Jennifer Whitmore
Ceist:208. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport if he will take steps regarding the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34423/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraDriver Licences
Ceisteanna (208)
Freagraí scríofa
All enquiries relating to driver licensing are handled by the National Driver Licence Service, the provision of which I have delegated to the Road Safety Authority (RSA) under the relevant legislation. My Department does not have access to individual applications.
I have forwarded the Deputy's query to the RSA for direct reply. If she has not heard from the RSA in 10 working days I would ask that she contact my office directly.
Public Transport
Ceisteanna (209)
Holly Cairns
Ceist:209. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport the steps that he is taking to ensure that all public transport vehicles have the capacity to enable persons who have to use mobility scooters to access the vehicles and store their scooter safely. [34581/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As Minister for Transport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.
Under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for promoting the development of an integrated, accessible public transport network.
The NTA works with the relevant public transport operators, who have responsibility for day to day operational issues, to progressively make public transport accessible.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities for accessible public transport, in conjunction with the transport operators as appropriate, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
Tax Code
Ceisteanna (210, 211)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:210. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance his advice on a matter (details supplied) regarding the help-to-buy scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34209/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Willie O'Dea
Ceist:211. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Finance if he has plans to allow the help-to-buy scheme to be used for the purchase of second-hand homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34279/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 210 and 211 together.
The Help to Buy 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 on Income Tax and Deposit Interest Retention Tax paid in the State over the previous four years, subject to limits outlined in the legislation. Section 477C Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 outlines the definitions and conditions that apply to the scheme.
An increase in the supply of new housing remains a priority aim of Government policy. For this reason, HTB is specifically designed to encourage an increase in demand for new build homes in order to support the construction of an additional supply of such properties. For a property to qualify for HTB, it must be new or converted for use as a dwelling, having not been previously been used as a dwelling.
A move to include other properties previously used as a residential home/second-hand properties within the scope of the scheme itself would not improve the effectiveness of the relief; on the contrary, it could serve to dilute the incentive effect of the measure in terms of encouraging additional supply. Extending the HTB scheme in this way would provide no incentive effect to encourage the building of new homes and would be likely to have a significant deadweight element and a high Exchequer cost. For these reasons, I currently have no plans to extend the HTB scheme to include such properties.
In considering tax expenditures, I must always be mindful of the public finances and the many demands on the Exchequer. Owing to this, proposals for such measures are assessed in accordance with my Department's Tax Expenditure Guidelines. The guidelines make clear that any policy proposal which involves tax expenditures should only occur in limited circumstances where there are demonstrable market failures and where a tax-based incentive is more efficient than a direct expenditure intervention.
As the Deputies will be aware, work by external consultants on the review of HTB is currently under way. The outcome of this review will help inform decisions on the future of the scheme beyond its current sunset date of 31 December 2022. However, that is a matter that will fall to be considered by Government in the context of the Budget 2023 process and it would not be appropriate for me to offer further comment on the matter at this time.
Question No. 211 answered with Question No. 210.
Vehicle Registration Tax
Ceisteanna (212)
Richard O'Donoghue
Ceist:212. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Finance if discussions are expected to increase the VRT and VAT allowed on vehicles purchased by people with disabilities and organisations due to the increase of the cost of vehicles and the adaptations that are required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34418/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme provides relief from VAT and VRT (up to a certain limit) set against the purchase and use of an adapted car, and for transport of a person with specific severe and permanent physical disabilities. The Scheme also provides payment of a Fuel Grant, and an exemption from Motor Tax. Certain other qualifying criteria apply in relation to the vehicle, in particular that it must be specially constructed or adapted for use by the applicant.
The relief from Value Added Tax and Vehicle Registration Tax are generous in nature amounting to up to €10,000, €16,000 or €22,000, depending on the level of adaption required for the vehicle.
The Scheme is open to severely and permanently disabled persons who meet one of six medical criteria, as a driver or as a passenger and also to certain organisations. In order to qualify for relief, the applicant must hold a Primary Medical Certificate issued by the relevant Senior Area Medical Officer (SAMO) or a Board Medical Certificate issued by the Disabled Driver Medical Board of Appeal. Certain other qualifying criteria apply in relation to the vehicle, in particular that it must be specially constructed or adapted for use by the applicant.
I gave a commitment that a comprehensive review of the scheme, to include a broader review of mobility supports for persons with disabilities, would be undertaken.
