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Thursday, 24 Jan 2019

Written Answers Nos. 94-103

Motor Insurance Data

Ceisteanna (94)

Aindrias Moynihan

Ceist:

94. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Finance the number of insurance companies that offer car insurance here; the number that are non-Irish companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3687/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

For the purpose of this reply, my officials consulted with the Central Bank regarding the information being sought by the Deputy.

The Central Bank has advised that the names of all insurance undertakings with permission to operate in the Irish market whether authorised by the Central Bank or elsewhere in the EU are set out in a register which  is publicly available at:

http://registers.centralbank.ie/DownloadsPage.aspx.

The Central Bank  has  indicated that, as per the registers published on 14 January 2019, there are 34 Irish insurance undertakings (with their head office in Ireland) which are authorised to provide motor insurance; and there are 11 undertakings that are operating on a Freedom of Establishment basis (branch basis), that are similarly authorised. It should be noted that just because an insurer is authorised to provide this type of insurance does not mean it is currently doing so.  It has also indicated that there are 874 non-life Freedom of Service companies on the register, however the Bank is not in a position to tell me how many of these companies are actively selling motor insurance in the Irish Market. This is because many such companies register and participate only for a limited time in the Irish Market, or never participate at all.  

Consequently in order to be as helpful as possible, I am attaching a link below to the membership list of the Motor Insurers’ Bureau of Ireland (MIBI). This provides a much clearer profile of the make-up of the motor insurance industry in Ireland because under Section 78 of the Road Traffic Act,  all motor insurance undertakings wishing to do business in Ireland are required to become a member of this body in order that the EU requirement of compensating victims of accidents caused by uninsured and unidentified vehicles can be met. 

https://www.mibi.ie/_fileupload/Member%20list/1_1%20MIBI%20Members%20List%20-%20Jan%202019.pdf.

When looking at the membership list, the Deputy will note that the freedom of services undertakings are marked by a reference to “FOS” in the company code field of the table.  In this list (January 2019) there are 18 Irish undertakings and 22 FOS undertakings.  In addition, there are six Lloyd’s syndicates operating through brokers.  It should be noted that these numbers will change as undertakings enter and exit the Irish market from time to time.

Property Tax Administration

Ceisteanna (95)

Thomas Byrne

Ceist:

95. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding property tax liability in circumstances in which a person that has deferred payment of property tax due to unemployment re-enters employment; the stage at which the deferred property tax must be paid; and the time period over which this can be arranged. [3463/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Finance (Local Property Tax) Act 2012 (as amended) provides for a full deferral or partial deferral (50%) of Local Property Tax (LPT) where income levels are below specified thresholds or where other specified conditions exist.

Once granted, a deferral normally remains in place for the duration of the ‘valuation period’, which is currently 1 May 2013 to 31 October 2019.  The deferred LPT becomes payable later and carries an interest charge of 4% per annum. The liability attaches as a charge on the property and must be paid before a sale or transfer of the property can be completed. 

However, property owners can opt to pay the deferred liability at any time and in such circumstances Revenue will work with the property owner to agree a payment arrangement that best suits the particular circumstances. The agreed payment arrangement must include the full amount of the deferred tax plus the accrued interest.

If the Deputy is aware of a specific case he should advise the property owner to contact the LPT Helpline at 01-7383626 to discuss the possible alternatives.

Public Service Pay Commission Reports

Ceisteanna (96)

Jack Chambers

Ceist:

96. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the joint submission to the Public Service Pay Commission from the Department of Defence and military authorities underwent changes after it was sent to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform; if so, the nature of the changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3532/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The submission to the Public Service Pay Commission in respect of the Defence Forces was compiled on a  collaborative basis between the management side parties in order to provide the Commission with accurate and complete material so as to assist it in its examination of recruitment and retention issues in the Defence Forces. 

Flood Prevention Measures

Ceisteanna (97)

Joe Carey

Ceist:

97. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position in relation to a flood prevention scheme (details supplied) in County Clare; when it will be approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3557/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Ennis South Flood Relief Scheme is being progressed by Clare County Council with funding provided by the Office of Public Works.

The tender process for this project is nearing completion, with formal letters of regret and intent as appropriate due to issue in the coming days. Following the prescribed waiting period, the tender will then be formally awarded to the successful contractor, and with mobilisation time for the contractor taken into account it is hoped that works will commence during March 2019.

Public Sector Staff

Ceisteanna (98)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

98. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 284 of 28 March 2017, if the rules relating to persons transferring form the wider public service to the Civil Service, particularly in relation to salaries, have been amended in order that these persons are treated in a similar way to civil servants making internal transfers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3559/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

There has been no amendment to the rules relating to persons transferring from the wider public service to the civil service as described in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 284 of 28 March 2017.

It remains the case that an appointee who had been serving elsewhere in the public service in an analogous grade and pay-scale may be appointed at the appointee's current point of scale. This allows such appointees to be assimilated on their current pay point on the same basis as a civil servant.  

As previously stated, the arrangements outlined above apply only to appointments in an analogous grade and pay-scale and not to appointments to a higher grade which would be considered as a promotion.  

Brexit Issues

Ceisteanna (99)

Lisa Chambers

Ceist:

99. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of meetings he has attended since the beginning of September 2018 with his officials to discuss and prepare for Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3602/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I meet with my officials on Brexit related issues on an ongoing basis.  Brexit matters are also discussed by the Management Board on a regular basis. 

My Department has a dedicated Brexit unit within the EU/North South Unit. The Unit supports me in my work on Brexit, leads work across the Department and its agencies, and represents the Department on the various groups that coordinate's the Government's response to Brexit.  Brexit issues are also addressed by staff in relevant areas across the Department.  

Forestry Management

Ceisteanna (100)

Joe Carey

Ceist:

100. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if matters in relation to a location (details supplied) will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3531/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The ownership of the woodlands surrounding the Mooghaun Hillfort lies with Coillte and unless the scrub in question is on the DCHG / OPW property, it would be a matter for Coillte to address.

As regards the descriptive table referred to by the Deputy, there are no plans currently to reinstate it and no provision has been made in the OPW's 2019 Business Plan for such works to be done.    While I cannot therefore give a firm commitment in this regard, the OPW will examine this matter as resources allow.   

Schools Building Projects Status

Ceisteanna (101)

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

101. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Skills the works outstanding at a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3513/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

In November 2018, the school in question was requested to forward details of the issues along with a request for an inspection of the building by officials in the School Building Unit.  To date this information has not been received.

 Officials from the school building unit have since been in contact with the school and a site visit is due to take place on Wednesday 30th January.

Special Educational Needs Staff

Ceisteanna (102)

Catherine Martin

Ceist:

102. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Education and Skills when he plans to announce the allocation of special education teachers for the 2019-2020 school year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3519/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I wish to advise the Deputy that DES Circular 0013/2017 for primary schools and 0014/2017 for post primary schools set out the details of the model for allocating special education teachers to schools.

Details of the allocations which will be due to be made for schools for the 2019/20 school year will be advised to schools in the coming weeks.

Schools Building Projects Status

Ceisteanna (103)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

103. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a technical inspection will be carried out by the school buildings section at a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3534/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I can confirm to the Deputy that a technical visit at the school in question will be carried out shortly and my Department has confirmed this to the school.

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