Written Answers Nos. 91-98
91. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Finance if his Department has engaged consultants, other outside bodies or persons to conduct research, provide advice or assistance on the issue of the recent EUROSTAT designation of approved housing bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20342/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince the decision by the Central Statistics Office to reclassify 15 Approved Housing Bodies as part of the local government sector, i.e. within general government, my officials have engaged with these bodies in order to obtain the required inputs to compile the fiscal forecasts for the period 2018 - 2021. These figures are reflected in the Stability Programme Update 2018.
Following the publication of the Stability Programme Update 2018, senior officials from my Department met with members of the Housing Alliance to discuss the fiscal implications of the reclassification.
In response to your question neither I nor my Department have engaged consultants, other outside bodies or persons to conduct research, provide advice or assistance on the issue of the recent Eurostat designation of AHBs.
92. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Finance his plans to offer relief to home owners who took out mortgages in recent years and now face potential interest rate increases. [20376/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt present, there are no plans to provide specific additional income tax relief for mortgage payments, as the Government’s priority is on reducing the income tax burden for low to middle income earners, while limiting the benefit for high earners and keeping the tax base broad.
As indicated in the last two Budgets, Mortgage Interest Relief is being phased out. The residual availability of the relief will taper out over the next three years before ceasing at the end of 2020. These developments reflect commitments contained in the Programme for a Partnership Government and the policy framework contained in the confidence and supply arrangement negotiated by Government.
My Department published guidelines for the evaluation of potential tax expenditures in October 2014 (http://budget.gov.ie/Budgets/2015/Documents/Tax_Expenditures_Oct14.pdf). Drawing on economic evidence, these made clear that it is important that any policy proposal which involves tax expenditures should only occur in limited circumstances where there are demonstrable market failures and where a tax-based incentive is more efficient than a direct expenditure intervention.
A view that causes concern is that mortgage interest relief can effectively become priced-in to the purchase price of the property. It is therefore not considered efficient to allocate further funds solely to minimise mortgage interest payments. Instead, my focus is on a more general reduction of income tax across all income earners, with a particular focus on those on low to middle incomes as already indicated.
93. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Finance the capital allocation across his Department in each of the years 2018 to 2022. [20450/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra94. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Finance his Department's capital allocation for projects underway and projects already tendered or committed to spending contractually. [20467/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra95. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Finance his Department's capital allocation in each of the years 2018 to 2022 disaggregated according to capital allocated to projects underway, projects contractually committed to and projects yet to be initiated. [20484/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 93 to 95, inclusive, together.
My Department’s Capital Allocation provides for the routine acquisition of IT equipment and systems and certain premises expenses relating to the buildings it occupies. Aside from these types of expenditure my Department does not have any long or medium term Capital Projects.
For 2018 the Department’s allocation is approximately €1.7 million. €1.5 million is allocated to Office Premises, and €0.2m is allocated for IT Services.
OPW manage the tender process and the contractual arrangements in relation to expenses relating to the premises the Department occupies.
At present the Department has not made allocations beyond 2018 although some of the work currently in progress may not be complete by the end of the year. We will be setting our 2019 allocation during the Estimate’s process.
If the Deputy is referring to the Mid-Term Review of the Capital Plan, the Department of Finance Vote Group has been allocated €91 million in capital expenditure over 2018-2021. An indicative capital envelope of €100 million is provided for 2022-2027.
The vast bulk of this capital funding is for the Office of the Revenue Commissioners. This is to enable the Office of the Revenue Commissioners to deliver further IT Development (PAYE Modernisation). The project represents the most significant reform of the administration of the PAYE system in over fifty years. The objective of the project is that employers, employees and Revenue will all have access to the most accurate and up-to-date information available relating to pay, tax, PRSI and USC deductions. This will ensure that the right amount is collected at the right time from employees, and that employers pay their correct liabilities when required.
96. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the long-term plans for the historic St. Laurence's Gate in the centre of Drogheda; if the plan will include public access to the Gate; if risk assessments have been carried out on the effects of such access; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20245/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue of the future of the St. Laurence’s Gate National Monument is under consideration by the Office of Public Works (OPW) and the Local Authority. This consideration includes the question of facilitating public access and the significant Health & Safety issues this creates are being assessed as part of the analysis. In the shorter term however, the issue of necessary structural works needs to be fully addressed before any general public entry is feasible.
97. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 194 of 27 February 2018, the status of pension increases which were due to be applied shortly including arrears due to the start of the year; when this will occur; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20257/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs I informed the Deputy in my previous answer on 27 February 2018, my Department issued a circular in January of this year authorising and giving guidance in relation to the application to qualifying pensions of pay increases under the Public Service Pay and Pensions Act 2017. Responsibility for implementing these increases lies with the various public service pension/payroll providers. I understand that work is underway to apply the 1 January 2018 pay increase to those qualifying pensions in payment that have not yet benefitted from that increase, and that this will include the calculation and payment of arrears backdated to the start of the year.
98. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a date has been set for a meeting of the high-level forum on community employment supervisor pensions; if his attention has been drawn to the anger and frustration of community employment supervisors and assistant supervisors; his views on whether their contribution to improving the life chances of scheme participants and to their overall local communities is not being properly recognised at the end of their career in spite of a Labour Court ruling in their favour; his views on whether the Government may be undermining the Labour Court by ignoring its recommendation; and the steps he will take to bring a resolution to the matter. [20264/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would refer the Deputy to my response to PQ 54985/17 of 16 January 2018 and PQ 13684/18 of 27 March 2018.