In this context I have been working with my Government colleague, Roderic O’Gorman, Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. We are both agreed that the review should be brought within a wider review under the auspices of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy, to examine transport supports encompassing all Government funded transport and mobility schemes for people with disabilities.
We consider this the most appropriate forum to meet mutual objectives in respect of transport solutions/mobility supports for those with a disability.
The NDIS working group, chaired by Minister Anne Rabbitte, with officials from both my Department and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth as well as others, held its first meeting on the 26th January 2022. A stock-taking exercise of existing transport and mobility schemes currently supporting people with disabilities is ongoing ahead of the next meeting of the group. The issue was also discussed at the most recent meeting of the NDIS Steering Group on April 13th, which included input from stakeholders.
My officials will continue to work closely with officials from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, to progress this review, and on foot of that will bring forward proposals for consideration.
I cannot comment on any potential changes to the scheme in advance of these proposals.
Departmental Schemes
Ceisteanna (213, 226)
Seán Canney
Ceist:213. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Finance if he is supports restructuring the key employee engagement programme given that in its current format it remains too complicated and restrictive for use by SMEs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34473/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSeán Canney
Ceist:226. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Finance if he intends to reform and restructure the KEEP scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34472/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to takes Questions Nos. 213 and 226 together.
Section 128F of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 provides for the Key Employee Engagement Programme (KEEP), a targeted tax incentive for SMEs to support the use of share options as a form of staff remuneration. In order to qualify for KEEP, a share option must be exercised within 10 years of grant. Under KEEP, gains realised on the exercise of qualifying share options granted between 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2023 by employees and directors, will not be subject to income tax, USC or PRSI. Instead, where share options are exercised, the taxpayer involved will be subject to Capital Gains Tax on the disposal.
As part of the preparations for Budget 2023 and Finance Bill 2022, my Department is currently undertaking a review of KEEP, with a focus on its operation and effectiveness. A public consultation took place as part of this review, inviting stakeholders to comment on the operation of KEEP as it currently stands and submit proposals for further improvements to the scheme.
The outcome of the review will be considered as part of the forthcoming the Budget and Finance Bill processes. As noted in the recent documentation issued as part of the public consultation process, the aim is to have a scheme in place which successfully supports the objective of allowing smaller firms to compete with larger firms when it comes to the hiring and retention of staff.
It would not be appropriate to comment further at this point.
International Agreements
Ceisteanna (214)
Patrick Costello
Ceist:214. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Finance the steps that have been taken by his Department in line with European Union law to ensure that Ireland's bilateral agreement with Morocco relating to double taxation does not cover territory in occupied Western Sahara. [33559/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The provisions of the Ireland and Morocco Double Taxation Convention apply to persons, including companies, who are resident of either Contracting State or both as defined by the Convention. Benefits under the Convention are only extended by one State to a resident of the other State and with respect to income arising in either State. Persons not so resident and sources of income not from within either State do not qualify for benefits.
All claims for double taxation reliefs or benefits must be within the scope of the terms of the relevant treaty and the Taxes Consolidation Act and, while there are not procedures specific to the Ireland-Morocco Convention, Revenue will challenge such claims that it has reason to believe are not within scope. Where a claim examined by a Revenue Officer does not have sufficient information, documentation, or the appropriate certification from the tax authority of the State of residence of the claimant, it will be rejected.
My Department is aware of the ongoing legal proceedings at an EU level regarding the territorial applicability of certain EU-Morocco agreements. The outcome of these proceedings is awaited and Ireland, together with our EU partners, will give careful consideration to the decision reached. My Department will continue to liaise with the Department of Foreign Affairs to ensure that the outcome adopted is consistent with Ireland’s long-held position that Western Sahara is a non-self-governing territory and that we support the United Nations Security Council Resolutions, which support the right to self-determination of the people of Western Sahara.
