Written Answers Nos. 252-271
252. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Finance whether he is considering reviewing raising the local authority borrowing cap to facilitate the delivery of more cost rental in cities, including Dublin. [5994/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraBudget 2025 included a record €6 billion in capital spending for housing, including direct Exchequer spending, investment by the Land Development Agency and borrowing by the Housing Finance Agency.
This level of public spending supports the State’s involvement in every aspect of housing — land purchase, construction, purchasing and funding. The State also heavily subsidises both the rental and owner-occupier market.
The Government believes that the State has a role to play in the housing market. However, the State cannot do everything and given the significant level of sustained investment needed can only ever play a partial role.
Moreover, it is very clear that increased spending alone will not solve the challenges we face in the housing system. There are a number of well-known structural and real-economy barriers that are preventing more homes being built. These include, inter alia, planning delays, labour shortages and structurally high costs. Increased public spending will not solve these problems. Instead, the Government is addressing these issues in a sustained and coordinated way, most notably with implementation of the Planning and Development Act. The Act will provide greater clarity and certainty, improve the investment environment and boost output.
Housing policy is a matter for the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and any request for changes to local authority borrowing policy should be considered in the context of housing policy overall.
253. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a schedule of compensation payments made to persons by the State Claims Agency in 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025 to include the nature of the incident the claim relates to. [5540/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn response to this question the NTMA have supplied me with the table below which shows all damages paid by the State Claims Agency between 01/01/2023 and 31/01/2025, by Incident/Hazard Category. All schemes are included.
|
Incident/Hazard Category |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 (to end Jan) |
Grand Total |
|
Clinical Care |
€275,923,353 |
€210,465,483 |
€9,896,064 |
€496,284,900 |
|
Exposure to Psychological hazards |
€24,738,984 |
€28,339,098 |
€874,674 |
€53,952,756 |
|
Exposure to Chemical Hazards |
€44,175,897 |
€5,014,381 |
€23,101 |
€49,213,379 |
|
Exposure to Physical Hazards |
€16,410,755 |
€21,078,515 |
€1,139,030 |
€38,628,300 |
|
Exposure to Behavioural Hazards |
€11,256,588 |
€15,216,191 |
€2,548,777 |
€29,021,556 |
|
Crash/Collision |
€3,187,737 |
€5,475,790 |
€230,663 |
€8,894,190 |
|
Exposure to Biological Hazards |
€663,824 |
€1,028,220 |
€72,690 |
€1,764,734 |
|
Other* |
€480,889 |
€348,006 |
€13,092 |
€841,986 |
|
Grand Total |
€376,838,028 |
€286,965,684 |
€14,798,091 |
€678,601,802 |
*Other includes both Property Damage/Loss (non crash/collision) and Clinical Care (other).
254. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Finance to remedy a serious issue with regard to inheritance tax (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5570/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraCapital Acquisitions Tax (CAT) is a tax which applies to both gifts and inheritances. For CAT purposes, the relationship between the person giving a gift or inheritance (i.e. the disponer) and the person who receives it (i.e. the beneficiary) determines the maximum amount, known as the “Group threshold”, below which CAT does not arise.
In Budget 2025, the Group A threshold was increased from €335,000 to €400,000, Group B from €32,500 to €40,000 and Group C from €16,250 to €20,000.
Gifts and inheritances between spouses and civil partners are exempt from CAT.There are also a number of exemptions and reliefs from CAT that may apply depending on the circumstances of the case, many of which do not require that any specific family relationship applies.
One such exemption is the CAT dwelling house exemption. Where a person takes an inheritance of a dwelling house, that person may be able to avail of the dwelling house exemption. To qualify for the exemption, the inherited property must have been the disponer’ s principal private residence at the date of death. This requirement is relaxed in situations where the deceased person left the property before the date of death due to ill health; for example, to live in a nursing home. The beneficiary must also have lived in the house for 3 years prior to the date of the inheritance and must continue to live in the house for 6 years after that date. In addition, the beneficiary must not have a beneficial interest in any other residential property. Detailed guidance on the dwelling house exemption has been published on the Revenue website at www.revenue.ie/en/tax-professionals/tdm/capital-acquisitions-tax/cat-part24.pdf.
