Parliamentary questions

Gambling Sector

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

148. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Finance what sanctions are used for businesses operating a gaming business without a gaming licence (as per Revenue's register of gaming licences); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22250/24]

Gambling Sector

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

149. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Finance how many prosecutions have taken place of gaming establishments operating without a licence (as per the revenue.ie register of gaming licences) since 2019, per year and per county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22252/24]

Gambling Sector

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

150. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware there are casinos operating in Waterford without gaming licences in 2024 (as per Revenue's register of gaming licences); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22253/24]

Gambling Sector

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

151. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Finance the details of sanctions taken against casinos or gaming premises operating without an annual or three-month gaming licence (as per the revenue.ie register of gaming licences) since 2019, per county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22247/24]

Gambling Sector

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

152. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Finance how many gaming and casino businesses are currently operating without a licence in Ireland (as per the revenue.ie register of gaming licences); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22248/24]

Gambling Sector

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

153. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Finance how long gaming and casino businesses are allowed to operate without a licence in Ireland (as per the revenue.ie register of gaming licences) before prosecution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22249/24]

Gambling Sector

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

154. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Finance the exemptions that are in place for businesses that wish to operate a gaming premises without a gaming licence (as per the revenue.ie register of gaming licences); how any such exemptions are assessed and monitored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22251/24]

Gambling Sector

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

155. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Finance how many gaming machines are currently licensed for Waterford in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22255/24]

Gambling Sector

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

156. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Finance how many gaming machines were licensed in Waterford since 2019, per year, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22256/24]

Gambling Sector

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

157. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Finance the amount of revenue generated through gaming machines licence fees in Waterford gaming premises and casinos since 2019, per year, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22257/24]

Universal Social Charge

Pearse Doherty

158. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the estimated first- and full-year costs of reducing the first rate of USC from 0.5% to 0%, reducing the second rate of USC from 2% to 0% and increasing the threshold to the third rate of USC from €25,760 to €30,000. [22275/24]

Universal Social Charge

Pearse Doherty

159. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the estimated first- and full-year costs of reducing the first rate of USC from 0.5% to 0%, reducing the second rate of USC from 2% to 1% percent and increasing the threshold to the third rate of USC from €25,760 to €27,880; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22276/24]

Tax Exemptions

Willie O'Dea

160. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Finance if he will give consideration to increasing the annual exemption limits for tax purposes for people over the age of 65 years from €18,000 for a single person and €36,000 for a married couple, in view of the fact these exemptions have now been in place for a number of years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22295/24]

Insurance Industry

Pearse Doherty

161. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance to outline any consent to settle provisions within insurance law, whereby insurers are required to seek an insured’s approval before settling a third-party claim, in the context of reports that insurers are settling claims for amounts and reasons that are disputed by the insured; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22299/24]

Insurance Industry

Niamh Smyth

23. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Finance the steps his Department is taking to assist with the increasing price of insurance premiums, despite the fact claims are going down. [22025/24]

Financial Services

Louise O'Reilly

232. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Finance his views on individual savings account schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21224/24]

Insurance Coverage

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

233. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Finance if there are plans for a State-backed thatched cottages insurance provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21345/24]

Tax Code

Darren O'Rourke

234. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Finance if there are plans to change the way VAT is applied to licenced taxi vehicles that are rented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21349/24]

Regulatory Bodies

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

235. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Finance the number of vacant WTE staff, by job title, in the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman as of 7 May 2024; the estimated full-year cost of filling these vacancies; when each of those vacancies will be filled, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21432/24]

Housing Policy

Rose Conway-Walsh

236. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Finance if the ISIF chose to make commercial investment by lending to approved housing bodies to deliver costs rental accommodation; whether this would be included within the General Government Balance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21566/24]

Tax Data

Louise O'Reilly

237. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Finance how many companies had failed to engage with the Revenue Commissioners as of 1 May 2024 when the debt warehousing scheme ended; the total tax debt owed by this cohort; the breakdown of this information, by division and by NACE economic sector, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21610/24]

Tax Data

Louise O'Reilly

238. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Finance the amount of debt still warehoused under the tax debt warehousing scheme; the amount of this debt per division; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21611/24]

Tax Data

Louise O'Reilly

239. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Finance the amount of debt still warehoused under the tax debt warehousing scheme; the amount of this debt per NACE economic sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21612/24]

