Parliamentary questions

Banking Sector

David Stanton

46. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Finance his views on the third phase of the Switch Your Bank campaign; the effectiveness of the previous two campaigns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9712/22]

Tax Reliefs

Brendan Griffin

47. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance if his Department has considered the options available to eliminate the element of taxation impacting on the cost of purchasing or building a house as a first-time buyer and the cost of selling a house to a first-time buyer; his views on whether targeted taxation breaks for sellers to first-time buyers and to first-time buyers and self-builders themselves could significantly contribute to reducing prices for first-time buyers and self-builders, increasing available stock on the market for first-time buyers and providing first-time buyers with a competitive advantage over investors; if he will consider a new scheme as a matter of urgency in this context; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9468/22]

Insurance Industry

Dara Calleary

48. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Finance the amount by which motor insurance premiums have fallen since the current Government entered office in June 2020. [9679/22]

Tax Reliefs

Pauline Tully

49. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Finance the reason that a review of the disabled drivers and passengers scheme which he committed to have completed in 2021 was not completed in this timeframe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9704/22]

Tax Code

Éamon Ó Cuív

50. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Finance if consideration has been given to amalgamating income tax and the universal social charge into one tax raising the same revenue rather than having two separate taxes on income; the advantages of the present system over having a single coherent tax on income; the disadvantages of it from a taxpayer and Revenue Commissioners point of view; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9476/22]

Tax Reliefs

Gerald Nash

51. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance if an update will be provided on his plans to reform the way in which capital gains are treated under the Key Employee Engagement Programme; the cost of the programme to the Exchequer for each year from 2017 to 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9483/22]

Economic Policy

John Lahart

52. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Finance the action he is taking to maintain Ireland’s economic competitiveness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9494/22]

Tax Reliefs

Matt Carthy

53. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Finance when he expects to conclude a promised review into providing agricultural contractors with a similar status to farmers regarding the carbon tax on green diesel; and if it is intended to complete such a review prior to carbon tax increasing in 2022. [9371/22]

Banking Sector

Jim O'Callaghan

54. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Finance the action he can take to increase competition in the banking sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9448/22]

Tax Code

Brian Leddin

55. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Finance if his Department intends to apply reduced VAT rates to solar panels in light of the agreement reached on 7 December 2021 by the Council of the European Union (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9477/22]

Tax Avoidance

Pearse Doherty

56. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if his Department has considered developing a strategy with respect to cryptocurrency and non-fungible tokens given concerns regarding their respective use for purposes of tax avoidance, tax evasion and money laundering; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9699/22]

Mortgage Interest Rates

Bernard Durkan

57. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance if and when it might be possible for home borrowers in Ireland to borrow at interest rates equal to those available to borrowers in all other European countries given the severity of the housing shortage in Ireland, the necessity to ensure that home financing is affordable and in line with prevailing conditions in the Single Market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9487/22]

Mortgage Interest Rates

Gerald Nash

58. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance his plans to protect current and prospective mortgage holders from a rise in European Central Bank interest rates; his views on the introduction of maximum interest rates that can be contracted to each type of credit agreement as applied in some other European Union countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9485/22]

Tax Code

Brian Leddin

59. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Finance his views on the application of reduced VAT rates on the repair, rental or supply of bicycles, including e-bikes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9478/22]

Enterprise Policy

David Stanton

61. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Finance if he will report on the recently launched innovation seed fund programme; the types of companies and initiatives eligible for support under the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9702/22]

Tax Code

Aindrias Moynihan

63. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Finance if he has considered an index-linked approach to taxation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9685/22]

Film Industry

Richard Boyd Barrett

65. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance if he will clearly establish, through guidelines or in legislation, that film producer companies in receipt of section 481 film tax relief must take direct responsibility as the employers for all those working on section 481 supported film productions and end the situation in which they are denying this employer responsibility by hiding behind short-lived designated activity companies which are set up as accountancy tools for the duration of a film production and cease to exist shortly afterwards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9673/22]

