Parliamentary questions

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Cormac Devlin

134. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Finance the status of his plans to assist businesses restart when the current phase of Covid-19 restrictions end. [12984/21]

Primary Medical Certificates

Denis Naughten

135. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Finance if he will report on the resumption of assessments for primary medical certificates under the disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14520/21]

Insurance Industry

Colm Burke

136. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Finance the progress made by the new office to promote competition in the insurance market to date; the level of engagement that has occurred; when a reduction in the cost of insurance is expected to take effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17082/21]

Banking Sector

Brian Stanley

137. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Finance if his Department plans proposals for a publicly owned bank. [16747/21]

Insurance Costs

Niamh Smyth

138. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Finance his plans to implement reforms in view of the increasing cost of insurance premiums; the latest discussions his Department has had on this issue; the persons or bodies with whom discussions have been held; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16829/21]

Value Added Tax

Cathal Crowe

139. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Finance if he will seek a revision to the European Union VAT directive in order that tourism activities such as surfing and kayak instruction can be reclassified to Annex III of the directive. [1711/21]

Credit Unions

Barry Cowen

140. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Finance his plans to enable credit unions to become involved in financing housing projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17174/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Jackie Cahill

141. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Finance if he will extend access to the Covid-19 restrictions support scheme for businesses and persons who do not operate in rateable premises but still face considerable overheads as part of their operating costs, such as travel counsellors, those working in the arts and on-track bookmakers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17172/21]

Interest Rates

Pa Daly

142. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Finance his views on the charging of negative interest rates on accounts used to hold funds for probate or conveyancing proceedings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16746/21]

Fiscal Policy

Peadar Tóibín

143. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Finance his plans to increase taxes or cut public services to deal with the national debt resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown. [17078/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Catherine Connolly

145. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Finance the details of the engagement he has had to date in 2021 with an organisation (details supplied) with regard to the question of reinstating the co-ordinated Covid-19 payment break regime voluntarily undertaken by the organisation in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17153/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Christopher O'Sullivan

146. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance If he has considered amending the Covid restrictions support scheme to include businesses engaged in outdoor activities that currently find themselves excluded from the scheme because they do not have a fixed premises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1854/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill

147. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Finance the details the scale of the increase in both temporary and permanent spending arising from Covid-19; the impact on the structural deficit as a consequence of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17135/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Bríd Smith

148. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance the reason workers are facing tax bills from the administration of the temporary wage subsidy scheme when the instruction to the employers was to top-up wages only to normal net amounts, effectively meaning a cut in gross pay and a saving to employers; if he will examine this position again in view of the fact that workers now facing tax bills received no improvement in their take home pay but are now presented with a tax bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17190/21]

Credit Unions

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

149. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Finance the way in which he plans to enable the credit union movement to grow as a key provider of community banking in Ireland. [17163/21]

Tax Code

Patrick Costello

312. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Finance his plans for the extension of the current 0% benefit-in-kind rate for electric vehicles when the current scheme expires in 2023. [16372/21]

Economic Data

Bernard Durkan

313. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which the economy is withstanding the double impact of Brexit since the beginning of 2021; the degree to which specific or unforeseen issues have arisen which may need a response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1835/21]

Economic Data

Bernard Durkan

314. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which Ireland’s economy is withstanding the double impact of Covid-19 since the beginning of 2021; the degree to which specific or unforeseen issues have arisen which may need a response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1836/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Neale Richmond

315. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Finance if he has considered reducing the tax liability of those whose income was supported by the temporary wage subsidy scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16377/21]

Tax Code

Niall Collins

316. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Finance his views on a matter in relation to NOx emissions charges that are being levied on older diesel vehicles (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16422/21]

Insurance Costs

Ged Nash

317. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance the percentage at which loading above the premium norm for a prospective borrower with mitigating circumstance, for example illness, becomes exempt from the legal requirement for mortgage protection insurance; if he plans to define a specific percentage loading cap above the norm given that some persons with underlying illnesses such as diabetes can be expected to pay between 200% to 450% more for mortgage protection cover (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16472/21]

Insurance Costs

Ged Nash

318. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance the process by which a prospective mortgage borrower can seek a legal exemption from the requirement for mortgage protection insurance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16473/21]

Insurance Costs

Ged Nash

319. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance his plans to update the Consumer Credit Act 1995 with respect to mortgage protection insurance given the difficulties of those with underlying conditions including Covid-19 in obtaining mortgage protection insurance at a reasonable price (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16474/21]

Insurance Costs

Ged Nash

320. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance if a relevant authority under the auspices of his Department records the number and details of cases in which prospective borrowers are refused a mortgage due to their inability to obtain reasonably priced mortgage protection insurance; if not, if he will consider mandate banks, insurance companies and brokers to report such cases to relevant authorities; the number of cases in each year since 2016 that have been refused mortgage protection insurance cover; the number of cases in each year since 2016 in which an offer of mortgage protection insurance was made with a loading of 100% above the normal premium price in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16475/21]

EU Funding

Peadar Tóibín

321. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Finance the effect that the reduction in Ireland's share of the EU recovery fund will have on the public finances. [16543/21]

EU Budget Contribution

Peadar Tóibín

322. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Finance the contribution to the EU in each of the years 2000 to 2020; and the projected contribution for the next five years. [16544/21]

