Parliamentary questions

EU Budgets

Michael Fitzmaurice

229. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Finance his views on whether entering deeper into the EU debt is good for the financial health and sovereignty of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18374/20]

Mortgage Lending

Niamh Smyth

230. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Finance if he will review the case of a person (details supplied); if he will provide advice on the matter; if he will address the issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18411/20]

Insurance Industry

Niamh Smyth

231. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Finance if he will review a matter (details supplied); the steps he is taking to resolve these issues for local businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18414/20]

EU Budget Contribution

Carol Nolan

232. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Finance the net contributions Ireland will have to make to the EU Multi-Annual Financial Framework in each year until 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18420/20]

Value Added Tax

James Browne

233. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding homecare providers seeking VAT exemption from the Revenue Commissioners using HSE verification; the way in which a private homecare provider can secure such HSE verification for the purposes of VAT exemption; if VAT exemption provides coverage for all homecare services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18525/20]

Customs and Excise

Emer Higgins

234. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Finance the amount of nitrous oxide seized by customs each year since 2015 to 2019 and to date in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18610/20]

Revenue Commissioners

Catherine Murphy

235. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance the amount of cash seized by the dog detector unit of the Revenue Commissioners from 1 October 2019 to date in 2020; the estimated value of narcotics, prescription drugs and tobacco products detected by the unit over the same time period; if food substances have been seized over the same time period; if the Revenue Commissioners plan to expand the unit; if so, if a business case has been submitted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18666/20]

Value Added Tax

Sorca Clarke

236. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Finance the justification for the 23% VAT on adult life jackets; if he will consider reducing same to zero; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18684/20]

Ministerial Briefing

Gerald Nash

237. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance if a copy of the briefing documents provided to him upon his appointment to his Department will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18722/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Gerald Nash

238. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance the number of employers using the temporary wage subsidy scheme entering €0.01 on the system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18723/20]

EU Issues

Gerald Nash

239. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance his views on the proposed EU digital tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18724/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Gerald Nash

240. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance his views on the recent agreement regarding the European recovery fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18725/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Gerald Nash

241. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance if social conditionality as implemented in other EU countries has been attached to the July stimulus package; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18726/20]

Insurance Industry

Gerald Nash

242. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance the status of his discussions with other Ministers regarding the implementation of a cross-Departmental insurance reform agenda; the deadline for completion of insurance reforms outlined in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18727/20]

Pensions Reform

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill

243. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider introducing a provision to exempt persons with small pension funds from the 4% drawdown requirement currently applicable to PRSA funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18729/20]

Value Added Tax

Patricia Ryan

244. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Finance if he will set the VAT rate on PPE masks to 0%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18738/20]

Tax Code

Pearse Doherty

245. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the estimated full-year revenue in 2021 that would be raised by tapering out the personal, PAYE and earned income credit by 2.5% per €1,000 on individual income between €100,000 and €140,000 per year resulting in no entitlement to these tax credits in cases in which income is in excess of €140,000 based on the latest individualised income figures available to the Revenue Commissioners. [18755/20]

Universal Social Charge

Pearse Doherty

246. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the estimated full-year revenue in 2021 that would be raised by introducing an additional USC rate of 5% on individual incomes in excess of €140,000 based on the latest individualised income figures available to the Revenue Commissioners. [18756/20]

Tax Code

Pearse Doherty

247. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the estimated full-year cost in 2021 of abolishing the local property tax and replacing the funding with central funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18757/20]

Property Tax

Pearse Doherty

248. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the estimated full-year revenue in 2021 that would be raised by introducing a non-principal private residence charge of €400 on properties indicated as such by owners in local property tax returns and including commercial landlords but excluding local authorities and approved housing bodies. [18758/20]

Tax Code

Pearse Doherty

249. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the estimated full-year revenue in 2021 from raising the rate of commercial stamp duty to 9%, 10%, 11% and 12.5%, respectively. [18759/20]

