Written Answers Nos. 81-100
81. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Transport the financial supports available for private bus operators and companies that provide coach-hire services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5124/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however I am not involved in the day-to-day operation of public transport services nationally. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and is responsible for the licensing of public bus passenger services under the provisions of the Public Transport Regulation Act 2009.
Licensed bus and coach operators are an integral part of the overall public transport system particularly in areas which are not covered by existing public service bus and rail services. In recognition of this, throughout the COVID-19 pandemic the Government provided temporary financial supports for certain licensed commercial services with a view to protecting capacity across the public transport sector. In excess of €70m was provided to support the Commercial Bus Operators (CBOs), before the scheme ceased on the 30th of June 2022.
Further, in recognition of the importance of incentivising young people to use public transport, as part of Budgets 2022 and 2023, funding was provided for the young adult card (YAC) on both PSO and commercial services. This exciting initiative entitles anyone between the ages of 19 and 23, mature students and those aged 16-18 in third level education, to discounted travel costs of 50% across all services, including city, intercity and rural services.
The introduction of the YAC has resulted in a significant increase in public transport usage by this age cohort since it was introduced last year. This along with the temporary funding provided to the sector from 2020 through to June 2022 has assisted these operators in their recovery and will help promote continued growth in the sector.
Lastly, in relation to coach-hire services, the Deputy may wish to contact my colleague, the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht, Catherine Martin T.D.
82. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 227 of 2 November 2021, if he will provide an updated list of numbers waiting on driving test by county from January 2022 to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5239/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe operation of the national driving test service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority and the information requested is held by them. I have therefore referred the question to the Authority for direct reply.
I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
83. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Finance the quarterly payments to each political party under the Exchequer funding heading under the Electoral Act 1992, since January 2015; and the dates on which each was paid. [4976/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that payments to political parties are made under Section 17 of the Electoral Act of 1997 as amended by Section 50(c) of the Electoral (Amendment) Act 2001; Section 77 of the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act 2011; and Section 42 of the Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Act 2012.
In accordance with Section 19 of the 1997 Act, as amended by Section 77 of the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act 2011 and Section 40 of the Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Act 2012, payments are made quarterly in arrears by the Minister for Finance on the approval of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
Details of the payments made under Section 17 (1) (a) and under Section 17 (1) (b) are set out in the attached tables.
84. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Finance if he will extend the rental tax credit to PHD students who are paying for rent from their educational stipend which is untaxed (details supplied). [5039/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFinance Act 2022 introduced the Rent Tax Credit, which is provided for in section 473B of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 (TCA). This is an income tax credit of up to €500 per year (or up to €1,000 for jointly assessed couples) which may be claimed in respect of qualifying rent paid in 2022 and subsequent years to end-2025.
The credit is broadly available in the following three circumstances:
1) where the claimant makes a qualifying payment in respect of his or her principal private residence,
2) where the claimant makes a qualifying payment in respect of a ‘second home’ which he or she uses to facilitate his or her attendance at, or participation in, his or her employment, office holding, trade, profession or an approved course, and
3) where the claimant makes a qualifying payment in respect of a property used by his or her child to facilitate the latter’s attendance at, or participation in, an approved course within the meaning in section 473A of the TCA. (In this case, ‘child’ means a child of an individual, or a child of the individual’s spouse or civil partner, who has not attained the age of 23 years at the commencement of the year of assessment during which he or she first enters an approved course.)
Full details of how to claim the tax credit and the conditions that apply are set out in the relevant Tax and Duty Manual (Part 15-01-11A) available on the Revenue website at the following link:
www.revenue.ie/en/personal-tax-credits-reliefs-and-exemptions/land-and-property/rent-credit/index.aspx .
Exhibitions, bursaries or other similar educational endowments provided to students (including postgraduate students) are exempt from income tax where the conditions set out in section 193 TCA are met.
It is a general principle that in order to avail of income tax reliefs a person must pay income tax. In the case of a single person, the amount of tax that must be paid to fully avail of the Rent Tax Credit is €3,900 in 2022 and €4,050 in 2023. The Rent Tax credit is a non-refundable tax credit and I currently have no plans to depart from this principle.
85. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Finance if he is considering increasing the duration of the 9% VAT rate for the hospitality sector, which is due to increase to 13.5% in February 2023 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4840/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra88. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Finance if he has engaged with an organisation (details supplied) in relation to the VAT level placed on the industry; and if he plans to proceed with the increase in VAT due in February 2023 on the sector. [4914/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 85 and 88 together.
