Written Answers Nos. 226-245
227. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 224 of 5 March 2024, if he will recontact An Post on the matter, given there has been no contact with the beneficiary since 15 December 2023 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12026/24]
View answerThe NTMA have informed me that they have contacted An Post and I understand that the issue has been resolved.
228. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Finance if he will reconsider his decision to introduce an increase in fuel excise on 1 April 2024, given the fact that the UK has just announced it will not reintroduce its increase (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12030/24]
View answer229. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Finance if he will reconsider his decision to introduce an increase in fuel excise on 1 April 2024, given the fact that the UK has just announced it will not reintroduce its increase (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12032/24]
View answer231. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Finance if he will reconsider his decision to introduce an increase in fuel excise on 1 April 2024 given the fact that the UK has just announced it will not reintroduce its increase (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12061/24]
View answer232. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Finance the steps he will take to address the matters raised in correspondence (details supplied). [12073/24]
View answer240. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Finance if he will reconsider his decision to introduce an increase in fuel excise on 1 April 2024 given the fact that the UK has just announced it will not reintroduce its increase (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12249/24]
View answer253. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Finance if he will reconsider his decision to introduce an increase in fuel excise on 1 April 2024 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12670/24]
View answer275. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Finance if he will reconsider his decision to introduce an increase in fuel excise on 1 April 2024 in light of the potential negative impact businesses in the Border region and on the cost-of-living for many workers and families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13166/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 228, 229, 231, 232, 240, 253 and 275 together.
As the Deputies will be aware, in 2022 in light of the acute impact rising prices were having on households and business, Government provided for excise rate reductions in the order of 21, 16 and 5.4 cent per litre on petrol, diesel and Marked Gas Oil (MGO) respectively. These temporary reductions were due to end initially on 31 August 2022 but following review and monitoring of fuel prices were extended until February 2023 with a phased restoration beginning in June 2023, followed by a second restoration in September 2023. A final restoration of excise rates was due to take place on 31 October 2023 but in Budget 2024, I provided for a further extension until 31 March 2024 with a phased restoration legislated to occur in two final stages on 1 April 2024 and 1 August 2024.
While I recognise that households and business continue to face challenges, the Government must strike the appropriate balance between providing support and avoiding fuelling cyclical inflationary trends.
To note national average prices have eased considerably from highs of over €2.00 per litre which we saw in 2022. As per the Central Statistics Office Consumer Price Index, average national retail prices of auto diesel and petrol have decreased from approximately €1.85 per litre in October 2023 to approximately €1.72 per litre for diesel and €1.71 for petrol in February 2024. More recently the European Commission Weekly Oil Bulletin shows that the national average price as of 11 March 2024 was approximately €1.73 for both fuels.
In conclusion, I have no plans to postpone the excise restorations of 8cpl for petrol and 6cpl for diesel, the first phase of half these amounts (4cpl and 3cpl respectively) which is due to commence on 1 April 2024.
230. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Finance the person or body that conducts the independent analysis of weekly prize bond draws conducted by the National Treasury Management Agency. [12060/24]
View answerThe NTMA have informed me that the weekly Prize Bond draws are conducted by the Prize Bond Company on behalf of the National Treasury Management Agency; The Prize Bond Company contracts Insight Statistical Consulting, Dublin to conduct independent analysis of weekly prize bond draws.
233. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Finance if consideration will be given to introducing similar tax exemptions for petrol purchased by fishermen as is available when they purchase marine diesel. [12091/24]
View answerIreland’s excise regime for fuel is governed by European Union law as set out in Directive 2003/96/EC, commonly known as the Energy Tax Directive (ETD). The ETD prescribes minimum tax rates for fuel with which all Member States must comply. Finance Act 1999 provides for the application of excise duty, in the form of MOT, to specified mineral oils, such as petrol, diesel, and kerosene, that are used as motor or heating fuels.
With regard to mineral oils used for commercial sea navigation, the ETD mandates that such use is exempt from taxation. In line with the ETD, mineral oils used for commercial sea navigation, including sea-fishing, are exempted from MOT by section 100(2)(a) of Finance Act 1999 (as amended). This means that all mineral oils, including petrol, used for commercial sea navigation are exempt from MOT.
I am advised by Revenue that a guide to commercial sea navigation reliefs is available at www.revenue.ie/en/tax-professionals/tdm/excise/mineral-oil-tax-and-carbon-charges/mineral-oil-manuals/commercial-sea-navigation-relief-guide.pdf.