Tax Data

Louise O'Reilly

240. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Finance the amount of tax revenue lost as a result of a company becoming insolvent, bankrupt, examinership or other, that had tax debt warehoused under the tax debt warehousing scheme; the amount of tax revenue lost, in tabular form; to provide a breakdown, by amount of tax revenue lost per business size and a further breakdown per division; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21613/24]

Tax Data

Louise O'Reilly

241. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Finance the amount of tax revenue lost as a result of a company becoming insolvent, bankrupt, examinership or other, that had tax debt warehoused under the tax debt warehousing scheme; the amount of tax revenue lost; to provide a breakdown, by amount of tax revenue lost by NACE sector, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21614/24]

Employment Rights

Ged Nash

242. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance if any State, semi-State or commercial semi-State agency, under the aegis of their Department, is aware of any cases of bogus self-employment in any bodies under their remit from 2020 to 1 May 2024; if they will outline if there are currently any cases from such agencies or bodies currently before the Scope section of the Department of Social Protection for investigation or determination; if there are any Scope findings and recommendations relating to any agencies or bodies under their remit where Scope has found in favour of the worker, and where it recommended the reclassification of the workers’ employment status to that of direct employee between 2020 and 1 May 2024; if they will provide information on the numbers involved and the names of the individual agencies and bodies in all cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21691/24]

Tax Data

Peadar Tóibín

243. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Finance the amount of tax collected on green diesel in each of the past ten years and to date in 2024; and if a breakdown on type of tax can be provided, in tabular form. [21719/24]

Tax Exemptions

Jim O'Callaghan

244. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Finance if the Government has plans to review the regulations overseeing the process for VAT exemption for technology and specific sports equipment, which have been in place since 1983; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21728/24]

Primary Medical Certificates

Niall Collins

245. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Finance if a response will issue to matters raised in correspondence regarding inequality in awarding the primary medical certificate (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21776/24]

Statutory Instruments

Róisín Shortall

246. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance if he has responded to a letter from an organisation (details supplied); if in respect of SI 308 of 2023, the European Union (Anti-Money Laundering: Beneficial Ownership of Corporate Entities) (Amendment) Regulations 2023, he will meet this organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21803/24]

Departmental Advertising

Carol Nolan

247. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Finance the total costs incurred by his Department from 2019 to date relating to the placing of advertisements in print media; the names of the print media publications involved, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21864/24]

Insurance Industry

Steven Matthews

154. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Finance the actions he will take to address concerns related to the increased cost of car insurance for the majority of Irish customers; if he plans to meet with companies operating in this sector to raise these concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21143/24]

Community Development Projects

Mark Ward

155. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Finance if he can clarify if, in a situation where a local authority has awarded a grant to a community centre for works to be carried out, both the local authority and community centre have to pay the relevant contracts tax for the same work project; if not, who is responsible for paying the relevant contracts tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20993/24]

Tax Code

Paul Kehoe

156. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Finance whether he is giving any consideration to reducing the tax payable on maintenance payments received by divorced partners who have no additional income but are precluded from applying for State benefits due to their gross income from their maintenance payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21031/24]

Fiscal Data

Rose Conway-Walsh

157. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Finance if the HFA lending is included in the general Government balance projections in the stability programme update; what amount is accounted for in each year from 2024 to 2027; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21084/24]

Fiscal Data

Rose Conway-Walsh

158. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Finance if Housing Finance Agency lending is included in the general Government balance projections in the stability programme update; the amount that is accounted for in each year from 2024 to 2027; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21144/24]

Housing Policy

Rose Conway-Walsh

159. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide detail on all investments by the ISIF in public social or affordable housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21151/24]

Departmental Expenditure

Neasa Hourigan

160. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Finance the awards made both with and without a tender process to management consultancy firms (details supplied) by his Department and bodies under the aegis of his Department for each of the years 2019 to 2024, in tabular form and classed by firm; the purpose and a brief description of the awards; the value of the awards and the total amounts paid; the timeline or timeframe of the contracts; and the desired or completed output. [21172/24]

Exchequer Deficit

Pearse Doherty

161. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the source of Exchequer funding that would be required in the years 2026 and 2027 under the SPU, given the projected Exchequer deficits of €1.9 billion and €1.3 billion respectively; for example, whether the Exchequer account would be supported through borrowing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21174/24]

Tax Data

Darren O'Rourke

150. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Finance the full-year cost of abolishing stamp duty on first-time house buyers where the value of the house is less than €400,000. [20155/24]

Revenue Commissioners

Darren O'Rourke

151. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Finance the number of Revenue Commissioners staff, by grade, currently answering telephone calls on the Personal PAYE hotline. [20156/24]

