Parliamentary questions

Ukraine War

Eoin Ó Broin

247. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Finance if he has raised the issue of IMF debt cancellation for Ukraine as part of the international assistance to Ukraine. [14365/22]

Tax Yield

Verona Murphy

248. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Finance the total amount of transactional tax paid on gaming in 2019, 2020 and 2021; the proportion in each year paid in respect of online and retail activity; the tax heads under which any such tax has been levied; if the tax is applied by all entities that are licensed to provide gaming; the equivalent tax raised by way of the betting duty in each of the years in respect of activities attracting the betting duty; his assessment of the scale of gambling activity that falls outside the scope of the betting duty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14368/22]

Banking Sector

Thomas Gould

249. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider requesting that banks reduce or end returned direct debit charges given the rising cost of living and the struggle experienced by some in paying bills. [14393/22]

Credit Unions

Thomas Pringle

250. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Finance if he will establish a policy taskforce which was requested by an organisation (details supplied) to enable the delivery of the programme for Government commitment to enable the credit union movement to grow as a key provider of community banking in the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14410/22]

Revenue Commissioners

Neale Richmond

251. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Finance the average waiting times for the Revenue Commissioners' jobs and pensions phone helpline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14420/22]

Revenue Commissioners

Neale Richmond

252. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Finance his plans for the Revenue Commissioners' public offices to reopen following the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14421/22]

Revenue Commissioners

Neale Richmond

253. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Finance his plans to extend the operating hours of the Revenue Commissioners' jobs and pensions phone helplines beyond the current 9.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. hours to deal with the high volume of calls; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14422/22]

Revenue Commissioners

Neale Richmond

254. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Finance the total number of queries dealt with by the Revenue Commissioners in each of the years 2018 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; if these calls are from businesses or individuals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14423/22]

Revenue Commissioners

Neale Richmond

255. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Finance the average response time to queries submitted to the ROS online MyEnquiries service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14424/22]

Revenue Commissioners

Neale Richmond

256. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Finance the number of queries submitted to the ROS MyEnquiries service in each of the years 2018 to 2021 and to date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14425/22]

Revenue Commissioners

Neale Richmond

257. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Finance when the current virtual video appointment was established by the Revenue Commissioners; the average wait time for a virtual video appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14426/22]

Revenue Commissioners

Neale Richmond

258. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Finance the number of virtual video appointments facilitated by the Revenue Commissioners since its inception; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14427/22]

Credit Unions

Brendan Smith

259. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider the issues raised in correspondence by an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14428/22]

Credit Unions

Niamh Smyth

260. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Finance if he will review correspondence (details supplied); if he will address the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14453/22]

Tax Code

Bernard Durkan

261. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the reason an annuity pension in the case of a person (details supplied) appears to be taxed at a higher rate; if a review will be undertaken to ensure that they are paying the correct rate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14536/22]

Ukraine War

Fergus O'Dowd

262. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance the supports that are in place or being considered to allow Ukrainians fleeing the conflict in circumstances in which they are staying with an Irish family to be added to Irish car insurance policies; if he will respond to reports that some insurance providers are declining applications for this process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14613/22]

Ukraine War

Fergus O'Dowd

263. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance if supports are currently being considered in respect of Ukrainians fleeing the conflict and finding safe refuge in Ireland who wish to set up an Irish bank account considering the pressure and lack of access to Ukrainian banks at present (details supplied); and the way that this issue will be addressed. [14616/22]

Tax Code

Louise O'Reilly

264. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Finance the status of the proposal on the reform of VAT rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14620/22]

Tax Code

Louise O'Reilly

265. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Finance the way that his officials will be reviewing the options now available to Ireland in setting VAT rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14621/22]

Tax Data

Pearse Doherty

266. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the existing rate of excise duty, as defined by tax law, applied to kerosene used for home heating oil; if the duty rate can be reduced to €0 per 1,000 litres in accordance with the EU Energy Directive; and the cost of such a measure over a 3, 6 and 12 month period through revenue foregone. [14630/22]

Electric Vehicles

Richard Bruton

267. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Finance if he has decided on the BIK rules which will be applied to electric vehicles after the current exemption expires; if he will ensure that the lower environmental impact continues to be reflected in the BIK burden; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14638/22]

