Parliamentary questions

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Ged Nash

342. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance if he received advice from his officials regarding the distributional impact of the stay and spend incentive; if persons in the lower tax bracket or higher income tax bracket are more likely to avail of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20482/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Ged Nash

343. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance his plans to attach eligibility conditions pertaining to employment rights and conditions for employers availing of the stay and spend incentive; his plans for a sectorial oversight mechanism with the involvement of recognised trade unions to ensure the effective implementation of this policy with respect to workers’ rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20483/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Ged Nash

344. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance the status of his discussion with the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation regarding the proposed eligibility criteria for the stay and spend incentive; his plans to end the effective employer veto of joint labour committees for the hospitality sector to ensure workers in businesses benefiting from the scheme are protected and fairly remunerated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20484/20]

Tax Reliefs

Ged Nash

345. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance his plans for an enhanced corporate tax loss relief to provide additional liquidity supports for businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20485/20]

Tax Reliefs

Ged Nash

346. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance his plans for an income tax relief for self-employed persons to provide liquidity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20486/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Ged Nash

347. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide details relating to the issue of liability for income tax on employees availing of the temporary wage subsidy scheme; the way in which the liability for tax owed will be treated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20487/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Ged Nash

348. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide details relating to the issue of liability for income tax on employees availing of the pandemic unemployment payment; the way in which the liability for tax owed will be treated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20488/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Ged Nash

349. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance the number of employers that have returned payments made by the Revenue Commissioners under the temporary wage subsidy scheme since its inception; the amount in cash terms that has been returned to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20489/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Ged Nash

350. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance the number of compliance inspections for the temporary wage subsidy scheme; the number of Departmental staff who have been assigned to compliance duties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20490/20]

Departmental Data

Ged Nash

351. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance when the databank of his Department was last updated (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20491/20]

Mortgage Lending

Ged Nash

352. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance the steps he has taken with the banking sector to ensure that it is retaining lines of credit for mortgages to persons (details supplied) who are on the temporary wage subsidy scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20492/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Gary Gannon

353. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to employees and employers being impacted by the temporary wage subsidy scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20531/20]

Help-To-Buy Scheme

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

354. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Finance the number of applications for the help-to-buy scheme for quarters 1 and 2 in 2020; the number of applications approved in the same period; the estimated annual number of recipients of the scheme in 2020 and 2021; the estimated median payment under the scheme; and the estimated expenditure per year. [20544/20]

Departmental Staff

Catherine Murphy

355. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a schedule of advisers, special advisers and seconded civil servants currently working in his Department appointed and-or recruited and-or in an acting capacity; the roles and responsibilities attributed to each; and the salary scale for the role in tabular form. [20619/20]

Help-To-Buy Scheme

Catherine Murphy

356. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance the number of recipients of the help-to-buy scheme in 2020; the median payment under the scheme; and the expenditure to date. [20631/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Pearse Doherty

357. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the way in which tax liability outstanding for payments received through the temporary wage subsidy scheme will be collected in cases in which the liability exceeds the value of unused tax credits for 2020; if that outstanding liability is to be collected against future tax credits; if so, the time period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20745/20]

Tax Data

Pearse Doherty

358. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the estimated number of persons that have benefitted from guidelines issued by the Revenue Commissioners under which the 183-day rule for tax residence has been relaxed in cases in which the person is prevented from leaving the State due to force majeure circumstances in the context of Covid-19; the estimated cost of the guidelines in comparison to if they had not been issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20746/20]

Tax Data

Pearse Doherty

359. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the number of persons availing of the special assignee relief programme in 2019, disaggregated by salary in intervals of €10,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20747/20]

Tax Data

Pearse Doherty

360. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if persons availing of the special assignee relief programme will be removed from the programme if found to be travelling to countries in contravention of the Covid-19 general travel advisory in operation by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20748/20]

Departmental Expenditure

Bríd Smith

361. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance the payments for services or goods by his Department to a company (details supplied) since 2015. [20776/20]

House Prices

Pearse Doherty

362. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if an impact assessment has been undertaken with respect to the recent amendments to the help to buy scheme; if the level of support available to first-time buyers will be increased to the lesser of €30,000 or 10% of the purchase price, in particular with regard to the impact of the changes on house prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20841/20]

Legislative Measures

Pearse Doherty

363. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the estimated cost of measures implemented in sections 10 and 11 of the Financial Provisions (Covid-19) (No.2) Bill 2020. [20842/20]

Legislative Measures

Pearse Doherty

364. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the estimated quantum of tax rebate due to sole traders or members of partnerships, disaggregated by intervals of €1,000, under the provisions of Section 10 of the Financial Provisions (Covid-19) (No.2) Bill 2020. [20843/20]

Insurance Coverage

Brendan Smith

365. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance the outcome of the most recent discussions with insurance companies in relation to the need to honour claims for business interruption; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20872/20]

Illicit Trade

Brendan Smith

366. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance his plans to implement additional measures to counteract cross-Border smuggling and illegal trade in products such as fuel, tobacco and alcohol; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20873/20]

Departmental Advertising

Alan Kelly

367. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Finance if his Department has carried out advertising campaigns to promote policies or programmes being implemented by same; if so, if he will provide the details of the campaign or relevant programme; the cost of advertising in publications, broadcast advertising, outdoor advertising; the cost of consultancy or production costs in each of the past two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21028/20]

