Written Answers Nos. 65-74
65. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Finance the total number of project applications entered by the State under the European Investment Bank for investment and infrastructural projects, per annum in each of the years 2010 to 2016, in tabular form; the number of successful agreements to date; the estimated total expected drawdown of funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3730/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra66. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Finance the total number of project applications entered by the State under the European Investment Bank for investment and infrastructural projects in 2017 in tabular form; the estimated total expected drawdown of funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3731/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 65 and 66 together.
The European Investment Bank (EIB) is the long-term financing institution of the European Union. Its mission is to help implement the EU's policy objectives by providing financing to projects that address these objectives. The EIB may lend to Governments, public sector bodies, commercial semi-state bodies or private sector entities.
The Deputy will find in the table a breakdown of both private and public sector (including commercial semi-state) projects in Ireland to which the European Investment Bank (EIB) has provided financing. The table sets out the project name, the sector involved, the date of contract signature and amount for each project for the period 2010-2016.
The Deputy should note that the figures set out in the table refer to the contract amount. The schedule for finance drawdown from EIB for each project is determined within individual financing contracts and is confidential between the EIB and the project promoter.
The Deputy may also wish to be aware that information on the projects signed between the EIB and project promoters in Ireland is also publicly available on the EIB website. A link to the relevant section of the site is available here: http://www.eib.org/projects/loans/index.htm.
No contracts, according to the EIB website, have been signed to date in 2017 with project promoters in Ireland. I am not in a position to indicate how many contracts will be signed by the EIB and Irish entities (whether in the public or private sector) in 2017 as there are a range of factors that determine whether a finance contract will ultimately be signed for any project proposal in any given year. Such factors may include project proposal maturity, agreement between EIB and the project promoter on financing terms and the availability of matching or alternative finance.
|
Project |
Sector |
Signature Date of contract |
Amount (€m) Signed* |
|
2016 |
|
|
|
|
Coillte Sustainable Forestry |
Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry |
22-Dec-16 |
90 |
|
HFA Irish Social Housing |
Urban Development |
21-Dec-16 |
200 |
|
Davos Fund II Co-Investment Forestry |
Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry |
12-Dec-16 |
28.5 |
|
RCSI Campus Development |
Education |
09-Dec-16 |
50 |
|
Amryt Pharma |
Industry |
01-Dec-16 |
10 |
|
Irish Schools Programme III |
Education |
17-Oct-16 |
200 |
|
University College Cork Campus Development |
Education |
19-July-16 |
100 |
|
Malin Corporation Life Sciences Investments |
Services |
22-June-16 |
40 |
|
Fineos |
Industry |
22-June-16 |
15 |
|
Primary Care Centres PPP |
Health |
25-May-16 |
70 |
|
N25 New Ross Bypass PPP |
Transport |
26-Jan-16 |
21.806 |
|
|
|
Total |
825.306 |
|
2015 |
|||
|
DCU Campus Development |
Education |
21-Dec-15 |
76 |
|
Dublin Port |
Transport |
21-Dec-15 |
100 |
|
Irish Flood Prevention Programme |
Water |
17-Dec-15 |
200 |
|
Strategic Bank Corporation Ireland (SBCI) |
SMEs |
22-Oct-15 |
200 |
|
M11 Gorey to Enniscorthy Motorway PPP |
Transport |
14-Oct-15 |
109.105 |
|
Trinity College Dublin |
Education |
25-Jun-15 |
70 |
|
|
|
Total |
755.105 |
|
2014 |
|
||
|
Open Access (GFI) |
Broadband |
19-Dec-14 |
12 |
|
HFA - Irish Social Housing Development Programme |
Urban Development |
18-Dec-14 |
150 |
|
NUI Maynooth |
Education |
17-Dec-14 |
76.765 |
|
ESB Network - Renewable Connection |