Credit Unions

Michael Lowry

268. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Finance when he will honour a commitment in the programme for Government to enable the credit union movement to grow as a key provider of community banking in the country (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14681/22]

Tax Credits

Bríd Smith

269. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance if he will clarify the situation in relation to the home carers tax credit (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14917/22]

Fuel Prices

Bríd Smith

270. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance if, he will examine the current reimbursement rates (details supplied) for travel connected with business and work for employees given rising fuel costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14931/22]

Housing Schemes

Seán Haughey

271. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Finance if he will amend the help-to-buy scheme in order that potential homeowners can avail of it to purchase second-hand homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14972/22]

Tax Code

Seán Canney

272. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Finance if he will waive capital gains tax on second-hand homes which could be brought to the market or willed to family members to help the housing crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14990/22]

Departmental Reports

Carol Nolan

185. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Finance the number of external consultant's reports commissioned by his Department in each of the years 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022; the cost of same; the company involved; the title and publication date of the report in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13561/22]

Fuel Prices

Martin Browne

186. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Finance the steps he will take to address the rising fuel costs (details supplied); and the measures he plans to introduce to reduce fuel costs. [13625/22]

Tax Code

Darren O'Rourke

187. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Finance the way in which local amateur dramatics groups should manage their financial accounts in order to be tax compliant in the case of large public performances, for example, for amateur dramatics groups that are not set up as companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13689/22]

Tax Data

Pearse Doherty

188. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the estimated cost of reducing excise levied against petrol, diesel and home heating oil by 10 cents per litre, disaggregated by fuel type. [13696/22]

Tax Data

Pearse Doherty

189. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the revenue raised through excise levied against petrol, diesel and home heating, disaggregated by fuel type, in each of the years 2018, 2019 and 2020. [13697/22]

Banking Sector

Seán Sherlock

190. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Finance the number of accounts that will be closed by banks exiting the Irish market in 2022; the breakdown by age and gender of those account holders; and his views on whether the banking sector will take on those accounts. [13710/22]

Tax Code

Niamh Smyth

191. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Finance if his Department plans to review the excise duty on fuel in view of the increasing price of petrol and diesel due to the war in Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13716/22]

Ukrainian War

Carol Nolan

192. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Finance the response of his Department to the Ukrainian war crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13722/22]

Tax Reliefs

Matt Carthy

63. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Finance if the Revenue Commissioners’ relief for increase in carbon tax on farm diesel part 23-01-36 reflects the increase to the carbon tax applied to the mineral oil tax carbon component from 1 May 2021 onwards; if more up to-date guidance is available; the best source of such information for farmers seeking to calculate the available rebate in the period following the increase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13175/22]

Fuel Prices

Charles Flanagan

64. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance his plans to increase the amount of 7.5 cent per litre allowed under the diesel rebate scheme for operators holding a valid haulage licence having regard to the serious challenges facing the transportation sector arising from increased fuel costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13209/22]

Departmental Funding

Carol Nolan

65. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Finance the details of the independent non-governmental organisations, including organisations with charitable status, non-profit organisations, religious bodies including churches, social enterprises, clubs, societies that his Department has supported with financial assistance from 1 January 2020 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13239/22]

Cycling Policy

Darren O'Rourke

66. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Finance the way that the eligibility for the bike to work scheme is to be widened in line with the Programme for Government commitment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13385/22]

Cycling Policy

Darren O'Rourke

67. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Finance if an increased proportionate allowance for e-bikes and cargo bikes for the bike to work scheme is to be introduced in line with the Programme for Government commitment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13386/22]

Ukraine War

Mairéad Farrell

68. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Finance the measures that he will be taking to ensure that banks (details supplied) don’t raise funds again whilst they are under sanction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13522/22]

Ukraine War

Mairéad Farrell

69. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Finance his views on the fact that Ireland’s Register of Beneficial Ownership permits the use of legal trustees and nominee shareholders which adds a layer of opacity and disguises the ultimate beneficial owner in view of the risk of possible attempts to circumvent financial sanctions; if he will be taking steps to ensure that the register records the ultimate beneficial owner of companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13523/22]

