service in County Cork, regarding the needs of users with disabilities, especially those attending local day services and training centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28599/23]
View answerAs the Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.
Under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for promoting the development of an integrated, accessible, sustainable public transport network.
The NTA also has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. In addition, the NTA has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including TFI Local Link services, and the development of the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan.
The NTA works with the relevant public transport operators, who have responsibility for day-to-day operational issues, to progressively make public transport accessible.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities for accessible public transport services, including the 232 in County Cork, 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.
330. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport the security protections in place for remote workers within civil and public service organisations to safeguard against personal information of members of the public in audio, text and electronic form being inadvertently exposed to unauthorised third parties within the remote setting; if he can provide a copy of the remote working best practice guidelines for civil and public service workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28636/23]
View answer“My Department takes the issue of data protection and the safety of personal information of members of the general public very seriously. My officials comply with GDPR and other Data Protection legislation in all aspects of their work. If staff are availing of remote working arrangements, they must adhere to my Department’s Blended Working Policy, which references guidance on Remote Working provided by the Data Protection Commission – available here: Protecting Personal Data When Working Remotely | 12/03/2020 | Data Protection Commission. In order to be eligible to participate in my Department’s Blended Working arrangements, staff must undertake cyber awareness training – which has specific sections covering remote working and securing home workspaces.
The departments Data Protection Unit also promotes the safeguarding of personal information within the department and issues notices to staff reminding them of their obligations under the General Data Protection Regulations. The department also has multiple policies and procedures in place around the management of data. The Data Protection Unit actively arranges ongoing Data Protection training for staff throughout the department as required under Section 88(5)(b)(iii) of the Data Protection Act 2018.”
331. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance the current wait times to secure appointments through an organisation (details supplied) to import and register cars from the United Kingdom over the years 2018 to date in 2023, by location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27849/23]
View answer374. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware of the significant delays for motor traders in securing registration appointments to import cars from the UK, which is causing major business disruptions and cash flow problems which is putting many businesses at risk of closure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27846/23]
View answer375. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance the total number of staff employed by an organisation (details supplied) to provide import and export car registration services in the years 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form, by location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27847/23]
View answer376. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance to detail the financial arrangements in the contract for an organisation (details supplied) to provide vehicle import and export services within the State, including the yearly cost since its inception; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27848/23]
View answer377. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that in some cases motor dealers are waiting for up to four weeks and beyond for appointments to import and register cars in County Louth through an organisation (details supplied) for the second-hand marketplace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27850/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 331, 374, 375, 376 and 377 together.
I am informed by Revenue that, as permitted by the legislation on Vehicle Registration Tax, certain services concerning vehicle registration are carried out on Revenue’s behalf by an external service provider. This work is undertaken by the service provider as part of its contract to provide a wide range of vehicle-related services to a number of Government bodies. The contract was awarded following a competitive procurement process carried out by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and involving a number of other State bodies, including Revenue, as key stakeholders. The present contract commenced in June 2020 and is scheduled to run for 10 years. It was preceded by a 10-year contract that ran from 2010 and which was also won by the same supplier following a procurement process.
In accordance with the contractual arrangements, Revenue pays a fee in respect of each vehicle presented to the service provider by customers seeking pre-registration inspection or registration.
The following table sets the total payments by Revenue to the service provider for each year since 2011 under the two successive contracts:
|
Year |
Payments |
|
2011* |
€2,201,251 |
|
2012 |
€1,950,598 |
|
2013 |
€2,564,816 |
|
2014 |
€2,745,333 |
|
2015 |
€2,469,616 |
|
2016 |
€3,505,978 |
|
2017 |
€4,661,637 |
|
2018 |
€4,945,898 |
|
2019 |
€5,376,118 |
|
2020 |
€7,394,324 |
|
2021 |
€8,799,104 |
|
2022 |
€6,493,591 |
|
To end April 2023 |
€2,761,444 |
*Includes fees for 2010
The Deputy has also asked about the “wait time” for customers seeking an appointment with the service provider. Contrary to the suggestion in the Deputy’s questions, the recent data on average wait times indicates that appointments are available in sufficient time to allow customers to complete their registration process within the timeframe permitted by the legislation, which requires that a vehicle must be registered within 30 days of entering the State. Owners are required to contact the service provider within 7 days of the vehicle entering the State in order to get an appointment, which allows for the relevant vehicle examination and registration process to happen within that 30-day period. The service provider is required to provide access to the VRT-related examination services at a range of National Car Test Service (NCTS) centres throughout the country and to give timely appointments so that customers can register their vehicle within the statutory period.
