Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Tax Exemptions

Pearse Doherty

188. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance his views on the appropriateness of a company or proprietary director withdrawing up to €2.15 million from a company in a single year through an employer contribution to a PRSA, and availing of full tax deductibility, including corporation tax relief; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7404/24]

Flood Relief Schemes

Pearse Doherty

189. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if flood relief plans or river drainage works are planned to deal with the repeated flooding of the area between Ballyshannon and Belleek, County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7400/24]

Special Educational Needs

Pearse Doherty

153. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education if a school (details supplied) in County Donegal will be granted an ASD unit on its premises; if she is aware of the importance of this matter given that the closest school with an ASD room will no longer have spaces in September; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6841/24]

Mental Health Services

Pearse Doherty

301. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if Donegal Mental Health Intellectual Disability Service will provide help and support for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6728/24]

School Accommodation

Pearse Doherty

97. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education if she is aware of the urgency in finding a resolution to the issue of children and parents crossing the road to attend a school (details supplied) in Donegal, given that another near fatal incident occurred recently; if she plans to deal with the situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6039/24]

School Accommodation

Pearse Doherty

126. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education the reason for the delay with the promised SEN provision for a school in Donegal (details supplied), which includes an extension to the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6390/24]

School Accommodation

Pearse Doherty

267. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 246 of 21 November 2023, if she will provide an update and a timeframe for an extension to a school (details supplied) consisting of an additional modular classroom, which was approved in March 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6087/24]

Special Educational Needs

Pearse Doherty

274. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education the reason for the delay with the promised SEN provision for a school (details supplied), which includes an extension to the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6140/24]

Tax Credits

Pearse Doherty

454. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection for an update on commitments made to introduce a mortgage interest supplement for those with insufficient income tax liability to avail of the mortgage interest tax credit introduced in the Finance Act 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6554/24]

Hospital Services

Pearse Doherty

583. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if a bed can be provided for a person in St Joseph’s Community Hospital, Stranorlar, County Donegal (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6294/24]

Further and Higher Education

Pearse Doherty

615. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 1814 and 1813 of 17 January 2024, when full responses will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6327/24]

Financial Services

Pearse Doherty

166. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the total number of complaints made with regard to the operation and services provided by the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively; and if he will consider the value of introducing an independent assessor in order to independently assess complaints and make recommendations to the FSPO and the Minister; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6013/24]

Financial Services

Pearse Doherty

167. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will clarify the jurisdiction of the FSPO with respect to complaints made regarding entities that were not regulated by the Central Bank prior to a particular date, where the complaint concerns a time prior to that date; and if legislative provisions are possible to address this. [6019/24]

Financial Services

Pearse Doherty

168. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the number of complaints (case) handlers operating in the Financial Services and Pension Ombudsman in each of the years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively; the number of current vacancies for the role of complaint (case) handler at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6020/24]

Financial Services

Pearse Doherty

169. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the number of complaints submitted to the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman which are yet to be allocated to a complaint handler, disaggregated by the number of weeks since they were first submitted; the number of complaints submitted to the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman which are yet to have a preliminary decision issued disaggregated, by the number of weeks since they were first submitted; the number of complaints submitted to the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman which are yet to have a final decision issued disaggregated by the number of weeks since they were first submitted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6021/24]

Public Sector Pay

Pearse Doherty

171. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the first year cost of the recently announced and proposed public sector pay deal; and if, following its implementation, it will require a further revised estimate for 2024. [5897/24]

Legislative Measures

Pearse Doherty

190. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the provisions of the Digital Services Act with respect to online platforms which platform fraudulent advertising on their channels, the requirements, obligations and sanctions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5899/24]

School Transport

Pearse Doherty

205. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education when a response will issue to communication regarding school transport for a child (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5891/24]

Television Licence Fee

Pearse Doherty

210. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of summonses applied for, and the number of cases brought to court, respectively, with respect to non-payment of the TV license in each of the years 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. [5895/24]

Crime Prevention

Pearse Doherty

249. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Justice if her Department is considering the establishment of a shared fraud information database to permit financial service providers to share information on accounts or payments which are suspected or known to result from fraudulent activity; if her Department is considering legislative provisions to give effect to the establishment of a shared fraud information database; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5898/24]

Tax Code

Pearse Doherty

100. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if ACRES payments, both under the general and co-operation projects, are subject to income tax and USC, his views on same, if he will comment on scenarios where an individual receiving two ACRES payments in 2024 will be subject to a greater level of taxation than would otherwise have been the case had ACRES payments been paid in 2023 and 2024 as previously announced, and, as a consequence, will receive a lower level of after-tax support under ACRES, if he is considering action to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5025/24]

National Minimum Wage

Pearse Doherty

158. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the estimated number of workers who benefitted from the increase in the minimum wage in 2024; the number of workers who will benefit from the second step in moving towards the living wage in 2025; and the number of workers who will benefit from the third step in moving towards the living wage in 2026. [5689/24]

School Facilities

Pearse Doherty

193. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education when the summer works scheme will open; if she is aware of how important the opening of the scheme is for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5219/24]

Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence

Pearse Doherty

321. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Justice the reason Tusla have not yet committed to a budget for the Donegal Sexual Abuse and Rape Crisis Centre for the following year, if she can provide any assurances to staff who still await confirmation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4978/24]

