Niall Collins
Ceist:66. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Finance his views on matters raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7526/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraCovid-19 Pandemic Supports
Ceisteanna (66)
Freagraí scríofa
As I am sure the Deputy is aware, to date, additional expenditure of well over €13 billion has been paid out with more planned still in 2021 to sustain businesses and help people to manage financially in the midst of these very difficult times.
Sums of over €1 billion have been approved for over 50,000 businesses under the range of measures that the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment has put in place to support businesses through loan and loan guarantees schemes, grant schemes and specific business training and advisory services. Supports are also available to assist businesses in moving online, in adapting to changed circumstances and also when they are restarting as restrictions are lifted.
The Revenue Commissioners have also assisted businesses through the debt warehousing schemes with 70,000 businesses putting tax liabilities of almost €2 billion into the schemes. As of 4 February 2021, 66,500 claims for payments of €266.9 million in respect of 20,800 premises have been made under the COVID Restriction Support Scheme (CRSS).
Nearly €6 billion has been spent on the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (the PUP) to support workers and their families with nearly half a million people receiving a payment last month.
In addition to the above, the wage subsidy schemes have been a central pillar of the Government’s response to the economic impact of the covid-19 pandemic, supporting viable firms and encouraging employment and to that end is an important bridge between social welfare payments like the PUP and regular employment which is the ultimate goal.
The objective of the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) is to support all employment and maintain the link between the employer and employee insofar as is possible. To date, subsidy payments of almost €2 billion have been made and PRSI relief worth over €300m granted to over 46,000 employers in respect of over 515,000 employees.
I have been clear that there will be no cliff-edge to the EWSS. It is noted that the legislation implementing the measure provides that it will be in place until 31 March 2021, but also provides that the scheme may be extended until the end of June 2021, should it be required.
It is likely that continued support will be necessary out to the end of 2021 to help maintain viable businesses and employment and to provide businesses with certainty to the maximum extent possible. Decisions on the form of such support will take account of emerging circumstances and economic conditions as they become clearer.
In the meantime I am satisfied that the design of the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) fully takes account of the changing environment around living with the COVID-19 pandemic, in line with the Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19.
I will conclude by confirming that the Government remains fully committed to supporting businesses and employers insofar as is possible at this time.
Ireland Strategic Investment Fund
Ceisteanna (67)
Cian O'Callaghan
Ceist:67. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Finance if consideration is being given to the impact of housing affordability when the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund decides to invest in residential property; if analysis on the impact on residential property prices is being carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7574/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am advised by the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF) that it has, to date, committed €937 million to housing related investments which are targeting delivery of 15,000 new homes by 2025. This is a very substantial contribution to new housing output.
As a commercial investor on behalf of the State, ISIF takes a broad range of factors, including affordability, into consideration in advance of making a new investment.
However, to be clear, all ISIF investments in the residential sector are aimed at increasing new housing construction and accelerating the delivery of new homes to the market and therefore helping affordability.
ISIF’s housing investment programme in particular prioritises areas where funding gaps are most acute, for example in the starter home and rental markets, and leverages third party capital to optimise the impact it can make in these areas. ISIF’s direct investments have crowded in over €2.5 billion of third party co-investment for new housing supply.
In this way, ISIF is helping to close the gap between supply and demand, which, as the Deputy is aware, is the primary factor in terms of availability and affordability in the housing market.
Whilst ISIF’s portfolio tends to mirror the areas where the market is active and viable, its key differential is its ability to take early-leadership roles in segments where capital gaps exist, in order to encourage other capital. For example, ISIF is now recycling capital from its early investment in Activate Capital, now a major lender for new home construction, to help address funding gaps for residential development in other areas.
Ireland Strategic Investment Fund
Ceisteanna (68)
Cian O'Callaghan
Ceist:68. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Finance if the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund retains ownership when it invests in residential properties through third-party investment companies that sign long-term leases with State agencies, local authorities or approved housing bodies for properties at the end of the long-term lease; if a value-for-money analysis is being undertaken of these financing arrangements for providing social or affordable housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7575/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am informed that the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund does not currently have any investments in residential properties (directly) or platforms which are long-term holders of assets of this nature.
