Written Answers Nos. 200-220
200. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport the number of new passenger ferry routes in and out of Ireland since 2022; if he will identify these routes and the seasons they serve; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4892/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 2022, one new passenger ferry route was introduced by DFDS serving Rosslare Europort to Dunkirk, in northern France. This route began sailing in August 2023. There are five passenger departures from Rosslare Europort to Dunkirk each week.
There are currently eight passenger ferry routes operating from Ireland to the UK, France and Spain. The shipping industry continues to demonstrate its ability to provide capacity to meet market demand for passenger ferry services to and from Ireland.
201. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport the number of vintage cars registered for use on Irish roads each year since 2017, in tabular form; a breakdown per county of these; if the types and years of vehicles will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4893/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe details requested by the Deputy are summarised below. When data are broken down by county, year and type of vehicle it could potentially disclose individual information due to the small (less than 3) number of cars in each category. The first table at the link gives the number of vintage cars registered for use on Irish roads each year since 2017. The second table is a breakdown of these by county. The data reflect the number of vintage vehicles under taxation (with current motor tax) as of 31 December for each year requested, e.g. as of 31-12-2023 for 2023 data.
202. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Transport if there is any option to extend the Dublin outer commuter zone to include Gorey, County Wexford, which is the station from which the commuter train originates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4910/24]
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 operations of public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling and timetabling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.
In light of the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's request to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
203. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Transport if it is intended to proceed with a Luas extension to Lucan; and if that will run through Bluebell. [4932/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), including light rail.
The Transport Strategy for the GDA 2022-2042 was published by the NTA in January 2023, following my approval. The strategy sets out a statutory framework for transport investment across the region over a twenty-year period and provides a clear statement of transport planning policy for the GDA.
Implementation of the strategy has been divided into three phases – short-term up to 2030 to align with the National Development Plan, medium-term from 2031 to 2036, and longer-term from 2037 to 2042.
The development of a Luas line from Lucan to the City Centre is part of the strategy’s medium-term proposals for development and delivery within 2031-2036 and is part of a number of proposed Luas network extensions for the proposed 2042 Luas network. The alignment and the locations to be served between Lucan and the City Centre have yet to be determined and will be subject to further assessment and analyses.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
204. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Transport what the national strategy is to roll out more high-speed charging points at service stations or laybys along the State's motorways and national road network to facilitate electric car users and to encourage others to switch to EVs. [4933/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the electric vehicle (EV) charging network over the coming years. Having an effective and reliable charging network is an essential part of enabling drivers to make the switch to electric vehicles
A National En-Route EV Charging Network Plan was published by ZEVI in September. This Plan and associated funding initiatives will drive the delivery of charging infrastructure on the National Road Network. The Plan sets out ambitious targets for the level and coverage needed for en-Route charging on our national roads network. We are already seeing significant increased capacity of EV charging on our national roads, and this plan provides additional reassurance and certainty for EV drivers and those thinking of making the switch to EVs that they will be able to find high powered, fast and convenient EV charge-points where and when they need them.
The Plan sets out a provision of EV charging that will be ahead of demand and meet European requirements for charging electric cars, LGVs and HGVs by 2025 and 2030. The implementation of this Plan through enhanced grid connections, funding interventions and enabling measures will remove barriers and accelerate the delivery of high-powered EV charging. A new funding scheme to accelerate charging provision on the motorway network will be launched by TII next week.
The Plan can be found at assets.gov.ie/271453/27a5fef0-582c-46df-a16c-acfa2ea1df48.pdf#page=null
205. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Transport when measures will be taken to increase the visibility of users of electric scooters and powered bicycles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4934/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe visibility of micromobility users, including e-bike and e-scooter users, is a significant road safety issue. It is Government and RSA policy to encourage the use of high visibility clothing when using e-scooters or e-bikes. All vehicles on the public road at night, including e-bikes, must use lights and, under upcoming regulations, front and rear lights will be a mandatory feature for e-scooters. The Rules of the Road booklet encourages the use of reflective clothing for cyclists and draws attention to the safety benefits, and the RSA, the agency responsible for public education and awareness, continues to encourage the use of high visibility clothing.