Tax Code
Ceisteanna (215)
Seán Canney
Ceist:215. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the inequity in the proposals to change the benefit-in-kind which will take account of the C02/kg impact of the vehicle for drivers of company cars given that they have no input into the type of car that their employer purchases or when their employer will change the fleet to electric vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33675/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The BIK exemption forms part of a broader series of very generous measures to support the uptake of EVs, including a reduced rate of 7% VRT, a VRT relief of up to €5,000, low motor tax of €120 per annum, SEAI grants, discounted tolls fees, and 0% BIK on electric charging. In Finance Act 2019, I legislated for a CO2-based BIK regime for company cars from 1/1/2023. From that date the amount taxable as BIK remains determined by the car’s original market value (OMV) and the annual business kilometres driven, while new CO2 emissions-based bands will determine whether a standard, discounted, or surcharged rate is taxable. The number of mileage bands is reduced from five to four. EVs will benefit from a preferential rate of BIK, ranging from 9 – 22% depending on mileage. Fossil-fuel vehicles will be subject to higher BIK rates, up to 37.5%. This new structure with CO2-based discounts and surcharges will incentivise employers to provide employees with low-emission cars. This will bring the taxation system around company cars into step with other CO2- based motor taxes as well as CO2-based vehicle BIK regimes in other member states
I believe that better value for money for the taxpayer is achieved by curtailing the amount of subsidies available and building an environmental rationale directly into the BIK regime. It was determined in this context that reforming the BIK system to include emissions bands provides for a more sustainable environmental rationale than the continuation of the current system with exemptions for electric vehicles (EVs). However, in light of government commitments on climate change, Budget 2022 extended the preferential BIK treatment for EVs to end 2025 with a tapering mechanism on the vehicle value threshold.
Tax Reliefs
Ceisteanna (216)
Noel Grealish
Ceist:216. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Finance if persons employed as fully-qualified accountants in either the public and civil service sector or the private sector are eligible for tax relief under section 114 TCA for their professional membership fees paid by themselves to their accountancy representative body; if fully-qualified accountants employed in accountancy practices are similarly entitled when they pay the fees themselves; if he will provide details of the legislative requirement in which such fees must be incurred wholly, exclusively and necessarily by an individual in the performance of the duties of his or her employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33700/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Section 114 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 (TCA) provides for a tax deduction in respect of expenses incurred wholly, exclusively and necessarily by an individual in the performance of the duties of his or her employment.
Professional membership fees are only deductible under section 114 TCA where they are incurred wholly, exclusively and necessarily by an individual in the performance of the duties of his or her employment.
In the context of professional fees, this generally means where:
1. the duties of an employment necessitate that the employee is a member of a professional body, or holds a practicing certificate or licence, and
2. the employee cannot exercise those duties without that membership, certificate or licence.
Each employee’s circumstances will need to be examined in the context of section 114 TCA requirements. However, Revenue considers that professional membership fees are incurred wholly, exclusively and necessarily by an individual in the performance of the duties of his or her employment, in the following circumstances:
- Where it is a statutory requirement to be a registered member of a designated professional body, association, society, council, etc. in order to exercise a particular profession and an individual is employed in that professional capacity, a deduction under section 114 TCA is allowed in respect of the annual registration or membership fees in such instances.
- Where statutory provisions restrict the ability of an individual to fulfil the duties of an office or employment unless he or she is a member of a relevant professional body.
- Where for commercial necessity, an employee failing to hold a professional membership or practising certificate would prevent an employer from carrying on its trade.
- Where holding a professional membership or practising certificate is an indispensable condition of the tenure of employment. In this regard, Revenue is prepared to recognise expenses incurred on membership of the relevant professional body as meeting the requirements of section 114 TCA, where all the following conditions apply:
1. the duties of the employee and the duties of the employment require the exercise or practice of the occupation or profession in respect of which the annual membership fee refers;
2. the employee so exercises or practices the occupation or profession in respect of which the annual membership fee refers; and
3. membership of the professional body is an indispensable condition of the tenure of the employment.
Where an individual is employed as a qualified accountant in either the public and civil service sector or the private sector (including accountancy practices), and the requirements of section 114 TCA are satisfied, where the expense is not reimbursed by the employer, the employee concerned will be entitled to claim tax relief under this section.
Detailed guidance on membership fees paid to a professional body is available on Revenue’s website:
www.revenue.ie/en/tax-professionals/tdm/income-tax-capital-gains-tax-corporation-tax/part-05/05-02-18.pdf.
Further guidance on the general rule of deduction of expenses in employment is available on Revenue’s website: www.revenue.ie/en/tax-professionals/tdm/income-tax-capital-gains-tax-corporation-tax/part-05/05-02-20.pdf.
Question No. 217 withdrawn.
Tax Yield
Ceisteanna (218, 219)
Dara Calleary
Ceist:218. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Finance the projected receipts from excise duty on motor fuels for each of the first five months of 2022 versus in each month of the actual recorded receipts in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33766/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraDara Calleary
Ceist:219. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Finance the projected receipts from excise duty on home heating oils for each of the first five months of 2022 versus in each month of the actual recorded receipts in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33767/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 218 and 219 together.
