Written Answers Nos. 138-153
138. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport to confirm his recognition of the recent High Court Judgment in respect of the CIÉ 1951 pension scheme; if he will take steps to ensure that the benefits of the 1951 scheme active members will be protected and maintained, and that 1951 scheme pensioners will be awarded their long-awaited pension increase without delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23345/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe case in relation to the rules governing the 1951 scheme are currently subject to ongoing legal proceedings before the Commercial Court. The Hearing commenced on 24 May 2022 for 4 days. While original indications were that a judgement would be expected in the Autumn of 2022, the matter was deferred on multiple occasions, with the judgment being delivered on 19 April 2024.
In his judgement, Mr. Justice Mark Sanfey found that both CIÉ and the 1951 Scheme members were obliged to provide funding to the pension scheme to resolve any solvency issues. Justice Sanfey instructed both sides to consider what orders should be made on foot of the judgment ahead of a hearing date on 14th June 2024. The Department continues to engage with CIÉ, and advisors in NewERA in relation to this matter.
Concerning pension increases for CIÉ pensioners, I understand that an increase for pensioners would only be possible when the Schemes are capable of sustaining such increases. Furthermore, any such proposal would be dependent on the advice of the Scheme Actuary at the time an increase is proposed, and is done in agreement with the Trustees of the Schemes.
Accordingly, I have forwarded the aspect of Deputy's question related to an increase in pension payments for 1951 pension scheme members to CIÉ for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
139. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport if he can confirm that CIÉ will immediately comply with its legal obligations to appoint CIÉ board-nominated members to the statutory CIÉ 1951 Scheme Pensions Committee, pursuant to rule 12 of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23346/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport in Ireland.
Issues in relation to Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ) pension schemes are primarily a matter for the trustees of the pension schemes, the CIÉ Group and their employees. This includes matters relating to board-nominated members.
Therefore, I have referred the Deputy's questions to CIÉ for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
140. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Transport if he will make additional resources available to local authorities in 2024 for the community involvement scheme, in view of the inclement weather to date 2024 and its impact on rural roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23347/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of local authorities, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from Councils' own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.
In 2018, the Department introduced ring-fenced funding for Community Involvement Schemes (CIS). The purpose of the CIS is to facilitate local community participation in the repair of local roads. The focus of the programme is on the repair of more lightly trafficked public roads which might not be high on the list of a local authority's annual roadwork programme. Under the scheme a local community can contribute in money or in kind, for example by making labour or machinery available.
While community contributions in the range 15% to 30% had been required up to 2021, depending on the mix between works and monies, the contribution rate has now been reduced to a minimum of 10% for monetary contributions and 20% for works contribution. This is more in line with Local Improvement Scheme contribution rates.
In order to allow for sufficient planning and applications for this scheme, local authorities are invited to apply for funding for CIS projects for a two-year programme with the latest round of applications received in 2023 for the 2024/2025 period.
Grant allocations for 2024 were issued in February this year with €13m being made available to local authorities under the CIS grant.
The CIS is purely voluntary and does not take away from the statutory responsibilities of each road authority. It is intended to be an extra option, where suitable, for local authorities and communities to address issues on tertiary roads where needed.
It is important to reiterate that the annual programme of works is decided by the local authorities, and the Department has no role in this process. All funding for regional and local roads has, to date, been fully allocated.
141. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport if the toilet facilities in Athy and Newbridge train stations are open; if so, the open times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23356/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the 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 issue of the provision and operation of toilet facilities at Athy and Newbridge train stations mentioned by the Deputy is an operational matter for Iarnród Éireann and I have therefore forwarded the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply.
Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
142. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Transport the reason a former station master's house at Glendonnell, Mullinavat, County Kilkenny, lies vacant during a housing crisis; the reason such properties are not being sold; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23408/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport in Ireland.
The property affairs of CIÉ are matters for the CIÉ Board in accordance with the provisions of the Transport Acts 1950 and 1964. Accordingly, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to CIÉ for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
143. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the roll-out of additional average speed cameras and the nine new static speed cameras; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23412/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the operation and management of national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Infrastructure Guidelines and the necessary statutory approvals.
