Written Answers Nos 52-68
52. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps he is taking to ensure that the waiting time for a new passport is restored to ten working days' wait time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12703/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Passport Service provides a range of channels to Irish citizens wishing to apply for a passport, including a postal channel, an award winning online application service, in person counter application facilities in Dublin and Cork and through the network of Irish Missions worldwide. The turnaround timeframe for processing a passport application will depend on the channel through which the application is submitted.
The target turnaround time for the Online Passport Renewal Service is 10 working days plus postage. The vast majority of online applications are being processed within 7 working days, well ahead of the target. The online service is fast, secure, convenient and available to adult citizens renewing their Irish passports from anywhere in the world. At present, the online service only accommodates adult renewals and passport card applications. It is planned to further extend the online passport application service to all renewals by the end of 2018.
The highest proportion of applications are submitted through the Passport Express postal channel. The average turnaround time for renewal applications submitted through An Post Passport Express currently stands at 16 working days.
The Passport Service operates an appointment service in both the Dublin (Mount Street) and Cork offices where applicants who need their passport application processed in timeframes shorter than those offered by the Passport Express and online facility can be accommodated.
The Passport Service strongly advises all applicants to check their passport when making travel plans and to check the Passport Service’s website for the most appropriate channel through which to submit their application.
I wish to reassure the Deputy the Passport Service monitors the volume of applications on an ongoing basis to ensure that resources are available to meet demand.
53. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of new staff who have been employed by his Department in the past two years to deal with the increased volume of applications for passports due to Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12704/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraManaging our response to Brexit has impacted on the work of many staff across the entire range of work of the Department. Following the UK Referendum on EU membership in June 2016, the Passport Service identified an increase in passport applications from Irish citizens in Northern Ireland and Great Britain.
The Passport Service monitors the volume of applications on an ongoing basis to ensure that resources are available to meet demand. In order to respond to anticipated application increases and to seasonal demands, the Passport Service received sanction for 220 Temporary Clerical Officers (TCOs) this year to be appointed to the Passport Offices in Dublin and Cork. The vast majority of these TCOs are already in place with the remaining TCOs expected to be fully trained and in place by the end of March at latest.
The following table details the number of Full Time Equivalent Staff permanently employed by my Department and assigned to the Passport Service on January 1 for each year requested:
|
Year: |
No. of Staff (FTE) |
|
2016 |
269.7 |
|
2017 |
301.7 |
|
2018 |
322.5 |
This year, since the above figures were released, over 20 permanent staff have started with the Passport Service.
In managing increasing application volumes, my Department’s approach has not been merely to recruit or assign additional staff but to continue to implement service improvements in order to provide an exceptional service and minimise the impact exceptionally high application volumes have on turnaround times. The Passport Reform Programme is delivering major upgrades to the passport service technology platforms and business processes as well as significant customer service improvements. The award winning online passport application service, which was launched last year, will continue to make a major contribution to the effective management of exceptionally high volumes by allowing existing resources to be more effectively deployed within the Passport Service.
54. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the cost of the Government of Ireland: Brexit Communications online newsletter; the number of persons who input content and provide information technology support on an annual basis; the budget allocation in 2018; and the amount expended since established. [12740/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn my capacity as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade with Special Responsibility for Brexit, I have been particularly keen that the Irish public remain fully informed and up-to-date on the direct implications and challenges of Brexit for citizens and for key sectors of Ireland’s economy and on the Government’s approach to addressing these.
The Government Brexit Update email service forms part of our overall strategy in this regard. Previously operated by the Department of An Taoiseach, it was re-launched last month along with a new dedicated Brexit website – www.dfa.ie/Brexit. The Update is issuing on a regular basis via a commercial provider (MailChimp) and provides information on latest developments in the ongoing Brexit negotiations, on the latest available research publications and on engagement at Government level. It also highlights the range of business supports that are available through the various Government enterprise agencies.
Content for the Update is prepared by two staff members attached to the Brexit / EU Communications Section of my Department’s Communications Unit on the basis of inputs received from other relevant Divisions within my Department (in particular those leading on EU matters and on Ireland-UK relations) as well as from other Government Departments. As the service is relatively simple to operate, the necessity for ongoing support from my Department’s ICT Unit is minimal.
