Written Answers Nos. 184-205
184. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of passport applications received from applicants with an address in Northern Ireland in 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form. [25190/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe following table gives the available detail on numbers of passport applications received from Northern Ireland for the years requested:
|
Year |
Number of applications |
|
2016 |
67,582 |
|
2017 |
82,274 |
|
2018* |
46,898 |
*Jan 1 to May 31 2018
185. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his Department's capital allocation in each of the years 2019 to 2023; and the areas to which funds will be allocated in each of those years. [25572/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the National Development Plan 2018 - 2027, my Department will have capital allocations, across its two Votes: Vote 27 - International Co-operation and Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade, for the years 2019 – 2022 as follows:
2019 €17 million
2020 €13 million
2021 €13 million
2022 €14 million
The National Development Plan does not include capital allocations beyond 2022, so the 2023 allocation will be decided in due course as part of the annual budgetary processes.
At this stage, the Department is not yet in a position to provide information by project area for each of the years 2019-2023, but, as set out in the National Development Plan 2018-2027, the Department’s Strategic Capital Investment Priorities for the period 2019-2023 will be as follows:
Further announcements as part of the Doubling Our Global Footprint Initiative;
The Passport Reform Programme;
Investment in ICT infrastructure, and
Investment in the State’s Global Property Portfolio, including the development of Ireland Houses with the State Agencies and the relevant Embassy in strategic locations.
Decisions on future allocations by area will be consistent with value for money principles, will provide clear benefits for the State and will depend on a range of factors, including staff, office and accommodation needs.
186. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to increase the number of post offices in the UK that accept express applications for Irish passport applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25661/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Passport Service offers a range of channels for submission of passport applications by Irish citizens in Great Britain. Advice and guidance on these channels is available on the Department’s website at https://www.dfa.ie/irish-embassy/great-britain/passports/how-to-apply-for-a-passport/.
The award-winning, Online Passport Application service for adults was launched in March 2017 and offers the convenience of an online application facility 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for Irish citizens anywhere in the world, without the need for application forms, printed photos or witnesses.
This service has proved to be very convenient for both the citizen and the Passport Service with a target turnaround time of 10 working days (plus postage time). In fact in 50% of cases, applications are processed in 5 working days (plus postage time). This service will be available to further renewal categories, including children, by the end of 2018.
Applicants in Great Britain who are not eligible to apply via the Online Passport Application service can submit their applications at the designated post offices in Liverpool and Glasgow, by post to the Passport Office in Cork, or submit their application by appointment at the public counter at the Passport Office, London.
Taking into account the range of options currently available and the plans to extend the Online Passport Application service to further categories of applicants, I am satisfied that these services will meet the needs of Irish citizens in Great Britain without the need to further expand the passport express service in that region.
187. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to have a bilateral meeting with the US Secretary of State, Mr. Mike Pompeo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25662/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI met with then-Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in Washington DC last February, when we had the opportunity to discuss a wide range of issues, including the position of undocumented Irish citizens living in the US, the bilateral trade relationship and the Middle East Peace Process. I also briefed Secretary of State Tillerson on developments in Northern Ireland and on Brexit.
I have not yet had the opportunity to meet with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo but look forward to meeting with him in due course and to continuing the good discussions I had with his predecessor in February.
188. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the EU fines paid in each of the years 2015 to 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25733/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has never paid any EU fines.
189. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Finance if the case of a person (details supplied) will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24264/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs you may be aware, the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme provides relief from VAT and VRT on the purchase of an adapted car for transport of a person with specific severe and permanent physical disabilities, payment of a fuel grant, and an exemption from Motor Tax.
To qualify for the Scheme an applicant must be in possession of a Primary Medical Certificate. To qualify for a Primary Medical Certificate, an applicant must be permanently and severely disabled within the terms of the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations 1994 and satisfy one of the following conditions:
- 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 Department has no role in the granting of Primary Medical Certificates to any applicant. The PMC is issued by the relevant Senior Medical Officer in the HSE, or failing that an appeal may be made to the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeals. The Medical Board of Appeals must be independent in its determinations and so the Department has no influence over the outcome of any appeal.
190. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Finance the reason all persons with a registered disability who have mobility issues are not classified equally when it comes to eligibility for reductions in taxation in respect of their purchase of vehicles which are required for their transport (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24641/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs you may be aware, the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme provides relief from VAT and VRT on the purchase of an adapted car for transport of a person with specific severe and permanent physical disabilities, payment of a fuel grant, and an exemption from Motor Tax.
To qualify for the Scheme an applicant must be in possession of a Primary Medical Certificate. To qualify for a Primary Medical Certificate, an applicant must be permanently and severely disabled within the terms of the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations 1994 and satisfy one of the following conditions:
- 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 fuel grant, the scheme cost €65 million in each of 2016 and 2017. This figure does not include the revenue foregone in respect of the relief from Motor Tax provided to members of the Scheme.
The Scheme and qualifying criteria were designed specifically for those with severe and permanent physical disabilities. From time to time I receive representations on behalf of individuals and organisations who believe they would benefit from the scheme but do not qualify under the criteria. While I have sympathy for such cases, given the scale and scope of the scheme, there are no plans to review the medical criteria for eligibility at this time.
191. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Finance the protection in place for persons who want to restructure their mortgage in order that they can keep their family home (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24683/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware assisting those in mortgage arrears is a priority for this Government and there are a number of policies and supports in place for those in mortgage difficulties. The Deputy will be aware that the Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears (CCMA) sets out statutory requirements for mortgage lenders and credit servicing firms dealing with borrowers in or facing arrears on the mortgage loan secured by their primary residence.
Lenders must ensure that the case of each borrower is individually assessed on its merits to ensure fairness. The Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process (MARP) framework sets out the steps which lenders must follow. A lender must carry out affordability assessments by examining each case on its own merits and must base its assessment of the borrower's full circumstances including their ability to pay as determined by up to date information on a Standard Financial Statement (SFS).
A lender must explore all options for alternative repayment arrangements (that they offer) in order to offer the most viable solution to each borrower. The Code also requires lenders to review an alternative repayment arrangement at appropriate intervals for the type and duration of the arrangement. The lender is also obliged to carry out a review of an alternative repayment arrangement at any time, if requested by the borrower.
It may not be possible for your constituent and their lender to agree on an alternative repayment arrangement. If the lender is not willing to offer your constituent an alternative repayment arrangement, they must give the reasons in writing. If they do offer an arrangement, your constituent may choose not to accept it. If your constituent is not happy with the lender’s treatment of their case, or if they feel the lender has not complied with the CCMA, they can appeal to the lender under the Central Bank’s Consumer Protection Code 2012. If they remain unsatisfied with the outcome of an appeal or complaint, they can refer to the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (FSPO).
The FSPO have developed an extensive guide for complainants which can be found at https://www.fspo.ie
As the Deputy is aware, notwithstanding the fact that the State is a significant shareholder in the institution, the Minister has no direct function in the relationship between AIB/EBS and its customers. The Minister must ensure that the bank is run on a commercial and independent basis. It would not be appropriate, therefore, for the Minister to intervene in the case of any particular customer.
However, I have received the following response from AIB:
"AIB Group (including EBS) has a dedicated unit established specifically to work with customers in financial difficulty. Customers, who are in arrears on their family home, are requested to provide a Standard Financial Statement together with supporting documents. The case is then assessed by a dedicated portfolio manager who is trained specifically to deal with customers in financial difficulty.
The Bank offers a number of long term solutions (some of which are unique to AIB Group). Solutions are offered to customers based on their affordability. The primary objective of AIB Group is to work with customers in difficulty and, wherever possible, agree a sustainable solution that enables them to stay in their family home.
The Bank has also established relationships with third parties, for example IMHO and MABS, in order to provide every opportunity for customers in financial difficulty to engage with the Bank to try to agree a sustainable long term solution.
In summary, AIB Group’s objective is to prioritise the customers’ family home and where possible agree a long term sustainable solution that enables families to stay in their home."
192. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Finance the way in which his Department has used the moneys the State received from the sale of its stake in Aer Lingus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24941/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Connectivity Fund was established as a sub-fund of the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF) in 2015 to invest the €335 million proceeds from the sale of the State's shareholding in Aer Lingus with the aim of enabling and enhancing Ireland's physical, virtual and energy connectivity.
The NTMA have advised me that in 2017, the ISIF entered into two new investment commitments from this sub-fund (Port of Cork and Shannon Airport) and increased their investment commitment to Aqua Comms, bringing total investment commitments from the Connectivity Fund to €93 million:
- Aqua Comms: €26 million equity investment, to support Ireland's first dedicated subsea fibre-optic network interconnecting New York, Dublin and London via Killala, Co. Mayo
- daa: €35 million investment in a 2028 bond issuance underpinning long-term financing for the operator of Dublin and Cork airports.
- Port of Cork: €18 million junior debt facility to enable the Port of Cork to relocate from its existing constrained locations in Cork City to a redeveloped site in Ringaskiddy.
- Shannon Airport: €14 million loan facility to support the upgrade of the existing runway, a core element of Shannon Airport’s capital investment programme.
Several other Connectivity Fund investment opportunities are currently being assessed under the ISIF's "double bottom line" mandate, which is to seek both commercial return and economic impact. These connectivity opportunities include potential investments in energy, air, sea and further data connectivity projects and businesses seeking to expand and enhance Ireland's international links.
193. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Finance the plans of NAMA for a property (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25091/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra194. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Finance if he will request NAMA to bring a property (details supplied) and its garden areas under control; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25092/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 193 and 194 together.
I wish to inform the Deputy that NAMA does not own property. Instead NAMA acquired loans and its role is as a secured lender.
In this instance, I am advised that NAMA has never had any involvement in this particular property.
195. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Finance if a proposal (details supplied) will be costed. [25589/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn order to assess the impact of capital smoothing of the proposed voted capital expenditure model the actual capital expenditure in 2016 and 2017 along with that planned for 2018 have to be included in the calculation, as these impact on 2019, 2020 and 2021.
The following table takes this into consideration and, combining it with the plan as submitted, results in the following amounts of capital expenditure recognised under the expenditure benchmark each year:
|
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
|
|
Exchequer capital expenditure, € millions |
8,343 |
8,861 |
9,618 |
10,118 |
10,725 |
|
Amount after capital smoothing applied, € millions |
942 |
943 |
1,030 |
1,074 |
596 |
|
Exchequer capital expenditure, per cent of GNI* + |
3.7 |
3.8 |
4.0 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Exchequer capital expenditure, per cent of GDP + |
2.5 |
2.6 |
2.7 |
N/A |
N/A |
+Nominal GDP and GNI* out to 2021 were published in annex 2 of the Stability Programme Update 2018. These series have not been estimated beyond 2021.
196. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Finance the progress of the cost of insurance working group; when it is likely to report; the status of recommendations it may make; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24241/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that the Government established the Cost of Insurance Working Group in July 2016. Since then, the Working Group, now chaired by Minister of State for Financial Services and Insurance, Mr. Michael D’Arcy T.D., has published two reports examining the factors contributing to the increasing cost of insurance for motorists and the cost of employer and public liability insurance for businesses. These Reports identified and made recommendations on short, medium and long-term measures to help reduce the cost of insurance for consumers and businesses.
The initial focus of the Working Group was the issue of rising motor insurance premiums and the Report on the Cost of Motor Insurance was published in January 2017. The Report makes 33 recommendations with 71 associated actions to be carried out in agreed timeframes, which are set out in an Action Plan.
In its second phase, the Working Group examined the cost of business insurance, in particular employer liability insurance and public liability insurance. This work culminated in the publication of the Report on the Cost of Employer and Public Liability Insurance on 25 January 2018. The Report makes 15 recommendations with 29 associated actions to be carried out in agreed timeframes, which are set out in an Action Plan. All 29 actions are scheduled to be implemented before the end of 2019, with 26 due for completion this year.