The Road Safety Strategy contains an action to expand speed management measures on the national road network, including the possible use of Average Speed Cameras. Engagement is taking place between TII and An Garda Síochána regarding the trialling of mobile Average Speed Cameras. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply regarding average speed cameras. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
With regard to static speed cameras, this would be a matter for An Garda Síochána.
144. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport if he will address as a matter of urgency the lack of facilitation of rail passengers travelling with bicycles on trains bound for Tralee Casement station, which is immediately adjacent to the Tralee to Fenit greenway; his views on whether the unique location of Tralee station on the greenway warrants a tailored service response from Irish Rail; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23431/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the 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.
As the Deputy may be aware, to enable additional capacity to be added to Iarnród Éireann (IÉ) services within as short a timeframe as possible, an order was placed in December 2019 for the provision of 41 Inter-City Railcar (ICR) intermediate carriages. This Government is committed to improving public transport and is backing up that commitment with significant investments across the network, including the introduction of 41 new IICRs into the fleet this year.
Decisions on the deployment of the 41 intercity carriages will be based on current and projected demand and infrastructure capacity, and subject to approval of the NTA.
Each of the new ICR intermediate carriages incorporates a large multipurpose area at one end. These areas will have sufficient space to accommodate 2 bicycles; combined with the bicycle rack already located in the cab/end vehicle of each ICR unit, this will enable at least 4 bicycles to be carried on each ICR unit, which aligns with the latest bicycle carriage requirements applicable to new and refurbished trains destined for operation within the European Union (e.g. each new DART unit will have space for at least 4 bicycles).
In addition, in 2023 funding was allocated to an IÉ project to install new bicycle racks and tip-up seat areas on existing units. Two seating bay areas consisting of 7 seats will be removed and replaced with 4/5 bicycle spaces and 6 tip-up seats. Overall, the combination of the new ICRs along with the upgrade of existing trains will help to accommodate more bicycles on rail carriages.
Decisions on the deployment of the 41 intercity carriages will be based on current and projected demand and infrastructure capacity, and subject to approval of the NTA. Therefore, I have referred the Deputy's question to Irish Rail and the NTA for direct response to the Deputy. Please advise my private office if you do not receive replies within ten working days.
145. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Transport the total costs incurred by his Department from 2019 to date relating to the placing of advertisements in online/digital media platforms; the names of the online platforms involved, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23456/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraDeputy,
Please see table below relating to the total costs incurred by the Department from 2019 to date relating to the placing of advertisements in online/digital media platforms. The Department places advertisements for a wide variety of business purposes, ranging from recruitment, to statutory notices, to communicating with the public on transport policies.
|
YEAR |
Name of Digital/Online Platforms |
COST € |
|
2019 |
The Journal.ie |
€5,000.00 |
|
Afloat |
€369.00 |
|
|
Daily Telegraph |
€4,614.71 |
|
|
Lloyds List |
€4,612.50 |
|
|
Imarest |
€479.70 |
|
|
Afloat |
€369.00 |
|
|
Daily Telegraph |
€4,614.71 |
|
|
Lloyds List |
€4,612.50 |
|
|
Imarest |
€479.70 |
|
|
Afloat |
€738.00 |
|
|
Iris Oifigiúil |
€188.00 |
|
|
|
||
|
2020 |
Facebook and Instagram |
€4,752.00 |
|
|
€600.00 |
|
|
Irish Times |
€20,000.00 |
|
|
Iris Oifigiúil |
€497.00 |
|
|
|
||
|
2021 |
Iris Oifigiúil |
€519.00 |
|
|
||
|
2022 |
Recruit Ireland |
€1,168.50 |
|
Recruit Ireland |
€1,168.50 |
|
|
Public Relations Institute of Ireland |
€500.00 |
|
|
Iris Oifigiúil |
€4,546.00 |
|
|
Double Click International |
€135.30 |
|
|
|
€12,300.00 |
|
|
|
€9,224.58 |
|
|
OMG Marketplace |
€12,300.00 |
|
|
Twitter International Unlimited |