Details on how MOT paid on mineral oils used for commercial sea navigation may be reclaimed using Revenue’s online e-Repayments Claims Facility are available at www.revenue.ie/en/online-services/support/documents/help-guides/mineral-oil/form-1131.pdf
In relation to VAT, the tax treatment of goods and services is subject to EU VAT law, with which Irish VAT law must comply. In accordance with the EU VAT Directive, fishers can elect whether or not to register for VAT in respect of their fishing business, and this affects how VAT incurred on their inputs (such as the purchase of marine diesel or petrol) is treated.
VAT registered fishers are entitled to reclaim VAT on marine diesel. However, VAT on petrol is not deductible by VAT registered businesses (including fishers) except where the petrol is purchased as stock-in-trade of the business (e.g. a petrol station).
Many fishers do not elect to register for VAT and therefore they are not entitled to recover VAT incurred on their inputs. However, VAT unregistered fishers may be able to claim a repayment of VAT paid on the purchase or importation of marine diesel for use on a registered sea-fishing vessel, under the Value-Added Tax (Refund of Tax) (no. 16) Order,1983. The refund order does not provide for a refund of VAT incurred on petrol and it is not possible under EU law to widen the scope of the order.
234. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 161 of 5 October 2023, if he remains committed to undertaking a review of the remittance basis of tax and the domicile levy in 2024; if he is aware that this commitment is absent in his reply to Parliamentary Question No. 233 of 1 February 2024; if he will clarify his position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12127/24]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the Remittance Basis of Taxation (RBT) concerns how non-domiciled Irish residents are taxed on their worldwide income.
The Domicile Levy was introduced in the Finance Act 2010 to ensure that Irish-domiciled individuals who meet certain criteria make a contribution to the exchequer, irrespective of where they are resident for tax purposes. The purpose of the levy is to ensure that individuals with substantial income and assets located in the State make some sort of contribution to the exchequer.
As outlined in a previous PQ response, the Commission on Taxation and Welfare (COTW) considered the remittance basis of taxation in its report entitled ‘Foundations for the Future’ which was published on 14 September 2022. As a matter of taxpayer equity, the Commission recommended that the remittance basis should only be available to resident, but non-domiciled taxpayers, for a maximum period of three years.
In due course my Department will examine all recommendations from the Commission on Taxation and Welfare’s report including the recommendation as highlighted by the Deputy regarding the remittance basis of taxation.
My Department is currently focused on the operation of the domicile levy in particular. It should also be noted that ongoing compliance activity is carried out in this area by the Revenue Commissioners.
235. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the number of applications to the mortgage interest tax credit which have been rejected on the grounds that an applicant does not have a sufficient income tax liability. [12154/24]
View answer236. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the number of applications to the mortgage interest tax credit which have been rejected on the grounds that an applicant does not have a sufficient income tax liability despite their mortgage interest costs being higher in 2023 compared to 2022. [12155/24]
View answer237. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the number of applications to the mortgage interest tax credit which have been unable to receive the full 20% relief under the credit on the grounds that an applicant does not have a sufficient income tax liability despite their mortgage interest costs being higher in 2023 compared to 2022. [12156/24]
View answer238. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the number of successful claims to date under the mortgage interest tax credit relief. [12157/24]
View answer239. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the value of money disbursed to date under the mortgage interest tax credit. [12158/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 235 to 239, inclusive, together.
Mortgage Interest Tax Relief is available to home owners with an outstanding mortgage balance on their principal private residence of between €80,000 and €500,000 on 31 December 2022.
Mortgage Interest Tax Relief is available to qualifying claimants at the standard rate of tax and is based on the increase in the interest paid in 2023 over interest paid in 2022 up to a maximum of €1,250. This equates to 20 per cent of the maximum qualifying interest of €6,250.
Where the interest payments made in respect of either the 2022 or 2023 tax years are not for a full year, pro-rating of the relief will apply, to ensure interest is applied on a period of equivalence basis and that the cap is adjusted accordingly.
In order to avail of the relief, the taxpayer must file a 2023 Income Tax Return and upload their certificate of mortgage interest for 2022 and 2023, and confirmation of their mortgage balance at 31 December 2022. Furthermore, the taxpayer must have paid Income Tax in 2023 and be compliant with Local Property Tax requirements.
I am advised by Revenue that, as of 7 March 2023, 12,107 PAYE taxpayer units have made a claim for the Mortgage Interest Tax Relief on their 2023 tax return. Of these, 138 claimants are not in a position to benefit from the credit as they did not pay Income Tax in 2023, a further 137 claimants paid tax which was less than the full credit which they claimed, and 11,832 claimants have fully benefited from the credit. Data is not available in respect of the number of people who may be entitled to claim the tax credit but who have not yet filed a return and made a claim.
