Written Answers Nos. 183-193
183. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the number of persons who availed of the dual abode allowance for Ministers in each year since it was introduced; the value of the allowance that was availed of each year; the Ministers who availed of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51026/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe position is that the dual abode allowance was introduced as and from the income tax year 1966/67. The allowance was granted under Rule 3 of Schedule 2 to the Income Tax Act 1967, now section 114 of Taxes Consolidation Act 1997.
Section 851A of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997, which was inserted by the Finance Act 2011, placed on a formal statutory basis the long-standing and accepted obligation of the Revenue Commissioners to treat all taxpayer information confidentially. For reasons of confidentiality, the Revenue Commissioners cannot reveal the identities of the claimants of the dual abode allowance.
Statistics relating to the number of persons who availed of the dual abode allowance are available from the tax year 1998/199 onwards and are as follows:
|
Year |
Number of Claimants |
Cost |
|
1998/1999 |
19 |
€160,570 |
|
1999/2000 |
19 |
€142,134 |
|
2000/2001 |
10 |
€79,943 |
|
2001 |
Short tax year no details available |
|
|
2002 |
18 |
€95,051 |
|
2003 |
19 |
€109,540 |
|
2004 |
13 |
€63,448 |
|
2005 |
18 |
€93,471 |
|
2006 |
18 |
€107298 |
|
2007 |
16 |
€88,335 |
|
2008 |
19 |
€74,770 |
|
2009 |
14 |
€74,996 |
|
2010 |
11 |
€86,665 |
|
2011 |
13 (to date) |
€112,661 |
184. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the number of countries in the OECD in which there are term limits or prohibitions on whom can serve on credit union boards enshrined in primary legislation. [51047/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am not aware of other OECD countries which set out terms limits and board restrictions in primary legislation. The Commission on Credit Unions was charged with bringing forward recommendations for the Irish credit union sector. It was not bound to limit its thinking to approaches in place in other financial sectors or in other jurisdictions. The Report is tailored to the Irish credit union system and does not apply 'banking' thinking nor does it slavishly import models from other international credit union movements.
I understand that the Commission recommendation on term limits was the subject of much discussion at the Commission and the final agreed recommendation is clear and unambiguous as regards the limits to apply. The Commission recommendation is reflected exactly in the Credit Union Bill 2012.
This issue was raised during the second stage of the Credit Union Bill 2012 and I have indicated that I will give consideration to the issue of term limits at Committee Stage. However, it is important that the principle of board renewal is retained in the legislation.
185. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the number of staff who retired since 2008 in receipt of pension payments of between €100,000 and €200,000, between €200,000 and €300,000 and €300,000 and €400,000 and the number with more than €500,000 at each of the covered banking institutions, the National Treasury Management Agency and National Asset Manaement Agency. [51066/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe institutions referred to in your question have supplied me with the following information: Due to data protection legislation I cannot release personal data and therefore I can only supply the information in the following table in response to the question. It includes all staff in AIB, BOI, PTSB, IBRC, NTMA, and NAMA.
|
- |
Number of staff retired since 2008 in receipt of pension payments of over €100,000 |
|
Total |
47 |
186. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the number of current staff who will receive pension payments on retirement of between €100,000 and €200,000, between €200,000 and €300,000 and €300,000 and €400,000 and the number with more than €500,000 at each of the covered banking institutions, the National Treasury Management Agency and National Asset Management Agency. [51067/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to your enquiry regarding the number of current staff who will receive pension payments on retirement of between €100,000 and €200,000, between €200,000 and €300,000 and €300,000 and €400,000 and the number with more than €500,000 at each of the covered banking institutions, the National Treasury Management Agency and National Asset Management Agency.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to accurately forecast entitlements given the huge number of variables involved and then provide this on a comparable basis. For example in one institution there are 12 different pension schemes with 12 different sets of terms and conditions. Further given the fluidity of the current employment situation in the institutions e.g. the current schemes for early retirements and voluntary redundancies, freedom of personnel to leave on notice and the individual nature of retirement packages especially at executive level (transfer in arrangements), it is not possible to forecast figures in relation to future entitlements.
While the trustees of the schemes have actuarial models which allow them to forecast the financial state of the various schemes, these models are not available to my department and the institutions rely on their pension trustees for forecasting.
In addition to the points above, due to the small number of individuals in some institutions, even if it were possible to calculate the data, it would not be possible to release the information due to data protection constraints on personal data.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Government has commissioned a Remuneration Review across the covered banks and this is designed to inform future policy recommendations in this area.
187. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the number of staff that are on a total remuneration package including pension payments, allowances and benefits of between €100,000 and €200,000, between €200,000 and €300,000 and €300,000 and €400,000 and the number with more than €500,000 at all of the covered banking institutions, the National Treasury Management Agency and National Asset Management Agency. [51068/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe institutions referred to in your question have supplied me with the following information:
|
- |
Number of staff on total remuneration package (incl pension payments, allowances and benefits of between €100,000-€200,000 |
Number of staff on total remuneration package (incl pension payments, allowances and benefits of between €200,000-€300,000 |
Number of staff on total remuneration package (incl pension payments, allowances and benefits of between €300,000-€400,000 |
Number of staff on total remuneration package (incl pension payments, allowances and benefits of between €400,000-€500,000 |
Number of staff on total remuneration package (incl pension payments, allowances and benefits of over €500,000 |
|
AIB |
1,159 |
85 |
8 |
10 |
0 |
|
BOI |
1,110 |
102 |
32 |
10 |
20 |
|
PTSB |
164 |
11 |
4 |
1 |
0 |
|
IBRC |
190 |
24 |
12 |
0 |
7 |
|
NTMA |
52 |
9 |
4 |
1 |
0 |
|
NAMA |
88 |
3 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
Note 1: The data from AIB and IBRC is as of Nov-12, PTSB’s data refers to Dec-11 while BOI data is as of September 30th, 2012
Note 2: BOI has estimated total remuneration by taking base salary and adding 26% as an estimate of potential non-salary benefits such as pension provision and allowances. This estimate is in the absence of individualised assumptions and estimates regarding an individual’s usage of/eligibility for certain potential benefits.
Note 3: NAMA and NTMA figures do not include pension contributions. Pension contributions are not paid to individual employees, they are paid into the pension scheme.
As the Deputy will no doubt be aware the covered institutions have announced plans to reduce staff costs. AIB, BOI, IBRC and PTSB have announced voluntary severance schemes. Further information on these schemes can be found in the interim reports of the individual institutions.
AIB has reduced pay and benefits of higher earners by between 7.5% and 15% in H2 2012; AIB’s defined benefit pension scheme is to close from end 2012 for future service and other long standing staff benefits have been withdrawn. For other staff a pay freeze has been in operation since 2008 and the bank is in discussion with the IBOA to extend this to 2014.
Remuneration costs at IBRC have also been reduced as I disclosed in my response to PQ’s 48607/12 and 48608/12.
As the Deputy will also be aware my Department has engaged Mercer to carry out a detailed review of remuneration across the covered banks. The results of this review are expected by the end of the year.
188. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the number of staff at each of the covered banking institutions who have received bonuses of between €100,000 and €200,000, between €200,000 and €300,000 and €300,000 and €400,000 and the number with more than €500,000 since the introduction of the excess bank remuneration charge and the total revenue raised each from this charge since its introduction. [51069/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe institutions referred to in your question have supplied me with the following information in relation to bonuses paid to staff since the introduction of the excess bank remuneration charge:
|
- |
AIB |
BOI |
PTSB |
IBRC |
|
Number of staff who have received bonuses between €100,000-€200,000 since introduction of excess bank remuneration charge |
0 |
n/a |
0 |
0 |
|
Number of staff who have received bonuses between €200,000-€300,000 since introduction of excess bank remuneration charge |
0 |
n/a |
0 |
0 |
|
Number of staff who have received bonuses between €300,000-€400,000 since introduction of excess bank remuneration charge |
0 |
n/a |
0 |
0 |
|
Number of staff who have received bonuses over €500,000 since introduction of excess bank remuneration charge |
0 |
n/a |
0 |
0 |
I am advised by the covered institutions who have disclosed information above that the total amount raised from the excess bank remuneration charge in respect of bonuses is zero.
Note: Bank of Ireland is unable to supply the details in the timeframe. However, it is the Minister’s understanding that they are in compliance with agreements with the State which prohibit bonuses save in exceptional circumstances such as meeting obligations on foot of a court order or pre-existing contractual commitments.
189. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the number of staff from the Department of Finance who retired since 2008 and are in receipt of pension payments of between €100,000 and €200,000, between €200,000 and €300,000 and €300,000 and €400,000 and the number with more than €500,000. [51070/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra190. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the number of staff on a total remuneration package including pension payments, allowances and benefits of between €100,000 and €200,000, between €200,000 and €300,000 and €300,000 and €400,000 and the number with more than €500,000 at the Department of Finance. [51071/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 189 and 190 together.