I believe that the best way to increase e-scooter and e-bike user's wearing of high visibility clothing is by educational and publicity campaigns, rather than a punitive approach. Accordingly, the RSA undertakes campaigns to promote awareness among vulnerable road users of the need for higher visibility on our roads.
In addition to the lighting requirements in the upcoming regulations, guidelines and education and training programmes will also be developed to promote and encourage the safe use of e-scooters.
206. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Transport if a system of compulsory or voluntary insurance for users of electric scooters and powered bicycles is being considered to help address costs associated with injuries in the case of accidents to the users themselves or others or damage to the vehicles or other vehicles or property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4935/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023 created a new category of vehicle, powered personal transporters or PPTs. As PPTs are not classified as mechanically propelled vehicles and fall beneath the exemption threshold in the Motor Insurance Directive (Directive 2021/2118), they do not require motor insurance.
E-scooters will become legal to use on public roads when the regulations to give effect to this are in place. As they will be a type of PPT, e-scooters which comply with the regulations will not require motor insurance. E-scooters which do not comply with the regulations will remain illegal to use on public roads.
E-bikes are treated in the same way as bicycles and do not require motor insurance.
Because insurance for e-scooters and e-bikes is not a legal requirement, there is no plan for a system of compulsory or voluntary insurance. However, users may take out a private insurance policy.
207. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has considered introducing technology to allow drivers use an app or digital wallet to store their driving licence so they do not have to carry it and a valid copy can be shown off their phone; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4938/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe introduction of a mobile driving licence is one of the measures proposed in the new EU driving licence Directive currently being examined by Member States. It aims to introduce an EU wide mobile/digital licence which will be mandatory in approximately 7 years time.
Currently, Member States can issue mobile driving licences, but they are only recognised in the Member State that issued them. The new Directive proposes that a mobile licence will be the default licence in the EU and Member States will be required to recognise each other’s mobile licences. It will still be possible for a driver to request a physical driving licence instead of, or together with, a mobile licence.
Ireland welcomes this new provision in the proposed Directive. A major benefit is that real time information will be available to enforcement authorities on all EU licences.
In addition to the Directive proposal, the OGCIO is running a pilot, using electronic copies of driving licences, to explore the feasibility of and technical requirements for the use of digital licences in Ireland, in the context of establishing a digital wallet for major life event documents for Irish citizens. This initiative will be beneficial in the introduction and implementation of the mobile licence proposal.
208. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport the expected number of air routes directly between Ireland and North America for 2024; if he will identify these routes and the airlines operating each; if they are seasonal or year-round; which routes are new for 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4942/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraScheduled air services between a point in Ireland and a point in North America are governed by two separate EU comprehensive air transport agreements, one with the United States and the other with Canada.
The operation of any scheduled air service is a commercial decision for airlines, in consultation with airports and other associated market actors, based on the commercial viability of the route in question and other operational factors. I do not have a role in such decisions.
Scheduled air services are planned around two scheduling periods: summer and winter. The summer period begins on the last Sunday of March and ends on the last Saturday of October. The winter period begins on the last Sunday of October and ends on the last Saturday of March. Traditionally, the summer period is the busiest for airlines and often features the introduction of new routes.
My department operates a process whereby third country airlines make applications for authorisations under the comprehensive air transport agreements. This process is underway for the upcoming summer period, as such it is not yet clear how many transatlantic routes to North American points will be operated in the summer 2024 season.
The table below details the services operated during 2023. Accompanying the references to the airlines are (S) or (S&W), which serve to identify if the route that operated, by the particular airline, was summer only (S) or a year-round service, summer and winter, (S&W).