As the Deputies are aware, at present, the 9% rate applies on a temporary basis to the hospitality and tourism sectors and also to hairdressers. From 1 March 2023, these sectors are due to return to the 13.5% rate. I can confirm that representatives from a number of the sectors concerned have been in contact with my Department.
As I have said on a number of occasions, the Government will in the coming weeks examine the full suite of taxation and other measures that are due to expire at the end of February.
In making any decision the Government will balance the costs of the measures in question against their impact and the overall budgetary framework.
86. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Finance the amount spent by his Department on online advertising in each of the past ten years and to date in 2023, in tabular form; if he will provide details in relation to this spending; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4851/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy in relation to the amount spent by my Department on advertising from 2013 to date in 2023 is set out in tabular form below which includes both traditional and online advertising.
The Department is not in a position to demarcate online spend from other forms of expenditure, as some advertising will inevitably involve both.
|
Year |
Description |
Amount |
|
2013 |
Recruitment of Chief Finance and Operations Officer in Sunday Times, Sunday Business Post, ACCA and ACA e-zine |
€5,205.95 |
|
Recruitment for position of Economist in the Irish Times |
€3,795.68 |
|
|
Notices of the Official Languages Act and Scheme in Foinse |
€687.42 |
|
|
2014 |
Recruitment for the position of Head of International & EU Division in the Sunday Business Post and Sunday Times online |
€2,787.41 |
|
Notice re: winding up of SAT/ICAROM (Insurance Corporation of Ireland) in Irish Daily Mail |
€130.18 |
|
|
Creative strategy, production and burst 1 of campaign to increase awareness of the Supporting SME online tool on social media |
€27,683.70 |
|
|
2015 |
Advertisement for the position of Governor of the Central Bank |
€12,300.00 |
|
Local Property Tax Review advertisements in Irish Times, Irish Independent and Irish Examiner |
€7,181.56 |
|
|
Campaign to increase awareness of the Supporting SME online tool on social media |
€50,519.18 |
|
|
2016 |
Mortgage Arrears Communication Campaign |
€73,136 |
|
Advertising: Switch Your Bank* |
€24,682 |
|
|
Outside Broadcasting of National Economic Dialogue |
€17,657 |
|
|
2017 |
Advertising: Switch Your Bank* |
€717,746 |
|
Outside Broadcasting of National Economic Dialogue |
€17,657 |
|
|
Information notice re: Beneficial Ownership |
€2,408 |
|
|
Graphic Design: Public Awareness Campaign |
€480 |
|
|
Advertising: Switch Your Bank* |
€73.80 |
|
|
Advertising: European Financial Forum |
€24.60 |
|
|
2018 |
Advertising: Switch Your Bank* |
€405,900 |
|
Outside Broadcasting of National Economic Dialogue |
€13,616 |
|
|
Advertising: Board Recruitment |
€1,707 |
|
|
Irish Language Notice (The Department's Irish Language Scheme) |
€1,240 |
|
|
Irish Language Notice (The Department's Irish Language Scheme) |
€983 |
|
|
2019 |
Advertising: Vacancy for Governor of Central Bank of Ireland |
€12,300 |
|
Advertising: Switch Your Bank* |
€2,066.40 |
|
|
2020 |
Irish Language Notice (The Department's Irish Language Scheme) |
€815.07 |
|
Advertising: Switch Your Bank* |
€2,066.40 |
|
|
2021 |
Advertising: Switch Your Bank* |
€3,018.95 |
|
Advertising: Vacancy for Appeals Commissioner in the Tax Appeals Commission |
€1,353.00 |
|
|
**Commission on Taxation |
€28,858.93 |
|
|
***FSD |
NIL |
|
|
2022 |
Advertisement placed in the Irish Times for the position of Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman |
€3,049.54 |
|
****Banking/FSPO |
NIL |
|
|
*****Fiscal |
NIL |
|
|
**Commission on Taxation |
€23,102.09 |
|
|
2023 to date |
NIL |
NIL |
*The cost of the Switch your Bank campaign is fully recoupable by AIB and Permanent TSB in the context of their restructuring plans. These costs relate to a Public awareness campaign as part of a range of competition measures agreed with the European Commission to raise awareness and promote customer switching of financial products. The Department of Finance facilitates this campaign as part of its remit to ensure that consumers are protected within the financial sector in Ireland and to ensure a healthy level of competition.
