Written Answers Nos. 169-189
169. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if concerns on driver theory test delays raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied) will receive a response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17230/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraCorrespondence from this individual was received by my office on the 15 July 2020 and a reply will issue in this regard.
The driver theory test was suspended, as were many other services due to the viral outbreak. Following detailed planning by the Road Safety Authority (RSA), in consultation with my Department, the service has been resumed as of 8 June, with centres opening on a gradual basis. The resumption is dependent on strict protocols being in place for staff and test candidates in order to comply with public health guidelines. The safety of the public is of paramount importance at this time, and in this as in all aspects of the Covid-19 crisis, my Department is guided by NPHET and national experts.
Inevitably, there is now a backlog of theory tests. Due to the social distancing requirements, normal daily capacity will be considerably reduced. This will mean that customers will experience longer waiting times than was the case when the service was suspended and the public’s patience and understanding in this regard is requested.
The RSA have assured my Department they are working hard to deal with this backlog – they will be opening on additional days including Saturdays, (at some centres) and extended hours will also be provided to allow additional capacity for appointments. The Driver Theory Test provider is also closely monitoring the supply and demand situation at present.
Those whose appointments were cancelled by the RSA due to the Covid-19 situation will have first priority. Priority then will be given in order of application date.
Additional appointments are added frequently. This individual may wish to contact the Driver Theory Test Service directly on 1890 606 106 for further assistance with finding a date and location near to him.
170. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he plans to legislate for the regulation of e-scooters in 2020. [17231/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI intend to legislate for the regulation of e-scooters in accordance with the Programme for Government. This will involve identifying and developing appropriate amendments to primary road traffic legislation across a range of complex areas. The work must be carried out in such a way so that it does not undermine the overall framework of road traffic law or road safety in general.
The Government's current legislative priorities are the necessary measures to manage Covid 19 and to address its social and economic consequences.
172. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason for opening a consultation process (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17274/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra173. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason for opening a consultation process (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17274/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 172 and 173 together.
As Minister for Climate, Energy, Communications and Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and securing exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Public Spending Code Guidelines and the necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to advise the Deputy on the status of this project.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy's question to TII for a direct reply. I ask him to advise my private office if he does not receive a reply within 10 working days.
174. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will address an oversight with regard to the NDLS licensing arrangements in that licences which expired between March and June 2020 have a four-month grace period but licences expired in July 2020 or thereafter have no grace period but applicants cannot obtain appointments for renewal for up to a month due to the backlog; if has considered extending the grace period to applicants in July 2020 and thereafter until such time as the backlog is cleared and NDLS services are operating as normal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17305/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra178. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will extend the renewal deadline for category 2 driver licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17360/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 174 and 178 together.
The decision to extend the validity for learner permits for a further 4 months was taken to ease the pressure on the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) to allow for the prioritising of issuing of driving licences. However, extending the validity of driver licences for a further period is under consideration.
The National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) resumed services on Monday 8 June 2020. The service resumed on a gradual basis, and by Monday 29 June all NDLS centres, except Clifden and Belmullet, had reopened.
NDLS offices are unable to facilitate any walk-ins due to the social distancing requirements and in the interest of protecting the staff and customers, and therefore all appointments must be booked in advance. This, of course, has led to an increase in the demand for appointments.
The Road Safety Authority is working with their providers to see how they can increase capacity while adhering to the return to work safely protocol. Options include extended opening hours, overtime and protective segregation barriers between booths. Some applicants may be able to apply online. Details are available on the NDLS website.
175. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if consideration will be given to allow additional renewal time for driver licences expiring in July to September 2020 in view of the Covid-19 backlog; the online renewal options available to those without public services cards; if consideration will be given to providing the option of online renewals to those without a public services card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17315/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe possible extension of the validity of driver licences for a further period is under consideration.
To apply for, or renew, a driving licence you are required to present photographic ID, evidence of PPSN, evidence of address and evidence of residency entitlement. An applicant must present in person at a National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) office where the required documentation can be examined. Due to Covid 19 no walk in apppointments are available in the interest of the safety of staff and the public.
If you are renewing a driving licence or learner permit, and you are under 70 years and you do not have a truck or bus category on your driving licence/learner permit, you may be able to apply online. The same information mentioned above is required when accessing the online system, and the Public Services Card satisfies this requirement as the information has already been provided and verified by another Government department.
A MyGovID verified account is required to meet the Government policy of SAFE2 standard for ID verification, and such verification is required to access the online system. The Public Service Card meets this requirement.
176. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason a person (details supplied) who suffers from dyslexia cannot be provided with a reader in order that they can complete the driver theory test; if it is possible for them to source a reader in order that they can complete the test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17334/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis is a matter for the Road Safety Authority. I have referred the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.
177. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if specific commitments will be given to ring-fence funding for cycling quietways in urban centres. [17336/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility to secure or provide cycling infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area and works with the local authorities in Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford in delivering similar infrastructure there.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a more detailed reply. I ask the Deputy to advise my private office if he does not receive a reply within 10 working days.
180. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the timeframe for the commencement of construction on the new N24, which bypasses the current N24 from County Limerick to County Waterford, as mentioned in the national development plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17372/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Climate, Energy, Communications and Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and securing exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Public Spending Code Guidelines and the necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to advise the Deputy on the status of this project.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy's question to TII for a direct reply. I ask him to advise my private office if he does not receive a reply within 10 working days.
As set out in the Programme for Government, the Government will be carrying out a review of the National Development Plan later this year, taking account of the priorities of Government set out in the Programme. The Deputy may wish to address further questions he may have on the review of the NDP to my colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
181. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of United States of America military personnel who have grounded here via commercial flights before making an onward flight in the past three years to date in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17374/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has no function with regard to the transit of foreign military personnel through Irish sovereign territory or Irish airports.
daa has confirmed that it has not had US military personnel arriving on commercial flights through Dublin Airport and Cork Airport to date in 2020. With regard to Shannon Airport, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to Shannon Group plc. for direct reply.
If the Deputy does not receive a reply from the Company within ten working days, I ask her to advise my Private Office.
182. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Finance the number of help-to-buy grant applications received; the number of applications that reached claim stage; and the number of claims approved under the help to buy scheme in quarters 1 and 2 of 2020. [16554/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised that Revenue publishes a monthly update on the Help to Buy (HTB) scheme on the Revenue website. The most recent update to 30 June 2020 in respect of applications, both approved and pending, and claims made can be found at:
https://www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/documents/statistics/tax-expenditures/help-to-buy-stats.pdf
Revenue’s statistics in respect of the current year show the total number of applications received at 42,072. Applications will progress to the claim stage only if the applicant decides to purchase a property that is eligible for the scheme. Many applications may never progress to the claim stage because the applicant does not purchase a property or purchases a property not eligible for the scheme.
To-date, since the start of the scheme, 19,478 HTB claims have been made, of which 18,899 are approved.
The following table sets out the number of claims made and approved in Q1 and Q2 of 2020:
|
Month |
Claims Made |
Claims Approved |
|
Jan-20 |
279 |
340 |
|
Feb-20 |
536 |
492 |
|
Mar-20 |
689 |
673 |
|
Apr-20 |
288 |
293 |
|
May-20 |
250 |
287 |
|
Jun-20 |
374 |
405 |
183. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Finance if he will clarify the position on a possible tax bill for those on the temporary wage subsidy scheme or pandemic unemployment payment support payments. [16682/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraPayments made under both the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS) and the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) scheme are income supports and share the characteristics of income. Other income earners in receipt of comparable “normal wages” are taxable on those wages. In the interest of equity, payments under the TWSS and the PUP are subject to income tax. Payments under the TWSS are also subject to universal social charge (USC), while the PUP follows the general taxation rule for social welfare payments and, thus, is exempt from that charge. Payments under both schemes are exempt from PRSI charges.
Neither PUP nor TWSS payments are taxed in real-time through the PAYE system, but a recipient of either payment may become liable for income tax and USC (for TWSS only) at the end of the year, which will be calculated by Revenue through the end of year review process.
In cases where the tax liability for those payments exceeds unused personal and PAYE tax credits for 2020, the level of tax and USC due by the person may be reduced or eliminated by the amount of unused tax credits available to him or her at the end of the year. Any liability due may also be further reduced if the person has additional tax credits, for example health expenses, to offset. Revenue has also very recently placed all recipients of TWSS payments or the PUP on what is known as the “week 1 basis” of taxation for the remainder of the year so as to “preserve” unused tax credits that can then be used to offset any income tax or USC liabilities that may arise at end year.
I am advised by Revenue that the final calculation of the end of year tax liability for each person is dependent on a range of factors, including the person’s civil status, their available tax credits, the amount received under TWSS and/or PUP, any top-up payments made by the employer, as well as other entitlements and credits, such as health expenses. Revenue has also assured me that if any tax and USC liabilities still arise at end year following the allocation of unused credits, it will work with its customers to collect the outstanding liabilities over an extended period. This will be achieved by reducing their tax credits for future years, thereby minimising any financial hardship to the greatest extent possible.
184. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Finance his plans to amend the help-to-buy scheme for persons who build their own home in order that the reckonable limits apply to the cost of the home rather than that LTV rate in view of the fact that the current conditions discriminate against rural dwellers who build on their own land; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17027/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraS.477C of the Taxes Consolidation Act sets out the requirements of the Help to Buy incentive. It provides that a qualifying first time buyer must take out a loan in an amount equal to at least 70% of either the purchase price of the property in the case of a purchased house or the value of the property in the case of a self-build house. The valuation of a self-build is as approved by the lender as determined in accordance with the Central Bank’s macro prudential rules. These rules stipulate the valuation as being the site cost plus the cost of construction.
My Department's tax expenditure guidelines require that tax incentives must seek to avoid deadweight. It is my view that extending the incentive to those first-time buyers whose loan to value is below 70% would not be consistent with that requirement.
185. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Finance the reason employers are not entitled to the temporary wage subsidy for workers who commenced work in early March 2020 and are eligible for the pandemic unemployment payment; his plans to correct the anomaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17057/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra186. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Finance his plans to maintain the temporary wage subsidy scheme for those involved in the entertainment industry until such time as mass gatherings are permitted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17140/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra188. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Finance his plans to extend the temporary wage subsidy scheme for sectors, employers and self-employed persons that continue to be affected by Covid-19-related measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17308/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra194. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider extending the temporary wage subsidy scheme to include employees who were not employed by a company in January and February 2020. [16685/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra195. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Finance if he will change the rules of the temporary wage subsidy scheme in order that employees who are now on more hours than they were in January or February 2020 will receive the temporary wage subsidy scheme for all hours worked rather than only for the hours they were working before the lockdown. [16686/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra203. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance if he will oblige firms availing of the temporary wage subsidy scheme to include a compulsory retraining or reskilling plan for their employees as with comparative schemes in other EU countries; if he will consider introducing an in-work training subsidy to support such measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16872/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra211. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider extending the temporary wage subsidy scheme to include employees who were not employed by a company in January and February 2020 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17164/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 185, 186, 188, 194, 195, 203 and 211 together.
The Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS) was introduced in March and was specifically designed to support firm viability and preserve the relationship between the employer and employee insofar as is possible through the lockdown period, in circumstances where the employer’s business had been negatively impacted by COVID-19.
The TWSS is available to employees, whether full-time or part-time, who were on their employer payroll at 29 February 2020. This requirement is set down in Section 28 of the Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (COVID-19) Act 2020.
The scheme was developed in a short period of time, having regard to the overarching urgent Government objective of getting assistance to employers and employees quickly.
Since it was introduced, over 50,000 firms have availed of the scheme (which is almost a third of all employers from 2019). Over 500,000 jobs have been directly supported over the period and many more indirectly. This is considerable coverage and it is noted that the value of payments made to date is over €2 billion.
The question of an individual’s entitlements in an employment context, and the question of what wages an employer may or may not be in a position to pay such an employee in light of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the employer’s business, are matters that are outside the remit of the TWSS. The scheme has no role in relation to the employer/employee relationship in so far as the terms, conditions and entitlements of the employment are concerned.
As the public health restrictions are eased, the challenge for the economy and enterprises is evolving. Having regard to the novel circumstances surrounding the re-opening of the economy as well as the need to avoid the risk of forcing otherwise viable firms to close, in July it was announced that the TWSS will remain until the end of August. Work has been ongoing and is at an advanced stage around how best to support employers into the more medium term. The position of various sectors, including the businesses and workers mentioned by the Deputies, will be taken into account in this process. As per the commitment in the Programme for Government, it is planned that the July Jobs Initiative will set out a pathway for the future of the TWSS.
187. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Finance the number of licences that have been issued under the Intoxicating Liquor (Breweries and Distilleries) Act 2018; the number that are distilleries, breweries or cider makers in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17153/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Intoxicating Liquor (Breweries and Distilleries) Act 2018 introduced two new classes of Excise Licences to the licensing code, namely a Producer’s Retail On Licence and a Producer’s Retail Off Licence.
Both licences were introduced to allow manufacturers sell the alcohol products manufactured on their premises to visitors. The difference between the licence types is that the ON Licence allows for consumption of the product on the premises whereas the OFF Licence only permits sales for consumption off the premises. A statutory requirement for obtaining either of these licences is that the applicant is already the holder of the relevant Manufacturer’s Excise Licence.
The table below sets out the number of each licence type issued by Revenue in the licensing years 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 and the type of Manufacturer’s Excise Licence to which they are associated.
|
Renewal Licence Type |
2018/2019 |
2019/2020 |
Manufacturer’s Licence Type |
|
Producer’s Retail OFF |
2 |
Brewer |
|
|
1 |
2 |
Distiller of Spirits |
|
|
1 |
Rectifier of Spirits |
||
|
Producer’s Retail ON |
1 |
Brewer |
|
|
3 |
Distiller of Spirits |
||
|
1 |
Rectifier of Spirits |
||
|
1 |
Brewer and Distiller of Spirits |
||
|
Totals |
1 |
11 |
189. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the campaign by yoga studio owners about their existing VAT rate; and his views on the matter. [17330/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe VAT rating of goods and services is subject to the requirements of the EU VAT Directive, with which Irish VAT law must comply. In general, the VAT Directive provides that all goods and services are liable to VAT at the standard rate unless they fall within Annex III of the Directive, in respect of which Member States may apply either one or two reduced rates of VAT. The “use of sporting facilities” is specifically listed in Annex III which therefore allows Ireland to apply the second reduced rate, currently 9%.
Services consisting of the care of the human body supplied in the course of a health studio business or similar business, such as a yoga studio, are not listed in Annex III and therefore would in general be subject to the standard rate. However, the Directive allows for historic VAT treatment to be maintained under certain conditions and Ireland has retained the application of the reduced rate of VAT, currently 13.5%, to the services of yoga studios. This is known as a ‘parked rate’ and the continuation of this reduced rate application is conditional on the rate being no less than 12%. Therefore, there is no discretion under the Directive to apply the 9% rate to these services.