€9,144.37 |
|
|
Google Ireland |
€2,130.02 |
|
|
|
||
|
2023 |
Public Appointments Service (Signium Executive Search Services) |
€2,634.66 |
|
Public Appointments Service ( Signium Executive Search Services) |
€464.94 |
|
|
|
Recruit Ireland |
€1,168.50 |
|
|
Resonate Design |
€861.00 |
|
|
|
€1,691.00 |
|
|
Integral Ad Science |
€123.16 |
|
|
OMG Marketplace |
€2,082.40 |
|
|
Double Click International |
€851.44 |
|
|
PHD Programmatic |
€2,090.98 |
|
|
|
€2,091.00 |
|
|
|
€465.01 |
|
|
Irish Oifigiúil |
€332.00 |
|
|
Double Click International |
€1,507.53 |
|
|
|
€55,155.09 |
|
|
|
€15,226.03 |
|
|
OMG Marketplace |
€44,781.87 |
|
|
Twitter International Unlimited |
€5,775.87 |
|
|
Google Ireland |
€6,359.35 |
|
|
AUDIOXI |
€17,529.85 |
|
|
Daily Mail |
€3,136.50 |
|
|
Integral Ad Science Euro |
€966.44 |
|
|
Irishtimes.com |
€31,365.00 |
|
|
Journal Media Ltd |
€22,582.80 |
|
|
Phd Programmatic |
€13,049.52 |
|
|
TikTok |
€1,393.84 |
|
|
Tuairisc Bheo Teoranta |
€5,180.00 |
|
|
YouTube - DV360 |
€7,479.10 |
|
|
|
|
|
2024 |
b2b Partnerships Ltd |
€821.00 |
|
Fiona Forkan t/a TY Hub |
€1,838.85 |
|
|
|
||
|
Total |
€354,067.82 |
146. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport to review a case (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23461/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe operation of the National Driver Licensing Service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority, and I have no power to intervene in individual cases.
I have passed your query to the RSA for direct response.
147. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Finance if, with regard to the help to buy scheme, someone qualifies for the scheme for all criteria but has inherited a property, whether they can still avail of the scheme as they never purchased a house or built a house before; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23399/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Help to Buy (HTB) scheme assists first-time purchasers with the deposit they need to buy or build a new house or apartment. The scheme provides for a refund of Income Tax and Deposit Interest Retention Tax (DIRT) paid in the State over the previous four years, subject to certain conditions being met.
Section 477C Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 outlines the definitions and conditions that apply to the HTB scheme. A HTB claimant must make an application confirming he or she meets various conditions, including that he or she is a “first-time purchaser” and that the new property will be occupied as his or her sole or main residence.
I am advised by Revenue that the definition of “first-time purchaser” for the purposes of the scheme is an individual who, at the time of making a claim under the scheme, has not, either individually or jointly with any other person, previously purchased or previously built, directly or indirectly, on his or her own behalf a dwelling. Therefore, where an individual has previously purchased or built a dwelling, he or she will not be eligible for the HTB scheme.
However, where an individual has previously inherited a property, the individual may still be considered a first-time buyer for the purposes of the HTB scheme, on the basis that they have not previously purchased, or built a dwelling.
Therefore, an individual who has previously inherited a property is not precluded from claiming HTB relief, provided all other conditions of the scheme are met.
148. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Finance the breakdown of projected non-voted current expenditure for 2024 and 2025 including a breakdown central funds, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23401/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra149. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Finance the breakdown of projected non-voted current expenditure for 2024 and 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23402/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra150. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Finance the details of capital resources outlined in the stability programme update; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23403/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra151. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Finance the details on non-tax revenue as outlined in the stability programme update; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23404/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 148 to 15, inclusive, together.