**Commission on Taxation: This relates to online advertising spend and it may include some traditional forms of advertising. It is not possible at the moment to provide an exact breakdown as to what advertising campaigns this spend relates to. However, a total of €4,442 was spent across LinkedIn and Twitter as part of the Public Consultation and Extension campaign.
***There was no direct spending on online advertising for the Financial Services Division. However, €4,879 was spent in 2021 on a consultancy contract with Daniel J Edelman. The consultancy was for specialist advice and support on the use of social media in international contexts for the international launches of the Government of Ireland’s Ireland for Finance strategy.
****Banking division had no direct spending on social media in either 2022 or 2021. However, Banking Division contributed €150,000 to help fund the CCPC bank switching campaign “Breaking Up with Your Bank” in August 2022. The CCPC managed how the advertising funds are spent across platforms in 2022.
*****In addition, the Department also contributed €35,000 to the Department of Housing, Heritage and Local Government for a joint print and social media campaign regarding the Residential Zoned Land Tax.
87. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to any instances where the public relations unit and or press office of his Department undertook to create social media accounts under false names, which were operated in order to further the messaging or communications of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4869/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that only the official Department of Finance social media accounts are used for communications by the press office.
89. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance if the €500 rental tax credit will apply to those tenants who rent from approved housing bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4915/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFinance Act 2022 introduced the Rent Tax Credit, which is provided for in section 473B of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 (TCA 1997). This is an income tax credit of up to €500 per year (or up to €1,000 for jointly assessed couples) which may be claimed in respect of qualifying rent paid in 2022 and subsequent years to end-2025.
Full details of how to claim the tax credit and the conditions that apply are set out in the relevant Tax and Duty Manual (Part 15-01-11A) available on the Revenue website at the following link:
www.revenue.ie/en/personal-tax-credits-reliefs-and-exemptions/land-and-property/rent-credit/index.aspx .
The Rent Tax Credit is not available in cases where rent is paid to a ‘specified landlord’. Section 473B of the TCA 1997), defines a 'specified landlord' as:
(a) a Minister of the Government,
(b) the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland,
(c) a housing authority within the meaning of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1992, or
(d) an approved housing body within the meaning of the Housing (Regulation of Approved Housing Bodies) Act 2019.
From the outset, the Rent Tax Credit measure was intended to assist those who do not get any other housing supports from the State.
Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) are independent, not-for-profit organisations. They provide affordable rented housing for people who cannot afford to pay private sector rents or buy their own homes; or for particular groups, such as older people or homeless people. AHBs receive State funding from local authorities to provide affordable rented housing.
As such, the Rent Tax Credit does not apply to tenants who rent from AHBs and there are no plans at present to depart from this position.
90. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 372 and 415 of 14 June 2022, if he will provide an update in relation to the Disabled Drivers' Medical Board of Appeal (details supplied). [4957/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme provides relief from Vehicle Registration Tax and VAT on an adapted car, as well as an exemption from motor tax and an annual fuel grant.
The Scheme is open to severely and permanently disabled persons as a driver or as a passenger and also to certain charitable 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 (DDMBA). To qualify for a Primary Medical Certificate an applicant must be permanently and severely disabled, and satisfy at least one of the six medical criteria.
It is expected that the DDMBA will be established shortly. The background is that following the resignation of all members of the previous DDMBA, effective from 30th November 2021, two Expression of Interest campaigns have been held, seeking suitable candidates for the Board. The Department of Health has led on all actions and tasks with respect to the Expression of Interest Campaigns. Department of Finance officials have provided support to the Department of Health in this matter.
The first campaign closed on 29th April. As there were insufficient suitable candidates arising from the first campaign, a second round was issued with a closing date of 5th July 2022. Five members are legislatively required for a functional Board with a quorum of three needed for any appeal hearing. Two other candidates were recently nominated by the Minister for Health. All five candidates have now successfully completed Garda Vetting.
My officials are currently in the process of finalising details, so that I can appoint the five members to the Board. I am hopeful that the new Board will be up and running in the next few weeks, and once operational, it will consider the best way of ensuring outstanding appeals are addressed as quickly as possible. You should also note that my officials have had two meetings with the nominated members in order to begin the preparations for the commencement of the appeals process.
As of 31st December 2022, there are currently 759 people awaiting an appeal hearing with 382 of those dating back to 2021 and the remaining 377 people applying for an appeal in 2022.