Value Added Tax
Ceisteanna (69)
Claire Kerrane
Ceist:69. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Finance if plans for VAT rates for businesses to revert to 23% will be postponed given ongoing difficulties being experienced by businesses at this time due to Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7647/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I do not plan on extending the temporary reduction from 23% to 21% in the standard rate of VAT beyond the 28th of February.
Disabled Drivers and Passengers Scheme
Ceisteanna (70)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:70. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance the changes that have been made to the medical criteria to allow the reopening of the primary medical certificate application scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7656/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Following approval of the Finance Act 2020, which provides for the medical criteria for the Disabled Drivers Scheme, the HSE has been informed that medical assessments can recommence from 1st January 2021. This is considered to be an interim solution only. A comprehensive review of the scheme, to include a broader review of mobility supports for persons with disabilities, will be conducted this year. On foot of that review new proposals will be brought forward for consideration.
Separately, the ability to hold assessments may be impacted on by, among other things, the public health restrictions in place and the role of the HSE Medical Officers in the roll out of the COVID vaccination programme.
Questions Nos. 71 and 72 answered with Question No. 58.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Ceisteanna (73)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:73. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance the number of applications received for the Covid restrictions support scheme; the number of applications awarded; the amount issued to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7664/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The CRSS is a targeted support for businesses significantly impacted by restrictions introduced by the Government under public health regulations to combat the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. The support is available to companies, self-employed individuals and partnerships who carry on a trade or trading activities, the profits from which are chargeable to tax under Case I of Schedule D, from a business premises located in a region subject to restrictions introduced in line with the Living with Covid-19 Plan.
Details of CRSS are set out in Finance Act 2020 and detailed operational guidelines, which are based on the terms and conditions of the scheme as set out in the legislation, have been published on the Revenue website at:
https://www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/press-office/budget-information/2021/crss-guidelines.pdf
Revenue publish regular statistical updates on the operation of CRSS, as they have done for the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS) since March and are doing on a continuing basis for the Employment Wage Support Scheme (EWSS).
These updates are available at:
https://www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/information-about-revenue/statistics/number-of-taxpayers-and-returns/covid-19-support-schemes-statistics.aspx.
Question No. 74 answered with Question No. 58.
Property Tax
Ceisteanna (75)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:75. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance if a person (details supplied) qualifies for exemption from residential property tax, having regard to the various illnesses from which they suffer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7785/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
A residential property may be exempt from Local Property Tax (LPT), if it is if it is occupied by an individual who is permanently and totally incapacitated and it was bought, built or adapted to make it suitable for use by such an individual. The exemption also applies to adapted properties if the cost of the adaptation exceeded the market value of the property (before it was adapted) by 25%. In addition, the person’s condition must be so severe that it dictates the type of property they can live in and they must be unable to maintain themselves by earning an income from working.
I am advised by Revenue that, to apply for the exemption, the property owner must complete Form LPT7. Each application is reviewed and Revenue verifies the claim for exemption based on the information provided. Full details of the exemption are available in the link:
www.revenue.ie/en/property/documents/lpt/guidelines-reliefs-disabled-incapacitated.pdf
Revenue has also confirmed to me that it has not received any communications regarding an exemption from LPT from the person in question or from any other person on her behalf. As such, it is not possible to determine her entitlement at this point. Revenue has confirmed that it will make direct contact with the person in the coming days to discuss the issue and to advise her on the application process.
Home Loan Scheme
Ceisteanna (76)
Paul Kehoe
Ceist:76. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Finance if there are circumstances under which the 70% loan-to-value ratio of the Rebuilding Ireland home loan will be reviewed for applicants whose incomes have been affected by Covid-19 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7807/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Rebuilding Ireland Home loan is a matter for the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government. However, I believe the question posed and details supplied by the Deputy, in fact, relate to the Help to Buy scheme.
The Help to Buy (HTB) incentive, is a scheme to assist first-time purchasers with the deposit they need to buy or build a new house or apartment. The incentive gives a refund of Income Tax and Deposit Interest Retention Tax (DIRT) paid in Ireland over the previous four years, subject to limits outlined in the legislation. Section 477C of the Taxes Consolidation Act outlines the definitions and conditions that apply to the Help to Buy scheme.