Since 2008 four people have retired from the Department of Finance who are in receipt of an annual pension greater than €100,000 and less than €200,000 which is paid from the Superannuation Vote. There were no retirees with annual pensions greater than this. Current staff members are not in receipt of any remuneration package other than salary payments as set out in Circular 28/2009 which details the payscales for general civil service grades and grades common to two or more Departments and is available on www.circulars.gov.ie
191. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding a refund of VAT in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51080/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by Revenue that an application for a refund of VAT was received from the person concerned on 28 August 2012. This application was in respect of the purchase of a wind turbine and related site works. The refund of VAT in respect of wind turbines is governed by the Value-Added Tax (Refund of Tax) (Flat-rate Farmers) Order 2012. This order stipulates that in order to qualify for a refund of VAT, equipment must be named on the Triple E Product Register which is a public database maintained by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) containing a list of products which comply with the energy efficiency criteria of that Authority.
The particular equipment purchased in this case was not on the SEAI Triple E Register at the time the application was made. In the circumstances the application for the refund was refused and the person concerned was advised of the reason for refusal.
I can confirm that the SEAI Triple E Product list is being updated to include, among others, the equipment identified in the VAT refund application. When this is done, officials from my Department will contact the person concerned to inform him of the change. Revenue has informed me that the application may then be resubmitted and the refund processed accordingly.
192. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide details in tabular form of the number of staff for each covered institution earning a total remuneration package including pension payments, allowances including travel, accommodation, entertainment, car and related expenses and benefits of between €100,000 and €200,000, between €200,001 and €300,000, between €300,001 and €400,000, between €400,001 and €500,000; and the number with more than €500,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51096/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe covered institutions have supplied me with the following information in relation to total remuneration:
|
- |
AIB |
BOI |
IBRC |
PTSB |
|
Number of staff on total remuneration package (including pension payments, allowances, expenses and benefits of between €100,000- €200,000 |
1,159 |
1,110 |
190 |
164 |
|
Number of staff on total remuneration package (including pension payments, allowances, expenses and benefits of between €200,001- €300,000 |
85 |
102 |
24 |
11 |
|
Number of staff on total remuneration package (including pension payments, allowances, expenses and benefits of between €300,001- €400,000 |
8 |
32 |
12 |
4 |
|
Number of staff on total remuneration package (including pension payments, allowances, expenses and benefits of between €400,001- €500,000 |
10 |
10 |
0 |
1 |
|
Number of staff on total remuneration package (including pension payments, allowances, expenses and benefits of over €500,000 |
20 |
7 |
0 |
Note 1: The data from AIB and IBRC is as of Nov-12, PTSB’s data refers to Dec-11 while BOI data is as of September 30th, 2012.
Note 2: BOI has estimated total remuneration by taking base salary and adding 26% as an estimate of potential non-salary benefits such as pension provision and allowances. This estimate is in the absence of individualised assumptions and estimates regarding an individual’s usage of/eligibility for certain potential benefits.
As the Deputy will no doubt be aware the covered institutions have announced plans to reduce staff costs. AIB, BOI, IBRC and PTSB have announced voluntary severance schemes. Further information on these schemes can be found in the interim reports of the individual institutions.
AIB has reduced pay and benefits of higher earners by between 7.5% and 15% in H2 2012; AIB’s defined benefit pension scheme is to close from end 2012 for future service and other long standing staff benefits have been withdrawn. For other staff a pay freeze has been in operation since 2008 and the bank is in discussion with the IBOA to extend this to 2014.
Remuneration costs at IBRC have also been reduced as I disclosed in my response to PQ’s 48607/12 and 48608/12.
As the Deputy will also be aware my Department has engaged Mercer to carry out a detailed review of remuneration across the covered banks. The results of this review are expected by the end of the year.
193. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Finance rather than increasing the tax on fizzy drinks, if it would be more prudent to remove or reduce the VAT from the sugar free drinks to encourage persons to switch to a healthier option; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51124/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe VAT rating of goods and services is constrained by the requirements of EU VAT law with which Irish VAT law must comply. For tax neutrality purposes the same VAT rate must apply to beverages such as soft drinks, fruit juices, smoothies and bottled water, regardless of their sugar content. While it is possible to apply a reduced VAT rate to soft drinks, this would have to apply to all beverages, including soft drinks with sugar and would be costly to the Exchequer. However, it is not possible to apply a reduced rate to sugar free soft drinks, while applying the standard rate to soft drinks with sugar. The application of the same VAT rate to these beverages is consistent across the EU. Prior to 1992 bottled waters and fruit juices had applied at the zero rate, but were made subject to the standard rate from 1 November 1992 in order to correct the competitive anomaly, as the similar competing products such as soft drinks were standard rated.