Illicit Trade

Pa Daly

152. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Finance the measures he is taking with regard to the illegal importation and manufacturing of tobacco products, including cigarettes and vapes. [20218/24]

Illicit Trade

Pa Daly

153. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Finance the number of scanners the Revenue Commissioners have in possession to scan shipping containers at major ports in the State. [20219/24]

Departmental Staff

Carol Nolan

154. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Finance the number of employees within his Department and bodies under the aegis of his Department who are currently suspended on full pay pending disciplinary investigations; to outline, in tabular form, the length of time these employees have been under suspension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20314/24]

European Union

Matt Carthy

155. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Finance the EU programmes or funds outside of the multiannual financial framework that Ireland has paid into from the year 2014 to date; any receipts from same, by programme or fund, by year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20355/24]

Tax Data

Michael Ring

156. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Finance to outline the amount of USC tax paid in 2023 by a single PAYE worker who has a gross income of €60,000, €70,000, €80,000, €90,000, €100,000 and €110,000, in tabular form. [20501/24]

Tax Data

Michael Ring

157. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Finance the amount of USC tax paid in 2023 by a couple who are jointly assessed and have equal incomes which gross at €60,000, €70,000, €80,000, €90,000, €100,000, €110,000 and €120,000, respectively, in tabular form. [20502/24]

Tax Code

Claire Kerrane

158. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Finance if consideration will be given to including automatic calf feeders as VAT refundable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20743/24]

Tax Code

Noel Grealish

159. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Finance if he will help Ireland reduce carbon emissions and encourage a modal shift by reducing the tax applicable to e-bikes and other relevant modes of transport that decarbonise the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20875/24]

Motor Industry

Fergus O'Dowd

128. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 190, 191 and 192 of 23 April 2024, if he will address matters in respect of the difficulties second hand car dealers are facing with regard specifically to the mobile VRT trade appointment procedure (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19928/24]

Primary Medical Certificates

Claire Kerrane

129. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Finance in cases where an individual does not meet the criteria as laid down for a primary medical certificate (details supplied), if there is consideration of criteria being adjusted or flexible in such cases; if there are plans to revive a scheme previously in place to assist individuals not entitled to a primary certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20046/24]

Housing Schemes

Richard Boyd Barrett

117. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance what statistics are recorded regarding the recipients of the home renovation incentive, and the help-to-buy scheme with respect to the value of the relief; the number of reliefs availed of by the recipient (details supplied); the income of the recipient household; the value of the property; and the location of the property or any other details relating to the recipient household or property. [19675/24]

Revenue Commissioners

Paul Kehoe

118. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Finance further to section 39 of the Liquor Act 2000, which states that the recipient of a certificate of transfer must present this to the Revenue Commissioners within twelve months of obtaining same in order that the application for a liquor licence can be processed by the Revenue Commissioners, the reason for having a twelve months' time limit on the presentation of the certificate of transfer to Revenue Commissioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19749/24]

Revenue Commissioners

Paul Kehoe

119. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Finance further to section 39 of the Liquor Act 2000, if the certificate of transfer is presented to the Revenue Commissioners within the respective twelve months, how long the Revenue Commissioners have to process the application and issue a valid liquor licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19750/24]

Revenue Commissioners

Paul Kehoe

120. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Finance if it is legal for a premises to continue to trade on a certificate of transfer; if so, how long is it legal to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19751/24]

Revenue Commissioners

Paul Kehoe

121. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Finance if the Revenue Commissioners do not issue a liquor licence within twelve months of the expiry of the previous licence from which the certificate of transfer was derived, if it is legal for the licence applicant to continue trading indefinitely, for example for over two years on a certificate of transfer if Revenue Commissioners have not issued a liquor licence to that premises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19753/24]

Revenue Commissioners

Paul Kehoe

122. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Finance for how long it is legal to trade on a certificate of transfer before a liquor licence is issued by the Revenue Commissioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19755/24]

Customs and Excise

Paul Kehoe

123. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider postponing the introduction of carbon tax increase on agricultural diesel from 1 May 2024 to 1 October 2024 due to the additional costs imposed on contractors by the unprecedented inclement weather over the past number of months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19564/24]

Departmental Staff

Cormac Devlin

124. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Finance to detail the arrangements in place for where an employee of the Department, and each organisation under its aegis, becomes elected or co-opted to a local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19574/24]

Vehicle Registration Tax

Michael Healy-Rae

125. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Finance his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19583/24]