I am further advised that of those claimants who benefited from the credit, 11,050 taxpayer units received a refund of tax totaling €10 million, with 919 taxpayer units either in a balanced tax position or had an underpayment reduced, by the credit being applied to their record. Revenue notes that other credits and reliefs claimed, such as health expenses, may also have contributed to the overall amount of refunds issued.
Finally, information is not yet available for self-assessed taxpayers as these taxpayers’ have until 31 October 2024 to submit their 2023 Income Tax return.
241. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance the number of exit and or severance and or redundancy packages granted by his Department, and bodies under his aegis and of bodies he funds in full or in part, of €100,000 and above but less that €200,000, by the amount and by each body in each of the years 2019 to 2023 and to date in 2024. [12349/24]
View answerIn the years from 2019 to date, my Department did not grant any exit, severance or redundancy packages of between €100,000 and €200,000.
The information in relation to bodies under the aegis of my Department is in the table below. All payments were made in accordance with guidelines issued by the Department of Public Expenditure, NPD Delivery and Reform.
The National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA), which has not implemented any redundancies since 2018, has provided the information in relation to the National Asset Management Agency (NAMA) as it assigns staff to that State Agency. NAMA, which is in wind down, has operated a redundancy scheme comprising redundancy payments and a retention payment since 2015. This scheme has been approved by the Minister for Finance since 2015. It should be noted that the details provided have been reported in the year in which the payments are accrued. This approach is consistent with the NTMA financial statements where the data is reported on an annual basis. 2023 payments have not been published yet and while they have been accrued in the draft accounts for the Comptroller and Auditor General, the amounts have yet to be paid to individuals and are not included below. Data for 2024 is not available and is therefore not included below.
|
State Body |
Year |
Number |
Total Value € |
|
Central Bank of Ireland |
2019 |
9 |
1,150,775 |
|
Central Bank of Ireland |
2022 |
1 |
140,257 |
|
Central Bank of Ireland |
2023 |
1 |
105,312 |
|
NAMA |
2019 |
4 |
445,975 |
|
NAMA |
2020 |
4 |
487,287 |
|
NAMA |
2021 |
10 |
1,199,141 |
|
NAMA |
2022 |
5 |
668,359 |
242. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Finance the number of gaming machines seized by the Revenue Commissioners under section 43 of the Finance Act 1975 in each of the years 2020 to 2023, in tabular form. [12375/24]
View answer243. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Finance the cost of storing gaming machines seized by the Revenue Commissioners under section 43 of the Finance Act 1975 in 2023. [12376/24]
View answer244. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Finance the number of licences issued for amusement machines issued in 2023; the number of licences for gaming machines issues in 2023; and the revenue collected for each. [12377/24]
View answer245. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Finance if he has estimated the revenue forgone as a result of not collecting gaming machine licence revenue in Dublin in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12378/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 242 to 245, inclusive, together.
I am advised by Revenue the number of gaming machines seized by Revenue, under section 43 of the Finance Act 1975 in each of the years 2020 to 2023 is outlined below in tabular form.
|
Year |
No. Seized |
|
2020 |
60 |
|
2021 |
0 |
|
2022 |
0 |
|
2023 |
0 |
No external cost was incurred by Revenue in 2023 for the storage of seized gaming machines.
I am further advised by Revenue that the number of licences issued for amusement machines, the number of licences issued for gaming machines and the revenue collected in 2023 for each are set out in the table below.
|
Licence Type |
Licences Issued |
Licence Duty Collected (€) |
|
Gaming Machine |
10,768 |
4,026,280 |
|
Amusement Machine |
6,119 |
754,609 |
Gaming machines are defined in section 43 of the Finance Act 1975.
There are different approaches to gaming licences in different local authority areas, as some local authorities, such as is the case in parts of Dublin, do not allow gaming. This means that operators can only make amusement machines available for play in those areas and are licensed on that basis.
Revenue’s enforcement of the law in relation to gaming licensing is based on detecting machines that are unlicensed and, in particular, detecting gaming machines that have been licensed improperly as amusement machines. Revenue adopt a risk-based approach to all interventions and continue to tackle non-compliance across all taxes and duties.
Finally, I am aware Revenue is working closely with the Department of Justice on the upcoming Gambling Regulation Bill, which will consolidate and modernise gambling legislation, including legislation relating to the gaming sector.
