Parliamentary questions

Financial Services

Róisín Shortall

92. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance if he plans to introduce regulations outlining the forms of identification which financial institutions may request when a customer applies to open a new bank account; if his attention has been drawn to concerns that banks are relying on passports as a form of identification which is costly in cases in which a person has an out-of-date passport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23707/22]

Departmental Priorities

Emer Higgins

93. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Finance if he will outline proposals to support small businesses to cope with the increasing costs of heat and electricity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23766/22]

Financial Services

Neasa Hourigan

94. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the recent purchase of a large number of ATMs by a company (details supplied) from pillar banks; if the companies that operate ATMs but are not operating as a licensed bank are regulated by the Central Bank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23847/22]

Financial Services

Neasa Hourigan

95. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Finance the number of ATMs in the State, by county. [23848/22]

Wildlife Conservation

Holly Cairns

96. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Finance if his Department and public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit have policies in place to install artificial structures that provide shelter and habitat space for wild species such as, but not limited to, insect hotels, bat boxes, nesting towers and beehives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23855/22]

State Claims Agency

Cormac Devlin

97. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide an update from the State Claims Agency on the number of claims outstanding for more than five years; the value and volume of cases concluded on a settled or contested basis by year and sector in each of the years 2016 to 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23867/22]

Departmental Data

Cormac Devlin

98. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Finance the number of lifetime loans that have been issued to older persons over the past five years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23868/22]

Tax Code

Catherine Murphy

261. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if schools can claim a VAT rebate in the context of being in possession of a charity number. [22586/22]

Tax Code

Cian O'Callaghan

262. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Finance the preparation work that has been carried out to enable a new vacant property tax to be introduced in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22597/22]

Banking Sector

John Lahart

263. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Finance his views on the practice of banks of charging negative interest charges to client accounts held on behalf of clients by solicitors who have their office accounts charged by the banks and have to pass on these negative interest rate charges to their clients as a consequence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22625/22]

Primary Medical Certificates

John Lahart

264. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Finance the reason for the delay in assembling an appeals board in respect of the primary medical certificate; the plans that are in place in respect of the backlog of those awaiting an appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22632/22]

Banking Sector

Bernard Durkan

265. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which it will be possible to restore the automated teller machine, ATM, services to Leinster House given the large number of persons who used the service with the exception of the period during the lockdown; if the major banks wish to provide a service perhaps an alternative can be proposed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22684/22]

Prize Bonds

Bernard Durkan

266. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the total number of prizes won by prize bond holders on a monthly basis in each of the past two years to date; the extent to which ongoing supervision and monitoring of the draws takes place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22687/22]

Tax Code

Catherine Murphy

267. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance his views in relation to allowing all schools to claim VAT back in the same way as other entities with charity numbers; the estimated costs involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22689/22]

Defective Building Materials

Thomas Pringle

268. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider establishing a scheme of tax credits in budget 2023 for owner-occupiers of defective apartments and duplexes to offset remediation costs similar to the way buy-to-let owners can offset liabilities again profit and loss; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22783/22]

Tax Reliefs

Pearse Doherty

269. 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. [22937/22]

Tax Reliefs

Pearse Doherty

270. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the number of persons availing of tax relief on pension contributions in 2019 disaggregated by salary band in intervals of €10,000, in tabular form. [22938/22]

Revenue Commissioners

Alan Kelly

271. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Finance if he will request the Revenue Commissioners to extend their opening hours of PAYE telephone line queries until 5 pm, five days a week. [22948/22]

Social Media

Holly Cairns

272. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Finance the percentage of social media posts made on each of his departmental social media accounts or the social media accounts of public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit that were exclusively in Irish between 1 May 2021 and 30 April 2022, inclusive; the percentage of same that feature bilingual translations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23048/22]

Social Media

Holly Cairns

273. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Finance the percentage of social media posts made on each of his departmental social media accounts or the social media accounts of public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit that were exclusively in languages other than English or Irish between 1 May 2021 and 30 April 2022, inclusive; the percentage of same that featured languages other than English or Irish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23066/22]