One such condition is 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.
I appreciate the particular circumstances regarding the case detailed by the Deputy. However, the rationale behind the 70% LTV condition is that those who require a mortgage below this level are generally considered to have sufficient resources to more than meet the deposit requirements of the macro-prudential rules and thus less in need of assistance from the Exchequer. Lowering the ceiling could only increase deadweight in the scheme.
While any changes to the scheme are matters for consideration in the context of the annual Budget and Finance Bill, I have no plans at the moment to review the LTV conditions.
Legislative Reviews
Ceisteanna (77, 78, 79)
Jim O'Callaghan
Ceist:77. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Finance if the Consumer Protection (Regulation of Credit Servicing Firms) Act 2018 is achieving the objective intended by the legislation to provide greater protection to consumers whose loans were transferred on to credit-servicing firms. [7845/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraJim O'Callaghan
Ceist:78. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Finance if the definition of "owner of credit" in the Consumer Protection (Regulation of Credit Servicing Firms) Act 2018 needs to be amended in order to ensure that it covers entities that retain the beneficial ownership of the credit but who have transferred legal ownership to another entity. [7846/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraJim O'Callaghan
Ceist:79. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Finance his views on whether the Consumer Protection (Regulation of Credit Servicing Firms) Act 2018 requires further amendment to ensure that the beneficial owners of credit are regulated. [7847/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 77 to 79, inclusive, together.
Since the introduction of the Consumer Protection (Regulation of Credit Servicing Firms) Act 2015, credit servicing firms have been subject to the provisions of Irish financial services law that apply to regulated financial services providers, including but not limited to:
- The Consumer Protection Code
- the CCMA
- the Central Bank (Supervision and Enforcement) Act 2013 (Section 48) (Lending to Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises) Regulations 2015,
- the Fitness and Probity Regime,
- the Central Bank (Supervision and Enforcement) Act 2013 (Section 48(1)) Minimum Competency Regulations 2017, and
- the Minimum Competency Code 2017
The Consumer Protection (Regulation of Credit Servicing Firms) Act 2018 (the 2018 Act) expanded the scope of ‘credit servicing’ to also bring the loan owners themselves directly under Central Bank regulation and supervision, and also within the scope of the relevant consumer protection framework. The 2018 Act came into effect on 21 January 2019 and expanded the definition of ‘credit servicing’ in the 2015 Act to also include the following activities:
- holding the legal title to credit granted under the credit agreement;
- determination of the overall strategy for the management and administration of a portfolio of credit agreements; and
- maintenance of control over key decisions relating to such portfolio.
The Central Bank published Authorisation Requirements and Standards (the Standards) in December 2015. These Standards require that Credit Servicing Firms must be able to demonstrate that they are in a position to conduct their affairs in a manner that ensures the best interests of their customers are protected. The Standards were imposed on Credit Servicing Firms as a condition of authorisation and must be complied with on an ongoing basis.
In advance of the 2018 legislation coming into effect on 21 January 2019, the Central Bank published and updated the Standards to reflect the fact that loan owners now fall to be directly regulated. The Standards provide that a Credit Servicing Firms must structure, organise and resource its business to ensure that it is in a position to demonstrate that it can comply with applicable regulatory requirements. This includes ensuring that adequate and effective control of the firm rests in the State, that all firm records are available to the Central Bank, and that the firm is not outsourcing activities to any extent that would impact on its ability to meet all applicable regulatory requirements.
The Standards also contain additional requirements for Credit Servicing Firms which hold the legal title to credit granted under a credit agreement and which engage in associated ownership activities. These requirements include that each Credit Servicing Firms must have effective processes for the development, implementation and oversight of the firm’s overall strategy for the management and administration of its portfolios of credit agreements and the maintenance of control over key decisions relating to those portfolios.
The Central Bank’s supervision strategy for the credit-servicing sector has a number of elements, including:
- Detailed data gathering and analysis, including mortgage arrears and repossession data, such as the pattern of arrears in the Irish mortgage market by entity type; mortgage arrears profile; restructuring activity in the Irish market; data on ARAs and complaints etc. Additionally, obtaining direct evidence from consumers to provide first-hand information about their experiences in dealing with the credit-servicing sector.