As the Deputy may be aware, non-voted expenditure is paid out of the Central Fund under specific legislation, rather than being voted annually. It consists of expenditure on items such as the service of the National Debt and contributions to the European Union (EU) Budget or services that have already been provided for in legislation.
The figures requested by the Deputy are published by my Department on an aggregate basis as part of the Budget and Stability Programme Update (SPU) publications.
SPU2024 sets out the projections for non-voted current expenditure in respect of 2024 and 2025, at €7,140 million and €8,265 million respectively. Projections for non-tax revenue for 2024 and 2025 are also set out in Table 10 of the SPU 2024, at €1,150 million and €1,455 million respectively, while the Exchequer is projected to receive €2,005 million and €1,940 million in capital receipts in both years respectively.
Details of the main components of non-voted current expenditure over the course of the year are published by my Department as part of the monthly Fiscal Monitor publication.
The most recent Fiscal Monitor is available at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/4e994-fiscal-monitor-april-2024/.
Specifically, Note 5 of this publication details the main elements of this category of Central Fund expenditure.
The Fiscal Monitor also details the main components of both non tax revenue and capital receipts. Specifically, Note 2: Non-Tax Revenue and Note 3: Capital Receipts set out the elements that make up these two categories of Exchequer revenue.
The relevant tables from the April Fiscal Monitor are reproduced below for the Deputy's convenience.
|
Note 5: |
Non-Voted Current Expenditure |
2023 |
2024 |
|
€000 |
€000 |
||
|
Debt Service |
Interest |
(1,749,410) |
(1,340,793) |
|
Other Debt Management Expenses |
(54,317) |
(49,853) |
|
|
Other non-voted Expenditure |
Contribution to EU Budget |
(1,312,397) |
(1,106,387) |
|
Election Expenses |
(263) |
(16,362) |
|
|
Payments to Political Parties under the Electoral Acts |
(6,218) |
(6,348) |
|
|
Salaries, Pensions and Allowances |
(18,841) |
(20,079) |
|
|
Oireachtas Commission |
(48,272) |
(50,229) |
|
|
IDA & ADF - Payments under Development Banks Acts |
(38,768) |
(40,329) |
|
|
Miscellaneous |
(20) |
(22) |
|
|
Post & Telecommunications Services Act 1983 (s.46) |
(37,420) |
(36,410) |
|
|
Pensions Insolvency Payment (Amendment) Scheme |
(1,618) |
(1,533) |
|
|
Irish Fiscal Advisory Council |
(188) |
(204) |
|
|
Payments to DSP under S48B of Pensions Act 1990 |
(2,272) |
(2,484) |
|
|
African Development Fund |
(8,128) |
(11,635) |
|
|
Forestry Act 1988, Sn 44 |
(3,882) |
(2,834) |
|
|
Total |
(3,282,013) |
(2,685,502) |
|
Note 2: |
Non-Tax Revenue |
2023 |
2024 |
|
€000 |
€000 |
||
|
Surplus Income/Royalties |
National Lottery Surplus |
92,378 |
88,148 |
|
Central Bank Issue of Coins |
2,193 |
0 |
|
|
Interest on Loans |
Other Advances |
1,458 |
2,784 |
|
Dividends |
Other Dividends |
5,265 |
0 |
|
EirGrid Dividend |
4,000 |
0 |
|
|
Other Receipts |
Property Registration Authority Fees |
11,800 |
0 |
|
Motoring Fines |
3,152 |
458 |
|
|
Other Receipts collected by Departments etc. |
61,011 |
81,479 |
|
|
Miscellaneous |
16,714 |
1,300 |
|
|
Pension Levy |
231 |
19 |
|
|
Tailte Eireann Registration authority fees |
11,850 |
19,100 |
|
|
Total |
210,051 |
193,288 |
|
Note 3: |
Capital Receipts |
2023 |
2024 |
|
€000 |
€000 |
||
|
EU Receipts |
European Regional Development Fund |
15,941 |
3,957 |
|
EU Just Transition Fund |
845 |
0 |
|
|
Loan Repayments |
Local loans |
0 |
5 |
|
FEOGA Intervention |
670,000 |
672,887 |
|
|
EU Stability Support to Greece |
26,058 |
0 |
|
|
Repayment of loans - Insurance Compensation fund |
0 |
30,200 |
|
|
Repayment of advances to Supply Account^ |
0 |
347,560 |
|
|
Other Receipts |
Miscellaneous Capital Receipts |
44,568 |
5,661 |
|
Sale of Telephone Licences 2012 |
7,600 |
0 |
|
|
Enterprise Ireland |
0 |
16,291 |
|
|
AIB Share Sale Receipts |
286,982 |
0 |
|
|
Total |
1,051,994 |
1,076,561 |
152. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Finance the details of the latest understandings regarding the number of businesses and the outstanding debt that remains within the debt warehousing scheme that relate to businesses that have still not engaged with revenue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23235/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Tax Debt Warehousing Scheme was introduced in May 2020 to provide a vital liquidity support to businesses impacted by Covid-19 trading restrictions. The scheme allowed businesses to temporarily ‘park’ eligible taxes, on an interest-free basis, until 1 May 2024. At its peak in January 2022, there was €3.2 billion debt in the warehouse, the vast majority of which related to VAT and payroll taxes deducted by employers from their employees.
The scheme has now ended. Over 11,000 customers, with debt balances greater than €500, had not engaged with Revenue to address their warehoused debt by 1 May. Customers who had not engaged with Revenue to address their warehoused debt received a demand notice on 8 May 2024 giving one final opportunity to address their debt and avail of the 0 per cent interest rate on that debt. With effect from 15 May, Revenue’s systems were updated to automatically apply the standard interest rates of 8 per cent and 10 per cent on any outstanding warehoused debt. The next step for those who haven’t engaged on foot of the demand notice is that Revenue will start its collection process. Final demands are now issuing, giving seven days’ notice of enforcement action, unless there is immediate engagement by the taxpayer.
Revenue has confirmed to me it is currently working through several hundred applications for Phased Payment Arrangements (PPAs) that have been received over the last two weeks. When this process is complete, Revenue will conduct a full analysis of the PPAs agreed and the outstanding debt cases, including Divisional and Sectoral analysis. This will be published by 31 May 2024.
It is important to note that to retain the 0 per cent interest rate in an agreed PPA, it remains a key condition that current taxes are filed and paid as they fall due, and that all monthly PPA instalments are honoured as agreed. Any taxpayer experiencing temporary cashflow difficulties that impact on their ability to meet their tax obligations on a timely basis, including scheduled monthly payments, should engage with Revenue at the earliest opportunity. Revenue will always work with viable businesses to agree mutually acceptable payment solutions, such as a payment deferral or a payment break, rather than deploying debt collection and enforcement options.
153. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Finance the methodology for calculating tax revenue projections in the Stability Programme Update, making particular reference to whether tax revenue projections are carried out on a no-policy change basis, or if it is assuming adjustments to credits and bands in line with inflation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23424/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department’s projections for taxation revenue are driven by the relevant macroeconomic indicators: for example, forecasts of income tax are related to labour market variables such as wage growth. The projections also account for other factors that can impact on receipts, such as once-off factors, specialist judgement, and policy measures.
My Department periodically reviews its methodology for forecasting tax revenue, most recently in 2019 with the publication of the Tax Forecasting Methodological Review. This report provides a comprehensive overview of the Department’s approach to tax forecasting and can be found at the below link.
www.gov.ie/en/publication/76468a-tax-forecasting-methodological-review-2019/
The Stability Programme Update is a no-policy-change document and the policy measures reflected in the tax revenue forecasts are, accordingly, in line with Budget 2024.
As in the last number of years, the projections also incorporate an indicative tax package each year from 2025 in the order of €1.1 billion as outlined in Government’s medium term budgetary strategy set out in the Summer Economic Statement 2023.
It should be emphasised that this is a technical assumption: Government will set out the parameters for Budget 2025, including the size of any tax package, in the upcoming Summer Economic Statement.
