Written Answers Nos. 124-142
124. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance the number of conferences attended by staff of his Department in each of the years 2017, 2018 and to date in 2019, in tabular form; the number of staff who attended each conference; the cost of same in each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9169/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is compiling the information requested by the Deputy. However, due to the time constraint in identifying all relevant costs, including those associated with attendance at a number of conferences abroad, I will revert to the Deputy with the full details in line with Standing Orders.
125. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance the amount spent in advertising and-or sponsorship in respect of conferences, external and internal, respectively, in each of the years 2017, 2018 and to date in 2019, by conference; the aggregate amount for each year; the amount available in the remainder of 2019 to fund same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9186/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has incurred no spending in advertising and or sponsorship in respect of conferences external and internal, in each of the years 2017 and 2018, and to date in 2019.
With regard to the amount available in the remainder of 2019 to fund same, my Department has not made a specific allocation for advertising and or sponsorship in respect of conferences, however we expect spend to be in line with previous years.
126. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance the number of staff in his Department who attended a summit (details supplied) in Dublin in 2017 and 2018, respectively; the cost to his Department or agency under the remit of his Department; if his Department or an agency under the remit of his Department undertook advertising or sponsorship in respect of the summit; the cost in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9203/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to advise the Deputy that two (2) members of staff of the Department of Finance attended the Summit in 2017 and that no staff member attended the Summit in 2018. The total cost was €700.00. (seven hundred euro). The Department did not undertake any advertising or sponsorship at the Summit.
As the Deputy may be aware there are eighteen (18) bodies under the aegis of the Department of Finance. I am informed that staff from two (2) of the bodies attended the Summit in 2017 and staff from four (4) of the bodies attended the Summit in 2018.
In 2017, one (1) staff member from the Office of the Revenue Commissioners and twenty (20) staff members from the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) attended the Summit and the cost was €860 (eight hundred and sixty euro) and €7,000 (seven thousand euro) respectively.
I wish to advise the deputy that in 2018,
- one (1) staff member from the Office of the Revenue Commissioners attended the Summit at a cost of €1,050, (one thousand and fifty euro)
- forty-three (43) staff members from the NTMA attended the summit at a cost of €17,200, (seventeen thousand two hundred euro)
- seven (7) staff from the National Asset Management Agency (NAMA) attended the summit at a cost of €2,800 (two thousand eight hundred euro) and
- thirty (30) staff from the Central bank attended the summit at a cost of €12,000 (twelve thousand euro).
I wish to advise the Deputy, that I am advised that none of the bodies under the aegis of Department of Finance undertook any advertising or sponsorship in respect of the Pendulum Summit in 2017 or 2018.
127. Deputy Pat Casey asked the Minister for Finance the number of SMEs that received loan funding by firm size of fewer than ten, 11 to 49 and 50 to 249 employees, respectively, in tabular form. [9254/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) is Ireland’s National Promotional Institution (NPI). The SBCI’s goal is to increase the availability of appropriately priced, flexible funding to viable Irish SMEs. The purpose of the SBCI is to deliver effective financial supports to Irish SMEs that address failures in the Irish credit market, while encouraging and facilitating competition and innovation, and ensuring the efficient and effective use of European financial instruments. The SBCI achieves this aim through the provision of low cost liquidity and risk-sharing activities.
The Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland commenced its activities in March 2015. SBCI has forwarded updated figures to my Department that show, to the end of December 2018, the total amount of SBCI supported lending activity (liquidity) was €900 million to 21,973 Irish SMEs supporting 141,677 jobs. Under the SBCI’s risk sharing schemes, €157 million has been drawn down by 4,299 SMEs supporting 7,132 jobs.*
Liquidity
|
Firm Size |
No. of Employees |
Total Loans Supported |
No. of Businesses |
|
Less than 10 |
44,166 |
€558,943,337 |
19,223 |
|
11 to 49 |
43,203 |
€203,676,794 |
1,998 |
|
50 to 249 |
54,308 |
€135,913,213 |
572 |
|
Grand Total |
141,677 |
€898,533,344 |
21,973 |
|
Firm Size |
No. of Employees |
Total Loans Supported |
No. of Businesses |
|
Less than 10 |
31% |
62% |
87% |
|
11 to 49 |
31% |
23% |
9% |
|
50 to 249 |
38% |
15% |
4% |
|
Grand Total |
100% |
100% |
100% |
Risk-Sharing
|
Firm Size |
No. of Employees |
Total Loans Supported |
No. of Businesses |
|
Less than 10 |
5,505 |
€146,143,043 |
4,258 |
|
11 to 49 |
636 |
€6,742,644 |
32 |
|
50 to 249 |
991 |
€4,045,000 |
9 |
|
Grand Total |
7,132 |
€156,930,687 |
4,299 |
|
Firm Size |
No. of Employees |
Total Loans Supported |
No. of Businesses |
|
Less than 10 |
77% |
93% |
99% |
|
11 to 49 |
9% |
4% |
1% |
|
50 to 249 |
14% |
3% |
0% |
|
Grand Total |
100% |
100% |
100% |
* Please note that these figures may be subject to revision as data received from finance providers is periodically reviewed and adjusted, as necessary.
128. Deputy Pat Casey asked the Minister for Finance the details of the changes in the VAT rate for cookery schools between 2016 and 2019 and the rationale for the change in view of the skills shortage in the sector. [9255/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe VAT rating of goods and services is subject to the requirements of EU VAT law, with which Irish VAT law must comply. I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that there has been no change in the position in relation to the VAT treatment of cookery schools between 2016 and 2019.
Where a cookery school is providing courses for educational or vocational purposes, any such course is exempt from VAT provided the lessons in question are provided as part of a programme that meets the standards set out by the Department of Education and Skills syllabus or, in the case of vocational training, the course is aimed at acquiring or updating knowledge in relation to a specific profession or trade.
This means cookery classes aimed at further enhancing the skills of professional chefs working in the hospitality industry are exempt from VAT. Similarly, cookery courses aimed towards developing the culinary skills of trainee chefs are also exempt from VAT. However, where a cookery school is providing courses primarily for recreational purposes the position continues to be that these courses are liable to VAT at the standard rate. A course which is primarily for recreational purposes is undertaken for the enjoyment and satisfaction of the participants rather than for developing skills and knowledge which will assist the participant in their trade or profession.
If a cookery school has any doubt as to the eligibility for exemption of any of its courses, they should contact Revenue for advice.
129. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Finance if conducting a recruitment process for the position of chairperson of NAMA during 2019 (details supplied) has been considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9258/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 25 of the NAMA Act provides that it is for the Minister for Finance to appoint the Chairperson of the Board of NAMA. This appointment may be made from amongst one of the existing ordinary members of the Board or the Minister may appoint a new member to assume the role of Chairperson.
As currently constituted, there are seven members of the NAMA Board and two vacancies arising from departures occurring in December 2018. In July 2018 I appointed two new members to the NAMA Board, who were appointed from a panel of qualified candidates created as part of a recruitment process conducted in conjunction with the Public Appointments Service (PAS) and in accordance with the Guidelines on Appointments to State Boards 2014. It will be open to me to make further appointments from this panel to fill vacancies on the Board of NAMA until the end of March 2019.
The term of the current Chairperson of NAMA, Mr Frank Daly, expires on 22 December 2019. Having served two terms Mr Daly is not eligible to be reappointed once his current term expires. I intend to make a decision on the appointment of a new Chairperson of NAMA to replace Mr Daly closer in time to the expiry of his term.
130. Deputy Pat Casey asked the Minister for Finance the status of his proposed changes to section 481 tax relief for film production; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9261/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 481 TCA 1997 provides a 32% payable credit for eligible expenditure on film production in Ireland. It is available to Irish and international film production companies that are resident in the State or in an EEA State and carry on business in the State through a branch or subsidiary.
A number of significant changes were made to the credit as part of 2018 Finance Bill process. In recognition of the nature of the production cycle and the long lead in times needed for productions to be undertaken, the credit was extended from its original end date of 31 December 2020 to 31 December 2024. Additionally, it was legislated to require production companies to apply for payment of the tax credit under the self-assessment system. This brings the operation of the credit within the normal penalty and prosecution provisions for incorrect claims. The application process has also been divided between the Revenue Commissioners and the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, it is envisioned that this will in particular contribute to alleviating the much publicised delays being experienced when applying for the credit.