Expenditure incurred since last month’s re-launch of the Update has so far comprised €48.48 in direct costs and €723.77 in paid online advertising which was undertaken to promote awareness of the service. At present the overall projected budget in this area during 2018 is €1200 but we will keep this figure under review as the Brexit negotiations unfold and the ongoing public information needs of Irish citizens and key economic sectors are assessed throughout this year. Obtaining full value for money in respect of Exchequer funds will obviously remain an important criterion at all stages.
55. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the projects mentioned in the National Development Plan 2018-2027 that come under his Department's remit or bodies under its aegis; and the estimated completion dates for each project in tabular form. [12991/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe projects mentioned in the National Development Plan 2018 to 2027 under my Department, which form part of the Department’s Strategic Capital Investment Priorities for the period 2018 – 2022, are set out in the table. There are no agencies under the aegis of my Department.
|
Project |
Estimated Completion Date |
|
Global Footprint Initiative |
2025 |
|
Passport Reform Programme |
2021 |
|
Investment in ICT Infrastructure |
Ongoing |
|
Investment in the State’s Global Property Portfolio |
Ongoing |
56. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Finance his plans to ensure that insurance companies and lending institutions show empathy towards farmers in south-west County Cork who have experienced extreme hardship and loss as a result of the recent weather conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11938/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith regard to insurers, as Minister for Finance, I am responsible for the development of the legal framework governing financial regulation, however I cannot interfere in the provision or pricing of insurance products, as these matters are of a commercial nature, and are determined by insurance companies based on an assessment of the risks they are willing to accept. This position is reinforced by the EU framework for insurance which expressly prohibits Member States from adopting rules which require insurance companies to obtain prior approval of the pricing or terms and conditions of insurance products. Consequently, I am not in a position to review individual policies nor to direct insurance companies as to the pricing level or terms or conditions that they should apply in particular cases. However, my officials have brought to the attention of Insurance Ireland your question and the need to show empathy to affected individuals.
The Deputy should also note that all insurers operating in the Irish market are regulated under conduct of business rules by the Central Bank of Ireland. Consequently, each is required to comply with the Consumer Protection Code which sets out the rights of consumers, including how claims are handled. In relation to the bringing to the attention of policyholders their rights in relation to insurance claims arising from the recent weather conditions, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has updated its website accordingly and the information can be found on its website at: https://www.ccpc.ie/consumers/2018/03/06/making-claim-beast-east/.
With regard to lending institutions, as Minister for Finance, I have no direct function in the relationship between the banks and their customers. In addition, I have no statutory function in relation to the banking decisions made by individual lending institutions at any particular time as these are taken by the board and management of the relevant institution. However, Government policy is that all viable SMEs and farmers should have an appropriate supply of credit from both bank and non-bank lenders. A number of measures have been introduced by Government to facilitate access to finance in recent years, including the establishment of the Credit Review Office (CRO). If an SME or farm borrower feels they have been declined unfairly by AIB, BOI, PTSB or Ulster Bank and have unsuccessfully appealed the decision it is open to them to contact the CRO. It should be noted that the CRO has successfully overturned over fifty percent of its cases.
57. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance his plans to establish a service in which persons can change their motor registration plate to their county of residence for a fee both as a possible stream of revenue and to facilitate motorists who purchased cars with plates from counties other than their own; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12230/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by Revenue that registration plates are assigned under the provisions of the Finance Act, 1992, section 131(5) and their format and use are provided for in the Vehicle Registration and Taxation Regulations 1992, regulation 9 and First Schedule (Statutory Instrument No. 318 of 1992).
A registration number is assigned on the basis of a single number for each vehicle, for the vehicle’s life. Following registration of a vehicle by Revenue, the data is transferred to the National Vehicle Driver File, which is maintained by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. This data is used by a number of other Departments and Agencies for a range of regulatory and law enforcement purposes.
The introduction of an option to change a vehicle’s registration number during the life of the vehicle would add a whole layer of complexity and risk to a system that works effectively at present. Any proposal to introduce such an option would need to be considered by the Departments and Agencies that depend on the current, very reliable, vehicle identification system. In addition there would be considerable IT development costs to enable re-registration and to provide for the association of vehicles with a series of previous identification numbers.
I am advised by Revenue that it is satisfied that the current system provides a simple and highly effective identification system for a wide range of users and that introducing a re-registration option would be unnecessarily costly and risky.
58. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to examples in which a region of a third country was part of the EU customs territory; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12264/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand the above question subsequently amended by the Deputy, to now read: "To ask the Minister if he has examined existing instances of non-EU countries, or regions of non-EU countries, being members of the EU's Customs Union, in relation to potential solutions for ensuring no future border controls between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland".