It is anticipated that a similar offering will be available this summer. In addition, I am aware of announcements made by some airlines regarding new routes they intend to operate in North America in 2024, for example;
• JetBlue announcing new services to Dublin from both New York JFK and Boston Logan, beginning in March of this year,
• Aer Lingus announcing a new service to Denver and the re-launch of a service to Minneapolis Saint Paul, both from Dublin, and
• Delta Air Lines re-launching a service between Shannon and New York JFK, last operated in 2019, to begin in May.
|
Route |
Airline(s) |
|
Dublin - Boston Logan |
Delta Air Lines (S&W) and Aer Lingus (S&W) |
|
Dublin - Charlotte Douglas |
American Airlines (S) |
|
Dublin - Chicago O'Hare |
American Airlines (S), United Airlines (S), and Aer Lingus (S&W) |
|
Dublin - Cleveland |
Aer Lingus (S&W) |
|
Dublin - Dallas Fort Worth |
American Airlines (S&W) |
|
Dublin - Hartford Bradley |
Aer Lingus (S&W) |
|
Dublin - Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta |
Delta Air Lines (S) |
|
Dublin - Los Angeles |
Aer Lingus (S&W) |
|
Dublin - Miami |
Aer Lingus (S&W) |
|
Dublin - New York JFK |
Delta Air Lines (S&W) and Aer Lingus (S&W) |
|
Dublin - New York Newark Liberty |
United Airlines (S&W) and Aer Lingus (S&W) |
|
Dublin - Orlando |
Aer Lingus (S&W) |
|
Dublin - Philadelphia |
American Airlines (S&W) and Aer Lingus (S&W) |
|
Dublin - San Francisco |
Aer Lingus (S&W) |
|
Dublin - Seattle Tacoma |
Aer Lingus (S&W) |
|
Dublin - Washington Dulles |
United Airlines (S&W) and Aer Lingus (S&W) |
|
Dublin - Calgary |
WestJet Airlines (S) |
|
Dublin - Montreal |
Air Canada (S) |
|
Dublin - Toronto Pearson |
Air Canada (S&W), Air Transat (S), and Aer Lingus (S&W) |
|
Dublin - Vancouver |
Air Canada (S) |
|
Shannon - Boston Logan |
Aer Lingus (S&W) |
|
Shannon - Chicago O'Hare |
United Airlines (S) |
|
Shannon - New York JFK |
Aer Lingus (S&W) |
|
Shannon - New York Newark Liberty |
United Airlines (S) |
209. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Transport his views on connecting Shannon Airport to the national rail network as a priority project under the National Development Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4947/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, the issue of a rail spur from Limerick to Shannon Airport has been considered in the context of the Limerick-Shannon Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (LSMATS). That Strategy was developed by the National Transport Authority (NTA) in collaboration with Limerick City and County Council, Clare County Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII). The final Strategy was published in December 2022. The Strategy sets out the framework for investment in transport for the Limerick-Shannon Metropolitan Area for the next 20 years, including proposals for rail investment.
In addition to the improved access to Shannon Airport proposed under BusConnects Limerick, LSMATS provides for the route identification and protection of a potential future rail line that would serve Shannon Airport. However, in the immediate term, the Strategy highlights that a bus-based connection between Colbert Station and Shannon Airport would have 84% occupancy compared to 24% for a rail link. To increase the viability of a potential rail link, the Strategy recommends a focused approach to land use to support rail-based transport-oriented development.
Further proposals for investment in rail under LSMATS include:
- A new rail station at Moyross;
- The reopening of the Limerick-Shannon Foynes line for freight services;
- A new station at Ballysimon, along with park and ride facilities;
- Increasing the frequency of services on the Ballybrophy line to two trains hourly;
- Increasing the frequency of services on the Ennis line to three trains hourly;
- Dual tracking of the line from Limerick Junction to Colbert Station;
- Upgrading of Colbert Station.