Agriculture Schemes

Pearse Doherty

384. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if ACRES payments, both under the general and co-operation projects, are subject to income tax and USC, his views on same, if he will comment on scenarios where an individual receiving two ACRES payments in 2024 will be subject to a greater level of taxation than would otherwise have been the case had ACRES payments been paid in 2023 and 2024 as previously announced, and, as a consequence, will receive a lower level of after-tax support under ACRES, if he is considering action to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5026/24]

General Practitioner Services

Pearse Doherty

486. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will be allocated a GP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5017/24]

Home Help Service

Pearse Doherty

523. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if home help support can be provided for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal following an operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5253/24]

Defective Building Materials

Pearse Doherty

79. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance for an update on his engagement with an organisation (details supplied) and his Department with respect to the defective concrete blocks redress scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4692/24]

Tax Reliefs

Pearse Doherty

81. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide details of the estimated deadweight costs associated with the rented residential relief introduced in the Finance Act 2023; his views of the costs, inequity and effectiveness of the measure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4693/24]

State Bodies

Pearse Doherty

104. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance his response to the recent letter from the Chairperson of the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council with respect to a proposal to reduce the rate of pay associated with the chairperson role; if he has concerns that such a proposal risks diminishing the role and capacity of the council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4622/24]

Financial Services

Pearse Doherty

120. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he and his Department are considering measures to tackle financial fraud and scams; to outline policy considerations in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4620/24]

Tax Exemptions

Pearse Doherty

126. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance his views on the small benefit exemption and, in particular the restriction by which only the first two benefits qualify for the exemption, regardless of their combined value falling beneath the threshold of €1,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4618/24]

Tax Code

Pearse Doherty

129. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider increasing the rate and reducing the threshold at which the 10% stamp duty with respect to the purchase of certain residential property applies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4619/24]

Tax Code

Pearse Doherty

143. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware of Revenue no longer accepting certain items of expenditure for the construction, extension, alteration or reconstruction of farm buildings or structures with respect to VAT refunds for unregistered farmers; if he has engaged with Revenue on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4621/24]

Tax Code

Pearse Doherty

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]

Tax Code

Pearse Doherty

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]

Tax Code

Pearse Doherty

222. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the estimated cost of reducing the rate of VAT from 13.5% to 9% with respect to services (details supplied) of the kind normally supplied in fairgrounds or amusement parks and hairdressing services, to end-2024 and in full-year terms, respectively, disaggregated by service type listed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4842/24]

Passport Services

Pearse Doherty

6. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if passports will issue for children (details supplied) in County Donegal in time for a travel date of 14 February 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4331/24]

Dental Services

Pearse Doherty

156. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when orthodontic treatment will commence for a child (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4379/24]

Tax Code

Pearse Doherty

210. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance how the 10% stamp duty applicable with respect to the purchase of ten or more relevant residential units applies to forward funding agreements and forward purchase agreements, respectively. [3757/24]

Tax Data

Pearse Doherty

211. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 359 of 17 January 2024, his Department’s understanding of the discrepancy between the 395 properties with respect to which the ten percent stamp duty was payable in 2022 and figures from the Central Statistics Office which indicate that 2,053 houses were purchased by Finance and Insurance Real Estate sectors in 2022 (table HPA12); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3760/24]

International Protection

Pearse Doherty

454. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will house refugees in a property (details supplied) whilst an enforcement action detailing significant issues with the development has been issued against the property by the local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4271/24]

Hospital Appointments Status

Pearse Doherty

514. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) in County Donegal will receive a date for surgery at Our Lady's Children's Hospital CHI Crumlin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3852/24]

Departmental Data

Pearse Doherty

264. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of residential units purchased by non-household entities, excluding public bodies and local authorities, in 2022, disaggregated by house and apartment. [3610/24]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Pearse Doherty

350. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person in County Donegal (details supplied) can expect a date for an operation in the Mater Hospital, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3481/24]

Housing Policy

Pearse Doherty

94. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he is considering increasing the 10% rate of stamp duty with respect to the bulk purchase of certain residential property; his views and the views of his Department on the effectiveness of the current rate, given the increased number of properties purchased which were subject to the 10% rate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3328/24]

Housing Policy

Pearse Doherty

95. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the number of residential units where a filing has been made but not yet executed with respect to the 10% rate of stamp duty applying to the acquisition of certain residential property where a person acquires at least ten such units during any 12-month period, in 2023, disaggregated by county if possible. [3347/24]

Housing Provision

Pearse Doherty

139. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of new social housing dwelling completions in each of the periods May 2021 to end 2021, 2022 and 2023, including Part V, disaggregated by county. [3326/24]

Tax Yield

Pearse Doherty

208. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if, given the fact that revenue raised by the increase in the carbon tax in 2024, estimated at €117 million and €152 million in first and full-year terms respectively (provided in page 4 of the Budget 2024 document ‘Tax Policy Changes’), revenue raised by legislated increases in the carbon tax is not provided within the revenue base for subsequent years (2025, 2026, etc.); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2539/24]

Tax Reliefs

Pearse Doherty

209. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance his views on the need for taxpayers to file a tax return in order to avail of mortgage interest relief; if he is concerned that said requirement could act as a disincentive for eligible taxpayers to apply for this relief; his Department’s understanding of the rationale for this method of application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2545/24]