Tax Reliefs

Joe Carey

66. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Finance the number of applications and the number of applications approved, respectively, under the help-to-buy scheme, by county, in each of the years from the introduction of the scheme to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3057/22]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Gerald Nash

67. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance if an update will be provided on the repayment of outstanding pandemic unemployment payment and temporary wage subsidy scheme tax liabilities; the amount repaid to date; the number of persons with an outstanding TWSS or PUP tax liability for 2020 who subsequently overpaid tax in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9482/22]

Inflation Rate

Bernard Durkan

68. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which he unilaterally or in conjunction with his European Union colleagues might seek to tackle inflation on a Europe-wide basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9486/22]

Insurance Industry

John Lahart

69. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Finance if an update will be provided on the work of the Office to Promote Competition in the Insurance Market since its establishment. [9495/22]

Inflation Rate

Richard Boyd Barrett

70. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance his views on the fact that while inflation and the cost of living increases currently taking place are severely impacting on ordinary workers and households, corporate profits continue to rise as they have done throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and over the last decade; his further views on whether new tax measures are needed to ensure that those that are doing well in the current environment contribute to easing the burden being imposed on the rest of society; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9674/22]

Tax Reliefs

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

71. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Finance the latest figures available with respect to entrepreneur relief; the total tax expenditure forgone in that year; the average costs per claimant; the number of claims in excess of €1 million of relief; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9449/22]

Tax Exemptions

Neale Richmond

72. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider making tips received in the hospitality sector tax free; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9456/22]

Tax Reliefs

Alan Dillon

73. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Finance if consideration will be given to additional tax relief measures in budget 2023 for those working from home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9669/22]

Financial Services

Cormac Devlin

74. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Finance his views on legislating on reserve requirements for banks and credit unions. [9683/22]

Real Estate Investment Trusts

Neasa Hourigan

75. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Finance his plans to review the current tax arrangements for real estate investment trusts and Irish real estate funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9533/22]

Tax Reliefs

Niamh Smyth

76. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Finance the number of persons who have received assistance under help-to-buy scheme since the start of 2021, by county; if he has plans to review or extend the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9687/22]

Tax Credits

Rose Conway-Walsh

77. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Finance when the next departmental tax expenditure evaluation will be published on the research and development tax credit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9677/22]

Insurance Industry

Cathal Crowe

78. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Finance the number of meetings, discussions and telephone calls that he, the Minister of State, special advisers and officials in his Department have had with a company (details supplied) since June 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9480/22]

Tax Reliefs

Brendan Smith

79. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance when it is proposed to appoint a new Medical Board of Appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9488/22]

Tax Reliefs

Pauline Tully

80. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Finance if a new disabled drivers medical scheme appeals board has been appointed; if not, the timeframe for when a new board will be appointed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9703/22]

Insurance Industry

Ruairí Ó Murchú

81. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Finance the status of progress made under the Action Plan for Insurance Reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9474/22]

Tax Code

Neasa Hourigan

82. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Finance if an update will be provided on his Department's work to review options now available in setting VAT rates on new sanitary products, such as menstrual cups and period proof underwear in view of the agreement reached on 7 December 2021 by the Council of the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9534/22]

Enterprise Policy

Matt Carthy

83. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Finance the sectors that will be able to avail of funding from the Irish Innovation Seed Fund Programme; and the funding allocated or ring-fenced for any of strategic opportunities. [9986/22]

Tax Reliefs

Jennifer Whitmore

218. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Finance if he will re-evaluate the bike to work scheme to cover replacement batteries for e-bikes; if there are plans to expand the back to work scheme for e-bikes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9078/22]

Tax Yield

Paul Murphy

219. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Finance the estimated amount of revenue raised by VAT, by quarter, in each of the years 2015 to 2021. [9108/22]

Tax Yield

Paul Murphy

220. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Finance the estimated amount of revenue raised from excise duty on energy products and electricity, by quarter, in each of the years 2015 to 2021. [9109/22]