Energy |
30-Oct-14 |
100 |
|
Irish Water Investment Programme |
Water |
29-Oct-14 |
100 |
|
Strategic Bank Corporation Ireland (SBCI) |
SMEs |
28-Oct-14 |
200 |
|
N17-N18 Gort to Tuam PPP Motorway |
Transport |
30-Apr-14 |
143.034 |
|
Dublin Luas Cross City |
Transport |
03-Mar-14 |
150 |
|
|
|
Total |
931.799 |
|
2013 |
|
||
|
ESB Renewable Connection |
Energy |
09-Dec-13 |
100 |
|
Vodafone Mobile Limited |
Corporate |
27-Nov-13 |
117.619 |
|
University of Limerick |
Education |
26-Nov-13 |
100 |
|
Irish School Programme II |
Education |
19-Jun-13 |
100 |
|
N11/N7 Motorway PPP |
Infrastructure |
30-Apr-13 |
72.156 |
|
AIB Loan for SMEs and Midcaps |
SMEs |
26-Apr-13 |
100 |
|
Bord Gáis Onshore Wind Programme |
Energy |
23-Apr-13 |
90 |
|
|
|
Total |
679.775 |
|
2012 |
|||
|
AIB Loan for SMEs and Midcaps |
SMEs |
21-Dec-12 |
100 |
|
Bord Gáis Onshore Wind Programme |
Energy |
28-Nov-12 |
155 |
|
Irish Water Investment Programme |
Energy |
28-Nov-12 |
100 |
|
Irish Schools Investment Programme (PPP) |
Education |
09-Nov-12 |
49.990 |
|
Irish School Programme |
Education |
06-Jul-12 |
100 |
|
|
|
Total |
504.990 |
|
2011 |
|
|
|
|
AIB Loan for SMEs II |
SMEs |
21-Dec-11 |
150 |
|
University College Dublin |
Education |
17-Nov-11 |
90 |
|
ESB Network and E-Cars Infrastructure |
Energy |
17-Nov-11 |
235 |
|
|
|
Total |
475 |
|
2010 |
|
|
|
|
Car Efficiency and Safety RDI RSFF |
Industry |
01-Oct-10 |
15 |
|
Bord Gais Whitegate CCGT |
Education |
02-July-10 |
197 |
|
Irish Schools Investment Programme |
Education |
02-June-10 |
44.173 |
|
|
|
Total |
256.173 |
* Please note that the figures are rounded to 3 decimal places where appropriate.
67. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Finance the total amount of VAT receipts taken in by the Exchequer for non-alcoholic beer beverages in each of the years from 2014 to 2016, in tabular form; and to give the current VAT rate. [3735/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe standard rate of VAT (currently 23%) is applicable to the sale of non-alcoholic beer beverages.
However it is not possible to furnish precise figures on the amount of VAT taken from the sale of non-alcoholic beer beverages as outlined in the Deputy's question. This is due to the fact that the information provided to Revenue on a VAT return does not require the yield from individual products or activities to be identified. In addition the volume of non-alcoholic beer beverages released for consumption in not reported to Revenue as excise duty is not applicable on the sale of beverages where the alcoholic content is below 1.2% by volume. While Revenue on occasion uses detailed Central Statistics Office figures on consumption and expenditure for VAT estimates, neither is sufficiently detailed for the purpose requested by the Deputy.
68. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance his views on the potential roll-back of financial regulation in the United States and other jurisdictions; the extent to which this will impact financial regulation and the financial sector here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3737/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am not going to comment on any speculation around the potential roll back of financial regulation in the United States or any other jurisdiction as it would be inappropriate for me to do so.
The stability of financial markets has been a central priority for the European Union since the financial crisis and in the interim we have seen the introduction of reformed oversight and resolution regimes to address any emerging vulnerabilities or instabilities in the European Banking Sector.
These reformed oversight and resolution regimes include new European institutions; strengthened regulations; a more intrusive supervisory approach; and a new focus on macroprudential requirements.
The Single Supervisory Mechanism (SSM) is now responsible for the prudential supervision framework for euro area banks. The central piece of the SSM supervisory process is the Supervisory Review and Evaluation Process (SREP) under which ECB led joint supervisory teams inspect business models, internal governance, profitability and banking risks.