As the Deputy is aware, there is provision in CAT legislation for a niece or nephew of the disponer to avail of the Group A threshold where the gift or inheritance consists of business assets and certain conditions are met. The niece or nephew must have worked substantially on a full-time basis for a period of five years prior to the gift or inheritance being given in carrying on, or assisting in the carrying on, the trade, business or profession, of the disponer.
There would be a significant cost in making substantial changes to the CAT thresholds such as the one proposed by the Deputy. The options available for setting CAT thresholds must be balanced against competing demands, and as part of the annual Budget and Finance Bill process.
255. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Finance if his Department or bodies under the aegis of his Department received funding support for projects of any kind from the United States of America International Development for the period 2016 to date in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5648/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy, that neither my Department or any of the bodies under the aegis of the Department, received funding support for projects of any kind from the United States of America International Development for the period 2016 to date.
256. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Finance the total amount on deposit in banks nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5688/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe total amount held on deposit with Irish resident Credit Institutions (including credit unions) as at end December 2024 was €324 billion, of which €159 billion relates to deposits from households and €87 billion relates to deposits from non-financial corporations. Further information can be found on the Central Bank website (see Table A.11.1 Deposits from Irish Private Sector - Sector and Category, available here).
The total amount held on deposit with Irish resident credit unions as at end December 2024 was €17.9 billion, a further breakdown is not available.
257. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Finance if consideration will be given to reviewing the deemed disposal tax on exchange traded funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5825/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe term “Exchange Traded Fund” or “ETF” is a general investment industry term that refers to a wide range of investments. ETF investments can take many different legal and regulatory forms even where they are established within the same jurisdiction.
An ETF is an investment fund that is traded on a regulated stock exchange. A typical ETF can be compared to a tracker fund in that it will seek to replicate a particular index.
There is no separate taxation regime specifically for ETFs. As collective investment funds, they generally come within the regimes set out in the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 for such funds. The domicile of the ETF will generally determine the applicable fund regime, specifically whether the ETF falls within the domestic fund regime or the offshore fund regime.
To assist taxpayers in determining the appropriate tax treatment for investments in ETFs, Revenue has published guidance which is available at www.revenue.ie/en/tax-professionals/tdm/income-tax-capital-gains-tax-corporation-tax/part-27/27-01a-03.pdf .
In October 2024, my predecessor published the ‘Funds Sector 2030: A Framework for Open, Resilient & Developing Markets’, a wide-ranging review of the funds and asset management sector. The Review fulfilled certain recommendations of the Commission on Taxation and Welfare 2022 report which called for, among other things, an examination of the taxation regime for funds and life assurance policies, with the goal of simplification and harmonisation where possible.
The Report arising from the Review sets out a series of recommendations to ensure that, in pursuit of continued growth in the funds and asset management sector, Ireland’s funds sector framework remains resilient, future-proofed, supportive of financial stability and a continued example of international best-practice. Recommendations 22 and 23 included consideration of the removal of the eight-year deemed disposal requirement for Irish domiciled funds and life products.
The 2025 Programme for Government has committed to progress and publish an implementation plan taking into consideration the Funds Review recommendations to unlock retail investment and opportunities to grow this sector in Ireland and I, working with my officials, will consider next steps in this regard over the coming months.
258. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Finance the number of new licenses issued to companies offering equity release requests and lifetime loans in the Irish market over the past 12 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5829/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Central Bank of Ireland is responsible for the supervision of all regulated financial service providers.
While it does not regulate or authorise firms on a product specific basis, firms which are involved in the general activity of providing credit or other type of financial accommodation to consumers, and which may include equity release type financial products such as lifetime mortgages or home reversion agreements, may be authorised as either a credit institution, a credit union, a retail credit firm or a home reversion firm.
The Central Bank’s Registers sets out all the firms that currently have such an authorisation and these are available on the ‘Registers’ section of the Central Bank’s website and are updated as and when necessary by the Central Bank. In addition to the Registers, the Central Bank advised that it published its inaugural ‘Authorisation and Gatekeeping Report in June 2024’ (which is also available on the Regulation section of the Central Bank website).