Tax Yield

Paul Murphy

221. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Finance the estimated amount of revenue raised from VAT on energy products and electricity, by quarter, in each of the years 2015 to 2021. [9110/22]

Tax Yield

Paul Murphy

222. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Finance the estimated amount of revenue raised from the carbon tax, by quarter, in each of the years 2010 to 2021. [9111/22]

Insurance Industry

Pearse Doherty

223. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider legislative changes to monitor the passing on of savings from insurers to consumers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8772/22]

Tax Reliefs

Pearse Doherty

224. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the cost to the Exchequer of tax relief on pension contributions in 2019, disaggregated by salary band in intervals of €10,000, in tabular form. [9140/22]

Tax Reliefs

Pearse Doherty

225. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the number of persons who availed of tax relief on pension contributions in 2019, disaggregated by salary band in intervals of €10,000, in tabular form. [9141/22]

Tax Rebates

Michael Healy-Rae

226. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Finance when a rebate will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9145/22]

Tax Reliefs

Niamh Smyth

227. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Finance if there are schemes open to persons who are not a first-time buyer (detail supplied); if he will provide further details on such a scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9150/22]

Tax Reliefs

Paul Donnelly

228. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Finance the status of the case of a person (details supplied); when the appeals board is being appointed; when hearings will recommence; and the interim measures being considered to deal with urgent cases in order that persons in need are not disadvantaged or suffering needlessly. [9167/22]

Tax Credits

Réada Cronin

229. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Finance if his Department will examine a situation (details supplied) and the issues it raises for parents in a similar situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9184/22]

Tax Code

John Lahart

231. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Finance if he plans to change the measure whereby a childless, single person can only leave substantially less to a sibling, niece or nephew free of inheritance tax than to a son or daughter, who can inherit €335,000 from a parent before paying the tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9267/22]

Tax Reliefs

Brian Stanley

232. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Finance the total spend related to the special assignee relief programme in each of the years 2020 and 2021. [9309/22]

Tax Exemptions

Michael Creed

233. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Finance if consideration has been given to raising the age threshold for stamp duty exemption with particular reference to the next Common Agricultural Policy, CAP, period, land mobility ambition and for farmers who did not avail of green certificate courses during Covid-19 due to pandemic circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9323/22]

Customs and Excise

Marian Harkin

234. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider increasing the threshold for the value of gifts received from outside of the European Union before customs will be charged (details supplied); if he will investigate this anomaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9336/22]

Tax Reliefs

Joe Flaherty

235. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider extending the current help-to-buy scheme to cover second-hand houses for those counties such as County Longford in which there are no new build houses available (details supplied). [9343/22]

Tax Code

Emer Higgins

236. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Finance if his Department is considering reducing the VAT rate to 9% for dry-cleaning businesses in line with all other sectors of the hospitality industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9429/22]

Pension Provisions

Gerald Nash

237. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance the status of the transposition of the pan-European personal pension product regulation; the expected timeline for the transposition of the regulation into Irish law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9505/22]

Tax Reliefs

Pearse Doherty

238. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the number of applications made to the disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme in each of the years from 2018 to and including 2021. [9530/22]

Tax Reliefs

Pearse Doherty

239. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the number of applications made for the primary medical certificate with respect to the disabled drivers and disabled passengers' scheme in each of the years from 2018 to and including 2021; the number of applications rejected in each of those years; the number of applications that were rejected and subsequently appealed to the disabled drivers medical board of appeal; and the number of those appeals which were rejected or accepted in tabular form. [9531/22]

Tax Reliefs

Pearse Doherty

240. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the annual cost of the disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme to the Exchequer in each of the years 2016 to 2021. [9555/22]

Departmental Advertising

Michael Ring

241. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Finance the amount that his Department has paid for advertising, features and so on in a magazine (details supplied). [9574/22]