Pensions Data

Pearse Doherty

250. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the estimated full-year revenue in 2021 that would be raised by reducing the ceiling earnings cap for occupational pension schemes, RACs and PRSAs from €115,000 to €90,000, €80,000, €70,000 and €60,000, respectively. [18760/20]

Pensions Data

Pearse Doherty

251. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the estimated full-year revenue in 2021 that would be raised by reducing the standard fund threshold from €2 million to €1.7 million, €1.5million and €1.2 million, respectively. [18761/20]

Help-To-Buy Scheme

Pearse Doherty

252. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the estimated full-year revenue in 2021 that would be raised by abolishing the help to buy scheme. [18762/20]

Tax Code

Pearse Doherty

253. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the estimated full-year revenue in 2021 that would be raised by abolishing the special assignee relief programme. [18763/20]

Mortgage Interest Relief

Pearse Doherty

254. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the full-year cost and budgetary impact in 2021 of maintaining the current rate of mortgage interest relief; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18764/20]

Tax Reliefs

Pearse Doherty

255. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the estimated full-year cost in 2021 of restoring trade union tax relief at the level it was at before its abolition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18765/20]

Tax Credits

Pearse Doherty

256. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the estimated full-year cost in 2021 of increasing the earned income credit to the same level as the PAYE credit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18766/20]

Real Estate Investment Trusts

Pearse Doherty

257. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the estimated full-year revenue in 2021 that would be raised by introducing a minimum dividend withholding tax rate of 33% on all dividends paid by REITs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18767/20]

Irish Real Estate Fund

Pearse Doherty

258. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the estimated full-year revenue in 2021 that would be raised by introducing a minimum dividend withholding tax rate of 33% on all dividends paid by IREFs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18768/20]

Tax Reliefs

Pearse Doherty

259. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the estimated full-year cost in 2021 of introducing a tax relief of 8.33%, that is, equivalent to one month's rent paid by all renters not in receipt of other State assistance on a refundable basis. [18770/20]

Tax Code

Pearse Doherty

260. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the estimated full-year revenue in 2021 that would be raised by increasing the rate of capital acquisitions tax by 3% to a rate of 36%.. [18771/20]

Tax Code

Pearse Doherty

261. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the estimated full-year revenue that would be raised in 2021 if intangible assets on shored between 2015 and 2018 were taxed at the current cap of 80%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18772/20]

Corporation Tax

Pearse Doherty

262. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the estimated full-year additional corporation tax that could be expected in 2021 if the bailed out banks had applied to them a 25% limit on losses that could be carried forward in a year and a five-year absolute limit in which such losses could be used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18773/20]

Tax Code

Pearse Doherty

263. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the estimated full-year additional revenue in 2021 that would be raised by increasing the bank levy by each of 10 percentage points and by 10%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18774/20]

Financial Services Regulation

Pearse Doherty

264. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the estimated full-year saving in 2021 that would accrue from moving the entire cost of regulation of the financial sector onto the industry with the exception of credit unions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18775/20]

Tax Code

Pearse Doherty

265. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the estimated full-year revenue that would be raised in 2021 by increasing excise duty on a packet of cigarettes by 30 cents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18778/20]

Tax Code

Pearse Doherty

266. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the estimated full-year revenue in 2021 that would be raised by reducing the group A tax free threshold, referring to capital acquisitions tax, from €335,000 to €320,000, €310,000, €300,000, €280,000 and €250,000, respectively. [18779/20]

Value Added Tax

Cormac Devlin

267. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider reducing VAT and other stimulus measures for the car rental industry in view of the impact of Covid-19 on the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18865/20]

Insurance Industry

Marc MacSharry

268. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Finance the steps business owners should take whose respective insurance companies will not pay out on claims for business interruption due to Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18893/20]