All of these new regulations and institutional arrangements have been designed to address the challenges of banking oversight and resolution at a European level and provide for a pro-active approach towards systemic and emergent risks. Besides the introduction of new European and national regulations, the Central Bank too has increased its resources and has become more pro-active in addressing systemic risk. This entire new framework is designed to secure a safe, responsible, and growth enhancing financial sector in Europe, while protecting consumers and the economy.
Financial regulation developments in other jurisdictions warrant ongoing attention by the EU and by the Central Bank, and let me assure the Deputy that both my Department and the Central Bank are continually monitoring international developments in collaboration with our EU colleagues.
69. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the cost of extending the disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme to visually impaired persons who are unable to obtain a driving licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3738/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Drivers and Passengers with Disabilities (Tax Concessions) Scheme provides relief from VAT and VRT (up to a certain limit) on the purchase of an adapted car for transport of a person with specific severe and permanent physical disabilities, assistance with fuel costs, and an exemption from Motor Tax.
As the Deputy will be aware, to qualify for the Scheme, an applicant must have a permanent and severe physical disability within the terms of the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations (S.I. 353 of 1994) and satisfy one of the following six qualifying criteria:
- be wholly or almost wholly without the use of both legs;
- be wholly without the use of one leg and almost wholly without the use of the other leg such that the applicant is severely restricted as to movement of the lower limbs;
- be without both hands or without both arms;
- be without one or both legs;
- be wholly or almost wholly without the use of both hands or arms and wholly or almost wholly without the use of one leg;
- have the medical condition of dwarfism and have serious difficulties of movement of the lower limbs.
The Scheme represents a significant tax expenditure. Between the Vehicle Registration Tax and VAT foregone, and the repayment of excise on fuel used by members of the Scheme, the Scheme represented a cost of €50.3 million to the Exchequer in 2015, an increase from €48.6 million in 2014. These figures do not include the revenue foregone to the Local Government Fund in the respect of the relief from Motor Tax provided to members of the Scheme.
I regularly receive correspondence from individuals with disabilities that do not meet the criteria but who believe they would benefit from the Scheme. The Scheme and qualifying criteria were designed specifically for those with severe physical disabilities and are, therefore, necessarily precise.
While I have sympathy with those who do not qualify for Scheme, I cannot, given the scale and scope of the Scheme, expand it further within the current context of constrained resources.
Furthermore, it is not possible to cost the extension of the scheme in the way the Deputy has requested.
70. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will be fully publishing his Department's current assessment of the economic impacts on the Irish economy of a hard Brexit (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3739/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has been to the fore in producing and funding a number of economic assessments on Brexit, both before and after the referendum. Outputs include:
- A scoping study in November 2015 under the Department of Finance-ESRI joint research programme,
- Initial short-term estimates published in the Summer Economic Statement 2016,
- An in-depth analysis of the possible sectoral and regional impacts of Brexit arising from Ireland's trade relationship with the UK, published with Budget 2017; and,
- A joint research paper with the ESRI that modelled the medium to long term macroeconomic impact of Brexit under a number of scenarios, including a hard Brexit.
All of these outputs have been made public.
In particular, the medium to long term economic impacts of a "hard Brexit" are set out in the November 2016 joint paper with the ESRI - this was the analysis which my officials were referring to.
The paper, which used the new ESRI COSMO macroeconomic model, highlights that the impact on the Irish economy will be significant. Looking at the effect ten years after a UK exit, a hard Brexit scenario results in the level of GDP being almost 4 per cent below what it otherwise would have been in a no-Brexit scenario; with most of the impact coming in the first five years. The level of employment is expected to be 2 per cent below what it would otherwise have been; in other words, employment growth will be slower than would otherwise be the case. On the public finances side, the deficit and debt ratios would be 1 and 10 percentage points higher.
The Deputy will also be aware that the impacts of a hard Brexit were also considered by the ESRI in a separate analysis in November 2016 that looked at the impact of WTO trade tariffs. The findings in that paper, in broad orders of magnitude, are consistent with those in the joint research my Department published with the ESRI that same month.