This report provides authorisation data for the period 1 January to 31 December 2023 and such a report will be published annually in the future. Prior to this, authorisations data was published as part of the Central Bank’s ‘Annual Report and Annual Performance Statement’ (copies of which can be found on the Annual Reports Archive section of the Central Bank website).
259. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Finance the gender breakdown of his Department in respect of principal officers, assistant secretaries and secretaries general, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5852/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to inform the Deputy that the gender breakdown in my Department in respect of Principal Officers, Assistant Secretaries and Secretary General is listed in Table A below:
Table A
|
Male |
Female |
Total |
|
|
Secretary General |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Assistant Secretary |
4 |
4 |
8 |
|
Principal Officer |
20 |
17 |
37 |
260. Deputy Seán Fleming asked the Minister for Finance to outline the situation regarding rent tax credit whereby hotel staff pay the hotel in respect of a property rented by the hotel from another source that provides accommodation for their staff at a reduced rate; and whether the hotel employees in this situation obtain the rent tax credit notwithstanding the staff names are not on the lease. [5919/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Rent Tax Credit ("RTC"), as provided for in section 473B of the Taxes Consolidation Act (“TCA”) 1997, was introduced by the Finance Act 2022 and may be claimed in respect of qualifying rent paid in 2022 and subsequent years to end-2025.
I am advised by Revenue that section 473B of the TCA, which provides for the RTC, is subject to a number of conditions.
In relation to this particular query, due to the limited information provided in relation to the nature of the tenancy it is not possible to provide a definitive view on whether the hotel staff in question are eligible for the RTC.
Further details in respect of the RTC, can be found at the links below:
• Tax and Duty Manual Part 15-01-11A - www.revenue.ie/en/tax-professionals/tdm/income-tax-capital-gains-tax-corporation-tax/part-15/ 15-01-11A.pdf
• Revenue website - www.revenue.ie/en/personal-tax-credits-reliefs-and-exemptions/land-and-property/rent-credit/index.aspx
The Deputy refers to the provision of accommodation to staff at a reduced rate. In this regard, section 118 TCA 1997, the general charging provision for the taxation of benefits in kind, provides for a charge to income tax in respect of the provision by a body corporate of certain benefits in kind which are not otherwise chargeable to income tax. The provision includes living or other accommodation provided for a director or employee and so may be applicable in this case.
Further information in relation to the tax treatment of the provision of free or subsidised accommodation can be found at the links below:
• Tax and Duty Manual Part 05-01-01c: www.revenue.ie/en/tax-professionals/tdm/income-tax-capital-gains-tax-corporation-tax/part-05/05-01-01c.pdf
• Revenue website: www.revenue.ie/en/employing-people/benefit-in-kind-for-employers/free-or-subsidised-accommodation/index.aspx
261. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Finance if the investigation services division of the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman has increased in terms of its resources; if so, the current number of complaints currently within that division; if the number of complaints increased during 2024; the current average timeframe for a complaint, once referred to the formal investigation process, to be completed by adjudication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5928/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (FSPO) is an independent and impartial statutory body that helps to resolve complaints from consumers, including small businesses and other organisations, about the conduct of regulated financial service providers and pension providers.
It plays an important role in the robust consumer protection framework in place in Ireland to support consumers of financial products and services.
The number of staff sanctioned in the FSPO was increased from 90 to 128 following the approval of the FSPO’s workforce plan in December 2023 by the Minister for Finance. This increase was necessary due to the increasing number of complaints being made to the FSPO. In 2023 alone, the number of complaints being received by the FSPO increased by almost 30% from 4,781 to 6,182.
Notwithstanding the increase in the number of complaints being received, the average length of time for a complaint to be closed within the FSPO is reducing, from 10 months in 2022 to 8.6 months in 2024.
85% of complaints are closed within 12 months, mainly through early-stage processes and mediation. The FSPO has succeeded in reducing the average time to closure of complaints by proactively leveraging these processes.
