Parliamentary questions

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]

Departmental Meetings

Carol Nolan

230. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Finance the number of engagements, including online meetings, webinars, briefings and in-person meetings he or officials from his Department have had with the National Women’s Council of Ireland from 1 January 2019 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10576/22]

Tax Reliefs

Michael Healy-Rae

231. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Finance if his Department will put measures in place to help with the increased costs which are making it more difficult for persons who avail of the disabled drivers and passengers scheme to change their vehicle (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10659/22]

Banking Sector

Catherine Murphy

232. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance the estimated time to complete liquidation of the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation, IBRC; the estimated value of the remaining assets; the number of remaining assets; the number of personnel currently working on the special liquidation; the date on which operations will scale down once the liquidation is complete; if the liquidators will be retained for a period of time; and the cost to date incurred in respect of the liquidation [10825/22]

Energy Prices

Michael Moynihan

92. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Finance if the rate of payment of the fuel grant under the disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme will be reviewed to take consideration of the recent increase in fuel prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10165/22]

Energy Prices

Michael Moynihan

93. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Finance the steps that are being taken to alleviate the financial burden of increasing petrol and diesel prices for persons that are unable to avail of public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10166/22]

Tax Code

Carol Nolan

94. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Finance if he will address concerns that the current capital acquisitions tax regime reduces the potential progress that solar developers can make in terms of reducing emissions and increasing the supply of green energy given the existing rules state that beneficiaries that inherit agricultural land are eligible for 90% relief on the market value of the asset but that this is contingent on the total land being utilised for solar panels constituting less than 50% of the total landholding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10172/22]

Tax Reliefs

Richard Bruton

95. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Finance if he has considered the case that the benefit-in-kind regime for cars encourages increased mileage to obtain tax relief which is counterproductive to Ireland’s climate ambitions. [10313/22]

Tax Reliefs

Richard Bruton

96. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider easier methods for remote workers to claim tax allowance in circumstances in which the employer does not make provision such as by using standard allowances rather than requiring a bill to be uploaded. [10322/22]

Primary Medical Certificates

Niall Collins

97. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Finance the status of the review and the criteria changes planned in relation to the primary medical certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10403/22]

Tax Reliefs

Niamh Smyth

14. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Finance the number of primary medical certificate appeals currently outstanding; if there is an update on a new board to hear such appeals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9686/22]

Credit Unions

Cathal Crowe

16. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Finance if he will report on engagements he has had with trade unions or credit union representatives on pensions. [9479/22]

Financial Services

Jim O'Callaghan

19. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Finance the situation with regard to the regulation of virtual or cryptocurrencies in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9447/22]

Tax Yield

David Cullinane

20. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Finance if his Department has updated projections for VAT receipts in 2022 relative to the estimates of receipts for the year ending 31 December 2022 as provided in the White Paper; if so, if he will provide those projections; and if his Department expects VAT receipts to be greater than previously forecast as a result of higher food and energy prices. [9715/22]

Tax Code

Gerald Nash

21. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance if an update will be provided on discussions with the European Commission regarding a temporary derogation on the rate of VAT applied on energy and gas usage; if he held discussions with other European Union Finance Ministers regarding the relaxation of such rules as part of a common approach to tackling rising energy prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9481/22]

Illicit Trade

Brendan Smith

22. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance the proposals to implement additional measures to counteract illicit trade in fuel, drink and tobacco products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9489/22]

Insurance Industry

Richard Bruton

26. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the insights that have been gleaned from the new data reporting on insurance claims; and if he has identified scope for adding new actions to the insurance plan based on this information. [9459/22]

Tax Reliefs

Neale Richmond

27. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider raising the €3.20 per day work from home allowance given the rise in the cost of electricity and utility bills; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9457/22]

Inflation Rate

Pearse Doherty

29. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide updated projections from his Department on the rate of inflation for the years 2022, 2023 and 2024; if the projections will be disaggregated by income decile and household type; and if he will bring forward an anti-inflation strategy as called for by the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment in response to the causes of inflation. [9695/22]

Tax Code

Louise O'Reilly

30. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Finance the steps his Department is taking to uncover, address and reduce bogus self-employment from a taxation and Revenue Commissioners perspective, especially in State-funded agencies or in areas in which public moneys are spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7298/22]

Insurance Industry

Dara Calleary

31. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Finance his views on more frequent reporting by the National Claims Information Database. [9678/22]

Banking Sector

Gerald Nash

32. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance if he plans to reverse recent cuts to the bank levy given that a potential rise of European Central Bank rates will boost the incomes of Irish banks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9484/22]

Financial Services

Alan Dillon

33. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Finance the status of the strategy for the development of Ireland’s international financial services sector action plan 2022; and the way work by both IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland is supporting regional development in this sector. [9670/22]

Consumer Protection

Mairéad Farrell

34. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Finance if his Department is considering new laws and regulations with respect to buy now pay later services which are entering the Irish market and raise considerable consumer protections concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9706/22]

Credit Unions

Michael Moynihan

35. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Finance the engagement he has undertaken as part of the policy review for credit unions. [9308/22]

Credit Unions

Jackie Cahill

36. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Finance the status of the publication of the credit union policy review framework. [9441/22]