- Intensified risk and evidenced-based supervision, which includes both on-site and offsite inspections. The Central Bank will continue to assertively supervise credit servicing firms’ compliance with the CCMA, to ensure that a fair and transparent process is in place for all borrowers, including those whose loans have been sold.
- Use of its full suite of supervisory powers as appropriate.
The Central Bank’s approach to supervision of the credit-servicing sector is underpinned by an expectation of high standards and a professional and consumer-focused approach to compliance.
Beneficial owners were excluded from the scope of the 2018 Act as their inclusion could have had an impact on entities like passive securitisation vehicles. Irish and European banks use securitisation as a matter of course to raise funds for on-lending to the real economy, mortgage borrowers and SMEs who need access to credit. This is an important and ongoing aspect of the international financial system and passive securitisation vehicles do not have any implications for consumer protection.
If securitisation vehicles needed to be authorised and regulated, a number of unintended consequences may arise. For example, such vehicles could find it impossible to comply with the regulatory requirements of the Central Bank and therefore could be forced out of the market completely. Alternatively, they would have to take on staff and premises and adopt structures in order to meet these requirements and the costs of this would be factored in the price that buyers would be willing to pay for securitisations thereby increasing costs which are likely to be passed to consumer.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Ceisteanna (80)
Brian Stanley
Ceist:80. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason civil and public servants cannot avail of the working-from-home allowance of €3.20 per week. [7545/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
During this exceptional time, whereby a significant number of public servants are required to work from home, in line with public health advice, my Department has published central guidance on working arrangements during COVID-19 for the Civil and Public Service. This guidance is available at: Guidance and FAQs for Public Service Employers during Covid 19.
As set out in the guidance, public servants can make claims directly to Revenue in relation to costs incurred while working from home (e.g. electric, gas, broadband):
Public service employers should not pay a daily allowance (e.g. €3.20 per day) to their employees in respect of WFH. It is open to employees to make claims directly from Revenue in respect of actual costs incurred in working from home at the end of the relevant tax year, in accordance with the relevant tax laws. Any claim in this regard is solely a matter for the individual concerned.
Further details for individuals on how to claim expenses on tax returns are available on the Revenue website in the following document:
https://www.revenue.ie/en/tax-professionals/tdm/income-tax-capital-gains-tax-corporation-tax/part-05/05-02-13.pdf
State Pensions
Ceisteanna (81)
Denis Naughten
Ceist:81. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to address the anomaly of increases under the national wage agreement which have arisen in respect of civil servants who retired before 2012 compared with those who retired post 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7569/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In 2017 the Government agreed the policy on public service pensions in payment for the period to end 2020 as follows:
- An equitable approach must be adopted for the various public service pensioner cohorts who are not only differentiated by amount of pension in payment (determined by grade and service) as heretofore but also by date of retirement (in particular pre and post end February 2012).
- Accordingly for those who retired or will retire post end-February 2012, to the extent that they retired on reduced salaries, they will receive pension increases in line with the pay increases due to their peers in employment.
- When alignment is achieved between pre and post end-February 2012 pensioners, pay increases will continue to benefit pensions in payment.
This approach was intended to deal with the ongoing complexities which arise as FEMPI pay related provisions are unwound. Given that this process of unwinding of FEMPI pay reductions will be ongoing over 2021 to 2022 as per sections 19 and 20 of the Public Service Pay and Pensions Act 2017, the requirement for equitable treatment, as outlined above, continues to arise over this period. Accordingly, and as the Deputy may already be aware, the above arrangements will remain in place to end 2022 in advance of which I will consider the future policy approach on this issue.
The Deputy has specifically distinguished between those who retired before 1 March 2012 and those who retired after that date. Generally, individuals who retired pre-March 2012 will have retired either before the imposition of the first FEMPI pay reduction in 2010 or were protected by the first 'grace period' so their pension does not reflect this reduction. This means that some individuals in this cohort have not been eligible to date for pension increases arising from pay increases to serving staff as the salary on which their pension is based is still higher than the salary of serving staff on the same grade/scale point.