I am advised by Revenue that the provisional Mineral Oil Tax (MOT) Non-Carbon Component (NCC) and Carbon Component (CC) excise duty receipts in respect of motor fuels for the period January to May 2022 are shown in the following tables.
Projections of excise duty at the commodity level were not prepared in advance of the period January to May 2022. The 2021 receipts for the same period have been provided in the tables for the Deputy’s information.
2022 MOT Non-Carbon Component
|
Month |
Auto Diesel €m |
Petrol €m |
Auto LPG €m |
|
Jan |
120.97 |
39.86 |
0.01 |
|
Feb |
108.81 |
36.10 |
0.01 |
|
Mar |
117.92 |
35.17 |
0.01 |
|
Apr |
102.32 |
34.06 |
0.01 |
|
May |
87.10 |
29.15 |
0.01 |
2021 MOT Non-Carbon Component
|
Month |
Auto Diesel €m |
Petrol €m |
Auto LPG €m |
|
Jan |
119.11 |
38.30 |
0.01 |
|
Feb |
83.99 |
20.72 |
0.01 |
|
Mar |
91.84 |
23.10 |
0.02 |
|
Apr |
111.35 |
30.67 |
0.01 |
|
May |
116.09 |
35.31 |
0.01 |
2022 MOT Carbon Component
|
Month |
Auto Diesel €m |
Petrol €m |
Auto LPG €m |
|
Jan |
30.42 |
6.69 |
0.005 |
|
Feb |
27.40 |
6.01 |
0.004 |
|
Mar |
29.04 |
5.90 |
0.005 |
|
Apr |
30.87 |
6.87 |
0.006 |
|
May |
31.14 |
7.10 |
0.006 |
2021 MOT Carbon Component
|
Month |
Auto Diesel €m |
Petrol €m |
Auto LPG €m |
|
Jan |
23.93 |
5.21 |
0.005 |
|
Feb |
16.60 |
2.82 |
0.004 |
|
Mar |
18.18 |
3.14 |
0.003 |
|
Apr |
21.89 |
4.17 |
0.004 |
|
May |
22.84 |
4.80 |
0.003 |
I am advised by Revenue that the provisional MOT excise duty receipts in respect of kerosene (commonly referred to as home heating oil) and Other LPG for the period January to May 2022 are contained in the following table. Kerosene and Other LPG used for heating purposes attracts a rate of MOT which is comprised entirely of a carbon component. While kerosene is the predominant oil used for home heating, gas oil can also be used. As consumers are not required to specify how a fuel is used, it is not possible to identify the volume of gas oil used for home heating purposes.
The 2021 receipts for the same period have also been provided in the table for the Deputy’s information, as projections were not prepared in advance of the period January to May 2022.
|
2022 |
Kerosene CC €m |
Other LPG CC €m |
MGO NCC €m |
MGO CC €m |
|
Jan |
11.77 |
1.63 |
3.68 |
7.08 |
|
Feb |
8.87 |
1.76 |
3.18 |
7.10 |
|
Mar |
11.10 |
1.65 |
3.82 |
7.48 |
|
Apr |
8.04 |
1.82 |
3.51 |
8.74 |
|
May |
4.51 |
1.58 |
2.43 |
8.27 |
|
2021 |
Kerosene CC €m |
Other LPG CC €m |
MGO NCC €m |
MGO CC €m |
|
Jan |
10.56 |
1.34 |
3.62 |
5.43 |
|
Feb |
9.85 |
1.42 |
3.09 |
4.86 |
|
Mar |
9.20 |
1.33 |
3.46 |
5.05 |
|
Apr |
7.20 |
1.24 |
4.12 |
6.66 |
|
May |
6.48 |
1.10 |
4.70 |
6.99 |
Question No. 219 answered with Question No. 218.
Departmental Bodies
Ceisteanna (220)
Michael Ring
Ceist:220. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Finance the State boards that are under his remit; the details of each State board; the details of all the persons who are currently on each board in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33831/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I can advise the Deputy that information on State Board membership, by Department, is available on the State Boards website www.StateBoards.ie.
I would point out that, having concluded its restructuring work in 2017, the Credit Union Restructuring Board (ReBo) was operationally wound down and is awaiting formal dissolution. While awaiting final dissolution, the Minister for Finance appointed two Department officials to the Board of ReBo on an interim basis to manage matters during the period up to dissolution of ReBo. The Central Bank non-voting member also remains on the Board. This caretaker Board will remain in place until such time as ReBo is dissolved.