Customs and Excise

Michael Lowry

126. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Finance if he will postpone the planned introduction of the latest round of carbon tax increases for agricultural diesel from 1 May 2024 until 1 October 2024 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19584/24]

Housing Schemes

Michael Creed

127. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Finance when the help-to-buy scheme will be approved for persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19697/24]

Vehicle Registration Tax

Mattie McGrath

223. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance to outline the number of Ukrainians who have paid VRT on Ukrainian vehicles imported to Ireland since the beginning of 2022; to outline the position in relation to Ukrainian refugees, having imported their cars, with regard to VRT; the procedure in place to ensure that vehicles are fully compliant with Irish tax requirements and the reason cars that are in the country for more than six months are not required to meet the same criteria as vehicles owned by Irish citizens; if he will review these requirements to ensure that vehicles permanently in Ireland are subject to the same criteria as all other cars in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18990/24]

Ports Policy

Louise O'Reilly

224. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Finance the number of mobile scanners that are in place at Irish seaports; the number of fixed scanners that are in place; the locations of each; and if there are plans to increase the number of mobile scanners to increase effectiveness in tackling smuggling. [19315/24]

Pension Provisions

Jim O'Callaghan

225. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Finance whether there are plans to incentivise young people to invest in their own retirement outside of employment pension schemes and whether the 41% tax on the unrealised gains of exchange traded funds after eight years is acting as a disincentive to people investing in their own retirement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18799/24]

Tax Reliefs

Cian O'Callaghan

226. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Finance if there is a citizenship or length of residency criteria on applying for tax relief on tuition fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18817/24]

Customs and Excise

Claire Kerrane

227. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Finance if he will prevent the fuel excise increase scheduled for 1 May 2024 given the financial pressure farmers and contractors will face as a result of further increases to the cost of fuel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18826/24]

Broadband Infrastructure

Denis Naughten

228. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Finance the total number of copper communication lines within his Department that are currently in active operation and for which his Department is paying for on a monthly basis, inclusive of ISDN, PTSN and copper-based lease lines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18836/24]

Tax Rebates

Seán Canney

229. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider introducing a VAT refund scheme for first time buyers of homes to help deal with the increased cost of construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18891/24]

Business Supports

Carol Nolan

230. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Finance if there are any options available to a company that believes warehoused debt accrued under the EWSS scheme was unfairly calculated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18955/24]

Tax Credits

Martin Kenny

231. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider increasing the age tax credit in Budget 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18989/24]

Tax Rebates

Michael Healy-Rae

232. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Finance if he will address a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19008/24]

Tax Reliefs

Richard Bruton

233. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Finance if he will review the apparent obligation on a care centre to become a registered charity in order to get tax relief for the use of a wheelchair bus, used to transport persons who themselves have primary certificates establishing their severe disability; and if he will devise a simpler route of access to this tax relief. [19040/24]

Housing Schemes

Mattie McGrath

234. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he plans to review the eligibility requirement for the help-to-buy scheme whereby the mortgage for the applicants must be 70% or more of the value of the self-build, but due to the increasing cost of building, the mortgage is no longer more than 70% of the total value and the applicants have to save a bigger deposit, and are therefore not eligible for the help-to-buy scheme. [19058/24]

Customs and Excise

Richard O'Donoghue

235. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Finance if he will postpone the introduction of a carbon tax increase on agricultural diesel from 1 May 2024 to 1 October 2024, due to the escalating costs incurred by farmers over the winter period due to the bad weather; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19064/24]

Tax Rebates

John McGuinness

236. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider amending S.I. No. 266/2012 relative to the refund of VAT for touring coaches, that is, the VAT 71 refund scheme, to include bus types that are electric and low-carbon vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19068/24]

Motor Industry

John McGuinness

237. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Finance if he will expedite approval for the importing of a 2018 car by a family returning to work in Ireland (details supplied) having lived in England for the past 12 years and who are now experiencing bureaucratic challenges. [19093/24]

Tax Exemptions

Matt Carthy

238. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Finance if he will exempt capital works at grassroots sports facilities from VAT or introduce a rebate scheme in order to ensure that clubs get the maximum benefit from sports capital grants and other funding sources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19120/24]

European Union

John Paul Phelan

239. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Finance to list all Acts and statutory instruments sponsored by his Department that became law from 20 February 2020 to date in 2024 and which were necessitated, either in whole or in part, to transpose or give effect to regulations, directives or other measures passed at European Union level. [19165/24]