As in-service salary scales are restored, more individuals in this cohort become eligible for increases to be passed on to their pensions reflecting the application of the existing policy that there must be an equitable approach adopted for the various public service pensioner cohorts.
Departmental Expenditure
Ceisteanna (82)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:82. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the capital expenditure provided for in the 2021 Revised Estimates volume; the carry-over of capital from 2020 into 2021 approved for Departments; the steps being taken to ensure full spend of this money in order to provide necessary infrastructure and capital services, taking into account the weeks already lost to construction in 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7730/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Revised Estimates for 2021 have been published, and were referred to the Dáil Select Committees on 16 December 2020. The Estimates provide Departments and agencies with a capital allocation of €10,081 million for 2021. In addition, and with support from the House last Wednesday 4th February, capital carryover of just under €710 million has been approved. This will bring the total Exchequer capital available for spending in 2021 to approximately €10.8 billion. The table below sets out the Departmental allocations for 2021, including the carryover amounts.
The Deputy will be aware that 2020 was far from an ordinary year, as reflected in the higher than usual requests for capital carry-over. Some of this relates to additional stimulus measures introduced in 2020 to help support economic resilience and recovery, which will now continue to be supported into 2021. As we know, the construction industry was not immune to the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, which has resulted in delays to the delivery of some projects. The disruption has unfortunately continued in 2021 but some key public infrastructure projects have been allowed to continue as they have been deemed essential.
A review of the NDP has commenced, with the objective of updating the existing plan in line with commitments outlined in the Programme for Government. The review will take on board developments since 2018 such as the impacts of Covid-19 and consider important areas such as climate action, housing, balanced regional development, healthcare, transport, education, and the associated resourcing requirements. As part of the NDP review I will be looking at evaluating and improving the capacity to deliver public capital projects.
In addition, my Department will continue to engage with other Departments over the course of the year in respect of the management of expenditure within the agreed expenditure allocations.
|
2021 REV Allocation€,m |
Carryover from 2020€,m |
Total €,m |
|
|
Agriculture, Food & the Marine |
299,293 |
31,600 |
330,893 |
|
Children, Equality, Disability, Integration & Youth |
32,100 |
4,100 |
36,200 |
|
Defence |
131,000 |
- |
131,000 |
|
Education |
740,433 |
- |
740,433 |
|
Enterprise, Trade & Employment |
558,147 |
106,200 |
664,347 |
|
Environment, Climate & Communications |
579,178 |
37,747 |
616,925 |
|
Finance Group |
34,000 |
- |
34,000 |
|
Foreign Affairs Group |
13,000 |
- |
13,000 |
|
Further & Higher Education, Research, Innovation & Science |
500,096 |
16,700 |
516,796 |
|
Health |
1,048,250 |
68,174 |
1,116,424 |
|
Housing, Local Government & Heritage |
2,766,400 |
214,000 |
2,980,400 |
|
Justice Group |
258,307 |
27,013 |
285,320 |
|
Public Expenditure and Reform Group |
222,262 |
21,694 |
243,956 |
|
Rural & Community Development |
168,644 |
13,180 |
181,824 |
|
Social Protection |
16,000 |
910 |
16,910 |
|
Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport, Gaeltacht, and Media |
185,924 |
16,892 |
202,816 |
|
Transport |
2,527,500 |
151,480 |
2,678,980 |
|
Total |
10,080,534 |
709,690 |
10,790,224 |
Pleanáil Teanga
Ceisteanna (83)
Marc Ó Cathasaigh
Ceist:83. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán an bhfuil sé i gceist aici cur i gníomh an Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge, mar a bhaineann sé le Pleananna Teanga Contae, a phlé leis na Príomh-Oifigigh Feidhmiúcháin sna hÚdaráis Áitiúla ina bhfuil Plean Teanga i bhfeidhm ina gceantar feidhme; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [7537/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Tugainn Acht na Gaeltachta 2012 feidhm reachtúil don phróiseas pleanála teanga faoina ndéantar pleananna teanga a ullmhú ag leibhéal an phobail i gceantair a bhféadfaí aitheantas a thabhairt dóibh faoin Acht mar Limistéir Pleanála Teanga Ghaeltachta, mar Bhailte Seirbhíse Gaeltachta nó mar Líonraí Gaeilge.