Finance Bill 2018 also provided for a new short-term, tapered regional uplift, commencing at 5%, for productions being made in areas designated under the State aid regional guidelines. The regional uplift will be introduced subject to State aid approval. The regions availing of the uplift will be limited to areas in Ireland sanctioned to receive regional aid under the EU regional aid guidelines.
The process of notifying the EU of the regional uplift is currently underway but it is not possible to give a definitive timeline as to when this process will be completed.
Revenue is currently bringing forward the Regulations which are necessary to give effect to the aforementioned Finance Act 2018 amendments. The Regulations must be introduced with the consent of both myself and my colleague, the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, and I understand that officials in both Departments are currently reviewing the relevant drafts with a view to providing final drafts for signature in early course.
131. Deputy Pat Casey asked the Minister for Finance his plans to review the terms of the diesel rebate scheme in view of the rising costs of fuel for Irish hauliers. [9262/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Diesel Rebate Scheme has been in place since 2013. Under this scheme Revenue will repay some of the mineral oil tax paid by a qualifying road transport operator on diesel purchases when the diesel is purchased within the State and used in the course of business transport activities in qualifying motor vehicles.
Qualifying applicants can claim a rebate under the scheme when the VAT inclusive price of diesel exceeds €1.23 per litre, as determined by the methodology deployed by Revenue. The rebate amount progressively increases to the maximum amount repayable of 7.5 cent per litre when the VAT inclusive price is €1.54 per litre or over.
Ireland is one of only eight Member States that operates such a scheme and I am aware that there are different views on its merits. My Department's Energy & Environmental Tax Strategy Paper 2017 noted that the Diesel Rebate Scheme is a subsidy, or tax expenditure, and an ESRI study showed that the Scheme has encouraged greater consumption of diesel and this has had negative environmental consequences over the length of the scheme.
I made no change to the operation of this scheme in Budget 2019. As with all taxation measures, the operation of the scheme is kept under review as part of the annual Budget process each year.
Finally, I would point out to the Deputy that CSO consumer price data shows that the retail price of diesel has significantly decreased since October 2018.
132. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Finance the number of claims and the amount claimed under the med 2 dental expenses scheme in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9281/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by Revenue that data in relation to non-routine dental expenses are aggregated together with other health expenses in filed tax returns. As a result, it is not possible for Revenue to provide the information requested.
133. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Finance the number of extra Revenue Commissioners staff due to be posted to Dublin Airport and Dublin Port following the recent recruitment campaign; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9317/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn September 2018, the Government granted approval in principle for the phased recruitment of an additional 600 Revenue staff to meet the challenges posed by Brexit. Budget 2019 provided Revenue with the funding needed for 270 of the additional 600 staff to be recruited during 2019 to manage an orderly UK withdrawal.
Following Government decision to give greater priority to the preparations for a no-deal Brexit in December 2018, it was agreed to accelerate Revenue’s recruitment plans.
Revenue has appointed over 250 additional staff to customs roles in the period September 2018 to date, including Dublin Airport and Dublin Port. An additional 150 staff are to be appointed to customs roles by Revenue between now and 29 March 2019. Revenue are on track to have appointed approximately 400 additional staff to customs and related roles for Brexit during the period September 2018 to 29 March 2019.
Revenue had approximately 80 staff assigned to Dublin Port and 120 to Dublin Airport in September 2018. An additional 100 staff are due to be posted to Dublin Port and an additional 50 staff to Dublin Airport. These have all been recruited and are either trained or currently in training. This will bring the total staff assigned to Dublin Port to over 180 and to Dublin Airport to 170.
In the event of a no-deal Brexit, a further 200 staff will be recruited between April and December 2019. Resources will be deployed based on the evolving business needs and to tackle any risks as they emerge.
134. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 25 of 14 February 2019, the amount involved under each tax heading (details supplied); the number of cases in each heading; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9324/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra135. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 25 of 14 February 2019, the amount involved under each tax heading (details supplied) in tabular form; the number of cases in each heading; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9325/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 134 and 135 together.