Requests for appeal hearings can be sent to the DDMBA secretary in the National Rehabilitation Hospital (NRH). The NRH provides clinical facilities and staffing (including a secretary) to facilitate the DDMBA in carrying out its remit, and costs incurred are reimbursed to the NRH annually by DFIN. Appeal hearing dates for the outstanding appeals will be issued once the new Board is in place.
You should be aware that assessments for the primary medical certificate, by the HSE, are continuing to take place. In this regard, an important point to make is that even though there has been no appeal mechanism since the previous Board resigned, applicants who have been deemed not to have met one of the six eligibility criteria required for a PMC are entitled to request another PMC assessment six months after an unsuccessful PMC assessment.
91. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Finance if taxpayers who paid stamp duty when purchasing their second-hand houses can be given a credit against the local property tax; if this issue was considered previously; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4961/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Local Property Tax (LPT) was introduced in 2013 to provide a stable and sustainable funding base for local authorities and is a significant base-broadening measure. LPT has yielded over €4 billion for Local Authorities since its introduction. From its inception the LPT has been underpinned by the principle that keeping the number of exemptions low helps to keep the tax rate low for those who are liable to pay it.
The issue of reliefs including payment of stamp duty as a basis for relief was considered in the work the 2012 Thornhill Group, on which the design of the LPT was based. That report proposed a tax system that would contain limited exemptions and reliefs. The report cautioned that reliefs create costs which have to be paid for, either by taxpayers who do not benefit from the relief or by reductions in public expenditure. The report recommended against providing reliefs in respect of stamp duty payments. The rationale was that such relief would not be targeted on need; that the tax structure was known to house purchasers at the time of purchase; that the selling price of the property may have been affected by the stamp duty paid and that the stamp duty revenues would have been spent on the provision of public services. The Government agreed with the recommendation of the Inter-Departmental Expert Group that a universal liability should apply to all owners of residential property with a limited number of exemptions, in order to keep the rate of the tax as low as possible.
The Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) Act 2021 fulfils the Programme for Government commitment to bring forward legislation in relation to LPT on the basis of fairness and that most homeowners would face no increase in their LPT liability. The Act provides for a cut in the main rate of the tax and widening of the valuation bands to make the changes affordable. As these changes were implemented for the 2022 LPT year, this meant that the majority of homeowners saw either a decrease or no change in their LPT liability. Where increases arose, the majority were by a single band.
A system of deferral arrangements is available in certain circumstances to assist individuals who may have difficulty paying the tax. A qualifying person may opt to defer, or partially defer, payment of the tax. The deferred tax remains as a charge on the property, and must be paid before a sale or transfer can be completed.
The Government is aware of the difficulties facing many individuals and families and for this reason a wide variety of methods for payment of the LPT are available from which liable persons can choose the method most suited to their individual circumstances. Property owners experiencing difficulties in meeting their LPT obligations can contact Revenue through MyAccount at www.revenue.ie or by calling the LPT helpline (01) 7383626.
For these reasons, I have no plans to introduce a credit along the lines suggested by the Deputy.
92. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Finance the number of businesses that have applied for assistance under the temporary business energy support scheme to date by county; the number of applications that have been successful by county; the estimated value or worth of the support to date for each county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4968/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme (TBESS) was introduced to support qualifying businesses with increases in their electricity or natural gas costs over the winter months.
Sections 100 to 102 of Finance Act 2022 make provision for the TBESS. The scheme provides support to qualifying businesses in respect of energy costs relating to the period from 1 September 2022 to 28 February 2023. The TBESS is available to eligible tax compliant businesses carrying on a trade or profession, the profits of which are chargeable to tax under Case I or Case II of Schedule D.
Qualifying businesses can claim for 40% of the increases in their energy bills between the ‘claim period’, September 2022 to February 2023 and the ‘reference period’, the corresponding calendar month in the previous year. Payments are generally subject to a monthly cap of €10,000 per trade or profession. Businesses which are eligible for TBESS can register for the scheme via Revenue’s online service and comprehensive guidelines on the operation of the scheme are available on the Revenue website.