Le cur i bhfeidhm an Phlean Gníomhaíochta don Ghaeilge 2018-2022, tógfar ar an méid atá bainte amach cheana féin agus déanfar cúrsaí a bhrú chun cinn i dtreo tús a bheith curtha le feidhmiú na bpleananna teanga uile i ngach ceann de na 26 limistéar pleanála teanga, chomh maith leis an bpróiseas a bheith curtha i bhfeidhm nó i mbun ullmhúcháin i ngach ceann de na 16 Bhaile Seirbhíse agus sna 3 Líonra Gaeilge atá aitheanta.
Go dáta, tá pleananna teanga ceadaithe i leith 20 LPT Gaeltachta agus á gcur i bhfeidhm. Tá pleananna teanga maidir le 5 LPT á meas ag mo Roinn faoi láthair agus táthar ag súil go mbeidh gach LPT ceadaithe faoi deireadh na bliana. Tá 18 Oifigeach Pleanála Teanga agus 4 Oifigeach Cúnta Pleanála Teanga fostaithe agus i mbun oibre sna LPT sin faoi láthair.
Tá 2 Bailte Seirbhíse Gaeltachta ceadaithe go dáta agus ceann eile á mheas ag mo Roinn. Tá Oifigeach Pleanála Teanga amháin fostaithe i BSG Leitir Ceanainn go dáta.
Tá pleananna teanga i leith na 3 Líonra Gaeilge ceadaithe ó Eanáir 2020.
Mar a bhaineann sé go sonrach le Pleananna Teanga Contae, bheadh súil ag mo Roinn an t-ábhar a chíoradh agus a phlé leis na hÚdaráis Áitiúla agus le páirtithe leasmhara eile chun a chinntiú go ndéanfaí scrúdú cuí ar na féidearthachtaí a bhainfeadh lena leithéid.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Ceisteanna (84)
Catherine Connolly
Ceist:84. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her attention has been drawn to the situation faced by coach operators (details supplied) who are concerned that the funding available through the Fáilte Ireland coach tourism business continuity scheme will not be sufficient to keep them in business until tourism restarts; if she will allocate additional funding to the scheme given that these companies are unable to apply for other pandemic financial supports; if she had discussions with the Minister for Finance with a view to developing a specific payment for coach tourism operators along the lines of the Covid restrictions support scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7573/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am acutely aware of the devastating loss of business being experienced by tourism businesses including the coach tourism sector as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The July Stimulus and Budget 2021 provided a significant package of tax and fiscal measures to build the resilience of the economy and to help vulnerable but viable businesses across all sectors. As part of this a dedicated fund of €10million was introduced for a Coach Tourism Business Continuity Scheme in the last quarter of 2020. Fáilte Ireland are processing applications for this scheme.
In regard to the future, as with other sectors, the Government will continue to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy and to ensure that appropriate supports are in place to mitigate the economic impacts of the pandemic.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Ceisteanna (85)
Johnny Guirke
Ceist:85. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the amount that has been awarded to date to associations (details supplied) from the Covid-19 response funds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7585/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware, a Covid-19 funding package of €85 million was provided last year to support the sport sector. This significant investment benefited all levels of the sport sector including thousands of grassroots clubs across the country and provided some certainty for sporting organisations in their planning for 2021.
A full breakdown of the grants awarded by Sport Ireland under each of the Covid-19 funding schemes is available on Sport Ireland's website www.sportireland.ie.
The amounts awarded to the organisations mentioned by the Deputy are outlined in the table below.
|
Organisation |
Covid-19 funding awarded |
|
GAA |
€30.995 million* |
|
IRFU |
€18.2 million |
|
FAI |
€13.2 million |
*Includes support to the GAA, LGFA and The Camogie Association, gaelic games clubs, and for the running of the GAA, Ladies Gaelic Football and Camogie Inter-County Championships in 2020.