I am advised by Revenue that Table 1 includes a breakdown by tax heading of debt that was subject to Appeal before the Tax Appeals Commission at 31 January 2019 while Table 2 includes a breakdown by tax heading of debt that was subject to Insolvency Proceedings (Liquidations, Receiverships and Examinerships) at the same date.
Where tax liabilities are subject to either the Appeals or Insolvency processes, Revenue is legally prevented from using its debt collection or enforcement sanctions to secure collection. In insolvency situations, Revenue can also be legally obliged to accept reduced payments in accordance with creditor status rules.
Revenue has also clarified that the number of actual taxpayer cases involved in Appeals and Insolvency proceedings at 31 January 2019 was 1,688 and 2,006 respectively, which is less than the cumulative figures quoted in the provided tables. The tables reflect higher numbers because Appeal or Insolvency cases can include more than one tax heading.
Table 1: Debt Under Appeal at 31 January 2019 by Tax Heading
|
Tax |
Appeal Numbers by Tax Heading |
Amount (€m) |
|
Capital Gains Tax |
121 |
€117 |
|
Corporation Tax* |
120 |
€2,505 |
|
VAT |
193 |
€198 |
|
Income Tax |
1,261 |
€338 |
|
PAYE |
98 |
€29 |
|
PRSI |
92 |
€4 |
|
USC |
53 |
€2 |
|
Other |
43 |
€43 |
|
Total |
€3,236 |
*It may be of note to the Deputy that 5 corporation tax appeals were received in the last week of December 2018 that amounted to approximately €2.1 billion.
Table 2: Insolvency Debt at 31 January 2019 by Tax Heading
|
Tax |
Insolvency Numbers by Tax Heading |
Amount (€m) |
|
Corporation Tax |
278 |
€15.4 |
|
VAT |
674 |
€32.2 |
|
Income Tax |
17 |
€1.2 |
|
PAYE |
889 |
€37.5 |
|
PRSI |
1,078 |
€21.2 |
|
USC |
598 |
€2.3 |
|
Relevant Contracts Tax |
191 |
€3.4 |
|
Other |
46 |
€0.3 |
|
Total |
€113.5 |
136. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Finance the proportions of sales according to different cigarette pack sizes that were or are available for sale here in the past ten years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9370/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by Revenue that the proportion of total cigarettes by standard pack size and multi-pack size is provided in the following table for each of the past ten years. A further breakdown cannot be disclosed for confidentiality reasons. The information is provided in respect of the period where a tobacco tax stamp is issued rather than the period when the actual sale of the product occurs.
Pack Size
|
Year |
20 cigarettes |
>20 cigarettes |
|
2009 |
100.0% |
0.0% |
|
2010 |
100.0% |
0.0% |
|
2011 |
100.0% |
0.0% |
|
2012 |
95.5% |
4.5% |
|
2013 |
88.9% |
11.1% |
|
2014 |
89.9% |
10.1% |
|
2015 |
86.8% |
13.2% |
|
2016 |
81.5% |
18.5% |
|
2017 |
79.8% |
20.2% |
|
2018 |
77.3% |
22.7% |
137. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the bank account of an organisation (details supplied) has been closed; if the case will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9398/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Central Bank does not comment on individual cases.
If customers are unhappy with the service received from a firm which is regulated by the Central Bank, they are entitled to make a complaint by writing directly to the firm concerned. Depending on their circumstances, the complaints handling provisions of either the Consumer Protection Code ("the Code") or the Central Bank (Supervision and Enforcement) Act 2013 (Section 48) (Lending to Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises) Regulations 2015 ("the SME Regulations") will apply.
The Code applies in respect of all consumers which are defined as:
- a person or group of persons, but not an incorporated body with an annual turnover in excess of €3 million in the previous financial year (for the avoidance of doubt a group of persons includes partnerships and other unincorporated bodies such as clubs, charities and trusts, not consisting entirely of bodies corporate); or
- incorporated bodies having an annual turnover of €3 million or less in the previous financial year (provided that such body shall not be a member of a group of companies having a combined turnover greater than the said €3 million);
This includes where appropriate, a potential ‘consumer’.
