Written Answers Nos. 166-178
166. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider reducing the VAT rate on medication for domestic animals to 13.5% to match the rate for farm animals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49367/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by Revenue that the VAT rating of goods and services is subject to the requirements of EU VAT law, with which Irish VAT law must comply. In general, the EU VAT Directive provides that all goods and services are liable to VAT at the standard rate, unless they fall within the categories of goods and services specified in Annex III of the VAT Directive, in respect of which Member States may apply a lower rate of VAT. Currently, Ireland has a standard VAT rate of 23% and two reduced rates of 13.5% and 9%. Ireland is also permitted to retain some historic VAT arrangements, under strict conditions.
As one of the historic VAT arrangements, Ireland has been permitted to retain the zero rate for the supply of oral medicine for animals, such as farm animals but excluding domestic pets, such as dogs and cats. The supply of medicine for domestic pets is liable to VAT at the standard rate.
As part of Ireland’s normal annual Budget and Finance Bill preparations, various options for tax policy changes were considered by the Tax Strategy Group as part of the Budget and Finance Bill cycle. However, after considering the various options, and the associated costs, I decided to confine the reduction in VAT to a limited number of specific areas as outlined in my budget speech. The areas in question do not include a reduction of VAT on medication for domestic animals at this time.
167. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if an impact assessment was undertaken with respect to the Defective Concrete Products Levy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49378/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra168. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the estimated increased costs of building materials and housing costs associated with the Defective Concrete Products Levy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49379/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 167 and 168 together.
As was announced in my Budget 2023 speech on September 27th, I propose to introduce a levy on pouring concrete, concrete blocks and certain other concrete products, which are used in the construction of buildings. This levy will be set at a rate of 10% on the price of the concrete product, and will apply at the point of first supply of the product in the State. The levy will apply from 03 April 2023.
In line with a Government Decision taken in November 2021, the target revenue of €80 million per annum generated from this levy is to contribute towards offsetting the cost to the Exchequer, and so the tax-payer, of the Defective Concrete Blocks (Mica) Redress Scheme.On the matter of the likely impact of the levy on construction costs, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage have had a bottom up scientific analysis carried out by an independent Construction Economics Cost Consultant.
They estimate that, taking account of the variables involved, the impact of the levy on construction costs would be between €800 to €1,600 for a typical 3 bed semi-detached or €750 to €1,100 for a 6 floor apartment block with basement. For a typical dwelling this is an increase in of approximately 0.4% - 0.9% in cost.
When soft costs including cost of finance, fees, risk and contingency are included the impact on range for a typical dwelling is €1400 to €2,200 and for a typical apartment is €1300 to €2100, so the increase in costs remains at approximately 0.4% to 0.9% with soft costs included.
169. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 75 of 29 May 2013, if he will provide a copy of a report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49389/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe report requested by the Deputy is a Tax Strategy Group (TSG) paper from 24 years ago. It was published and still available online at the time of the previous PQ referenced in 2013, but the hyperlink to the report has now expired following website redesigns in the intervening period.
My officials will have to retrieve a hard copy of the report from file storage, and will then send a copy to the Deputy directly.
170. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the total amount of residential property tax and local property tax owed to the Revenue Commissioners in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49442/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by Revenue that the Finance (Local Property Tax) Act 2012 (as amended) provides that Local Property Tax (LPT) is payable by the liable person for all relevant residential properties within the State. This legislation also provides for the possibility of deferring the charge to LPT, to assist property owners whose income is below a certain threshold and who may have difficulty in paying the tax. An individual whose only income is a payment from the Department of Social Protection (DSP) will qualify for a full deferral of LPT, because the current DSP payment rates are below the LPT income thresholds.
It is important to note that a deferral is not an exemption, and the tax remains as a charge on the property until paid. Any LPT that is deferred for the years between 2013 and 2021 carries a reduced interest charge of 4% per annum. LPT that is deferred on or after 1 January 2022 carries a reduced interest charge of 3% per annum. An individual who has deferred payment of their LPT liability may make either a full or partial payment of the deferred amount at any time. Property owners can contact Revenue in relation to LPT through MyAccount at www.revenue.ie or by calling the LPT helpline at (01) 7383626.
With regard to the property referred to by the Deputy, I am advised that there is LPT of €1,009 plus interest of €108.88 outstanding. Since Revenue records indicate that the individual in question qualifies for a full deferral of LPT, the interest has been calculated at the reduced rate. I am further advised that the individual has contacted Revenue about their LPT liability and Revenue has confirmed that it will engage directly with the individual concerned in the coming days in relation to the matter.
171. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the name, function and establishment date of all the organisations and agencies that are funded by his Department; the number of employees in each; the salary of the chief executive in each organisation and agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49191/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is set out in the tables below.
The Deputy will note that the Office of the Ombudsman comprises of five separate statutory bodies and a separate table has been provided setting out the information requested in each of the component offices.
|
Year established |
Number of employees |
Payscale details of CEO or equivalent |
Function |
|
|
Office of Public Works (OPW) |
1831 |
2,382 |
Assistant Secretary*one point scale€211,765 |
The OPW is a government office that delivers public services for flood protection, managing government properties and heritage services. |
|
Public Appointments Service (PAS) |
2004 |
271 |
Assistant Secretary (€145,283-€166,194) |
PAS is the independent centralised recruitment, assessment and selection body for the Civil Service, Health Service, Local Authorities, the Garda Siochána, Prison Service and other public service bodies. |
|
National Shared Services Office (NSSO) |
2018 |
837 |
Deputy Secretary *one point scalePPC €187,578 Non PPC €178,199 |
Shared Services provider for Human Resources and Payroll. |
|
State Laboratory |
1924 |
102 |
State Chemist (121,902 - €129,686) |
Provides a comprehensive analytical and advisory service to Government departments and offices, thereby enabling them to implement and formulate the technical aspects of national and EU legislation. |
|
Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) |
1960 |
106 |
Research Professor UCD (€167,981 - €201,509) |
The ESRI produces independent, high quality research with the objective of informing policies that support a healthy economy and promote social progress. |
|
Institute of Public Administration (IPA) |
1957 |
90 |
Deputy Secretary *one point scalePPC €187,578 Non PPC €178,199 |
The IPA is a leading provider of education, training, consultancy, publication and research services for the public sector in Ireland and overseas. Its objective is to advance the understanding, standard and practice of public administration and public policy. The IPA is Ireland’s only public service development agency focused exclusively on public sector development and is a recognised college of the NUI. |
|
Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) |
1999 |
57 |
North South Implementation Body CEO (£66,163 to £90,951 sterling) |
The SEUPB is one of the six cross-border Bodies set up under the “Agreement between the Government of Ireland and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland establishing implementing bodies”. The SEUPB is responsible for the implementation of the EU’s PEACE IV and INTERREG VA Programmes. |
Note: The Office of the National Lottery Regulator (ORNL) is a body under the aegis of the Department that is funded by the National Lottery Fund.
Office of the Ombudsman
|
Year established |
Number of employees |
Payscale details of CEO or equivalent |
Function |
|
|
Office of the Ombudsman * the Director General of the Office of the Ombudsman has responsibility for all the bodies listed below which come within the Office of the Ombudsman Vote. |
1980 |
60 |
Director General - Assistant Secretary (€145,283-€166,194) |
Investigate complaints from members of the public who believe they have been unfairly treated by certain public bodies. |
|
Office of the Information Commissioner |
1998 |
25 |
- |
Reviews decisions made by public bodies in relation to Freedom of Information requests. |
|
Office of the Commissioner for Environmental Information |
2007 |
6 |
- |
Conducts appeals of decisions by certain public bodies concerning |
|
Standards in Public Office Commission |
1995 |
15 |
- |
Supervisory role in supervising the disclosure of interests, the disclosure of donations and election expenditure and the expenditure of state funding by political parties and the regulation of lobbying. |
|
Commission for Public Service Appointments |
2004 |
4 |
- |
Sets and monitors standards for recruitment and selection. |
172. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will confirm the contracts that his Department has with top security. [49262/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has no direct or subcontracted contracts in place with the named supplier. This is also the case for the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) in my Department. The Deputy may wish to note that the OGP have advised me that the named supplier is on the OGP’s Multi Supplier Framework Agreement for the Provision of Security Services.
173. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if it is intended to announce further competitions to recruit general grade staff to the Civil Service with a competence in Irish as well as English; if so, the grades and numbers that are proposed; the date of the proposed advertisement seeking applications to these positions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49323/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware there are currently panels in place for Irish posts at CO, EO and HEO levels and these panels will be drawn from as requests are received from Departments and Offices.
The CO panel is due to expire on 30th June 2023, the EO panel is due to expire on 29th February 2024 and the HEO panel on 31st December 2023.