I am advised by Revenue of the following table which provides a breakdown of registrations and claims by county, as of 27 January 2023.
|
County |
All Applications |
Approved Registrations |
Value of Approved Claims |
|
Carlow |
243 |
239 |
€334,561 |
|
Cavan |
357 |
351 |
€374,265 |
|
Clare |
484 |
474 |
€483,766 |
|
Cork |
2,213 |
2,162 |
€2,477,582 |
|
Donegal |
753 |
738 |
€800,933 |
|
Dublin |
3,865 |
3,743 |
€5,305,004 |
|
Galway |
1,081 |
1,058 |
€1,207,645 |
|
Kerry |
758 |
733 |
€915,670 |
|
Kildare |
600 |
586 |
€732,782 |
|
Kilkenny |
433 |
416 |
€326,825 |
|
Laois |
262 |
255 |
€273,426 |
|
Leitrim |
152 |
151 |
€102,146 |
|
Limerick |
736 |
719 |
€815,361 |
|
Longford |
186 |
182 |
€143,444 |
|
Louth |
480 |
467 |
€613,666 |
|
Mayo |
572 |
559 |
€806,568 |
|
Meath |
647 |
632 |
€816,433 |
|
Monaghan |
311 |
302 |
€386,129 |
|
Offaly |
297 |
288 |
€272,472 |
|
Roscommon |
238 |
230 |
€255,883 |
|
Sligo |
250 |
242 |
€321,526 |
|
Tipperary |
745 |
718 |
€678,948 |
|
Waterford |
535 |
522 |
€503,005 |
|
Westmeath |
431 |
423 |
€379,499 |
|
Wexford |
682 |
663 |
€693,920 |
|
Wicklow |
429 |
414 |
€459,690 |
|
Total |
17,740 |
17,267 |
€20,481,150 |
I am advised by Revenue that applications received from businesses are reviewed to determine eligibility and this accounts for the variance in the figures for ‘all applications’ and ‘approved registrations’. In addition, Revenue publishes detailed statistical reports in relation to the TBESS which are updated on a weekly basis. These reports are available on Revenue’s website at www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/information-about-revenue/statistics/number-of-taxpayers-and-returns/cost-living.aspx
I encourage businesses to continue to register for, and make claims under the scheme which can be done using Revenue's Online Service.
93. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Finance the number of businesses that have applied for loans under the Ukraine credit guarantee scheme to date by county; the number of applications that have been successful by county; the estimated value or worth of the loans to date for each county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4971/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Ukraine Credit Guarantee Scheme (UCGS) was established by S.I. 641/2022 in December 2022. The Scheme will unlock up to €1.2 billion of low-cost, unsecured working capital and send a strong signal of support to SMEs, small Mid-Caps, and primary producers affected by the Ukraine crisis. The UCGS is a loan guarantee scheme that is being delivered by the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) via on-lenders in the financial sector.
The Scheme was officially launched on Monday, 30 January 2023, with the entry of the first on lender into the market. No applications had been finalised by close of business on Monday.
In order to qualify for the Scheme, the borrower will have to declare that costs have increased by a minimum of 10% on their 2020 figures and that the loan is being sought specifically as a result on difficulties being experienced due to the Ukraine crisis. Loan facilities ranging from €10K to €1 million will be available. Loans of up to €250,000 can be unsecured and can be used for overdrafts, working capital and term loan facilities.
94. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the findings of a report by a person (details supplied). [5054/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe report the Deputy is referring to, the Tomlinson Report, was first published in 2017. The Tomlinson Report specifically investigated how SMEs in the UK that were in financial difficulty were treated by a specific financial entity.
In Ireland, since the financial crisis, there has been a series of legislative changes that have equipped the Central Bank of Ireland with an array of investigative, regulatory and enforcement powers to ensure that regulated financial service providers adhere to the requirements of financial services legislation.
These changes include significantly enhanced powers for the Central Bank to gather information under the Central Bank (Supervision and Enforcement) Act 2013 which broadened the Central Bank's information gathering and authorised officer powers.
In addition, as the Deputy will be aware, the Central Bank (Individual Accountability Framework) Bill is currently before the Dáil. The objective of this Bill is to provide for greater levels of accountability in the financial services sector. It clarifies the standards of behaviour expected of individuals and firms and aims to help raise standards of behaviour in practice.
The Central Bank proactively regulates the financial system and has issued regulations aimed at protecting SMEs when dealing with regulated firms. These strengthened regulations include the Central Bank (Supervision and Enforcement) Act 2013 (Section 48) (Lending to Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises) Regulations 2015 which came into operation for regulated lenders (other than credit unions) on 1 July 2016 and, in the case of credit unions, on 1 January 2017.