Tax Clearance Certificates

Seán Haughey

269. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Finance if he will enquire with the Revenue Commissioners if it is in a position to issue tax clearance certificates to four related companies (details supplied) in order that they are eligible for reopening grants administered by Dublin City Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18903/20]

Mortgage Schemes

Fergus O'Dowd

100. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance if he will address a matter contained in correspondence (details supplied) in relation to a mortgage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17699/20]

Revenue Commissioners

Fergus O'Dowd

101. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance if he will address a matter in correspondence (details supplied) in relation to the Revenue.ie online system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17709/20]

Insurance Industry

Niamh Smyth

102. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Finance if the case of a person (details supplied) will be reviewed; if he will liaise with insurance providers to refund and or rebate to all customers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17718/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Michael Healy-Rae

103. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Finance if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding bus operators; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17731/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Michael Healy-Rae

104. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Finance if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding bus tour operators; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17732/20]

Banking Sector

Michael Healy-Rae

105. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Finance if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding a letter of apology sent by a bank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17753/20]

Ireland Strategic Investment Fund

Denis Naughten

106. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Finance the steps taken to date to divest from fossil fuel investments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17943/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Alan Dillon

94. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Finance if he will respond to a call by performers and crew in the live entertainment industry to retain the temporary wage subsidy scheme and to provide other supports and grants for those in that sector who are uncertain as to when they will return to work in view of social distancing rules; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17545/20]

Civil Service

Ruairí Ó Murchú

95. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the case of a retained firefighter (details supplied) that works as a civil servant for a State agency and has been informed that they are no longer allowed to leave work to carry out their duties as a retained firefighter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16793/20]

Insurance Coverage

Niamh Smyth

96. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Finance the steps he is taking to reprimand insurers that are not supporting or honouring policies with publicans during this difficult time for businesses due to Covid-19. [17461/20]

Tax Collection

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill

97. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider extending the payment date on inheritance tax as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic in view of the fact many will have been unable to prepare and sell properties in time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17485/20]

Tax Data

Jim O'Callaghan

98. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Finance the level of excise duty raised by the Exchequer via on-trade alcohol sales from pubs per month during 2019, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17508/20]

Fiscal Policy

Róisín Shortall

99. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance his views on establishing a national wealth fund which would see the State make investments which would be collectively owned by Irish persons that would have the right to draw down funds over the course of their lifetime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17587/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Danny Healy-Rae

100. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Finance his plans to support jobs in the tourism-related sector (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17608/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Danny Healy-Rae

101. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Finance if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding the wage subsidy scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17609/20]

Help-To-Buy Scheme

Eoin Ó Broin

182. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Finance the number of help-to-buy grant applications received; the number of applications that reached claim stage; and the number of claims approved under the help to buy scheme in quarters 1 and 2 of 2020. [16554/20]

Tax Code

Cathal Crowe

183. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Finance if he will clarify the position on a possible tax bill for those on the temporary wage subsidy scheme or pandemic unemployment payment support payments. [16682/20]

Help-To-Buy Scheme

Matt Carthy

184. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Finance his plans to amend the help-to-buy scheme for persons who build their own home in order that the reckonable limits apply to the cost of the home rather than that LTV rate in view of the fact that the current conditions discriminate against rural dwellers who build on their own land; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17027/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Éamon Ó Cuív

185. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Finance the reason employers are not entitled to the temporary wage subsidy for workers who commenced work in early March 2020 and are eligible for the pandemic unemployment payment; his plans to correct the anomaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17057/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Louise O'Reilly

186. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Finance his plans to maintain the temporary wage subsidy scheme for those involved in the entertainment industry until such time as mass gatherings are permitted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17140/20]

Licence Applications

Cian O'Callaghan

187. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Finance the number of licences that have been issued under the Intoxicating Liquor (Breweries and Distilleries) Act 2018; the number that are distilleries, breweries or cider makers in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17153/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