I would stress that all of these results are based on a no policy change assumption. To this extent, the measures that I announced in Budget 2017 are a first step in what will be an ongoing process of getting Ireland Brexit ready.
71. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if World Trade Organization rules will apply between the EU and the UK in the event that a trade deal between the UK and the EU is not completed by the end of the Article 50 process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3740/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe responsibility for the development of Ireland's international trade policies is in the first instance a matter for the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.
Across Government the headline priorities for the Article 50 negotiation process remain clear. These are to protect the economy and trade, the Northern Ireland Peace Process, the Common Travel Area and the future of the European Union itself. The Government will defend our national interests and priorities fully within the established legal and political framework for the negotiations.
Across all sections of Government we have been working intensively in preparing for all eventualities.
My Department has worked with the ESRI on the publication entitled 'Modelling the potential macroeconomic Impact of Brexit on Ireland' which was published in November 2016. Within the paper, and in line with existing international analysis, three scenarios were considered. This includes a scenario where the UK and EU do not conclude a bilateral trade agreement and, instead, the UK exercises its rights under the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) clause of the World Trade Organization (WTO). (In practice any proposed UK WTO schedule would have to be agreed by all WTO members.) Our contingency work, rightly, is examining all scenarios. However, we are at the start of a process within which there is expected to be a number of phases. Ireland will participate fully in all of the structures of the EU 27 in preparing for and conducting the negotiations.
Ireland will continue working with both our EU partners and with the UK to maintain a positive, constructive and orderly approach to these negotiations. It is not helpful at this stage to try to pre-empt the outcome of negotiations.
72. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the provision of a secondary school (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3633/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe major building project referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of architectural planning - Stage 2(b) - Detailed Design, which includes the applications for Planning Permission, Fire Certificate and Disability Access Certificate and the preparation of Tender Documents.
All Statutory Approvals have been applied for and are currently awaiting approval. When secured, the Design Team will finalise the Stage 2(b) - Detailed Design submission which will be submitted to my Department for review. Following receipt and consideration of that report my Department will revert to the school with regard to the further progression of the project at that time.
73. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the total number of students in the first year intake for each university here offering medicine as an undergraduate degree in respect of each year intake since the 2010-2011 academic year, in tabular form; the breakdown of that number between the number of places made available in the normal CAO system and the number of places made available to international, non-EU students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3680/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe total number of first year enrolments on the undergraduate degree medicine courses in higher education institutions in Ireland since the 2010/2011 academic year is contained in the following table. I have also included data on first year enrolments to the graduate entry to medicine programmes, which are undergraduate medical courses specifically designed for graduate students. The information is categorised based on the student's domicile of origin on entry to the course as follows: Irish Students; Students from the European Union; Students from outside the European Union.