The Government is aware of the full range of customs agreements in place between the EU and non-EU countries. The EU Customs Union comprises the 28 Member States, Monaco and some non-EU territories of the UK (Sovereign Base areas in Cyprus, the Channels Islands and the Isle of Man). The EU also has customs unions, free trade agreements and customs cooperation agreements with many countries.
Within the context of the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union, the EU has made clear that, in view of the unique circumstances on the island of Ireland, flexible and imaginative solutions will be required, including with the aim of avoiding a hard border, while respecting the integrity of the Union legal order. This approach is reflected in the draft Withdrawal Agreement and its Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland.
The Government has been clear that our preference is to avoid a hard border through the wider EU-UK future relationship agreement, a view we share with the UK government, or through specific solutions and we are also committed to exploring specific solutions to be proposed by the UK, if necessary. At the same time, and should it prove necessary, there is now the necessary legal provision to implement the backstop of maintaining full alignment in Northern Ireland with those rules of the Single Market and Customs Union necessary to protect North South cooperation and to avoid a hard border.
59. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide an overview of the accelerated capital allowance scheme for crèches and gyms as published in the Action Plan for Jobs 2018 that has been submitted to the European Commission for state aid approval. [12736/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFinance Act 2017 introduced a scheme of accelerated capital allowances for the construction of buildings and structures for use in the provision of childcare services or fitness centre facilities by employers to employees. The scheme also provides relief for expenditure incurred on related equipment.
The rationale for introducing the relief is to help tackle the cost and availability of childcare facilities, both of which have been cited as barriers to work. The measures will also support the Government’s vision for a healthy Ireland by supporting the provision of fitness facilities by employers.
The tax relief will not commence immediately as approval of the European Commission from a State Aid perspective is required, on foot of which the scheme will commence by Ministerial Order.
The relief will work in a similar fashion to other capital allowances. The accelerated allowances for buildings or structures will apply at the rate of 15% per annum for 6 years and 10% in year 7 in respect of qualifying expenditure. The wear and tear allowances for related equipment are at an accelerated rate of 100%.
The relief is only available to employers who incur qualifying expenditure, meaning that, unlike in the past, passive investors cannot avail of relief under the scheme. Where the employer is a company, employees of other companies connected with that company may avail of the services/facilities.
60. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Finance his views on proposals by the European Commission to introduce an EU wide digital services tax which would possibly threaten Ireland’s industrial policy for retaining and attracting foreign direct investment; and the steps he and his ministerial colleagues are taking at EU Council level to ensure Ireland’s interests are protected. [12981/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is my understanding that the the European Commission will bring forward proposals on Digital Taxation on 21 March. It would be premature of me to comment in advance of the publication, let alone the discussions which must take place among Member States.
We believe that further analysis is needed to achieve a globally agreed, evidence based solution, sustainable in the long run and focussed on aligning taxing rights with the location of real substantive value creating activity. It has long been our position that it has been the mis-match arising from different tax systems which has facilitated aggressive tax planning and the only sustainable way to address this is for countries to cooperate globally through the OECD.
I note that the OECD Task Force on the Digital Economy Report published on 16 March sets out their process for further work on a long term proposal while the report is quite clear that there is no consensus at international level on the need for, or indeed merits of, any short term tax measures in this regard. The Report acknowledges that short term measures are likely have adverse impacts on investment and growth and risk increasing double taxation and complexity for taxpayers and tax authorities alike.
Ireland will continue to actively engage with work in the area of the digital economy at both OECD and EU level. We have been a strong voice in the many tax directives that have been agreed at EU level in recent years and we look forward to critically assessing the Commission’s proposals in the context of the discussions at Council.
61. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the cost to his Department of negative interest rates on deposits held; the details of same for agencies under his aegis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11737/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2017, my Department was charged €117.72 in negative interest in respect of moneys for which it is accountable and are held in accounts at the Central Bank of Ireland. €26.68 of this related to the PMG Supply Account, which is a current account.