Work is ongoing on the implementation of the recommendations from the two Reports by the relevant Government Departments and Agencies and there is a commitment within each that the Working Group will prepare quarterly updates on its progress.
The fifth such update was published on 11 May 2018 and is the first to detail the implementation of both primary Reports. It shows that, in relation to the Report on the Cost of Motor Insurance, of the 50 separate deadlines set to date within the Action Plan, 40 have been met, while substantial work has also been undertaken in respect of the nine action points categorised as “ongoing”. Meanwhile, all eight actions due during Q1 2018 from the Report on the Cost of Employer and Public Liability Insurance have been completed on time.
Both of the primary Reports and all of the quarterly updates are available on the Department’s website, within "The Cost of Insurance Working Group" sub-section of the main “Insurance” section.
It should be noted that the most recent CSO data (for May 2018) indicates that private motor insurance premiums have decreased by 19% since peaking in July 2016. While it is accepted that motor insurance premiums are still at a very high level for many people, such statistics indicate at least a greater degree of stability in the market on an overall basis.
The Working Group will continue to focus on implementing the recommendations of the two primary Reports. The cumulative effects of the completion of the two reports’ recommendations, with the appropriate levels of commitment and cooperation from all relevant stakeholders, should achieve the objectives of delivering fairer premiums for consumers and businesses, and a more stable and competitive insurance market without unnecessary delay.
197. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Finance when measures will be commenced involving a reduction in stamp duty to 1% in respect of the purchase of agricultural land which is purchased for farm consolidation purposes; the relevant dates for these transactions to have taken place to be eligible for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24249/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra225. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the position on the application of a reduced rate of stamp duty on certain farm consolidation transactions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24971/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 197 and 225 together.
As I have outlined in a number of PQ replies recently, the measure legislated for in section 68 of Finance Act 2017 (which was not a Budget measure) will allow a farmer to claim relief from stamp duty where he or she sells and purchases land for the purposes of consolidating an existing farm holding has been introduced, subject to a commencement order after a full consideration of any administrative or EU state-aid requirements.
For the relief to operate, there must be both a sale and a purchase of land within a period of 24 months of each other. Where other qualifying conditions are satisfied, stamp duty will only be paid to the extent that the value of the land that is purchased exceeds the value of the land that is sold. A reduced rate of 1% will be charged on the excess, if any, of the purchase value. If the sale takes place before the purchase, then relief will be given at the time of purchase. However, if the purchase takes place first, then stamp duty will have to be paid but can subsequently be refunded when the sale takes place.
A number of qualifying conditions must be satisfied before the relief can apply. The most important condition is that Teagasc must issue a certificate stating that a sale and purchase or an exchange of farmland was made for farm consolidation purposes. This is the certificate that is currently required in relation to the capital gains tax relief. The criteria to be used by Teagasc for this purpose and the information to be supplied to Teagasc are contained in guidelines published by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine:
(https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/formsdownloads/V12CGTGuidelinesfinal060315.pdf).
A purchaser of farmland must retain ownership of the farmland for a period of five years and must use the land for farming. Where any part of the land is disposed of before the end of this five-year holding period, the stamp duty relieved can subsequently be recovered by Revenue, or partly recovered as appropriate.
The measure will apply to all transactions which took place on or after 01 January 2018, so farmers who consolidate their holdings prior to the commencement of the relief will still be eligible.
I hope to be able to sign a commencement order for this measure shortly.
198. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Finance the party that benefits from interest or other payments accrued while a company's (details supplied) funds are on deposit in an escrow account following the European Commission ruling on the matter and subsequent transfer of funds; and if studies have been carried out on the payments and costs which would be accrued in both holding and managing the funds. [24261/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile the Government has never accepted the Commission’s analysis in the Apple State aid decision, we have always been clear that we are fully committed to ensuring that recovery of the alleged State aid takes place without delay and have committed significant resources to ensuring that this is achieved as quickly as possible.