John Lahart

188. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Finance his plans to extend the temporary wage subsidy scheme for sectors, employers and self-employed persons that continue to be affected by Covid-19-related measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17308/20]

Value Added Tax

Steven Matthews

189. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the campaign by yoga studio owners about their existing VAT rate; and his views on the matter. [17330/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

James Browne

190. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Finance the position on the ability of a person (details supplied) to avail of the temporary wage subsidy scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16521/20]

Ministerial Advisers

Catherine Murphy

191. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance the number of advisers and special advisers appointed by him since becoming Minister; the starting annual salary of each person appointed by him; if an open interview process was conducted for each appointee; the duration and terms of each contract issued to each adviser and special adviser; and if an advisory role has been split to facilitate job sharing in tabular form. [16563/20]

Economic Data

Richard Bruton

192. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the estimate for the level of private sector investment in 2021 compared with projections made in the pre-Covid-19 period; and the scope for filling the shortfall by accelerated public activity in direct investment or by the development of sectoral strategies. [16577/20]

Tax Data

Louise O'Reilly

193. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Finance if his Department has calculated the potential extra yields if the levy charged on NOx milligram per kilometre under the vehicle registration tax environmental health, or NOx, surcharge was doubled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16580/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Danny Healy-Rae

194. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider extending the temporary wage subsidy scheme to include employees who were not employed by a company in January and February 2020. [16685/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Danny Healy-Rae

195. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Finance if he will change the rules of the temporary wage subsidy scheme in order that employees who are now on more hours than they were in January or February 2020 will receive the temporary wage subsidy scheme for all hours worked rather than only for the hours they were working before the lockdown. [16686/20]

Insurance Costs

Joe O'Brien

196. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Finance his plans to address the issue of rising insurance premiums, especially in the context of the risk they pose to the viability of many SMEs. [16761/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Richard Bruton

197. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the data his Department is tracking in respect of landlord and bank dealings with enterprises impacted by Covid-19; and the policy initiatives under consideration to ensure that the appraisal of such bodies does not hamper the successful reopening of enterprises which can be made viable in the medium term. [16798/20]

Departmental Contracts

Maurice Quinlivan

198. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Finance the value of contracts awarded to a company (details supplied) and its subsidiaries by his Department and each body and local authority under his remit from 1 January 2016 to 14 July 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16847/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Ged Nash

199. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance the percentage of employees on the temporary wage subsidy scheme receiving a top-up amount between €1 to €100 at intervals of €10, in tabular form; if he plans to introduce compulsory top-up payments similar to comparative EU wage subsidy schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16868/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Ged Nash

200. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance the status of the compliance programme introduced last month to ensure correct operation of the temporary wage subsidy scheme; the number of firms audited to date as a percentage of those currently availing of the scheme; the number of breaches found to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16869/20]

Banking Sector

Ged Nash

201. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance the status of his latest meeting with individual banks; the details of his discussions with the banks on the charging of interest to customers on Covid-19 mortgage payment breaks; if he directed the banks to cease charging interest on mortgage payment breaks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16870/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Ged Nash

202. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance his plans to follow other EU countries in prohibiting firms availing of the temporary wage subsidy scheme from dismissals on economic grounds; if he will seek the full repayment of the compensation per each employee in the case of dismissal on economic grounds; if he will oblige employers to reach an agreement with trade unions or other worker representatives in the case of large-scale dismissals, that is, of 20-plus employees, on economic grounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16871/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Ged Nash

203. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance if he will oblige firms availing of the temporary wage subsidy scheme to include a compulsory retraining or reskilling plan for their employees as with comparative schemes in other EU countries; if he will consider introducing an in-work training subsidy to support such measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16872/20]

EU Investigations

Ged Nash

204. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance his views on the judgment of the General Court of the European Union on the appeal by Ireland and a company (details supplied) against the €13 billion tax ruling by the European Commission; the legal expenses on the case to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16873/20]