Social Media

Holly Cairns

274. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Finance the percentage of social media videos posted on each of his departmental social media accounts or the social media accounts of public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit that included closed captioning and or subtitling between 1 May 2021 and 30 April 2022, inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23084/22]

Budget Process

Mark Ward

275. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Finance if he will outline the way in which budget 2023 announcements will be delivered in a clearer way outlining the amounts that are new announcement and which are existing announcements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23099/22]

Tax Code

Pearse Doherty

276. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the amount of debt warehoused by high wealth individuals through the debt warehousing scheme disaggregated by tax head; and the number of high-wealth individuals that have warehoused debt through the scheme. [23127/22]

Ukraine War

Richard Boyd Barrett

277. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide details of contracts awarded in 2022 by his Department or bodies under his aegis outside the standard procurement process in order to assist the arrival of refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23194/22]

Departmental Contracts

Peadar Tóibín

278. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Finance if his Department employs persons or firms to deal with public relations; if so, the number of persons employed by his Department or firms to deal with public relations; the names of firms involved; and the total amount spent on public relations by his Department. [23223/22]

Insurance Industry

Colm Burke

279. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Finance the details of his Department's plans to ensure that recent insurance reforms have a lasting effect on liability premiums paid by business considering 42% of organisations say that insurance premiums are threatening their future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23280/22]

Tax Code

Ivana Bacik

280. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Finance if he has plans to address the situation with regard to inheritance tax for single persons or childless married couples (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23351/22]

Universal Social Charge

Cathal Crowe

281. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider abolishing the universal social charge which was introduced as a temporary measure in Budget 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23395/22]

Tax Code

Louise O'Reilly

282. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Finance if his Department will consider removing VAT on automated external defibrillators, AEDs, following the publication of the European Union Council Directive EU 2022/542 of 5 April 2022 amending Directives 2006/112/EC and EU 2020/285 as regards rates of value added tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23410/22]

Tax Code

Louise O'Reilly

283. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Finance the work that is being undertaken in his Department to amend existing VAT rates following the publication of the European Union Council Directive EU 2022/542 of 5 April 2022 amending Directives 2006/112/EC and EU 2020/285 as regards rates of value added tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23411/22]

Banking Sector

Brendan Smith

284. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance if he will support the inclusion of a representative organisation (details supplied) as a key stakeholder in all negotiations concerning the exit of banks from this State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23431/22]

Health Services

Robert Troy

128. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Finance if a person (details supplied) can claim tax back on two cataract procedures carried out in a private hospital. [22382/22]

Ukraine War

Neasa Hourigan

129. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide an update on his engagement with the banking sector following the European Council recommendation on the conversion of hryvnia banknotes into euros for the benefit of persons fleeing the war in Ukraine; his plans to ensure those fleeing the war in Ukraine are able to exchange their hryvnia banknotes for euros; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22391/22]

Banking Sector

Noel Grealish

130. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Finance if his Department or the Central Bank’s attention was drawn to plans by banks (details supplied) to cease the provision of current accounts and savings accounts at the end of 2022 and to concentrate only on mortgage provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22392/22]

State Bodies

Pauline Tully

131. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 49 of 22 February 2022, if a new Disabled Driver Medical Board of Appeal has been appointed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22430/22]

Tax Code

Violet-Anne Wynne

132. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Finance the estimated cost of extending the 9% VAT rate for hospitality and tourism-related services until 31 December 2023. [22453/22]

Tax Code

Catherine Connolly

133. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Finance if he will clarify the VAT rates payable in Ireland on books imported to Ireland from outside the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22508/22]

Tax Code

Catherine Connolly

134. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Finance if he will clarify the customs duty rates payable in Ireland on books imported to Ireland from outside the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22509/22]

Insurance Industry

Pádraig O'Sullivan

140. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance the measures that will be introduced to curb the rising costs of liability insurance (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21756/22]