Certain more complex complaints, including those requiring a formal adjudication take longer to resolve. This reflects the fact that adjudications by the Ombudsman are legally binding and accordingly, it is important that every decision arrived at, has followed due process and allowed both parties to make submissions and offer observations on the evidence and on the other party’s submissions, as appropriate.
The process whereby each party can make observations on the other party’s submissions continues until both parties are satisfied that they have nothing further to add.
In order to meet the challenge of investigating and adjudicating on these complex complaints, the staff headcount in the Investigation Services Division in the FSPO is being increased.
In January 2024 there were 16 members of staff in the Investigation Services Division. Due to recruitment throughout the year, there were 28 members of staff by the end of 2024. The FSPO also has an ongoing recruitment for a panel of decision drafters and expects to have six additional members of staff in place in the coming months.
There were 2,853 complaints in the Investigation Services Division as at 12 February 2025. At the end of 2024 there were 2,807 complaints and at the end of 2023 there were 2,571 complaints.
Complaints that enter the formal investigation process can be closed primarily through a legally binding decision or settlement.
The current average timeframe for a non-tracker mortgage complaint, once referred to the formal investigation process and then closed within the formal investigation process is 28 months. The time scales for tracker mortgage complaints have been longer and when these are included the average length of time to closure is 34 months.
Tracker mortgage complaints take much longer to resolve. While the volume of new tracker mortgage complaints has fallen since 2018, the FSPO is still receiving tracker mortgage complaints. In 2018 when the FSPO was established, it inherited 600 tracker complaints and received 700 additional tracker complaints in that year alone.
The timelines for tracker mortgage complaints have also been impacted by periods when some complaints were on hold, for example due to the Tracker Mortgage Examination conducted by the Central Bank of Ireland or due to statutory appeals to the High Court.
262. Deputy Seán Fleming asked the Minister for Finance the reason people in receipt of the State pension have to pay income tax on this in situations where they have a separate pension from their previous employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5947/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 19 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 (TCA 1997) provides that income from offices or employments, and from annuities, pensions, or stipends payable out of State funds, is within the charge to tax under Schedule E. In addition, section 126 (2) TCA 1997 specifically provides that State Pension (contributory) are deemed to be emoluments to which Chapter 4 of Part 42 applies.
Accordingly, the State pension (contributory) and any occupational pensions are subject to tax under Schedule E.
The State pension is paid gross to the recipient. Where an individual is in receipt of the State pension from the Department of Social Protection (DSP) and also has an additional source of income, such as an occupational pension, generally the mechanism used to collect the tax due on the State pension payment is by reducing the individual’s annual tax credits and rate band by the annual amount of their State pension income. Tax due on both the State pension and any additional income will therefore be deducted from the additional income, only.
It is important to point out that the current tax arrangements for persons aged 65 or older compare favourably with the tax treatment of the generality of taxpayers. For example, the age tax credit is available to persons aged 65 or over, and reduced rates of USC apply for persons aged 70 or older where their total income is €60,000 or less per annum. Furthermore, the State Contributory Pension and the State Non-Contributory Pension are not chargeable to USC or Pay Related Social Insurance.
Finally, the Commission on Taxation and Welfare recommended that age should be removed as a factor for determining the charge to income tax and USC as it narrows the base and breaches the concept of horizontal equity. Further details are set out in the Report of the Commission, at the following link - www.gov.ie/en/publication/7fbeb-report-of-the-commission/.
263. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Finance the estimated full year cost to increase the number of dog detector teams within Revenue Commissioners to 50; and the last time this number was increased. [5958/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraRevenue currently operates 26 detector dog teams, including one team working on behalf of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. I am advised by Revenue that four new detector dog teams are due to begin training in Q2 of this year and will be fully operational by Q3, bringing Revenue’s complement of detector dog teams to 30.
The year one cost of each detector dog team is approximately €100,000. This includes the cost of a trained detector dog, salary of the handler, training for the handler with the dog, transport, and kennelling arrangements. Subsequent costs associated with each detector dog team is approximately €40,000 per annum. This includes salary, allowances, uniform, food, vet bills and other related costs. Should the number of detector dog teams increase to 50, the estimated full cost in one year, including costs associated with 24 new teams, would be approximately €3.5m.