The Deputy may wish to note that the All-Island Strategic Rail Review is also considering the future of the rail network with regard to, among other ambitions, improving rail connectivity to our international gateways, including Shannon airport.
Work on the Review is now at an advanced stage and a draft was published for the purposes of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) public consultation in July 2023. Connecting Shannon Airport to the railway is included in the recommendations in the draft Review.
The public consultation phase of the SEA process concluded on 29th September and submissions are now under review by officials from both jurisdictions. Following this process, it is expected that a final report will be submitted for Ministerial approval and ultimately the approval of the Government, as well as to the Minister for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland if in place.
It is expected that the final Review will be published by the Summer.
210. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Transport the current status of the pathfinder projects for Limerick city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4948/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to cycling and public transport infrastructure. While I am not involved in the day-to-day operations or the management of related schemes and projects, two projects in Limerick - the Limerick City University Connectivity project, and the Moyross Train Station project - were selected to be part of a Pathfinder Programme that I launched in October 2022. The Programme, which is overseen by my department, consists of a diverse range of projects that have the capacity to showcase the multiple benefits of sustainable mobility in a relatively short period - all projects will be completed by 2025.
In broad terms, the Limerick City University Connectivity project aims to create sustainable connectivity options between the city and the large residential area of Corbally, the University of Limerick, the large employer campus at the National Technology Park, and the residential areas of Castletroy and Monaleen.
The Moyross Train Station will deliver a new train station in a growing area of suburban Limerick and is a key element of the Limerick Shannon Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy 2040. The acceleration of this project, which is funded by the NTA, will provide tangible benefits to the local area and will facilitate a significant modal shift to more sustainable modes of travel.
As both projects fall under the remit of the National Transport Authority (NTA) working in conjunction with the relevant local authorities, I have referred your question to the NTA for a more detailed reply. If you do not receive a reply within 10 working days, please contact my private office.
211. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Finance the full gamut of grants, discounts, waivers or any other supports that exist for an amputee, above the knee, who hopes to return to driving for personal needs; if he or his office can provide any other useful advice for this intending disabled driver; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4749/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy should note at the outset that the Department of Finance does not have responsibility for disability policy. Therefore I cannot comment on the supports and services that may be available for the individual in question, other than outline the nature of the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme which does come within the remit of my Department.
The Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme provides relief from VRT 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 defined, 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 Principal Medical Officer (PMO) 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.
To qualify for a Primary Medical Certificate an applicant must be permanently and severely disabled by satisfying at least one of the following medical criteria that is set out in legislation, in order to obtain a Primary Medical Certificate:
• be wholly or almost wholly without the use of both legs;
• be wholly without the use of one leg and almost wholly without the use of the other leg such that the applicant is severely restricted as to movement of the lower limbs;
• be without both hands or without both arms;
• be without one or both legs;
• be wholly or almost wholly without the use of both hands or arms and wholly or almost wholly without the use of one leg;
• have the medical condition of dwarfism and have serious difficulties of movement of the lower limbs.
I have no role in relation to the granting or refusal of PMCs and the HSE and the Medical Board of Appeal must be independent in their clinical determinations.
212. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Finance the expected date for the publication of the Central Bank NCID (National Claims Information Database) Employers' Liability, Public Liability and Commercial Property Insurance Report 2022 in view of the delay in publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4772/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Claims Information Database (NCID) is a repository that holds information on the cost of non-life insurance claims. The Central Bank of Ireland is responsible for collecting this and managing the NCID under the Central Bank (National Claims Information Database) Act 2018. To date, the Central Bank has published five annual NCID Private Motor Insurance Reports, and two annual reports on Employers’ Liability, Public Liability and Commercial Property Insurance.
In order to assist in answering the Deputy’s question, my officials contacted the Central Bank of Ireland. It has advised that the third annual NCID report on Employers’ Liability, Public Liability and Commercial Property Insurance, covering data up to 31 December 2022, will be published before the end of Quarter 1 2024. I look forward to the publication of this report, as it will provide important insights into the key insurance markets for businesses, as well as many community, voluntary and sports groups throughout the country. This follows an NCID release covering data up to mid-2022 for settled claims in Employers’ Liability and Public Liability insurance, published last July.