Tax Reliefs

Mark Ward

242. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Finance when persons with MS and other conditions who wish to appeal a decision regarding an application to the disabled drivers and passengers' scheme can expect an appeals committee to be in place and the processing of appeals to be resumed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9597/22]

Tax Exemptions

Sorca Clarke

243. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Finance the number of applications for exemption from income tax in respect of certain payments made under employment law as updated in May 2021; the number of applications approved; the number refused and the number granted upon appeal by the relevant Act in each of the years 2018 to 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9600/22]

Tax Code

Gerald Nash

244. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance his plans to abolish the prohibitive VAT rate on defibrillators; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9648/22]

Universal Social Charge

Carol Nolan

245. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide an update on the status of the universal social charge; if there are plans to abolish or substantially reduce the universal social charge or incorporate it into the wider taxation system such as PRSI; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9270/22]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Carol Nolan

246. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Finance the most up-to-date estimated cost of Covid-19-related support schemes introduced by Government from March 2019 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9271/22]

Tax Reliefs

Catherine Connolly

247. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 145 of 16 December 2021, his plans for the phasing out of the special assignee relief programme, which has a sunset date of 31 December 2022; the total cost to the Exchequer of the programme in 2020 and 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9725/22]

Tax Reliefs

Catherine Connolly

248. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Finance the status of the review of the primary medical certificate system; the engagement he or his Department has had with the Department of Children, Disability, Equality, Integration and Youth in this regard; the timeline for the review; the terms of reference of the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9727/22]

Credit Unions

Catherine Connolly

249. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Finance the status of the review of the policy framework for credit unions; the timeline for the publication of the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9728/22]

Tax Code

Niamh Smyth

250. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Finance if a matter raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied) in relation to the removal of VAT on defibrillators will be examined; the status of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9729/22]

Departmental Data

Carol Nolan

251. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Finance the number of collective asset management vehicles and undertakings for collective investment in transferable securities that are currently authorised, registered or incorporated in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9750/22]

Revenue Commissioners

Aindrias Moynihan

252. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Finance if an online tutorial could be made available to assist persons in using the online facilities of the Revenue Commissioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9751/22]

Revenue Commissioners

Aindrias Moynihan

253. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Finance the number of persons yet to make an online annual return for 2021; the number of telephone requests to the Revenue Commissioners on persons not having online facilities available to them to make changes to their Revenue Commissioners accounts for 2022 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9752/22]

Housing Schemes

Alan Dillon

254. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Finance the details of the help-to-buy scheme figures for 2021; the number of applications; the number of successful applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3049/22]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Bernard Durkan

255. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which he expects the economy to make a full recovery notwithstanding the impact of Covid-19; if the manufacturing and services sectors are likely to recover simultaneously; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7049/22]

Mortgage Interest Rates

Bernard Durkan

256. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which he discussed or intends to discuss with his European Union counterparts the higher cost of mortgages in Ireland compared with the rest of the European Union with the consequent impact on Irish citizens notwithstanding the single market. [8372/22]

Inflation Rate

Bernard Durkan

257. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which he has had dialogue and or expects to so do in the future with his European Union counterparts regarding the Europe-wide threat of inflation and its possible consequences for European stability. [8371/22]

Tax Credits

Neale Richmond

258. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Finance if he will increase the single parent carer’s credit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5309/22]

Tax Reliefs

Rose Conway-Walsh

259. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Finance the financial supports or pathways to funding that are available from his Department for a single parent of a young adult with highly complex physical and intellectual disabilities (details supplied). [5493/22]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Ruairí Ó Murchú

260. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Finance when the employment wage subsidy scheme and the Covid restrictions support scheme will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2657/22]

Financial Services

Mairéad Farrell

261. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Finance the main reasons for a significant number of rejections of consumer complaints by the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (details supplied). [9771/22]

Financial Services

Mairéad Farrell

262. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Finance if the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman is taking the position in many cases that the consumer should have been aware of misconduct (details supplied) when they signed a loan offer or when they first went into default on a loan. [9772/22]

