Written Answers Nos. 99-117
100. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of an Irish birth certificate for a child (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15252/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraForeign Births Registration, by its nature, can be a detailed and complex process. The establishment of the new Foreign Births Registration team at the beginning of this year has introduced a short delay in the processing of applications.
Due to the complex nature of Foreign Births Registration, it takes on average between 6 to 12 months to process an application.
With regard to the specific application the Deputy has enquired about given the exceptional circumstances the application is currently under expedited review and assuming that all the application is in order we expect the FBR to issue later this month.
103. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the outcome of the interdepartmental committee on the Irish abroad meeting on 21 February 2019; the status of the implementation of the recommendations made in a report (details supplied) on addressing barriers to returning emigrants; if further initiatives are planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15317/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraA meeting of the Interdepartmental Committee on the Irish Abroad was held in Government Buildings on 21st February 2019. The following items were discussed:
- Current progress with respect to the recommendations contained within the Indecon Economic Report on Addressing Challenges Faced by Returning Irish Emigrants
- A Memorandum to be brought to Government in respect of this progress
- The Government's new diaspora policy and the associated public consultation process
- The Back to Business programme
- The referendum on extending voting rights in presidential elections to citizens outside the state
- The Cultural Ambassadors initiative, administered by the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht
- Activities of the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation in respect of the work of the Interdepartmental Committee
In relation to the Indecon Economic Report on Addressing Challenges Faced by Returning Irish Emigrants, nineteen of the thirty recommendations contained in the report have been addressed, or are in the process of being addressed.
I have written to all Departments to seeking updated responses to these recommendations. A report detailing progress made will be brought to Government in the coming weeks.
The Government remains committed to ensuring that returning Irish emigrants are facilitated to the greatest possible extent.
104. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department is the lead Department in co-ordinating the Government of Ireland messages on social media and on State websites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15379/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra106. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the way in which his departmental officials have been contributing to and taking part in Government of Ireland social media messages; the way in which they are co-ordinated in each of the policy areas of his Department; the Department that is the lead Department in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15407/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 104 and 106 together.
The coordination of Government of Ireland-related social media and web content is led by the Merrionstreet team in Government Information Service (GIS) at the Department of An Taoiseach. I confirm that my own Department works closely with all relevant Departments in relation to communications on policy and/or service-related matters that incorporate a whole-of-Government dimension.
In scenarios where the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is the lead Department or a principal stakeholder on any given policy or service matter where such a whole-of-Government dimension arises (e.g., Ireland’s recent new international development policy ‘A Better World’ or the Global Ireland programme), the necessary Government of Ireland elements are appropriately reflected in our social media and other communications activities.
105. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department has undertaken procurement processes in relation to consultancy agencies, media or otherwise, to assist it with formulating or contributing to policy messaging on social media or videos on behalf of departmental strategies or policies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15390/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has not procured the services of any consultancy agencies, media or otherwise, to assist with formulating or contributing to policy messaging.
Where a need arises to inform or update citizens about significant matters of policy or public services, required messaging is developed by the relevant lead Division and with support from the Policy and Communications Division within my Department.
107. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department has an operating language scheme in accordance with the Official Languages Act 2003; the date such a scheme was introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15492/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is currently implementing its second Irish Language Scheme (2016-2019) as submitted to the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in early 2016. I am pleased to confirm that so far we have met all the targets set out under the Scheme and that it will be reviewed later this year with a view to drawing up a third Irish Language Scheme.
The current Scheme aims to ensure that we meet our obligations under the Official Languages Act (2003) and promote the Irish language in our services. We also strive to incorporate promotion of the Irish language into public diplomacy activities by Ireland's Embassies, Consulates and other diplomatic missions abroad.
The Scheme reflects commitments made by my Department to enhancing the provision of Irish language services to citizens and to improving Irish language capability through recruitment and training and development. My Department has one designated Irish language post, that of the Irish Language Officer, who oversees implementation of the Scheme.
A fluent Irish speaker works in each of our customer services teams in the Passport Offices in Dublin and Cork. There are also a number of fluent speakers of Irish working in other areas of the Department and across Ireland's network of Embassies, Consulates and other diplomatic missions.
In addition, my Department maintains an ongoing positive working relationship with the Office of the Irish Language Commissioner in relation to our implementation of the Scheme.
108. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance his views on a matter (details supplied) in relation to the betting tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14755/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe increase in the betting duty rate from 1 per cent to 2 per cent, and the betting intermediary duty rate from 15% to 25%, came into effect on 1 January 2019. The last time that the betting duty rate was increased was 1975 and at 1% betting duty was at an all time low.
Receipts from betting duty represented less than 1 per cent of all excise receipts in 2017 and this was also the case in 2018. In addition, unlike other excisable goods, there is no VAT applied on betting transactions. I believe the betting sector needs to make a fair contribution to the Exchequer.
In any discussion on betting duty, we must acknowledge the raised public consciousness of the problem of gambling in society. While problem gambling can result in the problem gambler, and their family, bearing the severest of economic and of course personal costs, the social costs of problem gambling can extend to their employers and to public institutions in the health, welfare and justice systems, such latter costs ultimately being borne by taxpayers. I have outlined my view that this needs to be better reflected within the betting duty regime.
