Fergus O'Dowd
Ceist:89. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will respond directly to a request by a person (details supplied). [9049/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraVisa Applications
Ceisteanna (89)
Freagraí scríofa
I refer the Deputy to my response to Parliamentary Question No. 116 of 31 January, 2017. I am also advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that they will get in touch with the person concerned.
The Deputy may wish to note that queries may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
In addition, members of the public may themselves e-mail queries directly to INIS (visamail@justice.ie).
Magdalen Laundries
Ceisteanna (90)
Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire
Ceist:90. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the plans in place to ensure that artefacts and paperwork contained in the former Magdalen laundry building at Donnybrook, Dublin 4, are gathered and preserved. [9066/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
An Inter-Departmental Committee was set up in 2011 to establish the facts of the State's involvement with the Magdalen Laundries. It was chaired by then Senator Martin McAleese and it is commonly referred to as the McAleese report. The material in the Report relates to 10 different institutions which were run by 4 different Orders of nuns over a period of 70 years.
Chapter 3 of the McAleese Report gives the history of the Donnybrook Magdalene Laundry. The sisters of Charity took over the Donnybrook Laundry in 1833. It was re-located to Donnybrook Castle in 1837 and was re-named St. Mary Magdalen's Asylum. The former Magdalen Laundry building at Donnybrook is not and never was in State ownership. The State therefore does not have access to its artefacts or paperwork. In 1992 the premises was sold to a private company which operated a commercial laundry there until 2006.
Magdalen Laundries
Ceisteanna (91)
Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire
Ceist:91. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the plans for the Magdalen laundry at Sean McDermott Street, Dublin 1; if there are plans to sell it; and, if so, the reason. [9067/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
An Inter-Departmental Committee was set up in 2011 to establish the facts of the State's involvement with the Magdalen Laundries. It was chaired by then Senator Martin McAleese and it is commonly referred to as the McAleese report. The material in the Report relates to 10 different institutions which were run by 4 different Orders of nuns over a period of 70 years.
Chapter 3 of the McAleese Report gives the history of the of the Magdalene Laundry on Sean McDermott street which became the responsibility of, and was operated by, the Sisters of Our Lady of Charity. The Laundry closed in 1996. At no time was the laundry, or the land on which it was sited, the responsibility of my Department or, indeed, of any Government Department. I understand that in recent years the site was handed over to Dublin City Council by the Sisters of Our Lady of Charity.
Ministerial Advisers Appointments
Ceisteanna (92)
Peter Burke
Ceist:92. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if each Minister of State in her Department has appointed a programme manager or adviser; the date of such appointment; and the remuneration and expenses allowance for each. [9535/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Mr. David Stanton TD is Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality with special responsibility for Equality, Immigration and Integration.
Minister Stanton does not have a programme manager or advisor among his staff.
In addition to Minister Stanton, Mr. Dara Murphy TD is the Minister of State for Data Protection at my Department and the Department of the Taoiseach. He is also Minister of State for European Affairs and the EU Digital Single Market at the Department of the Taoiseach and Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Mr. Finian McGrath TD is the Minister of State with my Department with special responsibility for Disability issues. He is also Minister of State at the Departments of Social Protection and Health.
The staffing arrangements in respect of both Minister of State Murphy and Minister of State McGrath are the responsibility of their respective parent Departments.
Brexit Issues
Ceisteanna (93)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:93. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance the number of sites identified by officials of the Revenue Commissioners that will be suitable for new customs posts and checkpoints in the Border area with Northern Ireland; if the Revenue Commissioners will reinstate and renovate old customs properties held by the State; the amount of funding committed to date relating to establishing old and new customs posts and checkpoints on the Border with Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8845/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Government's position in relation to the border with Northern Ireland in the context of BREXIT is very clear and has been articulated by the Taoiseach on several occasions. Continued freedom of movement, absence of a hard border, and minimal impact on business and trade are key objectives. Like all Government agencies, the Revenue Commissioners are actively engaged in examining a range of scenarios in order to support Ireland's objectives. The precise arrangements that will apply after Brexit will depend on the outcome of negotiations between the EU and UK after formal notification under Article 50.