I am aware that Revenue’s detector dog teams, although an integral element of its compliance framework, are just one component of a suite of detection equipment and technologies deployed to target fraud, illicit trade, smuggling and organised crime. Scan technology is deployed at all points of entry that work in tandem with the detector dog teams. Operational requirements regarding the deployment and use of detection technology and resources, including detector dog teams, are kept under regular review having regard to ongoing risk assessment of smuggling and criminal activities and evolving operational needs.
I am strongly supportive of Revenue having the necessary resources to fulfil its mandate in respect of its responsibilities, responsibilities that are critical for its effective functioning as a tax and customs administration and for the effective functioning of the State generally. I am always open to considering any proposals from Revenue regarding additional resources to support its important work in targeting fraud, illicit trade and smuggling in light of developments and experience.
264. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Finance if he will review the qualifying criteria for the primary medical certificate, particularly in relation to stroke patients, who may have significant mobility limitations but do not meet the existing narrow criteria; if consideration will be given to amending the eligibility requirements to better reflect the challenges faced by individuals who have lost the use of one hand and one leg on the same side due to stroke; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6060/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy should note that my Department and I share concerns that the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme or DDS is no longer fit-for-purpose and believe it should be replaced with a needs-based, grant-led approach for necessary vehicle adaptations that could serve to improve the functional mobility of the individual.
However, this is very much a matter for Government as whilst my Department has oversight of the DDS, I do not have responsibility for disability policy.
As the Deputy may be aware the National Disability & Inclusion Strategy or NDIS Transport Working Group recommended that the DDS be replaced with a modern, fit-for-purpose vehicular adaptation scheme. This is in line with the general view that we need to move away from a medical criteria-based approach to a needs-based approach.
Under the aegis of the Department of the Taoiseach, the sub-group convened to progress NDIS proposals for needs-based, grant-aided, modern vehicle adaptation supports to replace the DDS, have generated a report that has been submitted to the Department of the Taoiseach, for its consideration.
In that context, any further changes to the existing DDS would run counter to NDIS proposals to entirely replace the scheme with a modern, fit-for-purpose vehicular adaptation scheme.
265. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Finance if he accepts the view of other central banks such as the Bank of England on a matter (details supplied) in relation to commercial banks and the process of money creation. [6066/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI take it the Deputy is referring to papers issued by the Deutsche Bundesbank and the Bank of England respectively. The Deutsche Bundesbank paper is as I understand it a paper which comments on the role of banks, non-banks and the central bank in the money creation process. The Bank of England’s paper comments on the creation of money in the modern economy. In very broad terms the papers describe how credit is provided in a modern economy taking into account interplay between the various factors and institutions involved.
These papers have been issued by the respective institutions and are publicly available on the respective Central Banks website. It would be inappropriate for me to comment on papers issued by such Central Banks. As the Deputy is aware monetary policy in the Euro Zone is the function of the European Central Bank.
The Central Bank of Ireland has provided me with the following information on the matter.
The Central Bank agrees that commercial banks do not simply act as intermediaries, lending out deposits placed by savers. Banks can, in principle, create new monetary purchasing power by providing loans without the need for pre-existing deposits. However, this ability to create money through lending is not without limit. Other important considerations include banks’ own assessment of the implications of new lending for their profitability, solvency and compliance with capital regulations.
266. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Finance the progress of the work programme developed to examine the recommendations of the Funds Sector 2030 review, in particular, the scope to further unlock retail investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6093/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra'Funds Sector 2030: A Framework for Open, Resilient & Developing Markets’ has been a wide-ranging review of the funds and asset management sector. The report was published on 22 October 2024.
The report made forty-two recommendations in total, including eight recommendations on the topic of retail investment. These include recommendations to better align the tax on investment funds and life assurance products with that of direct equities by removing deemed disposal and aligning the rate of tax to 33%.