Fiscal Policy

Peadar Tóibín

323. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Finance if austerity measures are being considered by his Department in response to the economic impact of Covid-19. [16545/21]

Fiscal Policy

Peadar Tóibín

324. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Finance when the banking levy is set to expire in 2021; and when will the last payment be made under the levy. [16578/21]

Fiscal Policy

Peadar Tóibín

325. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Finance his plans to extend the banking levy beyond 2021 and to replace the levy with a permanent charge on banks to repay bailout funds. [16579/21]

Economic Data

Peadar Tóibín

326. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Finance the daily cost of the lockdown measures to the economy; and the cost of lockdown measures to the economy in 2020. [16581/21]

Departmental Legal Cases

Mairéad Farrell

327. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to instances of litigation or the threat of litigation arising from the inclusion of social clauses in public procurement contracts in each of the years 2017 to 2020. [16592/21]

Value Added Tax

Sorca Clarke

328. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Finance the estimated cost if the VAT rate on older persons' personal alarms was reduced to 13.5% based upon the number in use in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021. [16659/21]

Value Added Tax

Sorca Clarke

329. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Finance the estimated cost if the VAT rate on older persons' personal alarms was reduced to 0% based upon the number in use in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021. [16660/21]

EU Funding

Mairéad Farrell

330. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Finance if Ireland’s allocation of the EU recovery and resilience fund is to be reduced in view of better than expected GDP figures; if so, the total reduction in funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16736/21]

Financial Services Sector

Neale Richmond

331. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Finance his views on financial institutions refusing to offer loans to workers whose employers are availing of Covid-19 supports or payments regardless of whether the applicant is receiving such supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16772/21]

Financial Services Sector

Neale Richmond

332. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Finance if he has engaged with the Central Bank or individual financial institutions operating in Ireland regarding the reluctance of same to offer loans to persons whose employers are availing of Covid-19 supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16773/21]

Financial Services Regulation

Ged Nash

333. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance the steps Ireland will take to support the taking forward of the recommendations in the report of the UN High-Level Panel on International Financial Accountability, Transparency and Integrity to tackle illicit finance, including international tax abuse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16862/21]

Tax Avoidance

Ged Nash

334. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance the steps Ireland will take to support the proposal for an immediate commencement to negotiations of a UN tax convention to raise standards of tax transparency and co-operation and to ensure that all countries at all levels of per capita income are included in the benefits of same as outlined in the report of the UN High-Level Panel on International Financial Accountability, Transparency and Integrity. [16863/21]

Tax Avoidance

Ged Nash

335. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance the steps Ireland will take to support the creation of an intergovernmental body under UN auspices to allow globally inclusive and transparent negotiations over international tax rules as outlined in the report of the UN High-Level Panel on International Financial Accountability, Transparency and Integrity. [16864/21]

Tax Avoidance

Ged Nash

336. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance the steps Ireland will take to ensure it participates fully in the automatic exchange of financial account information, including by providing information to lower-income countries on a non-reciprocal basis in the first instance, and by publishing information on the aggregate value of accounts on which information is provided and received by the UK under the OECD Common Reporting Standard as outlined in the report of the UN High-Level Panel on International Financial Accountability, Transparency and Integrity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16865/21]

Financial Services Regulation

Ged Nash

337. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance the steps Ireland will take to ensure it meets fully the recommendation for public registers of the ultimate beneficial ownership of each type of legal entity that it permits to be established, with the information fully verified as outlined in the report of the UN High-Level Panel on International Financial Accountability, Transparency and Integrity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16866/21]

Tax Avoidance

Ged Nash

338. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance the steps Ireland will take to meet the recommendation that all multinational companies should publish country by country reporting data as outlined in the report of the UN High-Level Panel on International Financial Accountability, Transparency and Integrity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16867/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Richard Boyd Barrett

339. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance if companies that operated the TWSS can seek to demand payments from their workforce if their employees were marginally better off in their net take home pay as a result of the way in which the scheme operated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16889/21]

Tax Credits

Pádraig O'Sullivan

340. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance his plans to extend the stay and spend tax credit initiative beyond April 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16894/21]

Banking Sector

Paul McAuliffe

341. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Finance his views on the removal of cash desk services at branches of a bank (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17048/21]

Local Authority Funding

Patrick O'Donovan

342. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Finance if a copy will be provided of the Ministerial consent signed by the Minister of State at his Department to allow Limerick City and County Council draw down funding under the large-scale sport infrastructure fund for the new athletics hub at Newcastle West, County Limerick. [17065/21]

Insurance Costs

Aindrias Moynihan

343. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Finance the legislative steps planned to tackle the ongoing high cost of insurance, especially motor insurance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1817/21]

Tax Credits

Aindrias Moynihan

344. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Finance the consideration being taken to extend the spend and stay scheme given that with the new level 5 restrictions persons are not able to avail of this scheme currently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1818/21]

Property Tax

Pádraig O'Sullivan

345. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider amending regulations with regard to the local property tax to allow more flexibility for persons who have been in receipt of Covid-19 payments for more than six months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1322/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Neale Richmond

346. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Finance his plans to extend tax warehousing without penalty to the entertainment industry until mass gatherings are permitted again; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17109/21]