VAT Rate Application
Ceisteanna (94)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:94. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance his plans to make a submission on behalf of the State regarding the reform of VAT rates proposal for a Council directive amending Directive 2006/112/EC on the common system of value added tax as regards the rules governing the application of VAT rates (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8870/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The submission referred to by the Deputy concerns an open Public Consultation process launched by the Commission to obtain the views of the public and business relating to VAT rates. I do not propose to contribute through this public consultation mechanism, as Member States will have ample time to consult in advance of the publication of the proposal and in the subsequent discussions at Council.
Tax Code
Ceisteanna (95)
Kevin O'Keeffe
Ceist:95. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Finance the tax incentives and reliefs that will be available to owners of properties in rural towns and villages further to the launch of the action plan for rural development. [8875/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department is engaged in a range of actions relating to the "Realising our rural potential: Action plan for rural development" including tax related measures for the farming and fisheries sectors. However, and as set out in the action plan, while I have no plans for additional tax incentive schemes targeted specifically at the owners of property in rural towns and villages, the Deputy may be aware of a number of tax incentives that are already available to the owners of residential property in all areas, including rural towns and villages.
The Home Renovation Incentive provides for an income tax credit for homeowners or landlords of residential property, who carry out repair, renovation or improvement works on their property. It provides for tax relief by way of an income tax credit of 13.5% of qualifying expenditure. Qualifying work must cost a minimum of €5,000 (including VAT). The maximum qualifying cost for the purpose of the incentive is (€30,000 including VAT), which equates to a maximum credit of €4,050. The tax credit is payable over two years following the year in which the work is paid for and I have extended the scheme for a further two years in the recent Budget.
In addition, (limited) relief is available for expenditure on approved gardens and buildings in the state in accordance with Section 482 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997. To qualify for this relief the relevant building must be determined by the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to be of significant scientific, historical, architectural or aesthetic interest and the Revenue Commissioners must be satisfied that reasonable access to the building is afforded to the public.
Finally, the Help to Buy incentive is designed to assist first-time buyers with obtaining the deposit required to purchase or build their first home. With a view towards increasing the supply of new housing, the relief is available in respect of 'new builds'. There are a range of conditions that a first time buyer must meet in order to qualify for Help to Buy incentive, including taking out a mortgage of at least 70% of the value of the purchase price, or in the case of a self-build, 70% of the valuation approved by the mortgage provider.
NAMA Debtors
Ceisteanna (96, 97)
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:96. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 137 of 14 February 2017, the reason in the reply the value of €956 million classified as written off does not match the 57% average discount as per Parliamentary Question No. 111 of 25 January 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8930/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraPearse Doherty
Ceist:97. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 111 of 25 January 2017, if he will provide in a third column the breakdown of the €14.9 billion repaid to the agency attributable to each row; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8932/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 96 and 97 together.
In response to the Deputy, I am advised it is not possible within the time allowed to provide the range of information sought and having regard to the time period in question. This information is being compiled and I will arrange for a further reply to be provided in line with Standing Orders.
Tax Collection
Ceisteanna (98)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:98. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Finance if he will address a matter (details supplied) with regard to prosecutions in the District Court; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8988/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
It is an offence, under section 1078(2)(a) of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997, to knowingly or wilfully deliver an incorrect return, statement or accounts or knowingly or wilfully furnish any incorrect information in connection with any tax.
I am advised by Revenue that, between the years 2007 and 2016, no prosecutions were instituted for the delivery of an incorrect income tax return where no liability to income tax arose from that return.
Tax Reliefs Costs
Ceisteanna (99)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:99. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance the total cost, and the categories of expenses in each case, of income tax relief for medical expenses over each of the past five years. [9079/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am advised by Revenue that a Costs of Tax Expenditures Table is available on the Revenue Statistics webpage at
www.revenue.ie/en/about/statistics/costs-expenditures.html.
This table provides an annual breakdown of the cost to the Exchequer for 'Health Expenses' from the years 2004 to 2014, the latest year for which data are available. The table will be updated in due course as newer data become available.
I am also informed by Revenue that a more detailed breakdown as sought by the Deputy is not available as health expenses claims are not captured in a manner that would allow different categories to be separately identified. However the following table sets out both the number of claimants and the cost to the Exchequer regarding health expenses specifically relating to nursing homes (the only category for which separate information is available) for the years 2010 to 2014, the latest year for which data are available.
|
Year |
Numbers |
Cost €M |
|
2014 |
6,200 |
29.1 |
|
2013 |
5,800 |
25.2 |
|
2012 |
5,500 |
25.2 |
|
2011 |
5,000 |
23.1 |
|
2010 |
5,100 |
21.0 |