Financial Services

Mairéad Farrell

263. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Finance the reason the Financial and Pensions Ombudsman is refusing to investigate complaints unless both parties to a joint and several accounts have signed the complaint form. [9773/22]

Financial Services

Mairéad Farrell

264. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Finance if he will report on the circa 1,200 tracker case complaints outstanding with the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman; the actions that have been taken to ensure that the backlog is cleared; and if he authorised the Ombudsman to employ additional internal and external resources to deal with this matter. [9774/22]

Financial Services

Mairéad Farrell

265. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Finance if additional resources required by the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman to deal with consumer complaints are met by the levy on the industry generating the complaints. [9775/22]

Financial Services

Mairéad Farrell

266. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Finance if is satisfied with the resources employed by the Office of the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman; and his views on the staff numbers per million of population compared to resources employed by the UK Financial Services Ombudsman. [9776/22]

Financial Services

Mairéad Farrell

267. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Finance the reason the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman spent a total of €1.8 million on legal fees in 2020. [9777/22]

Revenue Commissioners

Róisín Shortall

268. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance when the Revenue Commissioners' public office on Cathedral Street, Dublin 1 will reopen to the public; when the public inquiry telephone numbers will be available again; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9791/22]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Brendan Griffin

269. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide clarification on a matter (details supplied) in relation to the taxation of the pandemic unemployment payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9809/22]

Public Services Provision

Michael Ring

270. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Finance if his Department has won any award from a publication (details supplied); if so, when this award was won; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9832/22]

Tax Code

Eoin Ó Broin

271. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Finance the details of any recent EU VAT rule changes that relate to the reuse or renovation of public buildings as part of the EU New Green Deal. [9856/22]

Departmental Communications

John Brady

272. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Finance if he uses an application on his official Government telephone; if so, if he has the disappearing messages setting activated on the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9959/22]

Pension Provisions

Matt Shanahan

273. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Finance further to correspondence from a person (details supplied), the tax recommendations he is proposing with respect to fixed-rate pensions, which in many cases have fallen in value significantly, versus the cost of living since they were awarded; if he will make a specific alteration to the tax treatment of such pensions in order that they may track and reflect the present consumer price index rate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10015/22]

Revenue Commissioners

Eoin Ó Broin

274. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Finance when employees of the Revenue Commissioners are expected to return to providing customer services via the telephone and in person. [10028/22]

Tax Code

Eoin Ó Broin

275. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Finance if 13.5% VAT can be reclaimed on retrofit costs for homeowners; and if not, the reason. [10030/22]

Banking Sector

Bernard Durkan

276. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance if he will engage with the Central Bank and the main banks now operating in this jurisdiction with a view to ensuring the availability of home mortgages on an equal basis to residents throughout the rest of the European Union with particular reference to the need to observe the single market in terms of availability and interest costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10031/22]

Banking Sector

Bernard Durkan

277. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the way the average cost of a home loan here compares with the least expensive throughout the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10032/22]

Inflation Rate

Bernard Durkan

278. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which Ireland along with the rest of the European Union can formulate a plan to counter the inflationary tendencies currently in train; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10033/22]

Inflation Rate

Bernard Durkan

279. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which he and his colleagues in the Eurozone can combat seriously inflation affecting Ireland and other European countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10034/22]

Banking Sector

Bernard Durkan

280. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance if he is satisfied that Irish banks are adequately meeting the requirements of home borrowers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10035/22]

House Prices

Bernard Durkan

281. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance if he accepts that the going price for newly built houses becomes the base line for determining the next phase of development thereby carrying and contributing to house cost inflation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10036/22]

House Prices

Bernard Durkan

282. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the deterrents that might be introduced to prevent the situation by which a newly built house when placed on the market predetermines the inflated price of the next phase of any development; if he has a proposal to combat such inflation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10037/22]

Inflation Rate

Bernard Durkan

283. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance if current inflation rates across Europe and including Ireland can be combatted by way of a Europe-wide response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10038/22]