New competitions will be considered closer to the expiry date of each current panel.
174. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will facilitate the establishment of a taskforce to address the ongoing flooding risks at Lough Funshinagh, County Roscommon as outlined in motion no. 152/22 on the Order Paper of Dáil Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49334/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraRoscommon County Council is leading the response to the flooding risk at Lough Funshinagh, Co. Roscommon and a cross departmental and agency approach, which includes the Office of Public Works, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and National Parks & Wildlife Service is being adopted in relation to this matter.
On 18th May 2022, Mr. Joe Murphy, Cathaoirleach, Roscommon County Council and Mr. Eugene Cummins, CEO, Roscommon County Council wrote to me highlighting the policy and legislative issues that Roscommon County Council believed needed to be addressed and amended to allow the Council pursue works at Lough Funshinagh.
As many of these issues are within the remit of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, I referred these matters to Minister Darragh O’Brien T.D. for his early consideration and I highlighted that OPW officials were available to discuss these matters with his Department and with other key stakeholders, as may be appropriate. I also met with Minister Peter Burke T.D. and officials from his Department in this regard.
Under my direction senior officials from the OPW met with officials from Roscommon County Council on 20th June 2022 with those discussions focused on identifying possible approaches to a viable solution to manage the flooding risk at Lough Funshinagh. There is on-going engagement with the Council and other State agencies and further meetings are being scheduled to follow up on the matters discussed.
On 7th July 2022, my officials and I met with representatives of the Lough Funshinagh Community and their elected representatives to hear their concerns and representations in relation to the situation at Lough Funshinagh and I reassured them of my continued support to finding a viable solution to the flooding risk at Lough Funshinagh.
I can assure the Deputy that I am doing all that I can to support both the community and Roscommon County Council in progressing this matter to find an effective and sustainable solution to address the flooding risk in the area.
175. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will confirm the contracts that her Department has with top security. [49262/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra176. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her Department has any contracts with a company (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49175/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has no direct or subcontracted contracts in place with the named supplier. This is also the case for the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) in my Department. The Deputy may wish to note that the OGP have advised me that the named supplier is on the OGP’s Multi Supplier Framework Agreement for the Provision of Security Services.
177. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the name, function and establishment date of all the organisations and agencies that are funded by her Department; the number of employees in each; the salary of the chief executive in each organisation and agency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49195/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt My Department supports the functions of a very wide range of organisations in the sectors under my remit, including through grant aided programmes, and does not have details as requested of each organisation.
In relation to bodies under the aegis of my Department, the Deputy may wish to note that the Annual Reports and Accounts for the North/South Implementation bodies, Tourism Ireland and Foras na Gaeilge issued jointly by the Department of Finance (DoF) in the North and the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform (DPER) in the South, provide the pay details of the chief executives. www.forasnagaeilge.ie/about-foras-na-gaeilge/corporate-information/corporate-documents/annual-reports/?lang=en
Tuarascálacha Bliantúla - Foras Na Gaeilge www.tourismireland.com/TourismIreland/media/Tourism-Ireland/Research/Tourism-Ireland-Annual-Report-2020.pdf?ext=.pdf
In relation to the following public bodies (RTÉ and TG4), this is an operational matter for these bodies concerned, Section 98 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 provides for their independence in the pursuance of their objects. I have accordingly referred the Deputy's question for direct reply. I ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
The following table sets out the position in relation to other bodies under the aegis of my Department:
|
State Bodies |
Function |
Year Established |
Number of Staff(As Per Public Service Numbers For End of Q2) |
Salary of CEO / Director |
|
Arts Council |
Statutory body with responsibility for delivering primary support for the arts in Ireland. |
1951 |
68 |
Equivalent to Principal Officer Higher Plus Directors Allowance in the Civil Service. |
|
Chester Beatty |
National Cultural Institution – Library |
1950 |
42 |
Equivalent to Principal Officer Higher in the Civil Service. |
|
Crawford Art Gallery |
National Cultural Institution, dedicated to visual arts. |
1979 |
22 |
Equivalent to Principal Officer Standard in the Civil Service. |
|
Fáilte Ireland (National Tourism Development Authority) |
State body responsible for encouraging, promoting and supporting tourism development. |
2003 |
419 |
Equivalent to Deputy Secretary Standard in the Civil Service. |
|
Foras na Gaeilge |