Undergraduate
|
- |
2010/2011 |
2011/2012 |
2012/2013 |
2013/2014 |
2014/2015 |
2015/2016 |
Grand Total |
|
National University of Ireland, Galway |
225 |
303 |
298 |
258 |
274 |
291 |
1649 |
|
(Other) EU |
13 |
10 |
10 |
9 |
6 |
10 |
58 |
|
Ireland (inc Northern Ireland) |
157 |
271 |
204 |
183 |
244 |
180 |
1239 |
|
Non-EU |
55 |
22 |
84 |
66 |
24 |
101 |
352 |
|
Royal College of Surgeons |
485 |
523 |
511 |
543 |
512 |
494 |
3068 |
|
(Other) EU |
25 |
19 |
8 |
12 |
7 |
21 |
92 |
|
Ireland (inc Northern Ireland) |
257 |
263 |
82 |
49 |
55 |
146 |
852 |
|
Non-EU |
203 |
240 |
420 |
482 |
450 |
327 |
2122 |
|
Unknown |
1 |
1 |
2 |
||||
|
Trinity College Dublin |
161 |
172 |
185 |
184 |
175 |
181 |
1058 |
|
(Other) EU |
8 |
5 |
10 |
11 |
11 |
14 |
59 |
|
Ireland (inc Northern Ireland) |
108 |
120 |
121 |
121 |
110 |
111 |
691 |
|
Non-EU |
45 |
47 |
54 |
52 |
54 |
56 |
308 |
|
University College Cork |
119 |
168 |
174 |
129 |
132 |
135 |
857 |
|
(Other) EU |
1 |
1 |
2 |
5 |
3 |
12 |
|
|
Ireland (inc Northern Ireland) |
99 |
92 |
91 |
89 |
87 |
91 |
549 |
|
Non-EU |
19 |
75 |
83 |
38 |
40 |
41 |
296 |
|
University College Dublin |
327 |
315 |
293 |
294 |
293 |
289 |
1811 |
|
(Other) EU |
9 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
20 |
|
Ireland (inc Northern Ireland) |
220 |
201 |
173 |
168 |
169 |
176 |
1107 |
|
Non-EU |
98 |
112 |
119 |
124 |
121 |
110 |
684 |
|
Grand Total |
1317 |
1481 |
1461 |
1408 |
1386 |
1390 |
8443 |
|
(Other) EU |
56 |
37 |
29 |
36 |
32 |
51 |
241 |
|
Ireland (inc Northern Ireland) |
841 |
947 |
671 |
610 |
665 |
704 |
4438 |
|
Non-EU |
420 |
496 |
760 |
762 |
689 |
635 |
3762 |
|
Unknown |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
GRADUATE ENTRY Courses
|
2010/2011 |
2011/2012 |
2012/2013 |
2013/2014 |
2014/2015 |
2015/2016 |
Grand Total |
|
|
Royal College of Surgeons |
66 |
65 |
62 |
66 |
63 |
72 |
394 |
|
(Other) EU |
4 |
3 |
5 |
9 |
7 |
5 |
33 |
|
Ireland (inc Northern Ireland) |
24 |
24 |
25 |
25 |
21 |
23 |
142 |
|
Non-EU |
38 |
38 |
32 |
32 |
35 |
44 |
219 |
|
University College Cork |
51 |
68 |
69 |
74 |
74 |
71 |
407 |
|
(Other) EU |
2 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
8 |
21 |
|
Ireland (inc Northern Ireland) |
25 |
38 |
34 |
36 |
35 |
29 |
197 |
|
Non-EU |
24 |
28 |
33 |
35 |
35 |
34 |
189 |
|
University College Dublin |
81 |
99 |
95 |
100 |
109 |
101 |
585 |
|
(Other) EU |
5 |
1 |
5 |
6 |
11 |
11 |
39 |
|
Ireland (inc Northern Ireland) |
49 |
76 |
69 |
69 |
68 |
64 |
395 |
|
Non-EU |
27 |
22 |
21 |
25 |
30 |
26 |
151 |
|
University of Limerick |
101 |
124 |
140 |
145 |
156 |
152 |
818 |
|
(Other) EU |
4 |
1 |
13 |
14 |
14 |
19 |
65 |
|
Ireland (inc Northern Ireland) |
65 |
91 |
83 |
85 |
87 |
83 |
494 |
|
Non-EU |
32 |
32 |
44 |
46 |
55 |
50 |
259 |
|
Grand Total |
299 |
356 |
366 |
385 |
402 |
396 |
2204 |
|
(Other) EU |
15 |
7 |
25 |
32 |
36 |
43 |
158 |
|
Ireland (inc Northern Ireland) |
163 |
229 |
211 |
215 |
211 |
199 |
1228 |
|
Non-EU |
121 |
120 |
130 |
138 |
155 |
154 |
818 |
74. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the fee charged to international non-EU students, for each year studying medicine, for each university here offering medicine as an undergraduate degree and for each academic year since 2010-2011, in tabular form; the total fees collected by the university in respect of such international, non-EU students studying medicine in that university; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3681/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe details sought by the Deputy are not readily available in my Department. Officials of my Department have requested the Higher Education Authority to seek to collate the information and I will arrange for it to be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