The Programme for Government has committed to progress and publish an implementation plan for consideration in Budget 2026 taking into consideration the Funds Review recommendations to unlock retail investment and opportunities to grow this sector in Ireland. Work on delivering on this commitment has already begun.
267. Deputy Shay Brennan asked the Minister for Finance his response to the issue of divestment by the Ireland strategic investment fund from all companies involved in illegal Israeli settlements (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6096/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe UN maintains a database of businesses involved in certain specified activities relating to settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, OPT. The UN list was developed in 2020 with a qualified update in 2023.
At the end of 2023, direct investments by the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund, ISIF, in companies on the UN database was approximately €4.2 million in 11 companies. ISIF’s indirect investments included eight companies, totalling approximately €9.4 million. ISIF divested from six of these companies with a total value of approximately €2.95 million in 2024. The six companies were Bank Hapoalim BM, Bank Leumi-le Israel BM, Israel Discount Bank Limited, Mizrahi Tefahot Bank Limited, First International Bank Limited and Rami Levi Chain Stores Limited.
ISIF continues to monitor its holdings to ensure that investments are within ISIF’s risk profile and investment parameters. Given commercial sensitivities, ISIF does not comment on individual investment decisions. ISIF publishes information on the overall return of its global portfolio as part of the National Treasury Management Agency's, NTMA, annual report but does not publish a breakdown of returns by each individual investment.
The amount of investment by ISIF in the companies on the UN list is small compared with the market capitalisation of many of these companies. It is also small - if not very small - relative to the size of the overall Israeli economy.
The issue of whether investments by ISIF in particular companies which, as part of their business model, have some activity in the occupied Palestinian territories runs contrary to the rulings of the International Court of Justice would need further consideration. I understand that discussion is ongoing at EU level on a legal analysis of the advisory opinion from the Court.
The National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment) Act 2014 sets out ISIF’s mandate with regard to the investment of the fund. Under the amendment Act, the agency has responsibility for determining, monitoring and keeping under review an investment strategy for the fund in accordance with the investment policy for the fund.
ISIF has a policy of limited disinvestment in respect of its holdings. For example, the Fossil Fuel Divestment Act 2018 provides for the divestment by ISIF from certain fossil fuel undertakings. This builds on ISIF’s existing investment exclusionary strategy in respect of cluster munitions and anti-personnel mines, coal production and processing and tobacco manufacturing.
268. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Finance the actions being taken by his Department to prevent the advertisement and sale of illicit tobacco products online; his Department’s engagement to date with social media companies to detect and prevent such activity; if measures such as the removal of social media profiles engaged in such activity are being considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6111/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra269. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Finance to provide an update on the work of the Joint Agency Task Force in tackling excise fraud; the key enforcement actions undertaken by the task force in the past 12 months; the number of investigations into organised crime groups involved in excise fraud initiated through the task force in each respective year from 2020 to 2024, inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6112/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 268 and 269 together.
I am advised by Revenue that it uses a range of measures to tackle the sale of illicit cigarettes, including online sales. At the core of these measures is identifying and targeting the smuggling of illicit tobacco products into the State, with a view to disrupting the supply chain, seizing the products and, where possible, prosecuting those involved. Revenue’s strategy involves developing and sharing intelligence on a national, EU and international basis, the use of analytics and detection technologies, which includes analysis of online activities, and ensuring the optimum deployment of resources on a risk-focused basis.
Revenue regularly carries out analysis of online activity related to the sale of illicit tobacco products. When such activity is discovered, Revenue takes the appropriate steps to identify and prosecute such individuals and also seize the illicit goods.
I am advised that Revenue have not engaged directly with online media platforms in relation to tobacco products being offered for sale online. It is the role of Coimisiún na Meán to assess if providers of an online platform are meeting their obligations under the Digital Services Act in relation to illegal content,?and to make sure that they have user-friendly and accessible reporting mechanisms in place for users. Under the Digital Services Act, online platforms are obliged to remove illegal content once it has been reported to them. Coimisiún na Meán cannot compel the immediate removal of illegal content and does not carry out a content moderation role, or act as an appeal body from decisions of providers of online platforms in relation to illegal content. Content that is believed to be illegal online should be in the first instance reported to the social media platform. If the platform does not act on the illegal content, this can then be reported to Coimisiún na Meán.