Universal Social Charge

Richard Boyd Barrett

37. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance if he will now consider abolishing the universal social charge and replacing it with a high-income social charge given the very severe impact of inflation and the rising cost of living, which is disproportionately impacting on low- and middle-income workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9672/22]

Insurance Industry

Jackie Cahill

39. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Finance his views on the impact the ban on price walking will have on insurance premiums. [9440/22]

Universal Social Charge

Éamon Ó Cuív

40. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Finance the amount of revenue raised each year since its inception by the universal social charge; the estimated amount to be collected in 2022; if consideration has been given to exempting all those earning the equivalent of a standard 39-hour week on the minimum wage from this charge; the estimated cost of doing so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9475/22]

Tax Credits

Darren O'Rourke

41. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider the introduction of a refundable tax credit available to renters in the private rental market valued against their monthly rental payments with an appropriate cap in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9708/22]

Tax Reliefs

Pádraig O'Sullivan

42. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance if consideration will be given to introducing a scheme to assist first-time buyers of homes that are not new builds, similar to the help-to-buy scheme and who cannot afford to purchase a new build; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9690/22]

Insurance Industry

Joe Flaherty

43. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Finance the action being taken to reduce the cost of motor insurance premiums. [9310/22]

Tax Reliefs

Brendan Griffin

44. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider an incentive package for owners and buyers in respect of properties that were available as short-term rental properties up to 1 February 2022, in circumstances in which the property would be made available for purchase by a first-time buyer for a limited period; if he will consider such a new scheme as a matter of urgency in the context of the proliferation of short-term properties nationwide despite the acute shortage of houses for long-term lease or affordable purchase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9469/22]

Tax Collection

Aindrias Moynihan

45. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Finance the amount his Department estimates it received in overpaid PAYE taxes in 2020 and 2021; the measures that are in place to make persons aware of any overpayments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9684/22]

Banking Sector

David Stanton

46. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Finance his views on the third phase of the Switch Your Bank campaign; the effectiveness of the previous two campaigns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9712/22]

Tax Reliefs

Brendan Griffin

47. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance if his Department has considered the options available to eliminate the element of taxation impacting on the cost of purchasing or building a house as a first-time buyer and the cost of selling a house to a first-time buyer; his views on whether targeted taxation breaks for sellers to first-time buyers and to first-time buyers and self-builders themselves could significantly contribute to reducing prices for first-time buyers and self-builders, increasing available stock on the market for first-time buyers and providing first-time buyers with a competitive advantage over investors; if he will consider a new scheme as a matter of urgency in this context; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9468/22]

Insurance Industry

Dara Calleary

48. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Finance the amount by which motor insurance premiums have fallen since the current Government entered office in June 2020. [9679/22]

Tax Reliefs

Pauline Tully

49. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Finance the reason that a review of the disabled drivers and passengers scheme which he committed to have completed in 2021 was not completed in this timeframe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9704/22]

Tax Code

Éamon Ó Cuív

50. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Finance if consideration has been given to amalgamating income tax and the universal social charge into one tax raising the same revenue rather than having two separate taxes on income; the advantages of the present system over having a single coherent tax on income; the disadvantages of it from a taxpayer and Revenue Commissioners point of view; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9476/22]

Tax Reliefs

Gerald Nash

51. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance if an update will be provided on his plans to reform the way in which capital gains are treated under the Key Employee Engagement Programme; the cost of the programme to the Exchequer for each year from 2017 to 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9483/22]

Economic Policy

John Lahart

52. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Finance the action he is taking to maintain Ireland’s economic competitiveness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9494/22]

Tax Reliefs

Matt Carthy

53. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Finance when he expects to conclude a promised review into providing agricultural contractors with a similar status to farmers regarding the carbon tax on green diesel; and if it is intended to complete such a review prior to carbon tax increasing in 2022. [9371/22]

Banking Sector

Jim O'Callaghan

54. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Finance the action he can take to increase competition in the banking sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9448/22]

Tax Code

Brian Leddin

55. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Finance if his Department intends to apply reduced VAT rates to solar panels in light of the agreement reached on 7 December 2021 by the Council of the European Union (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9477/22]

Tax Avoidance

Pearse Doherty

56. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if his Department has considered developing a strategy with respect to cryptocurrency and non-fungible tokens given concerns regarding their respective use for purposes of tax avoidance, tax evasion and money laundering; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9699/22]

Mortgage Interest Rates

Bernard Durkan

57. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance if and when it might be possible for home borrowers in Ireland to borrow at interest rates equal to those available to borrowers in all other European countries given the severity of the housing shortage in Ireland, the necessity to ensure that home financing is affordable and in line with prevailing conditions in the Single Market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9487/22]

Mortgage Interest Rates

Gerald Nash

58. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance his plans to protect current and prospective mortgage holders from a rise in European Central Bank interest rates; his views on the introduction of maximum interest rates that can be contracted to each type of credit agreement as applied in some other European Union countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9485/22]

Tax Code

Brian Leddin

59. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Finance his views on the application of reduced VAT rates on the repair, rental or supply of bicycles, including e-bikes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9478/22]

Enterprise Policy

David Stanton

61. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Finance if he will report on the recently launched innovation seed fund programme; the types of companies and initiatives eligible for support under the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9702/22]

Tax Code

Aindrias Moynihan

63. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Finance if he has considered an index-linked approach to taxation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9685/22]