Current data on the average wait times for VRT appointments at each of the centres is set out below. It shows that average wait times in all the centres are within suitable levels. The data sought by the Deputy on wait times in each year since 2018 is not readily available within the timeframe for the response to his question.
|
Centre |
Average number of days to wait for a VRT appointment after contacting the service providerMay 2023 |
|
Arklow |
8 |
|
Ballinasloe |
3 |
|
Ballymount |
12 |
|
Carlow |
7 |
|
Carndonagh |
3 |
|
Carrick-on-Shannon |
1 |
|
Cork-Blarney |
5 |
|
Deansgrange |
9 |
|
Donegal Town |
3 |
|
Dundalk |
11 |
|
Ennis |
12 |
|
Enniscorthy |
5 |
|
Galway |
6 |
|
Greenhills (Exit 11, M50) |
13 |
|
Kells |
11 |
|
Kilkenny |
8 |
|
Letterkenny |
8 |
|
Limerick |
9 |
|
Monaghan |
5 |
|
Naas |
10 |
|
Nenagh |
4 |
|
Northpoint 2 (Exit 4, M50) |
13 |
|
Portlaoise |
5 |
|
Skibbereen |
2 |
|
Sligo |
1 |
|
Tralee |
2 |
|
Tullamore |
2 |
|
Waterford |
9 |
|
Westport |
2 |
I understand that the centre in County Louth had an average waiting time for an appointment for a VRT registration of 11 days during May 2023, and the wait time is currently 13 days. However, I am informed that, where needed, appointments can regularly be available on the same day because over a quarter of appointments, at that centre in May, were either cancelled or the customer failed to attend.
The Deputy has asked about staffing levels at the centres. Revenue does not have any operational responsibility for these centres and does not have the information sought by the Deputy.
Finally, the Deputy has raised the matter of motor dealers who are regularly seeking to have vehicles registered. I am informed by Revenue that authorised motor dealers can use ROS (Revenue’s online service) to themselves register vehicles that were previously registered outside the State. This process involves having the vehicle pre-inspected by Revenue’s external supplier who records the relevant vehicle details on ROS, after which the dealer can register the vehicle and pay the VRT at the point when the vehicle is sold. This arrangement is designed to facilitate the motor trade who are permitted to hold unregistered vehicles and only to register them at the time the vehicle is being sold.
Information on this system for authorised motor dealers is available at on Revenue's website.
To avail of this service a motor dealer must register for ROS. Assistance on this is available from the ROS Helpdesk by telephone or email (contact details: (01) 738 3699 or roshelp@revenue.ie).
332. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Finance if he will examine a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27067/23]
View answer334. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if, in the context of the date that zero value added tax was introduced for solar panels, he and or his officials can apply a retrospective element to the scheme to year commencing 2023 for persons that paid VAT on the solar products earlier this year; and if he will and or has consulted with the Revenue Commissioners in respect of retrospection on the VAT rate application. [27072/23]
View answer382. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Finance if any mechanisms exist to provide VAT refunds to those people in receipt of supply and installation of solar panels for private dwellings between January and April of this year; if any consideration has been given to such; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27999/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 332, 334 and 382 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Dáil passed a Financial Resolution on 18 April 2023 to allow this important measure in relation to solar panels to come into effect on 1 May 2023.