On 24 April 2018, the Escrow Framework Deed which sets out the detailed legal agreement regarding the recovery of the alleged State aid was signed by me on behalf of the Government and also signed by Apple. This followed recent announcements that the Bank of New York Mellon London Branch has been selected for the provision of escrow agency and custodian services to the fund. Amundi, BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Limited and Goldman Sachs Asset Management International were formally appointed for the provision of investment management services on 5 June 2018. The collection of the alleged State aid has commenced and it is anticipated that of the funds will flow into the escrow account in significant tranches with the expectation that the full recovery will be effected by the end of Q3 2018.
In general, I should say that the costs associated with the fund are a liability of the fund. The arrangements in the Escrow Framework Deed include the agreement that all claims of ownership and access to these vast sums of money is suspended until the European Courts have concluded proceedings that the Government and Apple have brought.
199. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to situations in which insurance companies are pursuing claimants or plaintiffs for their High Court and-or Court of Appeal costs even when the claim is successful; if the Central Bank has a regulatory role in the pursuit of legal costs by insurance companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24358/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Finance, I have no role in how an insurance company seeks to pursue the recovery of legal costs no matter what the circumstances of the case. It should also be noted that the Central Bank of Ireland does not have any regulatory role in relation to this matter either.
Notwithstanding the above, the Cost of Insurance Working Group, chaired by Minister of State Michael D’Arcy TD, examined the issue of the discretion of the court to exercise in favour of the winning party - the ‘costs follow the event’ principle, as part of its examination of the cost of Employer and Public Liability Insurance. This was as a result of business stakeholders expressing frustration at the lack of consistency in the application of this general principle where a claim is dismissed and the insurer is still required to meet its own costs. It was argued by such stakeholders that failure to follow this principle meant that these costs were ultimately reflected in an increase in the premium of policyholders, even though the claim had been found to have no basis.
The Cost of Insurance Working Group, in its report, acknowledged that the determination of who is to pay costs is ultimately at the discretion of the judge in any given case on the basis of the relevant facts, and that in certain cases costs not following the event can be appropriate, for example, in cases involving the State where an important legal principle has been raised. However, there was a view expressed that inconsistency in the application of this principle may lead insurers to settle an otherwise defendable case, unilaterally, or in consultation with the policyholder, solely because that strategy is more cost efficient than successfully defending an action, and not being able to recover their costs.
The Cost of Insurance Working Group believes that a consistent application of the ‘costs follow the event’ principle – recognising that it should remain a matter for the independent judiciary to be the key decision makers in this regard – would probably be one of the most effective ways of tackling fraud and exaggerated claims, as it would give insurers the confidence to challenge more robustly cases which they have doubts about. It would also remove the common reason expressed by insurers that uncertainty in relation to legal costs forces them to settle regularly on the court steps rather than to dispute a case in court. In addition, it would mean that the minority of plaintiffs who seek to exploit the system through fraud or exaggeration would have to think more carefully about the consequences for themselves, should they lose the case. The Cost of Insurance Working Group believes that such an approach should have no bearing or impact on plaintiffs who have a deserving case, and genuinely feel it needs to be settled in court.
Finally, I understand that the Legal Services Regulation Act 2015 , which my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality, Charlie Flanagan TD, has responsibility for, makes extensive provision for a new and enhanced legal costs regime that will bring greater transparency to how legal costs are charged by legal practitioners, along with a better balance between the interests of legal practitioners and those of their clients. Section 169 of the Act puts the general principle of ‘costs follow the event’ on a statutory footing. I understand that this section will become operational once the Office of the Legal Costs Adjudicator is established, which is currently projected for Q3 of 2018 and as Minister for Finance, I welcome this.
200. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Finance his views on tax relief for pension contributions; when his Department's working group on this issue will report to Dáil Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24388/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe State encourages individuals to save for retirement by offering tax incentives when saving for a pension. Subject to certain restrictions, relief is provided on eligible contributions and the investment income and capital gains of a pension scheme or fund are exempt from income and capital gains tax.
Under the Government’s Roadmap for Pensions Reform 2018-2023 a number of specific actions have been allocated to the Interdepartmental Pensions Reform and Taxation Group (IDPRTG). The IDPRTG is chaired by the Department of Finance and includes representatives from this Department as well as from the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform, the Department of Employment Affairs & Social Protection, Revenue and the Pensions Authority.