Departmental Correspondence

Niamh Smyth

141. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Finance if matters raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied) will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21660/22]

Primary Medical Certificates

Fergus O'Dowd

142. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance the total number of primary medical certificate applications that are currently submitted awaiting assessment; the expected length of time to clear the backlog; the length of time applicants can expect to wait for a decision on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21788/22]

National Asset Management Agency

Róisín Shortall

143. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance the reason that NAMA sold off 54 apartments in Finglas, Dublin 11, to an investment fund instead of, for example selling them as affordable housing for first time buyers (details supplied); if the money recouped by NAMA will go towards the provision of affordable housing in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21981/22]

Housing Schemes

Róisín Shortall

144. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance the reason that first-time buyers of non-newly built homes are debarred from the help to buy scheme; if he is considering amending the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21985/22]

Primary Medical Certificates

Mark Ward

145. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Finance if persons can make a formal submission to the consultation process in relation to primary medical certificates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22001/22]

Vehicle Registration Tax

Catherine Murphy

146. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if he will clarify the way in which VRT is calculated in respect of imported second-hand electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles from the UK and from the EU. [22016/22]

Vehicle Registration Tax

Catherine Murphy

147. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if he has plans to review from a revenue perspective the barriers that exist in respect of the importation of second-hand electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles in order to enhance the availability and choices of stock for end users. [22017/22]

Tax Data

Jim O'Callaghan

148. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Finance the amount of income tax that is collected from persons under 30 years of age and from persons under 35 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22030/22]

Departmental Staff

John Lahart

149. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Finance the details of secondments from his Department to the university third level sector over the past two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22250/22]

Tax Reliefs

Rose Conway-Walsh

150. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Finance if accessing research support funding from Enterprise Ireland, IDA, Disruptive Technologies Fund or any other Government programme that financially supports research and development in the private sector impacts a company’s ability to access the research and development tax relief in the form of a payable credit; if in relation to the R&D tax relief any R&D expenditure funded by a Government supports are excluded from the calculation of the R&D tax relief; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22271/22]

Tax Collection

Fergus O'Dowd

151. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance the number of cases and type of enforcement carried out by the Revenue Commissioners in enforcing compliance with solid fuel carbon tax for each year since 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22291/22]

EU Directives

Catherine Murphy

152. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a schedule of fines and totality of the amount paid in respect of fines issued by the EU on his Department for failing to transpose EU directives; if he will include the directive that was not transposed on time; and if he will indicate the directives that are still not fully transposed for the past 25 years to date in 2022. [22325/22]

Tax Code

Jackie Cahill

6. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Finance if he intends to extend the timeframe for the reduction in excise duties on petrol, diesel and marked gas oil; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20571/22]

Tax Code

Peadar Tóibín

8. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Finance if Ireland or Europe imposes any tax on fertiliser or the sale of agricultural fertiliser; if so, the percentage breakdown of this tax; if any environmental taxes are imposed on the sale or purchasing of fertiliser; and if the Government have plans to impose such a tax. [21258/22]

Tax Code

Mick Barry

9. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Finance if he will support measures to levy corporate landlords' profits to assist in funding social and affordable housing in view of the level of profits and the dominant position of corporate landlords; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12111/22]

Tax Data

Neale Richmond

10. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Finance if he will report on the tax receipts for the first quarter of 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21166/22]

Insurance Industry

John Lahart

13. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Finance if motor insurance premiums are decreasing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20548/22]

Insurance Industry

Mairéad Farrell

14. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Finance the status of the work of the Office to Promote Competition in the Insurance Market since its establishment; its terms of reference and objectives; the number of engagements it has had with stakeholders; and the success to date in promoting competition in and attracting new entrants to the insurance market. [21486/22]

Vacant Properties

Martin Browne

17. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Finance if he is committed to introducing a vacant property tax following the collection of data on vacancy levels under objective 19.12 of Housing for All; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21438/22]