As I have previously stated, the zero rate of VAT for solar panels can only operate from that date forward. I have no discretion to apply this measure on a retrospective basis. The Revenue Commissioners have confirmed this position.
333. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Finance his plans to expand the living city initiative, in particular to include the Ballybough area of Dublin city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27071/23]
View answerThe Living City Initiative is a modest, targeted, measure which is aimed at very specific areas in urgent need of regeneration. Introduced in the Finance Act 2013, it is provided for under sections 372AAA to 372AAD of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997.
The initiative is quite restricted in the areas to which it can apply. A key element of the scheme is that it applies only to Special Regeneration Areas (SRAs) in particular cities. The SRAs are inner city areas where there is above average unemployment and which are largely comprised of historic dwellings built before 1915 that demonstrate clear evidence of neglect, dereliction and under-use.
The so-called “donut effect” is regularly seen in cities, where fewer households tend to live in downtown or urban central business districts and instead reside in the suburbs of the city. This results in a ‘hollowing out’ of the city’s core residential, retail, education and commercial activities.
Following a pilot in certain Special Regeneration Areas within Limerick and Waterford, the scheme was extended to include such areas in the cities of Dublin, Cork, Galway and Kilkenny. In line with the Department of Finance's commitment to evidence based policy-making, the inclusion of these cities followed the completion of a comprehensive, independent ex-ante cost benefit analysis.
The Living City Initiative acknowledges that there are specific areas of Dublin, Cork, Galway, Kilkenny, Limerick and Waterford where historic buildings are suffering from neglect and offers an incentive to return these buildings back to family homes or retail businesses.
The SRAs chosen for inclusion in the Living City Initiative were designated following consultation with the relevant city councils and an independent review by a third party advisor. Specific criteria were set down in respect of the areas that should be included within the remit of the Living City Initiative, which were required to be taken into account by the relevant city councils when putting forward the proposed SRAs.
As such, I do not currently have plans to extend Dublin's SRA.
335. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the estimated cost to the Exchequer of the help-to-buy scheme in the years 2022, 2023 and 2024. [27077/23]
View answer336. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the revenue saved were the maximum amount of relief under the help-to-buy scheme reduced to €25,000 and the loan-to-value ratio increased to 75%. [27078/23]
View answer337. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the revenue saved were the maximum amount of relief under the help-to-buy scheme reduced to €20,000 and the loan-to-value ratio increased to 80%. [27079/23]
View answer338. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the revenue saved were the maximum amount of relief under the help-to-buy scheme reduced to €15,000 and the loan-to-value ratio increased to 85%. [27080/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 335 to 338, inclusive, together.
I am advised by Revenue that the total value of claims under the Help to Buy scheme, including both approved and pending claims, are €180.2m and €70.8m for 2022 and to-date in 2023 respectively, based on the claim-stage start date of the application.
Help to Buy is a demand-led scheme which may be subject to a broad range of variable factors. As such, it is not possible to forecast with certainty for 2023 and 2024 the expected number of successful applications or the estimated average payment for approved claims. For this reason, it is not possible to give a precise estimate of cost outturn for those years. However, for the purposes of the Budget 2023 documentation, a figure of €175 million was estimated as the cost of the scheme for 2023 and again for 2024. This estimate was derived by my Department using published Revenue annual statistics for the scheme for 2021 and the end-August 2022 monthly statistics.
I am further advised by Revenue that the estimated annual reduction in the cost of the scheme that would arise from the proposals outlined by the Deputy are as set out in the table below.
|
Proposal |
Estimated Reduction (€m) |
|
Help-to-buy scheme maximum refund reduced to €25,000 and the loan-to-value ratio increased to 75% |
53 |
|
Help-to-buy scheme maximum refund reduced to €20,000 and the loan-to-value ratio increased to 80% |
92 |
|
Help-to-buy scheme maximum refund reduced to €15,000 and the loan-to-value ratio increased to 85% |
129 |
These estimates are based on data for 2022, the last full year for which data are available, and do not take into account any possible behavioural change on the part of taxpayers as a consequence of such changes.
339. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance if his Department is aware of insurers writing to consumers on the issue of the danger of having homes underinsured, and so on; if the companies are now using the issue of potential underinsurance as a mechanism to reduce potential pay-outs to tenants for certain claims; if any regulatory authority under his Department has received any complaints or notification of this practice [27081/23]
View answerI am aware of the issue of under-insurance, which occurs when the sum insured on a property is less than the amount it would cost to rebuild or reinstate the property. According to the Central Bank of Ireland, this can leave a policyholder at risk of not being fully covered for losses were they to make a claim.
Under-insurance is particularly pertinent in the current inflationary environment. Rebuild values are increasing due to rising material, labour, and other input costs. The latest CSO Wholesale Price Index for April 2023 illustrated that the cost of building and construction “materials” rose by 11.7 per cent in the year.
Arising from this, in 2022 the Central Bank of Ireland conducted a Thematic Review of the risk posed to consumers of not having sufficient home insurance cover. This identified evidence of increasing levels of under-insurance in the market from 2017 to 2022. For those affected, the average reduction in the claim settlement was 19 per cent in 2021 – meaning that those customers would have incurred substantial costs to fully meet the value of their claims.
Upon completion of the Review, the Central Bank of Ireland required insurance firms to write to their home insurance policyholders to explain the risk of under-insurance and associated implications of being under-insured. Furthermore, the Bank noted that key information should be presented in a clear and understandable way to policyholders. This includes application of the “average clause”, a common condition in a home insurance policy that can proportionately reduce the amount of a claim being paid.
According to the Central Bank of Ireland, by the end of Q1 2023, all firms within the Review’s scope had issued communications to their policyholders that highlighted both the risks of under-insurance, and the importance of reviewing their home insurance details regularly to ensure adequate cover. The Bank further noted that these firms had reviewed their consumer policy documentation and online content to ensure that key information was being provided in a clear and understandable way.
Furthermore, the Bank has advised that it plans to collect further data on the levels of under-insurance from the main insurers operating in the market, in order to assess the impact of the actions that have been taken by firms.
My Department has also contacted Insurance Ireland in relation to insurers’ obligation to inform policyholders about the risk of being under-insured. It has advised that its members have been proactively communicating to their customers over the past number of months, following the Bank’s Review.
Finally, in situations where consumers feel they have been treated unfairly by any financial service provider, including an insurer, they can make a complaint to the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (FSPO).
340. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Finance if the tax band for married couples will be increased (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27099/23]
View answerThe Programme for Government (PfG), “Our Shared Future”, contains a number of specific commitments relating to personal taxation. These include the commitment that, “In Budget 2021, there will be no change to income tax credits or bands. From Budget 2022 onwards, in the event that incomes are again rising as the economy recovers, credits and bands will be index linked to earnings. This will be done to prevent an increase in the real burden of income tax, to prevent more low income workers being taken into the tax net because of no changes to the tax system and to ensure there is no increase in the number of people having to pay higher income tax and USC rates.”
Significant progress has been made in achieving these commitments. For example, over the last two Budgets the Government increased the married one earner standard rate income tax band by 10.6 per cent from €44,300 to €49,000. In addition, the main tax credits - personal tax credits, employee tax credit and earned income credit - were increased by around 7.6 per cent or €125 each from €1,650 to €1,775. It is also worth pointing out the Home Carer Tax Credit was also increased by €100 from €1,600 to €1,700 (a 6.3 per cent increase) in Budget 2023.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Summer Economic Statement (SES), which will be published in the coming weeks, will set-out a budgetary framework within which Budget 2024 can be delivered.
There will be many competing demands and asks in advance of the Budget. The Budget tax package, including the precise nature of the income tax package, will be formulated over the coming months.
Finally, as the Deputy will also appreciate it is a longstanding practice of the Minister for Finance not to comment in advance of the Budget on any tax matters that might be the subject of Budget decisions.