Tax Data

Gary Gannon

199. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Finance the annual expenditure from the Revenue Commissioners towards additional healthcare expenses for a child from 2017-2021; the average annual relief claimed for child oncology patients in tabular form. [12899/22]

Tax Code

Chris Andrews

200. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Finance if it is illegal for energy providers to charge both carbon tax and VAT on energy bills given that this amounts to a double taxation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12339/22]

Banking Sector

Noel Grealish

201. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Finance if he will take steps to protect the assets of thousands of customers of a bank (details supplied) who are being forced by the bank to liquidate their investments in the coming weeks ahead of the departure by the bank from Ireland at a time of huge turmoil in international markets that will see the value of their holdings fall substantially; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12440/22]

Departmental Staff

Peadar Tóibín

202. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Finance the number of staff currently employed by his Department; the current annual salary of the highest and second highest paid persons respectively, employed by his Department; and the various pay scales for persons working in his Department. [12475/22]

Primary Medical Certificates

Niamh Smyth

203. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Finance the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12518/22]

Economic Sanctions

Jim O'Callaghan

204. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Finance if the Irish director of the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development will be seeking the imposition by the bank of sanctions against Russia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12585/22]

Economic Sanctions

Neale Richmond

205. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Finance if the suspension of Euro clearing for Russian banks will be supported in view of the illegal invasion of Ukraine by Russia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12656/22]

Primary Medical Certificates

Niamh Smyth

206. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Finance if he will review an appeal in the case of a person (details supplied); the status of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12668/22]

Economic Sanctions

Catherine Murphy

207. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if financial sanctions in respect of Russian interests make provision for the freezing and or interruption of cybercurrencies. [12922/22]

Fuel Prices

Fergus O'Dowd

208. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance if potential measures are being examined to protect and or reduce the financial burden of increasing petrol and diesel prices, in particular for those that have no alternative in rural areas in which public transport and cycling infrastructure is not available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12991/22]

Tax Data

Jackie Cahill

209. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Finance the breakdown of the various taxes and levies charged by the State on one litre of petrol and one litre diesel in tabular form by each fuel type; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12999/22]

Tax Data

Pauline Tully

210. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Finance the number of persons who have availed of the disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme in each of the years 2017 to 2021; the cost to the Exchequer of the disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme in each of the years 2017 to 2021, in tabular form; the estimated additional cost to the Exchequer of changing the medical criteria for the scheme to a more general mobility-focused criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13038/22]

Protected Disclosures

Catherine Murphy

211. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance the number of protected disclosures received by his Department in each of the years 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; if an external contractor has been engaged regarding a protected disclosure over that time period; if so, the cost of same; and the number of protected disclosures that were rejected, accepted and that remain under review for the time period in question. [13051/22]

Tax Code

Eoin Ó Broin

212. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 275 of 22 February 2022, if the home renovation incentive will be reinstated and extended to cover works carried out after December 2018 to enable homeowners to reclaim 13.5% VAT. [13127/22]

Credit Unions

Holly Cairns

213. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Finance the number of credit unions which have closed and or amalgamated with other credit unions since 1 January 2010 annually; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13130/22]

Credit Unions

Holly Cairns

214. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Finance the policy and regulatory framework that has required credit unions to amalgamate with other credit unions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13131/22]

Financial Services

Neale Richmond

250. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Finance the efforts that have been made to ensure all Irish financial institutions are clear of Russian influence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12177/22]

Irish Bank Resolution Corporation

Catherine Murphy

251. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a schedule of legal fees incurred by him in respect of the liquidation of the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation historically; and if he will provide a schedule of legal fees incurred by the special liquidators of the corporation historically. [12243/22]

Insurance Coverage

Róisín Shortall

252. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to a report (details supplied) in particular the recommendations for Government; the steps he is taking to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12270/22]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Fergus O'Dowd

253. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance if he will urgently review the case for a business (details supplied) in respect of its employment wage subsidy scheme eligibility given that the company is facing closure following the latest eligibility decision that was in contrary to their earlier acceptance on the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12307/22]

Land Issues

Patricia Ryan

85. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Finance if NAMA could make part or all of the land it owns or controls at a site (details supplied) available for public use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11912/22]

Land Issues

Patricia Ryan

86. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Finance if land (details supplied) can be made available for public use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11913/22]