Vacant Properties

Steven Matthews

19. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Finance his views on the effectiveness on implementing a vacant homes tax, collectable by the Revenue Commissioners with the purpose of bringing additional properties into the housing market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21260/22]

Vacant Properties

Mairéad Farrell

20. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Finance if he is committed to introducing a vacant property tax following the collection of data on vacancy levels under objective 19.12 of Housing for All; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21487/22]

Tax Reliefs

James O'Connor

21. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Finance if his Department will consider a new tax incentive for start-up businesses in rural towns that are hosting refugees in order to increase employment and job opportunities in those areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21467/22]

Insurance Industry

Michael Moynihan

23. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Finance the details of his work to increase competition in the Irish insurance market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20520/22]

Fiscal Policy

Ged Nash

24. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance if the recently announced temporary reduction in VAT, excise duty and lump-sum payments are to be paid from a surplus in the public finances or by adding to the public debt; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21423/22]

Tax Code

Brendan Griffin

25. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of the tourism and hospitality sector regarding the inflationary impact of increasing the VAT rate from 9% to 13.5% from 1 September 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21473/22]

Tax Code

Joe Flaherty

26. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Finance the estimated cost of the recent cuts to excise duties on petrol, diesel and marked gas oil; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20524/22]

Tax Exemptions

Rose Conway-Walsh

27. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider providing a tax exemption for apprenticeship allowances during participants' off-site training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21407/22]

Tax Data

Michael Creed

28. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Finance the quantum of taxes, by category, that have been warehoused arising from the provisions in the emergency legislation dealing with Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14985/22]

Tax Data

Paul McAuliffe

29. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Finance the extent of VAT receipts from January to March 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20551/22]

Insurance Coverage

Paul McAuliffe

32. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide an update on his work to address the issue of uninsured drivers on the road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20550/22]

Cost of Living Issues

Richard Boyd Barrett

34. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance if he is proposing a mini-budget to address the cost of living crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21446/22]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Bríd Smith

35. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance if the employment wage subsidy scheme will end for all recipients on 30 April 2022; the supports that will be available for any sector that continues to be affected by a downturn as a result of the pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21408/22]

Tax Code

Cathal Crowe

36. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Finance if he will engage with his counterparts in the European Union in order that the VAT treatment of home heating oil in Ireland can be revised, similar to be recent VAT reduction in electricity and gas. [21337/22]

Housing Schemes

Catherine Connolly

37. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 11 of 22 February 2022, the status of the promised review of the help-to-buy scheme; the terms of reference of the review; the person or body carrying out the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20077/22]

Cost of Living Issues

Sorca Clarke

38. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Finance if he will introduce further targeted measures to support lower and middle-income families in response to the level of inflation projected for 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21460/22]

Inflation Rate

Seán Haughey

39. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Finance his assessment of the impact on inflation of the reduction in VAT on gas and electricity to 9%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20564/22]

Tax Code

Brendan Griffin

40. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance his plans regarding the increase of the VAT rate for tourism and hospitality businesses from 9% to 13.5% from 1 September 2022; his views on whether this is the wrong time to proceed with such a move; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21472/22]

Banking Sector

Richard Bruton

41. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Finance if he has assessed the support to consumers in rearranging their affairs as banks exit the Irish market; and if he has discussed the matter with the Central Bank. [21003/22]

Tax Code

Peadar Tóibín

42. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Finance if he will outline any engagement he or his Department has had with the European Commission in relation to the temporary reduction of VAT on fuel. [21257/22]

Fiscal Policy

Ged Nash

43. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance the status of ongoing discussions on the European Union fiscal rules; the position adopted by the Government on any changes to the fiscal rules; his views on the recent recommendation of an Oireachtas Budgetary Oversight Committee report (details supplied) which notes the need for certain well defined expenditure areas such as climate and public housing spending to be excluded from the fiscal rules and for a more accommodating set of rules toward public capital investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21426/22]