It should be noted, Ireland is unique in the EU in having this level of quantitative insight into the insurance sector here, allowing us to analyse and understand industry-level developments. The NCID is a key evidence-base for policymaking, and I believe it will remain a valuable resource to enable us to monitor the impact of developments in the market, including the range of Government reforms delivered in recent years via the Action Plan for Insurance Reform . The Department of Finance will continue to engage with the Central Bank in relation to any further enhancements to the NCID, as part of ongoing efforts to improve transparency, to in turn, underpin evidence-based policymaking
213. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide an update on the legislative programme. [3495/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are 5 Bills from Department of Finance included in the Priority sections of the Government Legislation Programme 2024.
The following 3 Bills were prioritized for publication:
1. Future Ireland Fund and Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund Bill:
· The intent of this proposed Bill is to provide for the establishment of the Future Ireland Fund and the Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund.
· The Pre-Legislative Scrutiny Report was received on 25 January 2024.
· Estimated date for Cabinet approval of the publication of the Bill is in February 2024.
2. Motor Insurance Insolvency Compensation Bill 2023:
· This purpose of this proposed Bill is to transpose Articles 10a and 25a of the revised EU Motor Insurance Directive (Directive 103/2009/EC) as amended by Directive (2021/2118).
· Heads of Bill were approved in November 2023. Pre-Legislative Scrutiny was waived on 11 December 2023.
· The Heads of Bill are currently with the Office of Parliamentary Counsel for drafting of the Bill.
3. Credit Review Service Bill:
· The Credit Review Service Bill provides for the establishment of the Credit Review Service as a body corporate, with the Head of the Service being the Credit Reviewer. This proposed Bill aims to codify the Service’s current practices.
· As regards the current status, a drafter from the Office of the Attorney General (OPC) was appointed to draft the legislation. Department officials are working with the drafter on advancing the bill.
The following 2 Bills were prioritized for drafting:
1. Finance (Tax Appeals) Bill:
· The intent of this proposed Bill is to provide for the appointment of non-temporary Commissioners with different tiers of responsibility and to make various technical amendments to the appeals process, taking into account the 2021 Supreme Court judgement in respect of the Zalewski v Workplace Relations Commission .
· The Heads of Bill have been drafted, and my Department is presently engaging with the Tax Appeals Commission and Revenue in respect of the proposed changes made by the Bill. We expect to bring the General Scheme to Government to request approval to draft a Bill in the coming weeks.
2. Access to Cash Bill:
· The aim of this proposed Bill is to preserve access to cash at December 2022 levels. The Bill will also look at the resilience of the cash system and the manner in which cash travels around the system in Ireland. This involves two main elements – the regulation of ATM operators and the regulation of Cash in Transit (CIT) companies.
· Heads of Bill were approved at Cabinet on 23.01.24. A Letter has been sent to the Office of Parliamentary Counsel to request priority drafting.
There are four Department of Finance Bills included in the All Other Legislation section of the Government Legislation Programme 2024. These are the following: The Fiscal Responsibility Act 2012 (Amendment) Bill; the Customs Acts 2015 (Amendment) Bill; the Restrictive Measures Bill, and; the Taxation and Certain Other Matters (International Mutual Assistance) Bill.
214. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Finance if he will explain the reason hairdressers fall under the VAT rate for the hospitality sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53600/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy should note at the outset that for VAT purposes hairdressers are considered a separate sector from hospitality. However similarly to hospitality under Annex III of the VAT directive a reduced VAT rate can be applied to this sector.