Banking Sector

Bernard Durkan

368. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance if he is satisfied that all customers of lending institutions that availed of a Covid-19 related break in their payments are subsequently being treated in accordance with best practice in view of the existence of numerous incidences in which serious penalties have been imposed costing the borrower up to 20% extra; if doubt has been expressed by the lenders as to whether they can facilitate the borrower that is willing to forgo the repayment holiday on foot of upfront cash payment with the response from the lenders that it may not be possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21056/20]

Help-To-Buy Scheme

Jackie Cahill

123. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Finance if existing help-to-buy approvals which have not been drawn down will be eligible for the expanded figure announced in the July stimulus package; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19463/20]

Tax Code

Mairéad Farrell

124. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Finance the tax expenditures and the cost of each to the Exchequer in each of the years 2017 to 2019 and to date in 2020, in tabular form. [19220/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Michael Fitzmaurice

125. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Finance if an explanation will be provided of the working document circulated by the EU Commission to the European Parliament of 27 May 2020 SWD(2020) 98 (details supplied) which identified the recovery needs of Europe; the final debt liabilities that Ireland will be accountable for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19255/20]

Freedom of Information

Mairéad Farrell

126. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Finance the number of freedom of information requests being processed by his Department; the number that have had the deadline for reply extended; the number at least one week, two weeks. one month and over one month overdue, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19351/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Brendan Griffin

127. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance the reason the rate of wage subsidy payment to an employee (details supplied) in County Kerry has been reduced; if the rate will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19386/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Alan Farrell

128. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Finance if there has been communication between his Department and the major financial institutions to advocate on behalf of customers in the final stages of draw down of their mortgage who have been informed they cannot proceed due to the fact they have been placed on the temporary wage subsidy scheme by their employer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19395/20]

Equality Proofing of Budgets

Jennifer Whitmore

129. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Finance the way in which the commitment to gender and equality proofing will be reflected in the October financial strategy and budget 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19448/20]

Equality Proofing of Budgets

Jennifer Whitmore

130. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Finance the way in which the public sector equality and human rights duty will be reflected in the October financial strategy and budget 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19449/20]

Tax Data

Denis Naughten

131. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Finance the number of PAYE taxpayers issued with a tax refund in each of the past five years; the value of refunds in each year; the measures he is taking to ensure that taxpayers avail of tax reliefs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19460/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Richard Boyd Barrett

132. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance the income supports he plans to put in place for taxi drivers and arts, music, event and live entertainment workers in the July stimulus in view of the fact that these categories of workers will not see their industry return to pre-Covid-19 pandemic levels of activity in the medium term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19547/20]

Travel Insurance

Catherine Murphy

216. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to instances of insurance companies refusing to issue travel insurance to persons who need to travel abroad for essential work purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18141/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Patricia Ryan

217. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Finance if the planned tax rebate on tourism spending will extend to spending to the entirety of the island of Ireland. [18745/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Paul Donnelly

218. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Finance the reason the temporary wage subsidy scheme for the hospitality industry is based on earnings in January and February of 2020 where that industry would traditionally either close or have a quiet period in those months (details supplied). [19043/20]

EU Budget Contribution

Mattie McGrath

219. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the planned contribution by Ireland to the EU Budget over the next seven years; the justification for Ireland being the second highest contributor per capita to the EU Budget, second only to Luxembourg; the efforts that were made to seek a write down and reduction of the contribution in view of the write down received by Germany, Holland, Sweden and others; if efforts will be made to seek a reduction in the contribution by Ireland in view of the financial difficulties facing Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19028/20]

Corporation Tax

Paul McAuliffe

220. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Finance if the State is responsible for the costs associated with the management of the funds of a company (details supplied) while they were in an escrow account; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17992/20]

Tax Code

John Lahart

221. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Finance his plans to make changes to the inheritance tax thresholds in Budget 2021. [18179/20]

Credit Unions

John Lahart

222. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Finance his plans to carry out a review of credit union legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18221/20]

Value Added Tax

Marian Harkin

223. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Finance his plans to include counsellors and psychotherapists on the list of health professionals who are VAT exempt; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18244/20]

Sustainable Development Goals

Gary Gannon

224. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Finance the way in which the commitment to the sustainable development goals will be reflected in the Strategy and Work Plan 2020-2025 of his Department; and the way in which progress towards achieving the goals will be monitored and reported annually. [18273/20]

Help-To-Buy Scheme

Robert Troy

225. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Finance if a person can retrospectively apply for the help to buy initiative if they satisfy all of the conditions in cases in which they were not aware of the scheme's existence and where the home was constructed in 2018. [18284/20]

Living City Initiative

Neasa Hourigan

226. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Finance his plans to expand the living city initiative to include all inner-city areas of Dublin city rather than just those designated special regeneration areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18327/20]

EU Budget Contribution

Michael Fitzmaurice

227. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Finance if the net contribution made by Ireland to the EU recovery fund is €15.7 billion in accordance with a document in circulation at the European Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18372/20]

EU Budget Contribution

Michael Fitzmaurice

228. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Finance the net contribution of Ireland to the EU budget in 2019 and 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18373/20]