Results 861-880 of 1,030,052 for in 'Dáil debates' OR in 'Committee meetings' (speaker:Pádraic McCormack OR speaker:Michael Moynihan OR speaker:Richard O'Donoghue)

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Banking Sector (4 Jul 2024)

Michael Moynihan: I ask the Minister for Finance about the actions he and his Department are taking about the future evolution of cash infrastructure in the State, both to ensure cash is legal tender and acceptable, and that it is managed in a fair, orderly, transparent and equitable manner.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Banking Sector (4 Jul 2024)

Jack Chambers: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. The Department of Finance's retail banking review published in November 2022 concluded that cash still has an important place in our economy and it recommended that the Department of Finance develop access to cash legislation to establish a framework to ensure that the future evolution of cash infrastructure in the State will be managed in a fair,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Banking Sector (4 Jul 2024)

Michael Moynihan: It is hugely important that the Bill be brought in as a matter of urgency because, as the Minister stated, it is important that cash is available. It remains a critical part of our economy in so many ways. There were issues with cash being withdrawn from various banks and so forth in rural and urban communities. That has thankfully stopped, but it is important there is a sound basis in...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Banking Sector (4 Jul 2024)

Jack Chambers: I agree with the Deputy's points, particularly with regard to rural communities and the regions. That is why a specified percentage of the population must be no less than 5 km and no more than 10 km from an ATM. There must be a specified number of ATMs per 100,000 people and a specified percentage of the population must be within 10 km of a cash service point. These are locations where...

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

Universal Social Charge

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

Richard Boyd Barrett: 76. To ask the Minister for Finance whether in the forthcoming budget he will give a break to ordinary workers by abolishing the USC for those earning less than €100,000 per year, given that it was originally proposed as a temporary emergency tax in the austerity period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28565/24]

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

Paul Murphy: This is the Minister's first set of questions as Minister for Finance. He could make himself popular if he were to announce that the Government is going to scrap what is probably the most hated tax in history, the universal social charge that was introduced as a temporary charge. Will he announce its scrapping for all income under €100,000?

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...