Among the actions assigned to the IDPRTG is Action 3.13, which provides for a review of the cost of funded supplementary pensions to the Exchequer in the context of the development of a new auto-enrolment scheme.
The IDPRTG is currently considering this issue along with all other actions allocated to it and is expected to report on this matter by end Q3 2018. As Minister for Finance, tax policy is a matter for me and my Department, and as such, the work of the IDPRTG will be considered in that context.
201. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance the rationale for the taxation of maternity benefit; his views on whether the taxation creates an unfair burden on single income households in which a new mother has ceased working in order to spend time with her child; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24474/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is my view that the tax treatment of Maternity Benefit payments does not create any additional burden on single income households as the Deputy has suggested.
It is a general principle of Irish taxation that, as far as possible, income from all sources should be subject to tax. As a result, the majority of social welfare payments are deemed as taxable for income tax purposes. Consistent with this approach, the charge to income tax on Maternity Benefit payments applies to ensure that those with identical incomes will be treated the same for income tax purposes.
The extent to which taxation actually arises, if at all, in a given case depends on the total level of income that the individual or couple concerned has in the relevant period. In circumstances where the Maternity Benefit is paid in lower income households, such mothers will likely not have to pay any income tax as their tax liability would not be higher than the amount sheltered by their personal tax credits. This is most likely to be the case in circumstances where social welfare payments are the only source of income for a household.
In addition, recognising that such payments have an important purpose to support women on Maternity Leave from work, Maternity Benefit payments are exempt from Universal Social Charge and PRSI.
202. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Finance his plans to increase the rate of carbon tax in the upcoming budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24487/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra203. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Finance the amount of carbon tax collected each year since its introduction in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24488/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 202 and 203 together.
It is the long standing practice of the Minister of Finance not to comment on any Budgetary decision which may or may not be taken in advance of the Budget.
I can however inform the Deputy that officials from my Department and the ESRI have undertaken a project, as part of a joint research programme, to examine a range of carbon price scenarios, their impact on national CO2 emissions as well as across production sectors of the economy and households. The research will be incorporated into the Energy and Environmental Tax Strategy Group Paper and could inform future policy developments in this area.
I am advised by Revenue that the carbon tax collected each year from 2010 to 2016 is available on the Revenue's statistics website at:
http://www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/documents/statistics/excise/net-receipts-by-commodity.pdf.
The carbon tax collected in 2017 is €419.6 million.
204. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the status of the Central Bank's investigation into an agency (details supplied); if the investigation has been completed; if not, when it will be completed; if so, the outcomes of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24540/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by the Central Bank that an investigation into RSA Ireland is ongoing and at an advanced stage. It would not be appropriate for me to comment on this matter further at this time.
205. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the effect the political issues in Italy have had on Irish sovereign bond yields; if a risk analysis has been undertaken by his Department on financial issues arising from the political environment in Italy; the way in which Ireland is exposed to a potential financial crisis in Italy; if this has been discussed at the recent Economic and Financial Affairs Council meeting; the decisions that were made to mitigate the risks of the situation in Italy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24543/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is monitoring developments in Italy.
Irish government bonds have performed steadily in the face of recent market turbulence triggered by the political situation in Italy. The yield on the ten year benchmark Irish government bond has fluctuated in a relatively narrow range around the one per cent mark since early May.
The NTMA has already issued over €11 billion of benchmark bonds this year; this is seventy per cent of the mid-point of the €14 billion to €18 billion target issuance range. There is no bond auction scheduled this month. The NTMA will announce its Quarter 3 auction schedule on 2 July.
The Irish financial system's exposure to Italy is relatively limited. Consolidated banking data show that domestic banks' (AIB, BOI, and PTSB) total foreign claims on Italy was 1.4 per cent of their own total foreign claims in quarter 4 2017, or 0.5 per cent of their total assets.
The Economic and Financial Affairs Council is updated on appropriate developments in the economic and financial spheres when it convenes. This matter did not feature as an agenda item at the May Council.