Details of the cost in 2017 to bodies under the aegis of my Department of negative interest rates on deposits held are in the following table. Of the seventeen bodies under the aegis of my Department, I am informed that nine did not incur such costs.
|
Body |
Cost of negative interest rates on deposits held |
|
Central Bank |
The total amount of negative interest applied to all government departments and agencies in 2017 was c. €71.3 million and covers accounts for NTMA, Finance, Revenue, Resolution Fund B, OPW, Defence, OPW and agency accounts such as ADB, IDA and European Commission. This negative interest forms part of the Bank’s revenue which in turn contributes to the Bank’s profit. For 2017, approximately 80% of the Bank’s profit will be returned to the Exchequer |
|
Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman |
€4,288.41 on deposits held |
|
Investor Compensation Company Limited |
€6,525.48 – arising on amounts held on current accounts. NIL – arising on amounts held on (fixed-term) deposit accounts. |
|
Irish Bank Resolution Corporation |
I have been informed by the Special Liquidators that there is currently c. €1.5bn held on deposit by IBRC. IBRC were achieving 0% or positive interest rates on €1.36bn of these deposits and were incurring negative interest rates on the remaining €140m of deposits. Overall, in the year to 31 December 2017, net interest of €85,500 was earned on all deposits held by IBRC. |
|
National Asset Management Agency |
I am advised that the current rate available on cash deposits at the Central Bank is a negative 40 basis points, and that the return being currently achieved by NAMA on its cash and liquid assets is a negative 26 basis points. The net cost to NAMA in 2017 was €2.8m. |
|
National Treasury Management Agency[1] |
BNY Mellon - €13,933.442 Central Bank of Ireland - € 1,553,420.923
[1] The does not include the Funding and Debt area of the NTMA, including monies held for 3rd parties. Monies managed and controlled by Investment Managers on behalf of the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (“ISIF”) are also not included.
2 This relates to cash deposits held directly by the ISIF at BNY Mellon. Cash held at BNY Mellon is swept to the Central Bank daily, however as a result of cut-off times residual cash can be retained overnight in BNY Mellon and will be charged negative interest rate charges.
3 This relates to cash deposits held by the ISIF in the Central Bank. |
|
Office of the Revenue Commissioners |
€205,641 The value of receipts passing through Revenue’s commercial accounts in 2017 was greater than €71 billion. |
|
Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland |
Citibank - €102,622.05 Central Bank of Ireland - €67,422.77 Total - €170,044.82
Where possible, the SBCI deposits funds into Central Bank of Ireland account and will continue to do so throughout 2018. |
Negative interest arises from the necessary application by the Central Bank of Ireland of the policies and decisions of the European Central Bank.
In order to protect the position of relevant funds for which it is responsible, my Department has, in recent years, arranged for moneys to be placed with the NTMA by way of subscription for short term Exchequer notes instead of being placed on deposit with the Central Bank.
The value arising from the payment of negative interest by banks or by the State accrues to the Central Bank and adds to its profits. Some 80% of the Central Bank’s annual surplus is paid to the Exchequer. In 2017 the payment amounted to €1.836 billion in respect of the 2016 surplus.
62. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to a study (details supplied) regarding the use of section 110 tax relief in a location; his plans to address the matter on foot of the study; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11749/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 110 is intended to create a tax neutral regime for bona-fide securitisation and structured finance purposes. It has been part of our corporation tax code since 1991, with significant amendments in 2003. Securitisation involves the creation of tradeable securities out of an income stream or projected future income stream generated by financial assets. The transaction can involve the use of a special purpose securitisation vehicle to facilitate the transaction and issue the securities.
Securitisation allows banks to raise capital and to share risk, and by providing a repackaging and resale market for corporate debt, it lowers the cost of debt financing.
The section 110 regime was designed to improve Ireland’s offering as a location for the conduct of financial services. It has achieved that broad goal and the financial services industry now makes use of these vehicles as a support to financial intermediation. Such financing is useful for the productive economy as it can underpin the supply of finance to industries and companies in Ireland, Europe and further afield.
Ireland is not unique in having a specific regime for securitisations. The importance of securitisation has been recognised by the European Commission through their work on the Capital Markets Union. This is a European Commission initiative to mobilise capital in Europe. A main objective of which is to build a sustainable securitisation regime across the European Union. The Capital Markets Union specifically states how alternative sources of finance are more widely used in other parts of the world, and the widely held view is that should play a bigger role in providing financing to companies that struggle to get funding, especially SMEs and start-ups.
Section 22 of the Finance Act 2016 made an amendment to section 110 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 to address the concern that some section 110 companies were being used to minimise the Irish tax exposure on Irish property transactions. The core effect of the amendment is to remove the possibility for section 110 companies to use what are known as 'profit participating notes' to sweep Irish property or distressed debt profits out of the company in a way that ensures little or no Irish tax liability arises.