Tax Avoidance

Ged Nash

205. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance his views on reported plans of the European Commission to reduce multinational tax avoidance using Article 116 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union; his further views on such measures to clamp down on multinational tax avoidance in his new role as President of the Eurogroup; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16874/20]

Housing Data

Eoin Ó Broin

206. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 58 of 30 June 2020, the reason for the difference in the figures provided in the response (details supplied). [16906/20]

Cycling Policy

Patricia Ryan

207. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Finance if he will widen the eligibility of the bike-to-work scheme; if he will provide an increased proportionate allowance for e-bikes and cargo bikes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16956/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Brendan Smith

208. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance if urgent consideration will be given to the requests of a federation (details supplied) for specific supports for a sector in view of its importance for employment in counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16984/20]

Housing Issues

Brendan Smith

209. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance if the statutory agencies of the State will assist persons who purchased apartments and have been denied access to their properties (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16994/20]

Value Added Tax

Róisín Shortall

210. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance if he is considering a campaign by alcohol producers to reduce the VAT rate for on-trade alcohol products in view of the serious health risks associated with increased alcohol consumption, alcohol-related harm and the debilitating impact of alcohol in society here. [17082/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Danny Healy-Rae

211. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider extending the temporary wage subsidy scheme to include employees who were not employed by a company in January and February 2020 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17164/20]

Property Tax

John Brady

212. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Finance the amount of local property tax collected in County Wicklow in each of the years 2015 to 2019 and to date in 2020, in tabular form. [17361/20]

Property Tax

John Brady

213. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Finance the number of properties in County Wicklow that are exempt from payment of the local property tax in each of the years 2015 to 2019 and to date in 2020, in tabular form. [17363/20]

Property Tax

John Brady

214. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Finance the number of households in County Wicklow that have deferred paying the local property tax in the county in each of the years 2015 to 2019 and to date in 2020. [17364/20]

Property Tax

John Brady

215. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Finance the number of properties in County Wicklow that pay local property tax in each of the valuation bands in each of the years 2015 to 2019 and to date in 2020, in tabular form. [17365/20]

Property Tax

John Brady

216. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Finance his plans to review the local property tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17366/20]

Tobacco Smuggling

Brendan Smith

217. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance if the issues raised by a group (details supplied) regarding the need to implement additional measures to counteract cross-Border smuggling and illicit trade in products such as tobacco, alcohol and fuel products will be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17426/20]

Economic Growth Rate

Mick Barry

12. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Finance his views on the latest European Commission forecast for economic growth and the implications for the fiscal position of the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16229/20]

Stability and Growth Pact

Éamon Ó Cuív

13. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Finance if an indication has been received from the EU based on the Stability and Growth pact report forwarded to the EU in April 2020 regarding the likely borrowing that will be permitted to Ireland in 2021 to reboot the economy after the Covid-19 crisis; if the EU has not given this indication, when it is likely to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15669/20]

Economic Policy

Bernard Durkan

14. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance his views on the most effective measures that are likely to impact positively on the economy in view of Covid-19 in the shortest possible time in the context of economic recovery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16197/20]

Commercial Rates

Paul Murphy

15. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if highly profitable companies will be excluded from the suspension of rates. [16310/20]

Insurance Costs

James Browne

17. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Finance the steps he plans to take to tackle high insurance premiums here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16105/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Pearse Doherty

18. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if an extension of the temporary wage subsidy scheme will be considered for sectors and employers that continue to be affected by public health measures; his plans to discontinue, modify or taper payments under the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16299/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Ged Nash

19. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance his plans to reform the temporary wage subsidy scheme into a short-term work and training scheme akin to the German Kurzarbeit model; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16292/20]

Economic Policy

Bernard Durkan

20. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance his views on whether financial supports to restart the economy in the aftermath of Brexit and Covid-19 are realisable and will be effective in the short to medium term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16198/20]