These revised SME Regulations introduce specific requirements for regulated lenders, including:
- Contacting SME borrowers who have been in arrears for 15 working days;
- Warning SME borrowers if they are in danger of being classified as not co-operating; and
- Expanding the grounds for appeal and setting up an internal appeals panel.
Under the SME Regulations, regulated financial services firms must have a complaints handling procedure in place. Any complaints against financial institutions should first be discussed with the institution concerned.
I would also note that the Credit Review Office assists SME and farm borrowers that have had credit applications of up to €3 million refused or indeed an existing credit facility withdrawn or amended by the participating bank. The participating institutions are AIB, Bank of Ireland, Ulster Bank and Permanent TSB. SMEs can apply to the Credit Review Office after exhausting the internal appeals process in the participating institution.
Looking forward, the Deputy will be aware that Government approved the report and the implementation of the recommendations of the Retail Banking Review in November 2022. The recommendations of the report include, inter alia, that: “The Central Bank should review and amend the SME Regulations to take account of legislative changes and developments in the revised Consumer Protection Code, particularly digital/online matters, automated decision making and customer charters and service standards. The Central Bank should also review the regulations applicable to guarantees issued by, or on behalf of, SME borrowers.”
95. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance if correspondence from his Department to the Central Bank to which a newspaper article refers (details supplied) will be provided to this Deputy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5127/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department maintains ongoing and close contact with the Central Bank on matters of mutual interest, including in relation to mortgages.
As the Deputy is aware, the Report of the Retail Banking Review was published in November 2022. One of its recommendations referred to the findings of the recent IMF Financial System Assessment of Ireland and the need to continue to address the issue of mortgage arrears.
In order to advance this particular recommendation, on 16 January 2023, my Department wrote to the Central Bank (and to other relevant State bodies) to obtain information and their views on addressing mortgage arrears.
The letter also referred to the changing interest rate environment and how this is impacting on mortgage interest rates in both banks and non-banks and the measures which can be advanced to protect consumers.
As the Deputy may be aware, the Governor of the Central Bank, in his online blog of 30 January 2023, has provided information on the composition of the mortgage market in respect of both banks and non-banks and has confirmed that the full consumer protection framework, which protects borrowers from the beginning to the end of the mortgage life cycle, applies irrespective of whether a mortgage loan is held by a bank or non-bank.
As regulator, the Central Bank continues to engage with regulated entities. The Governor has also indicated, whether due to interest rate increases or other factors such as the increase in the cost of living, lenders and servicers must be able to anticipate and identify cases of pre-arrears and draw up and implement procedures for dealing with mortgage borrowers who are experiencing repayment difficulty.
My Department will continue to work closely with the Central Bank on this matter.
96. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the modified total domestic demand in each of the years 2008 to 2022, in nominal terms; the annual percentage change for the same years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5194/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn response to the Deputy’s request, please see below in tabular form the available figures for modified total domestic demand in nominal terms along with annual percentage changes.
Modified total domestic demand has not yet been published by the CSO for 2022. This will be published as part of the Quarterly National Accounts for the fourth quarter of 2022 in March.
|
Year |
Modified total domestic demand (€ billion), current prices |
Year-on-year growth |
|
2008 |
166.1 |
-3.8% |
|
2009 |
139.1 |
-16.3% |
|
2010 |
130.5 |
-6.2% |
|
2011 |
129.7 |
-0.6% |
|
2012 |
131.5 |
1.4% |
|
2013 |
134.4 |
2.2% |
|
2014 |
144.7 |
7.6% |
|
2015 |
154.2 |
6.6% |
|
2016 |
164.1 |
6.4% |
|
2017 |
172.1 |
4.9% |
|
2018 |
180.5 |
4.9% |
|
2019 |
191.1 |
5.9% |
|
2020 |
184.2 |
-3.6% |
|
2021 |
203.4 |
10.5% |
97. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider amending the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman Act 2017 to assist people who feel their pension was devalued by mismanagement through wind up (details supplied) but who cannot be assisted by the Ombudsman because the pension scheme in question no longer exists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5286/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Office of the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (FSPO) was established under the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman Act 2017 (“the Act”) to resolve complaints about the conduct of financial service providers and pension providers.
The FSPO can, subject to time limits, investigate a complaint submitted by an individual pension scheme member, where financial loss has been suffered by the member, as a result of the miscalculation of the complainant’s pension benefit entitlements, owing to maladministration by the pension provider.