In relation to the study provided, the Department of Finance is not in a position to comment on individual taxpayers.
63. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance the amount spent by his Department on third party public relations advice, communications advice, online advertising and public awareness campaigns from January 2017 to date in 2018, by year, month and company engaged, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11767/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to my Department the following expenditure has been made on the headings identified by the Deputy from 1 January 2017 to date:
|
Year |
Month |
Company |
Detail |
Amount |
|
2017 |
January |
Languages Communication Ltd. |
Switch Your Bank campaign |
€54,202.41 |
|
2017 |
February |
Languages Communication Ltd. |
Switch Your Bank campaign |
€112,569.49 |
|
2017 |
February |
Independent Newspapers Marketing Ltd |
Information notice re: Beneficial Ownership |
€1,110.69 |
|
2017 |
February |
Irish Times Ltd. |
Information notice re: Beneficial Ownership |
€921.89 |
|
2017 |
March |
Irish Examiner |
Information notice re: Beneficial Ownership |
€375.15 |
|
2017 |
March |
Sunday Business Post (Media Vest) |
Advertorial following the Department’s win in the IITD awards |
€2,870.54 |
|
2017 |
March |
Languages Communication Ltd. |
Switch Your Bank campaign |
€249,098.75 |
|
2017 |
April |
Languages Communication Ltd. |
Switch Your Bank campaign |
€106,695.37 |
|
2017 |
May |
Languages Communication Ltd. |
Switch Your Bank campaign |
€104,985.33 |
|
2017 |
June |
Languages Communication Ltd. |
Switch Your Bank campaign |
€36,484.24 |
|
2017 |
August |
Fiona Kearns |
Graphic design services to design a poster and leaflet for a 2016 public awareness campaign paid in 2017 |
€480.00 |
|
2017 |
October |
Reads |
Promotional material for public awareness building of SME online tool |
€399.75 |
|
2017 |
October |
Sooner Than later |
Promotional material for public awareness building of SME online tool |
€384.99 |
|
2017 |
November |
Languages Communication Ltd. |
Switch Your Bank campaign |
€3,690.00 |
|
2017 |
December |
Fluid Branding |
Promotional material for public awareness building of SME online tool |
€1,824.50 |
|
2017 |
December |
Opus Print & Promotions |
Promotional material for public awareness building of SME online tool |
€3,751.50 |
|
2017 |
December |
Card Logic |
Promotional material for public awareness building of SME online tool |
€1,008.60 |
|
2017 |
December |
Reads |
Promotional material for public awareness building of SME online tool |
€781.05 |
|
2017 |
December |
Languages Communication Ltd. |
Switch Your Bank campaign |
€51,045.00 |
|
2018 |
January |
Fluid Branding |
Promotional material for public awareness building of SME online tool |
€3,860.90 |
|
2018 |
January |
Languages Communication Ltd. |
Switch Your Bank campaign |
€177,427.50 |
|
2018 |
February |
Languages Communication Ltd. |
Switch Your Bank campaign |
€153,442.50 |
The costs paid to Language Communications relate to a Public awareness campaign to promote customer switching.
The Switch Your Bank campaign is funded, in its entirety, by AIB and Permanent TSB, as part of a range of competition measures agreed with the European Commission to raise awareness and promote customer switching of financial products.
- The Department of Finance facilitates this campaign as part of its remit to ensure that consumers are protected within the financial sector in Ireland and to ensure a healthy level of competition.
- The contract with Language Communications permitted them to appoint subcontractors for provision of services.
- Sub Total for 2017 Phase One (January 2017 – June 2017) €644,035.59
- Sub Total for 2017/18 Phase Two (November 2017 – to date 2018) €385,605
- Phase one of the Public Awareness Campaign cost €738,000 in total. A portion of the expenditure was paid during 2016.
- Phase two of the Public Awareness Campaign will cost €405,900 in total.
64. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Finance the anticipated yield from the review being undertaken of the local property tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11796/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra91. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Finance the changes he plans to make to the local property tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12512/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 64 and 91 together.