Land Issues

Patricia Ryan

87. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Finance if land (details supplied) can be made available for public use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11914/22]

Credit Unions

Mairéad Farrell

88. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Finance when he will be making the regulatory changes to enable credit unions to significantly increase their footprint in the mortgage market and honour the commitment in the Programme for Government for credit unions to become a key provider of community banking further to an article (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12030/22]

Credit Unions

Holly Cairns

89. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Finance the steps he is taking to make the necessary regulatory changes to enable credit unions to significantly increase their footprint in the mortgage market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12156/22]

Credit Unions

Holly Cairns

90. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Finance the steps he is taking to fulfil the commitment in the Programme for Government for credit unions to become a key provider of community banking. [12157/22]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Kathleen Funchion

238. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Finance the estimated total cost of the temporary wage subsidy childcare scheme and employment wage subsidy scheme for the childcare sector up to 30 April 2022. [11671/22]

Tax Code

Danny Healy-Rae

239. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Finance if he will reverse the decision to increase the carbon tax in Budget 2022. [11767/22]

Electric Vehicles

Noel Grealish

240. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Finance the plans he has for providing tax credits to purchasers of electric vehicles considering the significant carbon savings achieved by the switch from fossil-fuelled vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10847/22]

Tax Code

Noel Grealish

241. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Finance the plans he has to bridge the disparity between the EU emissions trading scheme carbon price and the Irish carbon tax of €41 set out in Budget 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10848/22]

Naval Service

Sorca Clarke

242. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Finance the number of customs patrols that were cancelled or rescheduled as a result of crewing problems in the Naval Service in 2019, 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10886/22]

Naval Service

Sorca Clarke

243. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Finance if there are plans to increase the number of Naval Service vessels thereby increasing the scope to patrol Irelands waters given the proposed new patrol boats will replace Revenue Commissioner cutter RCC Faire and the RCC Suirbhéir which are approaching the end of their service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10887/22]

Naval Service

Sorca Clarke

244. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Finance when the tendering process for the provision of a Customs cutter for Revenue Commissioners is expected to commence [10888/22]

Credit Unions

Niamh Smyth

245. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Finance if he will review correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10907/22]

Banking Sector

Mairéad Farrell

246. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Finance the size of the State's current shareholdings in each of the banks; and the current market value of these shareholdings in tabular form. [10916/22]

Trade Sanctions

Patrick Costello

247. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Finance the number of instances and the value of goods that were refused entry to Ireland in the past five years because they originated in illegal Israeli settlements in Palestine; the details of the efforts being made including the mechanisms in place to ensure that goods from illegal settlements are not mislabelled as Israeli; if he is fully satisfied that no such goods are being imported to Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10932/22]

Credit Unions

Paul Murphy

248. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the campaign by the Irish League of Credit Unions which is calling for his Department to make the necessary regulatory changes to enable credit unions to significantly increase their footprint in the mortgage market and honour the commitment in the Programme for Government for credit unions to become a key provider of community banking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10934/22]

Tax Code

Colm Burke

249. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Finance if an analysis has been undertaken by his Department on the impact of the reduced VAT rate on the tourism sector which is of great assistance due to the impact of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10976/22]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

250. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Finance when the list of recipients of the Covid restrictions support scheme will be published. [10995/22]

Insurance Industry

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

251. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the impact of spiralling public liability insurance costs, together with increasing requirements placed on venues by insurance companies obliging all individual performers to have their own public liability insurance in addition to that of the venue, is having on artists and performers struggling to emerge from almost two years of unemployment; if he has discussed or if he plans to discuss the matter with the Ministers for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and Enterprise, Trade and Employment; and his views on whether this problem could hamper the recovery of an industry that is already in difficulty and will drive talented musicians from their trade. [10998/22]

Tax Code

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

252. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Finance the circumstances or regulations that allow other European Union member states (details supplied) to apply a reduced or super reduced VAT rate or VAT exemption to the supply of services by writers, composers and performing artists or to the royalties due to them as is permitted under section 9 of Annex III of Directive 2006/112/EC but prohibits this State from implementing a similar reduced or super reduced VAT rate or VAT exemption to the same services by writers, composers and performers here; if Ireland has the right to implement such a reduced or super reduced VAT rate or VAT exemption for the same services but chooses not to implement same; and if she discussed or will discuss with the Minister for Minister for Finance the way such options regarding VAT which are permissible under European Union law could support Irish artists and performers in Ireland. [11001/22]