Consequently when the decision was made to apply the 9% rate to the tourism and hospitality sectors because of how they were impacted by the public health restrictions put in place throughout the pandemic, it was thought appropriate to also apply it to the hairdressing sector as they were similarly impacted. It was made clear however at the time that the 9% rate was applied, that it was only a temporary measure. As a result, when the temporary 9% VAT rate was restored to 13.5% for tourism and hospitality it was considered necessary to also restore it for hairdressing.
215. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Finance if he can outline in detail the external review process of Insurance Ireland's Code of Practice due to take place in January 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4723/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI welcome the Code of Practice for Underwriting Mortgage Protection Insurance for Cancer Survivors announced last year by Insurance Ireland and its members. This important development will provide a ‘Right to be Forgotten’ for cancer survivors, meaning insurers will disregard a cancer diagnosis where treatment ended more than 7 years prior to application (or more than 5 years, if the applicant was under 18 at the time of diagnosis).
The Code of Practice is an important step in helping to address the issue of access to financial services, and the concept of the ‘Right to be Forgotten’, for individuals who have recovered from cancer. Minister of State Carroll MacNeill and I previously met with senior representatives of the industry and pressed the importance of this issue, and the significance that Government places upon it. I have also met with the Irish Cancer Society and discussed the issues cancer survivors encounter and its ‘Right to Be Forgotten’ proposal.
The Code of Practice officially came into force on 6 December 2023. The Government will be closely examining the impact of this initiative, in order to ensure that it delivers the desired outcomes and improves access to mortgage protection insurance for customers who have recovered from cancer.
My officials have contacted Insurance Ireland in relation to the Deputy’s question regarding the external review process for the Code of Practice. It has advised that the external review will look to evaluate the implementation of the Code since 6 December 2023. It will ensure that insurance firms who have signed up are following the commitments as set out in the Code and the relevant processes and systems have been updated accordingly.
According to Insurance Ireland, the review will also seek evidence of applicants who fall within the parameters of the Code to ensure they are receiving the full benefit of its application. I understand that the review process to ensure independent oversight of the Code, will be put out to tender towards the end of this year. My Department will continue to monitor this.
In addition to considering the implementation of the Code of Practice, the Department of Finance is also closely monitoring ongoing developments at EU-level regarding access to financial services for cancer survivors, including the European Commission's proposal to develop a code of conduct under ‘Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan’. This work, which represents an important contribution to this sensitive issue, is currently expected to be finalised in Q1 2024.
216. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a breakdown of the dwellings purchased where the 10% stamp duty was paid, broken down into housing schemes, apartments and individual homes, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4756/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 31E of the Stamp Duties Consolidation Act (SDCA) 1999 provides for a higher 10% rate of stamp duty to be charged on the acquisition of certain residential property. This higher rate applies to the acquisition of individual residential property situated in the State (excluding apartments), where a person acquires at least 10 such properties during any 12-month period.
I am advised by Revenue that the Section does not apply to apartments. The Section does not differentiate between properties that are individual houses and those in housing schemes, and purchasers are not required to provide this information as part of their Stamp Duty returns. Therefore, Revenue does not have any information on the breakdown between individual houses and housing schemes.
217. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance if it is possible to publish a full calculation and breakdown of the proposed revenue generated from increasing hospitality VAT from 9% to 13.5%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4757/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by Revenue that traders are not required to identify the VAT yield generated from the supply of specific goods and services on their VAT returns. Therefore, it is not possible to provide the VAT yield on specific products and services using taxpayer information alone. However, using a number of third-party data sources, a tentative estimate of the additional VAT revenue in €m on these services is set out in the table below.