If the person is not happy with the response received from the regulated entity they may raise the complaint with the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (FSPO).
The SME Regulations apply to lending to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises which employ fewer than 250 persons and which have an annual turnover not exceeding €50 million, and/or an annual balance sheet total not exceeding €43 million.
For micro and small enterprises, the regulated entity must also inform the borrower that they may be in a position to make a complaint to the FSPO, and of the contact details of the FSPO.
138. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Finance the status of measures being taken to tackle insurance costs, particularly public liability insurance costs; when these measures will be put in place and take effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9435/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, the Cost of Insurance Working Group (CIWG), now chaired by the Minister of State for Financial Services and Insurance, Mr. Michael D’Arcy T.D., was established in July 2016 and has undertaken an examination of the factors contributing to the increasing cost of insurance in order to identify what short, medium and long-term measures could be introduced 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.
In its second phase, the Working Group examined the cost of business insurance, specifically 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 in January 2018. The EL/PL Report makes 15 recommendations with 29 associated actions, to be carried out in agreed timeframes set out in an Action Plan.
The recommendations from these two primary Reports are often inter-related and overall represent an important part of the broader insurance reform agenda. Key recommendations in the two Reports seek to increase transparency in the sector, as well as improve the personal injuries litigation framework and costs environment by encouraging greater use of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board and reviewing the level of damages in personal injury cases.
Work is ongoing on the implementation of the recommendations from the two Reports by the relevant Government Departments and Agencies and the Working Group has published quarterly updates on its progress. The seventh such update was published in November 2018 and shows that of the total number of 78 separate relevant deadlines within the Action Plans of the two Reports set up to the end of Q3 2018, 63 relate to actions which have been completed.
Both of the primary Reports and the quarterly updates are available on the Department’s website.
It is envisaged that the next quarterly Progress Update will be completed by the end of this month and in relation to the EL/PL Report, I can inform the Deputy that the vast majority of the total of 26 action points which were due for completion during 2018 overall have been done, and am confident that any outstanding action points will be completed in the coming months, along with the three remaining action points with deadlines set for various quarters throughout 2019.
The actions implemented to date cut across a number of different areas and include:
- The publication by An Garda Síochána of the “Guidelines for the Reporting of Suspected Fraudulent Insurance Claims by Insurance Entities to An Garda Síochána”
- The Law Reform Commission confirming that the subject of caps on damages for personal injuries litigation is included in its draft Fifth Programme of Law Reform
- Sections 8 & 14 of the Civil Liability and Courts Act 2004 have been amended to ensure defendants are appropriately notified of a claim having been submitted against their policy and to make it easier for businesses and insurers to challenge cases where fraud or exaggeration is suspected, respectively
- An Garda Síochána commencing the collection of statistics under the new “insurance fraud” category which has been added to the PULSE system
- The Courts Service confirming that it will publish a more detailed breakdown of awards in personal injury cases in its Annual Reports.
Finally, I would like to assure the Deputy that the CIWG will continue to focus on implementing the recommendations of both the Motor and Employer and Public Liability Reports. In particular, there will be an emphasis on implementing the recommendations of the second Personal Injury Commission Report in order to try and bring the levels of damages awarded in this country more in line with those awarded in other jurisdictions.
I am hopeful that the cumulative effects of the implementation of the two Reports’ recommendations will result in a more competitive insurance market and thus increased stability in the pricing of insurance in general including public liability cover.
139. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Finance the breakdown of funds received by his Department or channelled through his Department from EU funds in 2017; and the programmes these funds supported. [9571/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Finance is primarily responsible for Ireland’s EU Budget contributions.
However, it does not receive any EU funds, nor are EU funds for other Departments channelled through the Department of Finance.
140. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Finance the steps he is taking to help alleviate the cost of insurance for the leisure industry; and his views on whether insurance price rises within the sector have become highly inflated. [9652/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra141. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Finance if he is satisfied that progress is being made by the working group on the cost of insurance in the areas of public liability insurance such as for marts or child play centres. [9653/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 140 and 141 together.