Gender Equality

Niamh Smyth

253. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Finance the progress made on the equality objectives of his Department specifically in relation to women. [11073/22]

Tax Code

Niamh Smyth

254. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Finance if he will examine the requirement of the Revenue Commissioners for psychotherapists to charge VAT for their services (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11094/22]

Credit Unions

Fergus O'Dowd

255. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance if he will respond to concerns raised by the Irish League of Credit Unions (detail supplied) in respect of their priorities going forward; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11152/22]

Tax Code

James Lawless

256. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Finance if he will review the requirements by the Revenue Commissioners for psychotherapists to charge VAT for their services (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11161/22]

Tax Code

Duncan Smith

257. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Finance if his Department will consider prioritising defibrillators among the various other VAT reduction and removal measures that may be under consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11207/22]

Tax Code

Jim O'Callaghan

258. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Finance if consideration will be given to amending section 865(4) of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 that permits the Revenue Commissioners to not make refunds due to taxpayers if the refund relates to a tax year more than four years previously; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11305/22]

Primary Medical Certificates

Robert Troy

259. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Finance if he will approve a primary medical certificate for a person (details supplied). [11317/22]

Banking Sector

Mick Barry

260. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Finance his views on the proposal at EU level for an investigation into whether Switzerland should be considered a country with a high risk of money laundering in its banking system given the recent revelations of serious criminality and money laundering being facilitated by a major bank in that country; if he has confidence in the Swiss banking regulators on these questions; the steps that he will take in Ireland to ensure that due diligence is carried out on connections with the Swiss banking system and Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11502/22]

Credit Unions

Alan Dillon

261. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Finance when he expects to publish the review of the policy framework relating to the credit union sector resulting from his extensive engagement with the credit union stakeholders, including representative bodies, collaborative ventures, service providers, the Credit Union Advisory Committee and the Registry of Credit Unions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11529/22]

Tax Code

Marc MacSharry

262. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Finance if he will prioritise the removal of VAT on defibrillators as soon as allowable under EU law to make this life-saving piece of equipment more affordable for local voluntary groups to purchase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11541/22]

Departmental Correspondence

Barry Cowen

263. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Finance the policy instructions or policy documents that he has brought to the attention of An Bord Pleanála since coming into office [11598/22]

Departmental Data

Peadar Tóibín

264. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Finance the countries and companies that own Irish public debt; the amounts of debt owned by these companies and countries; and the repayment dates for each element of this debt. [11701/22]

Credit Unions

Sorca Clarke

265. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Finance the engagement his Department has had with an organisation (details supplied) regarding the review of the policy framework within which credit unions operate; when this review is expected to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11758/22]

Insurance Industry

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

266. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Finance if he has discussed or plans to discuss the spiralling public liability insurance costs for artists and venues with the Ministers for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and Enterprise, Trade and Employment; and his views on whether this problem could hamper the recovery of an industry that is already in difficulty and will drive talented musicians from their trade. [12022/22]

Tax Code

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

267. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Finance if Ireland has the right to implement a reduced or super reduced VAT rate or VAT exemption for the supply of services by writers, composers and performing artists or to the royalties due to them, but chooses not to implement same; and if he discussed or will discuss the way such options regarding VAT which are permissible under European Union law could support Irish artists and performers in Ireland. [12023/22]

Tax Code

Jackie Cahill

227. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Finance if his Department will be looking into the removal of VAT on AED devices in the wake of agreement by EU Finance Ministers to amend Council Directive 2006/112/EC on 7 December 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10519/22]

European Investment Bank

Mairéad Farrell

228. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Finance the number of loans drawn down from the European Investment Bank; the date of commencement; the repayment schedule; the interest rate and purposes of each loan in tabular form; and his plans to allocate additional funding for the provision of social housing from the EIB. [10522/22]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Carol Nolan

229. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Finance the number of applications for the employment wage subsidy scheme, EWSS, from its inception to date; the number of applications that have been refused during the same period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10539/22]