State body responsible for the promotion of the Irish language throughout the island of Ireland, established under the Good Friday Agreement. |
1999 |
57 |
€120,989 (As per published accounts of 2019) |
|
Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) |
National Cultural Institution for Modern & Contemporary Arts. |
1991 |
85 |
Equivalent to Principal Officer Standard in the Civil Service. |
|
National Concert Hall |
National Cultural Institution - Concert Hall |
1981 |
114 |
Equivalent to Principal Officer Higher in the Civil Service. |
|
National Gallery of Ireland |
National Cultural Institution - Gallery |
Established as autonomous National Cultural Institution under the provisions of the National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 |
165 |
Equivalent to Principal Officer Higher Plus Directors Allowance in the Civil Service. |
|
National Library of Ireland |
National Cultural Institution - National Library |
Established as an autonomous National Cultural Institution under the provisions of the National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 |
100 |
Equivalent to Principal Officer Higher Plus Directors Allowance in the Civil Service. |
|
National Museum of Ireland |
National Cultural Institution - National Museum |
Established as an autonomous National Cultural Institution under the provisions of the National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 |
161 |
Equivalent to Principal Officer Higher Plus Directors Allowance in the Civil Service. |
|
Screen Ireland |
Development agency for the Irish film, television and animation industry. |
1980 |
34 |
Equivalent to Principal Officer Higher in the Civil Service. |
|
Sport Ireland |
Sport Ireland is the statutory body with responsibility for the development and promotion of sport in Ireland. This includes participation in sport, high performance sport, anti-doping, coaching and the development of the Sport Ireland Campus |
2015 |
54 |
Equivalent to Assistant Secretary PPC in the Civil Service. |
|
Tha Boord o Ulster Scotch |
An agency of the North South Language Body, established under the Good Friday Agreement. |
1999 |
12 |
Stg £55,458€63,178 (As per 2019 Published Accounts) |
|
Tourism Ireland |
State agency responsible for marketing the island of Ireland overseas as a leading holiday destination, established under the Good Friday Agreement. |
2000 |
175 |
€176,026 (As per 2021 Published Accounts) |
|
Údarás na Gaeltachta |
Regional authority responsible for the economic, social and cultural development of the Gaeltacht. |
1980 |
89 |
Equivalent to Assistant Secretary PPC in the Civil Service. |
178. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will address a matter (details suppled) regarding funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49198/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to possible capital supports for the club in question, the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country. Over 13,000 projects have now benefited from sports capital funding since 1998, bringing the total allocations in that time to over €1.15 billion. The Programme for Government commits to continuing the SCEP and to prioritising investment in disadvantaged areas.
The 2020 round of the SCEP closed for applications on Monday 1 March 2021 and by the deadline a record 3,106 applications were submitted. The total allocation of €150 million for capital projects, and €166.6 million for the 2020 round in total, represents the highest level of allocation ever made under the SCEP.
Following completion of the appeal process, my Department is undertaking a full review of all aspects of the 2020 round of the SCEP and any recommendations arising will be reflected in the terms and conditions of the next round. Following the completion of the review, the Department will announce the exact timing of the next round but it is hoped to have it open for applications early in the new year.
In relation to sports participation generally, a fundamental aim of the National Sports Policy is to increase the levels of participation across the population, with a specific focus on less represented groups including women and girls. In May 2022, my Department held a Youth Stakeholder Forum on sport, where we gathered young people together in order to identify the barriers that are keeping young people from sport and gain some insight into how those barriers could be addressed. A report on that forum has been drafted and will help inform and direct the measures my Department takes to address youth participation in sport.
In May 2021, Sport Ireland published its Participation Plan 2021-2024 and is now undertaking several initiatives under the Plan for children and young people, which will be delivered through Local Sports Partnerships, National Governing Bodies (NGBs) and other partners.
In 2021, Sport Ireland launched the Girls Get Active Research Report. Following on from that report, Sport Ireland created a new funding strand through Dormant Accounts Funding to support Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs) in the creation of physical activity programmes targeting teenage girls.
At present, Sport Ireland is working to establish a brand identity for teenage girls’ programmes rolled out by LSPs and NGBs. Sport Ireland is also tendering for the roll out of a communication and activation campaign targeting inactive teenage girls in Ireland. This will be the first time a dedicated national physical activity campaign has ever been created for this target group and highlights Sport Ireland’s commitment in trying to motivate teenage girls to be more active.
Finally, it is suggested that the club mentioned by the Deputy should also contact its parent NGB, the Football Association of Ireland, directly to see what additional supports are available to it.