Tax Reliefs

Rose Conway-Walsh

44. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Finance when he will conclude the review into providing agricultural contractors with a similar status to farmers regarding the carbon tax on green diesel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21406/22]

Financial Services

Bernard Durkan

45. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the degree to which his Department monitors activities in the banking and financial services sectors with particular reference to the need to ensure that inflation is not generated from that area given the extent to which monies are made available throughout Europe at a low interest rate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21410/22]

Tax Code

Richard Boyd Barrett

46. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance if he is planning any new tax measures to address growing income inequality in view of the recent reports of increases in senior executive pay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21447/22]

Vacant Properties

Alan Dillon

47. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Finance his views on the high residential vacancy rates in parts of Ireland; and if he is considering a new vacant property tax to help tackle the issue of long-standing residential vacancy and dereliction to increase housing supply in towns and cities. [21458/22]

Tax Code

Pádraig O'Sullivan

48. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider, as part of budget 2023, a reduction in VAT on electric vehicles given the European Union's decision to offer member states greater flexibility around VAT reductions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21368/22]

EU Meetings

Neale Richmond

49. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Finance if he will report on the recent meeting of the Eurogroup; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21167/22]

Insurance Industry

Holly Cairns

50. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Finance the steps he is taking to reduce the burden of insurance costs for the hospitality sector. [21421/22]

Small and Medium Enterprises

Matt Carthy

51. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Finance if he has considered the creation of new, or repurposing of existing, financial instruments under the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland, with regard to the current challenges facing the self-employed and the small and medium enterprise sector. [17910/22]

Insurance Industry

Willie O'Dea

52. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Finance if he will report on the work of the Office to Promote Competition in the insurance market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20566/22]

Economic Data

Cormac Devlin

53. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Finance if he will be updating economic forecasts for 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20527/22]

Tax Data

James Lawless

54. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Finance the total revenues raised by excise duties to date in 2022; the comparison with the same period in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20529/22]

Vacant Properties

Catherine Connolly

55. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 23 of 22 February 2022, the status of the research and collection of data on property vacancies by his Department with a view to introducing a vacant property tax; if the data collection has been concluded to date; when he expects to bring proposals for the vacant property tax before Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20078/22]

Tax Code

Aindrias Moynihan

56. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Finance the reason for different criteria under social protection entitlements and taxation in which a cohabiting couple have to be jointly assessed under social protection entitlements but cannot be jointly assessed for tax purposes as cohabitants; if a review will be considered to change this taxation rule to allow cohabiting couples to apply to be jointly assessed for tax purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21440/22]

Inflation Rate

Bernard Durkan

57. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which steps can be taken to curb inflation in the short to medium term; his plans in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21409/22]

Tax Reliefs

Martin Browne

59. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Finance the reason that the eligibility criteria for access to the disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme were inequitable and needed to be changed; the further reason that he and his Department failed to respond to those concerns despite warnings from members of the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal and when those warnings were first raised with him. [21437/22]

Tax Code

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

60. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Finance his views on a 0% VAT rate applied to bikes and e-bikes, including supply, rental and repair, 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. [20492/22]

Tax Code

Barry Cowen

61. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Finance if he has plans to further reduce excise duties on petrol and diesel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20522/22]

Insurance Industry

Niamh Smyth

62. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Finance his plans to implement reforms in view of the increasing cost of insurance premiums; the latest discussions his Department has had on this issue; the bodies or organisations that the discussions have taken place with; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16927/22]

Tax Code

Richard Boyd Barrett

63. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider closing down tax loopholes such as section 110 that could be utilised by oligarchs and other financially dubious entities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21449/22]

Tax Data

Michael Moynihan

64. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Finance the way the overall tax receipts in the first quarter of 2022 compare with the same period in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20521/22]

Tax Code

Willie O'Dea

65. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Finance if he intends to extend the timeframe for the reduction in VAT on gas and electricity to 9%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20565/22]