|
1 September – 31 October 2023 |
1 November – 31 December 2023 |
1 January – 29 February 2024 |
1 March – 30 April 2024 |
1 May – 30 June 2024 |
1 July – 31 August 2024 |
1 September – 31 October 2024 |
1 November – 31 December 2024 |
Total |
|
|
Accommodation only |
28.1 |
23.5 |
20.9 |
22.2 |
27.3 |
33.4 |
30.4 |
25.4 |
211.2 |
|
Food and Catering Services only |
83.7 |
87.7 |
80.0 |
88.7 |
93.6 |
93.6 |
92.0 |
96.4 |
715.9 |
|
All Entertainment |
3.9 |
3.9 |
4.0 |
4.0 |
4.0 |
4.0 |
4.0 |
4.0 |
31.8 |
|
Hairdressing Services |
6.0 |
6.0 |
6.0 |
6.0 |
6.0 |
6.0 |
6.0 |
6.0 |
48.0 |
|
Total Additional Revenue per VAT period |
121.8 |
121.1 |
111.0 |
121.0 |
131.0 |
137.0 |
132.4 |
131.8 |
1,006.9 |
|
Total Cumulative Additional Revenue |
121.8 |
242.9 |
353.9 |
474.8 |
605.8 |
742.8 |
875.2 |
1,006.9 |
218. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the estimated cost of reducing the rate of VAT applying to the hospitality and tourism sectors from 13.5 to 9% to end-2024 and in full-year terms, respectively. [4835/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraRevenue have indicated that the estimated cost of reducing the VAT rate from 13.5% to 9% for the tourism and hospitality sectors will be in the region of €653m from March to December 2024 and €764m in full-year terms from January to December 2024.
219. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the estimated cost of reducing the rate of VAT applying to the hospitality and tourism sectors from 13.5% to 9% excluding hotel and other accommodation, to end-2024 and in full-year terms, respectively. [4837/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraRevenue have indicated that the estimated cost of reducing the VAT rate from 13.5% to 9% for the tourism and hospitality sectors excluding hotel and other accommodation will be in the region of €514m for the period March to December 2024 and €604m in full-year terms from January to December 2024.
220. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance his views on a report (details supplied) into global wealth inequality, which included findings on Ireland; if he will consider a third rate of income tax, given the scale of wealth inequality in Ireland; the steps he is taking to address the unequal distribution of wealth in this country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4838/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware that Oxfam International recently (on January 15th 2024) produced a new report regarding global wealth inequality entitled “Inequality Inc.”, as well as Oxfam Ireland’s related press release from the same day. The Government continues to address wealth inequality through our progressive tax and social transfers system.
At present, Ireland’s top marginal rate of tax is 52 per cent for employees and 55 per cent for self-employed. Therefore, to introduce an additional higher rate of income tax would have the effect of further increasing the top marginal tax rates. It is important to point out that high marginal tax rates can create a strong disincentive to work and could also cause harm to our international competitiveness and make Ireland a less attractive place for investment.
Multinational enterprises provide our economy with high value jobs and substantial revenues across all taxes, including income tax, which are critical to the provision of public services. As the Deputy will be aware, considerable progress has been made in recent years to restore our economy, and this cannot be taken for granted, particularly given the challenges in the international arena that confront us at present.
Ireland is known to have one of the most progressive systems of taxes and social transfers of any EU or OECD country. This has been acknowledged by the IMF, the OECD and the ESRI. These systems contribute to the redistribution of income and to the reduction of income inequality in Ireland. A progressive tax system ensures that the burden of taxation falls most heavily on those with a higher ability to pay.
The Government also takes action against inequality through our tax and welfare system. For instance, the strong redistributive role of the Irish tax and welfare system is evident in the range of supports that were introduced to help mitigate the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and in the series of measures designed to limit the impact of the current cost of living pressures.
In 2024 it is projected that the top one per cent of taxpayer units, approximately 34,000 taxpayer units, who are those with annual income in excess of €290,000, will pay just over 24 per cent of total Income Tax and USC. This is a very large proportion of the total Income Tax and USC take from such a small cohort of taxpayers. In comparison, 80 per cent of taxpayer units, which is the cohort of income earners with annual income of less than €69,500 and account for about 2.74 million taxpayer units, will pay 21 per cent of total Income Tax and USC.