A grievance concerning the impact on the overall value of a pension scheme, arising from a company wind-up, is not however a matter that falls within the jurisdiction of the FSPO.
The Pensions Act 1990 sets out the obligations and responsibilities regarding the wind-up of pension schemes. The Pension Authority is the relevant regulatory body to ensure compliance with the requirements of the Act in such an instance.
As such, I do not intend to amend the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman Act 2017 in relation to this specific matter.
The Pensions Authority, which is a body under the aegis of the Department of Social Protection, has detailed information on its website in relation to the winding up of a scheme.
98. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount spent by his Department on online advertising in each of the past ten years and to date in 2023, in tabular form; if he will provide details in relation to this spending; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4857/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy for my Department, including the Office of Government Procurement, is set out in the tables below.
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
|
Year |
Online advertising costs |
Purpose |
|
2023 (to date) |
Nil |
|
|
2022 |
Nil |
|
|
2021 |
€1,700.00 |
Google Ads – Passenger locator form |
|
2020 |
Nil |
|
|
2019 |
€5,323.04 |
Advertising of ICT specialist posts |
|
2018 |
€199,338.47 |
Promote and raise awareness of MyGovID |
|
2017 |
€2,460.00
€444.04 |
Recruitment
Promoting the whereyourmoneygoes.gov.ie website |
|
2016 |
Nil |
|
|
2015 |
€2,460.00 |
Recruitment |
|
2014 |
Nil |
|
|
2013 |
Nil |
|
Office of Government Procurement
|
Year |
Online advertising costs |
Purpose |
|
2023 (to date) |
€5,412.00* |
Double page advertorial in the annual ‘Technology & Innovation' Report & 'Digital Government' report – eInvoicing – hard and soft copy - eolas Magazine |
|
2022 |
€5,412.00* |
Double page advertorial in the annual ‘Technology & Innovation' Report & 'Digital Government' report– eInvoicing – hard and soft copy - eolas Magazine |
|
2021 |
€5,412.00* |
Double page advertorial in the annual ‘Technology & Innovation' Report & 'Digital Government' report– eInvoicing – hard and soft copy - eolas Magazine |
|
2020 |
€2,706.00* |
Double page advertorial in the annual ‘Technology & Innovation' Report & 'Digital Government' report– eInvoicing – hard and soft copy - eolas Magazine |
|
2019 |
€2,706.00*
€2706.00*
€738.00* |
Double page advertorial in the annual ‘Technology & Innovation' Report & 'Digital Government' report– eInvoicing – hard and soft copy - eolas Magazine
Double page advertorial in the annual ‘Technology & Innovation' Report & 'Digital Government' report– eInvoicing – hard and soft copy- eolas Magazine
Full page advert – eInvoicing – hard and soft copy – bISME Magazine |
|
2018 |
€1,511.42*
€64.00 |
Public consultation notice – eInvoicing – hard and soft copy – Irish Independent
Irish advert for Public consultation notice – eInvoicing – soft copy - Iris Oifigiuil |
|
2017 |
€126.00 |
Irish Advert for Public consultation notice - eInvoicing – soft copy – Iris Oifigiuil |
|
2016 |
Nil |
|
|
2015 |
Nil |
|
|
2014 |
Nil |
|
|
2013 |
Nil |
|
* These figures include the cost for both hard and soft copy advertising – the invoices do not provide a breakdown.
99. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his attention has been drawn to any instances where the public relations unit and or press office of his Department undertook to create social media accounts under false names, which were operated in order to further the messaging or communications of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4875/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have not had my attention drawn to any instances where the communications unit or press office in my Department undertook to create social media accounts under false names in order to further the messaging or communications of my Department and I am advised that no such instance has occurred.
100. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the amount spent by her Department on online advertising in each of the past ten years and to date in 2023, in tabular form; if she will provide details in relation to this spending; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4861/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, my Department in its current configuration was formed in June 2020, following the formation of the Government. I have been advised by my Department that the total spend on online advertising, specifically, for the time period 2020 to date is €59,974.31, including VAT.
Details are set out in tabular format below. At all times value for money is a critical consideration when engaging in paid advertising.
|
Online advertising spend |
Online advertising spend |
|
Year |
Total (€) |
|
2020 |
9,548.95 |
|
2021 |
18,207.90 |
|
2022 |
32,217.46 |
|
2023 YTD |
- |
|
Total (€) |
59,974.31 |