Tax Code

Mick Barry

240. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Finance if he will review the anomalies in the VAT treatment between different mental health professions, namely psychologists, counsellors and psychotherapists and examine a coherent and consistent approach; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19296/24]

Rental Sector

Jim O'Callaghan

241. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Finance the total number of rent tax credit claims made in each of the years 2022, 2023 and 2024, by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19338/24]

Housing Schemes

Seán Sherlock

242. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Finance if there is an appeal on the valuation of the home under the help-to-buy-scheme; if he will consider a case (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19346/24]

Tax Data

Catherine Murphy

243. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance the number and value of claims made under the charities VAT compensation scheme in each of the years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19350/24]

Philanthropy Initiatives

Catherine Murphy

244. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance the cost of supporting philanthropic giving under the new philanthropy strategy through the implementation of a direct tax incentive for major gifts of a minimum of €5,000 and maximum of €5 million; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19351/24]

Local Authorities

Catherine Murphy

245. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide the amount of grant-aid returned and or surrendered to his Department, by local authority in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, to include the heading of which it was intended for. [19360/24]

Tax Rebates

Noel Grealish

246. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Finance if he will further amend the statutory instrument which sets out the qualifying parameters for the VAT 71 refund scheme to extend qualification to low-floor EV buses, to support the objectives of accessibility and decarbonisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19382/24]

Pension Provisions

Seán Haughey

247. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Finance if he will allow householders to withdraw money from their personal pension funds in order to carry out retrofitting and insulation works to their homes without having to incur a tax obligation; if he will consult with the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications on this proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19408/24]

Fuel Prices

Cian O'Callaghan

248. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that people and families, and notably older people, are struggling due to the increased costs of home heating oil; if he will introduce measures to assist people with these rising costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19484/24]

EU Directives

Ged Nash

249. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance the background to and current situation with regard to the European Commission’s announcement of 24 April 2024 that it was sending Ireland a letter of formal notice (INFR(2024)2037) for the incorrect transposition of Directive (EU) 2018/849 on the prevention of the use of the financial system for the purposes of money laundering or terrorist financing (the 5th anti-money laundering directive); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19497/24]

Tax Data

Pearse Doherty

250. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the number of residential units subject to the 10% rate of stamp duty with respect to the acquisition of certain residential property where a person acquires at least ten such units during a 12-month period, disaggregated by county in which the property was located, in each of the years 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. [19509/24]

Tax Data

Pearse Doherty

251. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the number of residential units subject to the 10% rate of stamp duty with respect to the acquisition of certain residential property where a person acquires at least ten such units during a 12-month period; the total number of purchasers; and the total value of stamp duty paid, in each of the years 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. [19512/24]

Banking Sector

Réada Cronin

152. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Finance if he will instruct the banks, and in particular banks previously bailed out by the citizens, to make it their policy - not ‘an exception’ - that cash be accepted at teller desks for lodgement to personal accounts, without customers being requested to do so by machine and card, this being critical for people who are not tech-savvy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18574/24]

State Properties

Seán Sherlock

153. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Finance the number of properties currently in ownership by an agency (details supplied), by local authority area, by type of property and suitability for residency, in tabular form. [18632/24]

Tax Code

Pearse Doherty

154. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the estimated first-year and full-year cost of removing residential stamp duty with respect to the purchase of residential property by first time buyers for property purchase values of €500,000 or less. [18668/24]

Housing Schemes

Pearse Doherty

155. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the estimated cost to the Exchequer of the help to buy scheme in 2023, 2024 and 2025, respectively. [18671/24]

Housing Schemes

Pearse Doherty

156. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the allocation in the base as per Budget 2024 for the help to buy scheme in each of the years 2025, 2026 and 2027. [18672/24]

Housing Schemes

Pearse Doherty

157. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the estimated revenue saved were the loan to value ratio under the help to buy scheme increased to 85%. [18673/24]

Housing Schemes

Pearse Doherty

158. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the estimated revenue saved were the maximum amount of relief under the help to buy scheme reduced to €25,000 and the loan to value ratio increased to 85 %. [18674/24]

Housing Schemes

Pearse Doherty

159. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the estimated revenue saved were the maximum amount of relief under the help to buy scheme reduced to €20,000 and the loan to value ratio increased to 85 %. [18675/24]

Housing Schemes

Pearse Doherty

160. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the estimated revenue saved were the maximum amount of relief under the help to buy scheme reduced to €15,000 and the loan to value ratio increased to 85%. [18676/24]