The smuggling of tobacco products has a transnational and cross border dimension and, in addition to Revenue’s ongoing cooperation with An Garda Síochána in this area, Revenue also works closely with its counterparts in other jurisdictions including colleagues in Northern Ireland through the cross border Joint Agency Task Force (JATF), and international bodies including OLAF (the EU’s anti-fraud agency), Europol and the World Customs Organisation.
The cross border Joint Agency Task Force (JATF) was established under the 2015 Fresh Start Agreement and is an excellent example of successful cross border partnership to tackle organised and cross jurisdictional crime on the island of Ireland. It is led by senior officers on both a strategic and operational level from Revenue, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), An Garda Síochána and the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) with the Criminal Assets Bureau and National Crime Agency involved as needed in operational activity. Revenue alongside HMRC lead on the Excise Fraud Priority. The JATF promotes real-time collaboration between Revenue and HMRC in efforts to disrupt the activities of organised crime groups involved in serious excise fraud.
I am advised by Revenue, that the JATF reports are produced twice yearly. The most recent report relates to the period April 2024 to September 2024 and highlights a number of specific joint operational successes including in the areas of excise fraud, drugs trafficking and rural crime. There were 4 excise operations outlined in the most recent report and 8 for the previous reporting period (1 October 2023 to 31 March 2024), highlighting the significant level of cooperation and operational activity between Revenue and HMRC in tackling Excise Fraud.
The number of investigations into organised crime groups involved in excise fraud initiated through the task force in each respective year is outlined in tabular form below:
|
Reporting Period |
No. of Operations |
|
2020 |
7 |
|
2021 |
5 |
|
2022 |
8 |
|
2023 |
5 |
|
2024 |
8 |
I am pleased to say that Revenue has achieved considerable success in tackling the smuggling and sale of illicit tobacco products in 2024, with total seizures of over 112m cigarettes seized in 2024 valued at €95.6m and 39,407kg of tobacco seized valued at €32.6m. In addition, there were 75 summary convictions and €189,277 in fines relating to tobacco offences imposed by the courts in 2024.
I am aware that Revenue monitors trends in the illicit tobacco trade on an ongoing basis and adjusts its actions and redeploys its resources to counter any new developments or methodologies employed by the criminal gangs involved in that trade.
I am satisfied that combating the threat that the illicit tobacco trade poses to legitimate business, consumers, and the Exchequer continues to be a priority for Revenue.
Finally, if businesses or members of the public have any information regarding the sale or supply of illicit tobacco products, they can contact Revenue on the confidential free phone number 1800 295 295.
270. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Finance if he has considered the Funds Sector 2030 report recommendations on the taxation of investment funds and life assurance policies; if so, if he is considering any suggested taxation changes in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6144/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn October 2024, my predecessor published the ‘Funds Sector 2030: A Framework for Open, Resilient & Developing Markets’, a wide-ranging review of the funds and asset management sector. The Review fulfilled certain recommendations of the Commission on Taxation and Welfare 2022 report which called for, among other things, an examination of the taxation regime for funds and life assurance policies, with the goal of simplification and harmonisation where possible.
The Report arising from the Review sets out a series of recommendations to ensure that, in pursuit of continued growth in the funds and asset management sector, Ireland’s funds sector framework remains resilient, future-proofed, supportive of financial stability and a continued example of international best-practice. Recommendations 22 and 23 included consideration of reforms to the taxation of Irish domiciled funds and to the taxation of Irish domiciled life products.
The 2025 Programme for Government has committed to progress and publish an implementation plan taking into consideration the Funds Review recommendations to unlock retail investment and opportunities to grow this sector in Ireland, and I, working with my officials, will consider next steps in this regard over the coming months.
271. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Finance to provide details of the empty buildings, by county, in his Department’s portfolio; the value of the property; the length of time they have lain empty; and the physical status of each building, in tabular form. [6230/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is provided with accommodation by the OPW and does not own any properties.