At the outset I wish to emphasise that I am very aware of the financial strain which the cost of insurance is placing upon businesses in particular in the leisure and mart sectors.
As part of the Cost of Insurance Working Group’s (CIWG) formal consultation process, there was engagement between the CIWG and representatives from different industries, including both the agricultural and leisure sectors, while more recently, Minister of State D’Arcy, who chairs the CIWG, has met with representatives of those operating play centres. From these engagements, it would appear that the main difficulty in these sectors is a lack of capacity in the market which I understand has been driven to some degree by the overall claims level in these sectors.
In determining their willingness to enter into or remain in a particular sector of the market, insurers will generally make an assessment of what they consider the overall risk to be. Therefore, part of their assessment of what premium level to charge, or whether to offer cover will be based on what they consider the general likely trend for claims in the sector will be, based on their overall past experience.
The Deputy should note that as Minister for Finance, I am responsible for the development of the legal framework governing financial regulation and neither I nor the Central Bank of Ireland can 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. Therefore I cannot compel insurers to provide cover to businesses such as play centres or marts.
The above said however, it was recognised with the establishment of the Cost of Insurance Working Group (CIWG) that the environment within which insurers conduct their business can be better shaped, in order to make the Irish insurance market a more competitive one and also make it more attractive for new entrants. In this regard, 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 second phase of the CIWG, under the Chairmanship of the Minister of State for Financial Services and Insurance, Mr. Michael D’Arcy TD, culminated in the issuing of the Report on the Cost of Employer and Public Liability Insurance in January 2018. It makes 15 recommendations with 29 associated actions, detailed in an Action Plan with agreed timelines for implementation.
The most recent Progress Update was published last November and shows that 18 of the 19 actions points in the Employer/Public Liability Report arising up to end of Q3 2018 have been completed.
It is envisaged that the next quarterly Progress Update will issue by the end of this month and I understand that the vast majority of the total of 26 action points which were due for completion during 2018 overall have been done. I am confident that any outstanding action points will be completed in the coming months, along with the three remaining action points with deadlines set for various quarters throughout 2019.
The actions implemented to date cut across a number of different areas and include:
- The publication of by An Garda Síochána of the “Guidelines for the Reporting of Suspected Fraudulent Insurance Claims by Insurance Entities to An Garda Síochána”
- The Law Reform Commission confirming that the subject of caps on damages for personal injuries litigation is included in its draft Fifth Programme of Law Reform
- Sections 8 & 14 of the Civil Liability and Courts Act 2004 have been amended to ensure defendants are appropriately notified of a claim having been submitted against their policy and to make it easier for businesses and insurers to challenge cases where fraud or exaggeration is suspected, respectively
- An Garda Síochána commencing the collection of statistics under the new “insurance fraud” category which has been added to the PULSE system
- The Courts Service confirming that they will publish a more detailed breakdown of awards in personal injury cases in its Annual Reports.
Finally, I would like to assure the Deputy that the CIWG will continue to focus on implementing the recommendations of the Report on the Cost of Employer and Public Liability Insurance in parallel with implementing those from the Report on the Cost of Motor Insurance. In particular, there will be an emphasis on implementing the recommendations of the second Personal Injury Commission Report in order to try and bring the levels of damages awarded in this country more in line with those awarded in other jurisdictions.
I am hopeful that the cumulative effects of the implementation of the two Reports’ recommendations will result in a more competitive insurance market and thus increased stability in the pricing of insurance for businesses in the leisure sector including play centres as well as sectors such as marts.
142. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the Irish banks that have to become compliant in advance of the impending PSD2 regulation. [9669/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraDirective (EU) 2015/2366 of the European Parliament and of the Council (PSD2) was transposed into Irish law through the European Union (Payment Services) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 6 of 2018) by the common transposition deadline of 13 January 2018. From that date, all authorised credit institutions that provide payment services must comply with the provisions of the Directive.
In addition, a European Commission Delegated Regulation (2018/389 of 27 November 2017) supplementing PSD2 with regard to regulatory technical standards for strong customer authentication and common and secure open standards of communication applies from 14 September 2019. Credit institutions will be required to comply with the requirements of this Delegated Regulation from that date.
