Results 321-340 of 1,035,935 for in 'Dáil debates' OR in 'Committee meetings' (speaker:Mick Barry OR speaker:Frank O'Rourke OR speaker:Mairead Farrell OR speaker:Denis Naughten OR speaker:Seán Sherlock)

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Universal Social Charge (4 Jul 2024)

Jack Chambers: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. The universal social charge was designed and incorporated into the Irish taxation system in 2011 to replace two other charges - the health and income levies. The primary purpose of the USC was to widen the tax base and provide steady income to the Exchequer to provide funding for public services. The USC is an individualised tax, meaning that a...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Universal Social Charge (4 Jul 2024)

Paul Murphy: Does the Minister accept that the universal social charge was introduced effectively as a bank bailout tax? Always in answer to this question, it is stated that the USC combined two taxes, but in reality it was a massive increase in those taxes, generating a lot more revenue for the State. It was intended to be a temporary measure. It was an emergency measure in response to the crisis, to...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Tax Code (4 Jul 2024)

Jack Chambers: To give some context, the VAT rate for hospitality in Ireland compares favourably to our nearest neighbour, as Britain and Northern Ireland maintain a 20% VAT rate for the sector. Across the whole EU, Ireland is one of 14 countries with a rate at 12% or higher for hospitality. On accommodation, Ireland is one of seven member states that have a rate at 12% or higher. The Government has...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Tax Code (4 Jul 2024)

Verona Murphy: With due respect, clearly everything I outlined in my first contribution highlighted that those business supports are only able to counteract the rising costs. They are not actually assisting businesses, which are going bust, for the want of a better expression, simply because we do not have people with high-end jobs and residual income to be able to go out and spend on a night out due to...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Tax Code (4 Jul 2024)

Jack Chambers: We will engage with the business community. It is important to say that the context now is different from it was during the Covid pandemic and the very high and difficult levels of inflation we experienced in the economy. We are entering a more regular budgetary environment. We will set out more on that the summer economic statement next week. With inflation easing, we expect the domestic...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Vehicle Registration Tax (4 Jul 2024)

Vehicle Registration Tax

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Vehicle Registration Tax (4 Jul 2024)

Thomas Pringle: 73. To ask the Minister for Finance the progress made by his Department on the implementation of a new VRT system for disabled drivers, to enable them to purchase and modify vehicles for themselves; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28918/24]

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Vehicle Registration Tax (4 Jul 2024)

Thomas Pringle: This question concerns the VRT scheme for disabled drivers. As the Minister will know, this has been on hold now since 2012 or 2013 and we have been waiting for a new scheme to come into place that will meet the needs of disabled drivers. What is the updated position in this regard?

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Vehicle Registration Tax (4 Jul 2024)

Jack Chambers: I thank Deputy Pringle for asking this question about the disabled and disabled passengers scheme, DDS. This scheme provides relief from VRT and VAT on the use of 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, who meet one of six medical criteria as a driver or as a passenger and...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Vehicle Registration Tax (4 Jul 2024)

Thomas Pringle: At least the Department has changed the wording around a wee bit in this answer. Everybody who has asked a question about what is happening as regards changes to this scheme in recent years has received the same answer. At least a bit of initiative was shown to make it sound a bit different. In reality, however, basically nothing is happening. What is going to be done now is that another...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Vehicle Registration Tax (4 Jul 2024)

Jack Chambers: I accept and acknowledge that this matter has been going on for too long and too many years without an outcome and that it is impacting many people across our country. As I said, I have been informed that significant work is now ongoing on this issue, led by the Department of the Taoiseach, and we expect a report on that in the autumn. It is about giving effect to and trying to make...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Vehicle Registration Tax (4 Jul 2024)

Thomas Pringle: Would a new scheme in line with international best practice take 12 years to design and put in place? I do not think that is in line with any best practice anywhere along the way. If the report the Minister referred to is prepared and ready for the autumn, will this be in time for the budget and for provisions to be made for a new scheme to be in place in January 2025? Is that what the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Fuel Prices (4 Jul 2024)

Pearse Doherty: So the Minister will push ahead with pushing up petrol and diesel prices on 1 August and again in October despite his predecessor giving indications that this was likely not to happen. That would be my reading of it in terms of the language and tone he was using. That is really disappointing. Petrol prices are 23% higher than three years ago. Diesel prices are 28% higher. We have never...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Fuel Prices (4 Jul 2024)

Neale Richmond: Two years ago, the Deputy was demanding an early budget.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Fuel Prices (4 Jul 2024)

Pearse Doherty: Two years ago it was Covid and exceptional circumstances so there was an early budget. I am making the point that the Minister is deciding to go into the budget without sight of the crucial September tax returns, which every previous Minister for Finance has said is crucial to the input of the budget. That is fine if they want to bring it forward but let us not pretend it is because of a...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Fuel Prices (4 Jul 2024)

Jack Chambers: I am not sure what question the Deputy is asking. Is he talking about the actual parliamentary question he asked or is he asking about the date of the budget? As he knows, Sinn Féin called for an earlier budget two years ago when we were responding to the cost-of-living challenges. We have to submit our wider fiscal and budgetary framework to the European Commission, as he will be...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Fuel Prices (4 Jul 2024)

Pearse Doherty: But the Government will not have the September figures.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Fuel Prices (4 Jul 2024)

Jack Chambers: To respond to the Deputy's question, I have said that we will keep this matter of excise under review. We have seen a reduction in the national average prices, which in May were €1.84 and €1.78, and the most recent prices as of 1 July were €1.77 for petrol and €1.69 for diesel.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Fuel Prices (4 Jul 2024)

Pearse Doherty: To clarify, every Minister for Finance knows that the September returns are crucial. Deputy Chambers knows this as well. We know the importance of corporation tax here. Companies have to file by September. Is he telling this House that he is bringing forward the budget without sight of the September returns? This is what it appears to be. That is fine if he is making that decision but...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Fuel Prices (4 Jul 2024)

Neale Richmond: The question was on diesel prices.