Written Answers Nos. 67 - 72
67. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide in tabular form the number of individual secondments from the National Treasury Management Agency in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. [4655/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe number of staff seconded from the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) into my Department was as follows -
|
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
|
0 |
0 |
9 |
12 |
Note: these are year-end numbers. There were three additional secondments during 2012 to replace staff on secondment to my Department who resigned from the NTMA in the course of the year.
69. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the measures in place at the NewERA organisation within the National Treasury Management Agency to prevent conflicts of interest if employees or staff in NewERA are appointed to companies being created under the auspices of NewERA or in which the State is disposing of stakes. [4657/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra76. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he intends to review the need for a cooling off period to be introduced in respect of National Treasury Management Agency executives leaving the organisation and immediately taking up senior positions in the covered institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4723/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 69 and 76 together.
I am informed by the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) that NTMA employees have notice periods of one or three months and six months in the case of the Chief Executive. I understand the Chief Executive of the Agency is reviewing NTMA policy in this area. All NTMA employees are subject to section 14 of the National Treasury Management Agency Act, 1990 which prohibits an employee from disclosing any information obtained while carrying out their duties as employees of the NTMA. NTMA employees are also subject to the Official Secrets Act. I am also informed by the Agency that contravention of the NTMA Act and the Official Secrets Act is a criminal offence and that the prohibition on disclosing confidential information applies indefinitely and extends to former employees.
70. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding deductions from payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4665/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the taxpayer in question has been issued with a Tax Credit Certificate for 2013 on a separate assessment basis showing tax credits of €3,300 per annum. However he should correctly be on a Joint assessment basis with a married tax credit. An amended tax credit certificate is being issued to give effect to this. His tax credits will then increase to €4,950 per annum or €95.19 per week. If the taxpayer feels that he has overpaid tax for 2012 he should submit his Form P60 to Limerick Tax District to claim any refund due. It should also be noted that employment on a community employment scheme is exempt from Universal Social Charge (except for the manager and administrator of the scheme).
71. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Finance under the Finance (Local Property) Tax Bill 2012, if he will indicate where the payments for 2013 are being transferred to in view of the fact that the legislation states that in each financial year commencing in the year 2014, he shall pay into the Local Government Fund an amount equivalent to the local property tax including any interest paid thereon paid into the Central Fund during that year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4716/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe position for 2014 is as outlined by the Deputy in his question. Section 960A of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 [as amended by the Finance (Local Property Tax) Act 2012] provides that Local Property Tax is a tax due and payable to the Revenue Commissioners and therefore by virtue of Section 960D of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997, a debt due to the Minister for Finance for the benefit of the Central Fund. Therefore I can confirm that the receipts will be paid into the Central Fund.
72. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance if he will have cause to have laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas a schedule of all artworks to have come into the possession of the National Asset Management Agency since the establishment of the agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4718/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by NAMA that the information sought by the Deputy is of a commercial nature and that its disclosure would potentially place NAMA at a commercial disadvantage. I am advised accordingly by NAMA that it is precluded from providing the information.