Insurance Coverage
Ceisteanna (221)
Alan Dillon
Ceist:221. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Finance the options that are available for those who have a long-term yet non-life-threatening illness (details supplied) who are unable to secure health insurance due to that; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33941/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I understand that the Deputy is referring to a situation in relation to an application for life assurance (as opposed to health insurance) for the purposes of a mortgage application.
There is a broad legal and regulatory framework in place which governs the provision of mortgages to consumers. Specifically in relation to the requirement for life assurance for the purposes of a mortgage (otherwise known as mortgage protection insurance), section 126 of the Consumer Credit Act 1995 provides that mortgage lenders shall ensure that a mortgage applicant has a life assurance policy in place before granting a mortgage loan. This is an important statutory provision which is designed to protect the borrower's dependants and their home should the borrower die before the mortgage has been repaid. However, the Act also recognises that in certain cases such protection is not necessary or would not be appropriate and it provides for a number of limited exemptions to this statutory obligation. These exceptions are:
- where the house in respect of which the loan is made is, in the mortgage lender's opinion, not intended for use as the principal residence of the borrower or of his/her dependants;
- loans to persons who belong to a class of persons which would not be acceptable to an insurer, or which would only be acceptable to an insurer at a premium significantly higher than that payable by borrowers generally;
- loans to persons who are over 50 years of age at the time the loan is approved;
- loans to persons who, at the time the loan is made, have otherwise arranged life assurance, providing for payment of a sum, in the event of death, that will at least cover the outstanding balance on the mortgage.
However, it should also be noted that, as a contractual matter outside of the above statutory framework, mortgage lenders could still require that a life assurance policy is put in place as a condition for a mortgage. In such circumstances that would be a business and commercial matter for the individual lender.
In relation to the operation of the life assurance market more generally, the Central Bank expects the assurance industry to engage with its customers in an open, fair and transparent manner. However, it is important to note that, subject to compliance with all relevant legal and regulatory requirements governing the provision of life assurance, that insurance underwriting decisions and the medical and other evidence required to assist such decision making are a commercial and business matter for the life assurance provider having regard to their own risk analysis.
Nevertheless, if an applicant for a mortgage and/or life assurance is not satisfied with the way a regulated firm is dealing with them, or they believe that the regulated firm is not following the requirements of the Central Bank’s codes and regulations or other financial services law, they should make a complaint directly to the regulated firm.
If an applicant for a mortgage/life assurance is not satisfied with the response from the regulated entity to that complaint, the person may then submit the matter to the statutory and independent Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman.
Departmental Staff
Ceisteanna (222)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:222. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Finance the total number of persons who are employed by his Department; the number who are currently working remotely; and the estimated number of persons in his Department who ordinarily worked from home prior to the Covid-19 pandemic. [33974/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As of 31 May 2022 there are 368 staff (361.40 FTE) employed by the Department.
Staff in my Department have been working on a blended working pattern since 24 January 2022. Blended working patterns in each business unit are arranged at a local level to ensure business needs are met. As such, the number of staff in the Department working from home and the office fluctuates on a daily basis in line with each Unit’s business needs.
The Department is currently developing it's blended working policy in line with the parameters of the Civil Service Blended Working Policy Framework, published 31 March 2022.
Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic there was no formal remote working policy in place, and staff working from home did so on an ad-hoc basis.
Insurance Coverage
Ceisteanna (223)
Jackie Cahill
Ceist:223. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to instances in which thatched houses cannot be sold given that the vendor cannot secure insurance for the structures; his views on whether it is acceptable for insurance companies to refuse to insure thatched buildings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34137/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
At the outset it is important to note that neither I, nor the Central Bank of Ireland can direct the pricing or provision of insurance products, as this is a commercial matter which individual companies assess on a case-by-case basis. This position is reinforced by the EU Single Market framework for insurance (the Solvency II Directive) which prevents Member States from doing so.
The issue of insurance for thatched roof properties has been raised with in meetings with insurance industry stakeholders and representative groups. Brokers Ireland has informed this Department that it has a dedicated information service for people having insurance issues with their thatch roof properties and has established a special email address to deal with these queries, which is thatchedroofqueries@brokersireland.ie.