In the course of last year's Finance Bill process, I acknowledged that small independent bookmakers may have difficulty competing with larger bookmakers with retail and/or online operations. At the time I agreed to review an alternative proposal put forward by the betting sector. My officials are currently considering this proposal, including the compatibility of a core element with EU rules, and will set out analysis and options in relation to betting duty at the Tax Strategy Group (TSG) meeting in July. The TSG Papers will be published on the Department's website shortly afterwards.
Ultimately many taxes on goods or services are passed through to the end consumers and bookmakers will need to make commercial decisions on such matters in their pricing decisions.
109. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 82 of 15 November 2012, the number of cases of bankruptcy summonses and court proceedings by a bank (details supplied) since November 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14769/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department does not hold the information that is being sought. Officials from my Department contacted AIB and it provided the following response:
"AIB prioritises reaching consensual arrangements with its customers in difficulty and only resorts to court proceedings where this is not possible. In cases where customers do not meaningfully engage or do not engage at all with the bank or reject the offer of a sustainable restructuring solution, AIB will pursue enforcement through the court process."
"It is important to note that the initiation of legal proceedings does not necessarily result in repossession. As soon as a customer in difficulty engages and enters into a restructured payment arrangement, the bank will pause the legal process. AIB offers the largest suite of solutions and operates multiple engagement channels that facilitate the maximum possible levels of engagement with customers in difficulty."
"The Bank does not specifically record the information as sought however can advise that the Bank has had rarely commenced Bankruptcy summonses in the past 6-years. In respect of the court proceedings we have detailed below the number of PDH proceedings either completed in the 12-month period to or in course at the 31.12.2018."
(PDH) Voluntary & Legal & Surrender; Legal Proceedings December 2018
|
Actions |
Number |
|
Issuing of a Civil Bill at the Court Circuit or Special Summons at the High Court – 12 months to 31/12/2018 |
297 |
|
Civil Bill served on borrower or Civil Bill lodged/entered at Circuit Court - 12 months to 31/12/2018 |
268 |
|
Court Hearing in Progress – as at 31/12/2018 |
2,445 |
|
Order Granted for Repossession – 12 months to 31/12/2018 |
316 |
|
Property in Bank's Possession – as at 31/12/2018 |
547 |
|
Sale Completed – 12 months to 31/12/2018 |
49 |
110. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Finance the reason a salary for contract employment with the HSE is not taken into account by banks when an employee is applying for a mortgage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14773/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn considering an application for mortgage credit, there is a requirement on lenders to obtain relevant information on the borrower’s financial needs and objectives, personal circumstances and financial situation, including the person’s income and other relevant financial information. Based on the borrower’s income and expenses and other necessary and relevant financial and economic circumstances, the lender is then obliged to carry out an assessment of the credit worthiness of the borrower and the lender may only make credit available to the borrower where it considers that the borrower is likely to meet the obligations of the loan in the manner required under the loan agreement. However, subject to compliance with these and the other applicable regulatory framework governing the provision of mortgage credit to consumers, it remains a commercial matter for each lender to formulate its own overall credit policies and to make its own decisions on individual loan applications.
In this context, I am advised by the Central Bank that each institution has its own credit policies and risk appetite for lending, and accordingly the specific categories of income which can be included/excluded when considering a mortgage application will vary from institution to institution. However, these are matters for each individual lender and neither I nor the Central Bank of Ireland have a role in such commercial policy decisions made by lenders.
111. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Finance the number of suspicious transaction reports the Revenue Commissioners received in the Dublin region from financial institutions between 2014 and 2018 that originated from outside the State in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14800/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised that designated bodies are required to submit a Suspicious Transaction Report (STR) to the Revenue and An Garda Síochána where they have a suspicion that a money laundering offence may have been committed. Tax evasion is a predicate offence for money laundering. In cases where the STR relates to other criminal activity it becomes a matter for An Garda Síochána.
I am further advised by Revenue that in accordance with the provisions of the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010, STRs are required to be provided by designated bodies acting in the State in the course of business carried in the State. Accordingly, Revenue do not receive STRs from financial institutions located outside of the State. I am advised that in some cases, the STR information received from financial institutions may provide details of a foreign address, foreign bank account or foreign passport. However, receipt of this information does not necessarily follow that the reported STR activity originated outside the State.
112. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Finance if a tax clearance certificate will be issued in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14951/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by Revenue that it has no record of an application for tax clearance from the person concerned.
They can apply for a Tax Clearance Certificate on www.revenue.ie using either ROS (business customers) or MyAccount (PAYE and non-ROS customers).
If the individual requires any further information or assistance they should contact Revenue’s Helpline at 01-7383663.
113. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the projected impact of a no-deal Brexit on the structural balance from 2019 to 2024, in tabular form. [14978/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra115. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the projected structural balance for 2019 to 2024 or the latest available date in each of the major Brexit scenarios forecast by his Department. [14981/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra120. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the projected cyclical budgetary component for each year from 2019 to 2024; if a breakdown of the components of same will be provided; and if the same data for different Brexit scenarios will be provided in tabular form. [15217/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 113, 115 and 120 together.
The most recent published estimates for the cyclical budgetary component and the structural balance were included in Budget 2019 (see Table). At Budget time, it was estimated that, adjusting for the impact of the cycle, the structural budget balance would be broadly in line with the achievement of the medium-term objective (MTO) in 2019.
Last month, research was published under the joint Department of Finance, Revenue Commissioners and ESRI Research Programme, titled ‘Ireland and Brexit: Modelling the Impact of Deal and No-Deal Scenarios’. This highlighted a number of Brexit scenarios and ranges for the impact on the General Government Balance (GGB). Under the ‘No Deal’ medium run scenario, the report pointed to a deterioration of 0.4 per cent of GDP in the GGB. However, the report did not publish estimates for the output gap nor cyclically adjusted aggregates which are components of the structural balance.
Table: General Government and Structural Balance Forecasts from Budget 2019
|
As per cent of GDP |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
|
General Government Balance |
-0.1 |
0.0 |
0.3 |
0.4 |
1.1 |
1.4 |
|
Cyclical Budgetary Component * |
0.9 |
0.7 |
0.3 |
0.2 |
0.1 |
0.0 |
|
Structural Balance * |
-1.0 |
-0.7 |
0.0 |
0.2 |
1.0 |
1.4 |
* based on the European Commission’s ‘harmonised’ production function approach for estimating the output gap
My officials are currently engaged in preparing new macroeconomic and public finance forecasts for the forthcoming 2019 Stability Programme Update (SPU), which will be published in mid-April. These will include forecasts for the structural budget balance reflecting end-2018 outturns and new assumptions and forecasts regarding the outlook for the Irish economy, including the international environment.
114. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if Ireland will receive an updated medium-term-objective, MTO, in 2021; if not, when a new MTO will be applied to Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14980/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Medium-Term Objective (MTO) is the cornerstone of the preventive arm of the Stability and Growth Pact, the EU's fiscal framework within which the Irish public finances are assessed. The European Commission sets minimum MTOs for each Member State every three years taking account of new information including changes in projected ageing costs. Member States subsequently set their own MTOs, respecting or complying with the Commission’s ‘minimum’ anchor. Ireland's current minimum MTO of a structural deficit of 0.5 per cent of GDP covers the period from 2017 to 2019. The Commission are currently working to produce updated minimum MTOs for the period covering the 2020-2022 budgetary cycle. However, as part of our obligations through the Fiscal Compact Treaty, the lower limit of the MTO is set at a structural deficit of 0.5% of GDP. In line with the above, Ireland’s MTO for 2020 and beyond will be set out in the forthcoming 2019 Stability Programme Update.
116. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Finance if he will clarify the recent response given regarding the number of appeals under the disabled drivers and passengers scheme in view of previous figures which were supplied (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15070/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn order to access the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme a person must obtain a Primary Medical Certificate (PMC) from the HSE. A PMC is obtained if, following a professional clinical examination by the HSE, it is determined that the applicant satisfies at least one of the medical criteria necessary to qualify for a PMC.
If an applicant is unsuccessful in obtaining a PMC from the HSE they may appeal the decision to the independent Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal.
An applicant that has obtained a PMC may make a claim to the Revenue Commissioners for repayment of VAT and Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) on the purchase of a vehicle. If such a claim is unsuccessful they may appeal the decision of the Revenue.
The information provided by me to the Deputy in my reply to Question 6131/19 related to persons that were already in possession of a PMC and as such qualified for the Scheme. The appeals referenced in my reply related to the refusal of claims by Revenue for repayment of VAT and VRT on the purchase of a vehicle.
The information provided in my reply to Questions 5738/18 and 5875/18 referred to by the Deputy related to cases referred to the independent Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal, where a PMC was refused following a professional clinical determination by the HSE.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
117. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the EU contributions to be made by Ireland in each of the next five years if Ireland’s contributions were based on gross national income, GNI, star instead of GNI, with the other elements unchanged, based on best forecasts while the basis of other countries’ contributions remained unchanged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15091/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware from my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 195 of 26 March 2019, Member State contributions to the EU budget are legally calculated by the EU Commission in line with the provisions outlined in the Own Resource Decision (ORD) Regulation (2014/335). Ireland is obliged to make GNI payments to the EU budget based on Ireland's share of total EU GNI. This basis has been agreed legally by all Member States.
To accurately estimate the application of GNI star for Ireland’s EU budget contributions would require making the same technical adjustments to the GNI of each of the remaining EU-27 Member States. Such data is not available for other Member States as GNI star was developed by the Central Statistics Office as a supplementary method for measuring and analysing Irish domestic economic activity by stripping out the impact of globalisation activities.
To provide figures based on a different base for one Member State, as the Deputy is asking, would not have meaning without estimating GNI star for all other Member States. My Department is obliged to prepare estimates based on the relevant legal base.
