Written Answers Nos. 68-72
68. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance the amount of tax that was returned from relevant contracts tax 1 by gross figure, by net figure after rebates and offsets for 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45626/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Relevant Contracts Tax (RCT) system is a tax deduction at source system that is applied by a principal contractor on payments due to a subcontractor under a relevant contract. All payments are reported to Revenue, and in a minority of cases (based on risk criteria), a percentage of the payment due is withheld and paid over to Revenue, to be offset against the subcontractor's liability for income tax, VAT and other taxes.
The tax that is collected under the electronic RCT system in any year is first and foremost offset against any unpaid tax liabilities the subcontractor may have. Thereafter, it is available for offset against tax as it falls due. Only where the tax deducted under the RCT system exceeds the subcontractor's tax liability for the year is the 'excess' tax deducted repaid by Revenue.
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the gross Relevant Contracts Tax (RCT) collected in 2014 was €200.8 million. €122.4 million was offset against tax liabilities for 2014 or earlier years and €47.4 million was repaid. €31 million remains available for offset against subcontractors' tax liabilities (or for repayment where tax liability is exceeded) and will remain so for a period of four years.
69. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance if he will explain the apparent discrepancy in his letter of 17 July 2015 regarding bogus self-employment, where he stated the number of payers of relevant contracts tax 1 in the construction sector was approximately 34,000 and yet, more recently in a parliamentary response on the same issue, he stated that the number was 75,386; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45627/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraPersons to whom the RCT system applies are either principal contractors or subcontractors the RCT system does not apply in respect of employees. The concept of 'RCT1 taxpayer' as referenced by the Deputy does not exist.
The figure of 34,000 referred to in the Question relates to the approximately 34,000 subcontractors active in the RCT system. The figure of 75,386 referred to in the Question relates to the number of individuals employed in construction related businesses.
As to wider issues relating to employment matters, during the recent Finance Bill Committee Stage debates, I announced that a public consultation will be held shortly on a range of issues relating to employment practices and trends.
70. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will open up the transfer list for employees within the public service, the numbers who are interested in such transfers, with particular reference to the education and training boards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45507/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware there are currently no formal arrangements for the transfer of staff between the different sectors of the public service. While, for example, expressions of interest did allow for some movement between sectors such moves were, in the main, designed to address specific skills shortages.
About 12,000 civil and public servants have moved under various mobility schemes.
In the civil service, for which I am directly responsible, the Central Transfer Scheme (CTS) for Clerical Officers was negotiated with the Staff Side Unions in 1978. It provides for cross-Departmental transfer arrangements and is a mechanism for filling clerical vacancies in provincial locations.
Each department with provincial offices maintains a list, in order of the application date, of clerical staff who are seeking a transfer. The scheme is central in the sense that a department must accept applications from officers of other Civil Service departments. Information on the number of applicants is not maintained centrally.
The Central Transfer Scheme for the Civil Service is not available to staff in the wider Public Service.
Under Action 15 of the Civil Service Renewal Plan, my Department in conjunction with the Civil Service Management Board is examining ways to improve mobility.
I am not aware of the current mobility arrangements in the Education and Training Board area, however Education and Training Boards come within the remit of the Minister for Education and Skills in the first instance.
71. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the cost to the Office of Public Works of flood prevention measures in east Meath to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45511/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Office of Public Works (OPW), along with the local authorities in Co Meath, Fingal and Dublin City carried out the River Tolka Flood Relief Scheme from 2003 to 2011. The works in the Meath area were completed between 2003 and 2007 at a cost of €6.8m.
The Mornington Flood Relief Scheme was completed in 2013 at a cost of €3.93m, and during 2015 the OPW carried out direct labour maintenance of this scheme along with areas of Northlands Estate at an approximate cost of €66,000.
The OPW also carries out an annual programme of maintenance on the river and drainage channels in Co, Meath for which under the Arterial Drainage Acts it has maintenance responsibility. However, it is not possible to provide a cost figure for this as a breakdown of the overall maintenance expenditure figure on a county basis is not available.
In addition to major schemes, the OPW provides funding to local authorities under the Minor Works Scheme and since the scheme commenced in 2009 the OPW has expended €0.3m under the programme for Co Meath.
On 11th February, 2014 the Government allocated specific funding for repair of coastal defence infrastructure that was damaged in the Winter 2013/14 storms, of which €75,000 was allocated to County Meath. Meath County Council submitted to the OPW a programme of proposed works in relation to its allocation that included projects in the Laytown - Bettystown area. All funds have now been disbursed to Meath County Council in relation to this scheme.
72. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason for the undue delay in the proposed flood relief scheme for Templemore in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45559/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing the formal public exhibition of the proposed flood relief scheme for Templemore which took place in March/April of 2015, work on finalising the detailed design of the scheme has been ongoing. This has involved necessary consultations with relevant stakeholders. The Office of Public Works is working to progress the scheme as quickly as possible and hopes to submit the scheme to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for approval shortly. Allowing for the required independent review by the Minister of the scheme's Environmental Impact Statement the OPW would anticipate works commencing in late 2016.