I recently announced a review of the Local Property Tax (LPT) which is looking in particular at the impact on LPT liabilities of property price developments. In that regard the review underway will be informed by the desirability of achieving relative stability, both over the short and longer terms, in LPT payments of those liable for the tax and provide clear direction on the likely payments faced by households in 2020. The purpose of the review is to inform me in relation to any actions I may recommend to Government concerning the overall yield from LPT and its contribution to total tax revenue. I look forward to seeing the outcome of the review around August of this year.
65. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Finance his plans to reintroduce tax relief on trade union subscriptions; the estimated annual cost of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11849/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra80. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the cost of reintroducing the trade union tax relief at the same level and conditions as existed prior to its abolition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12207/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 65 and 80 together.
A review of the appropriate treatment for tax purposes of trade union subscriptions and professional body fees was carried out by my Department in 2016 and included in the 2016 report on tax expenditures published on budget day 2016. The review may be found at the following link: (http://www.budget.gov.ie/Budgets/2017/Documents/Tax_Expenditures_Report%202016_final.pdf)
The review concluded that:
"...analysis of the scheme using the principles laid down by the Department’s Tax Expenditure Guidelines shows that it fails to reach the evaluation threshold to warrant introduction in this manner.
The reinstatement of this tax relief would have no justifiable policy rationale and does not express a defined policy objective. Given that individuals join trade unions largely for the well-known benefits of membership, and the potential value of the relief to an individual would equate to just over €1 per week, this scheme would have little to no incentive effect on the numbers choosing to join. There is no specific market failure that needs to be addressed by such a scheme, and it would consist largely of deadweight."
Given the conclusions of the review, I have no plans to reintroduce such a relief.
I am advised by Revenue that the cost and the numbers availing of the relief prior to its abolition are available at https://www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/information-about-revenue/statistics/tax-expenditures/costs-expenditures.aspx.
The following table sets out details of the cost of the relief in the seven years immediately prior to its end:
|
Year |
Cost (€ million) |
No. of Claims |
|
2004 |
10.7 |
248,300 |
|
2005 |
11.8 |
272,100 |
|
2006 |
19.2 |
294,300 |
|
2007 |
20.7 |
316,300 |
|
2008 |
26.4 |
341,900 |
|
2009 |
26.7 |
345,800 |
|
2010 |
26 |
337,500 |
I am further advised by Revenue that these figures may not provide an accurate indicator of future costs of a new scheme and there is no other basis available to Revenue on which to estimate such costs.
66. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Finance the number of persons holding Civil Service positions above clerical officer grade in his Department who entered the Civil Service via a route other than through an open competition run by the Public Appointments Service or its predecessors; the grades of each; and the basis for the non-standard recruitment. [11858/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to inform the Deputy that the persons holding civil service positions above clerical officer grade in the Department of Finance that entered the civil service via a route other than through an open competition run by the Public Appointments Service or its predecessors, by grade, are detailed as follows.
|
Number |
Grade |
Recruitment |
|
1 |
Special Adviser |
Ministerial Appointment |
|
10 |
Specialists |
Seconded from the NTMA |
|
3 |
Assistant Principal |
Transferred in from Semi State Companies |
67. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Finance the directions provided for the payment of staff in the public sector and Civil Service that fall under the direction of his Department for the days during Storm Emma when staff were directed to stay at home; if deductions in pay and annual leave were made to staff in the public sector or Civil Service as a result of days lost during the storm; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11875/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to inform the Deputy that there was no central direction provided about payment of staff for the days that offices were closed due to Storm Emma. Each Civil and Public Service organization, as the relevant employer, is responsible for determining how to manage the treatment of those days. Where facilities were available many civil servants worked from home on the days the offices were closed.
The Department of Finance was open on Wednesday 28 February. Following a meeting of the National Emergency Coordination Group that day it was decided to close the Department on Thursday 1 and Friday 2 March. Staff were informed by email. Notification was posted on the Department's Twitter Account and its website.
No deductions in pay or annual leave were made to the staff of the Department.
68. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Finance if he will report on his meeting with the shadow chancellor in London on 5 March 2018; the issues that were discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11923/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy meeting with Shadow Chancellor McDonnell on 5 March provided an opportunity to engage constructively on the strong relationship between our countries, the importance of trade between the two economies, and on the many areas of common interest shared by Ireland and the UK.
In our discussion I explained to the Shadow Chancellor that the Irish Government fully respects the unity of the EU27 during negotiations and emphasised to the Shadow Chancellor the importance our Government attaches to doing everything possible to make progress in the Brexit negotiations.