Separately, the Deputy may also be aware that the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has indicated that it is currently preparing a study into the question of insurance for thatched roof properties, and that owners of such properties will be invited to contribute to this. All queries regarding this study should be directed to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to assure the Deputy that securing a more sustainable and competitive market through deepening and widening the supply of insurance in Ireland remains a key policy priority for this Government, and that it is my intention to continue to work with my colleagues to ensure that implementation of the Action Plan for Insurance Reform can have a positive impact on the affordability and availability of insurance across all sectors in the economy.
Tax Credits
Ceisteanna (224)
Neale Richmond
Ceist:224. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Finance the estimated amount it would cost to increase the tax band of the incapacitated tax credit by €200; the full-year cost of the current tax credit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34139/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Based on Revenue’s latest Ready Reckoner (Post-Budget 2022), the estimated costs on a first and full year basis of an increase in the value of the tax credit as mentioned by the Deputy are set out in the following table.
|
Measure |
Adjustment |
First year cost |
Full year cost |
|
Incapacitated child tax credit |
An increase of €200 from €3,300 to €3,500 |
€4m |
€4m |
In relation to the cost of the tax expenditure, approximately 30,700 taxpayer units availed of the incapacitated child tax credit in 2018 with an estimated cost of €92.7 million. It should be noted that 2018 is the latest year for which finalised Revenue data in respect of the incapacitated child tax credit is available.
Also, the full year costs of the incapacitated tax credit for the years 2004 to 2018 can be found on the Revenue website at:
www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/information-about-revenue/statistics/tax-expenditures/costs-expenditures.aspx .
I am advised by Revenue that the associated data for 2019 are expected to be available shortly.
I would draw the Deputy's attention to the fact that the post-Budget 2022 Ready Reckoner is available on the Revenue Statistics webpage at:
www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/information-about-revenue/statistics/ready-reckoner/index.aspx
Amounts other than those shown in the Ready Reckoner can be extrapolated using a straight line or pro-rata calculation.
Tax Credits
Ceisteanna (225)
Mairéad Farrell
Ceist:225. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Finance the estimated cost of increasing the home care tax credit from €1,600 to €1,800; the full-year cost of the current tax credit for households that avail of the grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34197/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Based on Revenue’s latest Ready Reckoner (post-Budget 2022), the estimated cost on a first and full year basis of the increases in the value of the tax credit as mentioned by the Deputy are set out in the following table.
|
Measure |
Adjustment |
First year cost |
Full year cost |
|
Home Carer tax credit* |
An increase of €200 from €1,600 to €1,800 |
€12m |
€16m |
*the cost does not include any increase in the qualifying income thresholds.
In relation to the cost of the tax expenditure, approximately 83,100 taxpayer units availed of the Home Carer tax credit in 2018 with an estimated cost of €90 million. It should be noted that 2018 is the latest year for which finalised Revenue data in respect of the Home Carer tax credit is available.
I am advised by Revenue that the associated data for 2019 are expected to be available shortly.
I would draw the Deputy's attention to the fact that the post-Budget 2022 Ready Reckoner is available on the Revenue Statistics webpage at:
www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/information-about-revenue/statistics/ready-reckoner/index.aspx
The Ready Reckoner provides estimated costs and yields arising from changes to a wide range of taxes and duties, including the Home Carer Tax Credit. Amounts other than those shown in the Ready Reckoner can be extrapolated using a straight line or pro-rata calculation.
Question No. 226 answered with Question No. 213.
Flood Risk Management
Ceisteanna (227)
Cathal Crowe
Ceist:227. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will consider transferring responsibility for drainage districts nationwide which are under local authority control, owing to the Arterial Drainage Act 1945, to the Office of Public Works in order that there is a single, streamlined and better resourced entity. [34211/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Office of Public Works (OPW) is responsible for the maintenance of Arterial Drainage Schemes and catchment drainage schemes designated under the Arterial Drainage Acts of 1945 and 1995.
Drainage Districts are areas where drainage schemes to improve land for agricultural purposes were constructed under the Arterial Drainage Acts from 1842 up to 1943. Of the 293 such schemes carried out, some 170 remain covering 4,600km of river channel. The statutory duty of maintenance for the 4,600km of river channel benefitting from these schemes rests with the Local Authorities concerned under the Arterial Drainage Act.
It is understood that funding for the maintenance of the Drainage Districts is derived by local authorities through their own resources and from allocations to the local authorities provided by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage through the Local Government Fund.
The OPW has no plans regarding transferring of responsibility for Drainage Districts from Local Authorities as proposed by the Deputy.