Written Answers Nos. 199-215
200. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the annual revenue in 2023; the expected annual revenue in each of the years 2024 and 2025 of the local property tax, disaggregated by valuation band; the number of properties within each valuation band; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29538/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by Revenue that the latest available full year information available in respect of Local Property Tax (LPT) is for the year 2023. The total number of properties for which returns and/or LPT payments have been made for the year 2023 is 1,981,824 to date. The table below shows a breakdown of these properties by valuation band. These figures include exempt and deferred properties and properties owned by Local Authorities and Approved Housing Bodies. The liability to date in respect of the year 2023 amount to €531 million. I am further advised that my Department does not prepare an advance estimate of the anticipated annual yield from LPT. However, I note that the figures for 2024 and 2025 will be impacted by the inclusion of newly built properties and by the decisions of the Local Authorities regarding the Local Adjustment Factor.
The Deputy may wish to note that quarterly reports showing certain available current year statistics in relation to LPT are published on the Revenue website at www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/information-about-revenue/statistics/property-taxes/index.aspx
|
Valuation Band |
Properties (‘000) |
Liability (€m) |
|
1: €0-€200,000 |
785.0 |
73.6 |
|
2: €200,001-€262,500 |
385.7 |
89.4 |
|
3: €262,501-€350,000 |
362.6 |
112.3 |
|
4: €350,001-€437,500 |
190.1 |
71.8 |
|
5: €437,501-€525,000 |
100.1 |
45.2 |
|
6: €525,501-€612,500 |
50.6 |
26.6 |
|
7: €612,501-€700,000 |
33.7 |
20.5 |
|
8: €700,001-€787,500 |
20.7 |
14.1 |
|
9: €787,501-€875,000 |
16.3 |
12.3 |
|
10: €875,001-€962,500 |
9.9 |
8.4 |
|
11: €962,501-€1,050,000 |
6.7 |
8.5 |
|
12: €1,050,001-€1,137,500 |
3.9 |
6.9 |
|
13: €1,137,501-€1,225,000 |
3.5 |
5.6 |
|
14: €1,225,001-€1,312,500 |
2.5 |
4.1 |
|
15: €1,312,501-€1,400,000 |
1.8 |
3.2 |
|
16: €1,400,001-€1,487,500 |
1.0 |
2.0 |
|
17: €1,487,501-€1,575,000 |
1.4 |
2.8 |
|
18: €1,575,001-€1,662,500 |
0.9 |
2.1 |
|
19: €1,662,501-€1,750,000 |
1.1 |
2.7 |
|
20: Over €1.75 million |
4.1 |
18.4 |
|
Total* |
1,981.8 |
531 |
*Differences may occur due to rounding of figures.
201. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Finance if regulations allow a spouse who is the full-time carer for their husband or wife to be allocated the home carer tax credit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29553/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn accordance with section 466A(1) Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 (“TCA 1997”), the home carer tax credit cannot be availed of by a spouse who is the full-time carer for their husband or wife.
Section 466A TCA 1997 provides that the credit is available to jointly assessed married couples or civil partners where one spouse or civil partner (the ‘home carer’) stays at home to take care of a dependent person. The dependent person must normally reside with, or in close proximity to, the married couple or civil partners for the relevant year of assessment.
A dependent person, for the purposes of the home carer tax credit, includes:
• a child in respect of whom the home carer, or his or her spouse or civil partner, is in receipt of child benefit;
• an individual aged 65 years or over; or
• an individual who is permanently incapacitated by reason of mental or physical infirmity.
However, a dependent person does not include a spouse or civil partner.
202. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the cost of increasing personal, employee and earned income tax credits by €50 in each of the years 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029 respectively. [29554/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Finance has opened its pre-budget costings service, this is available with effect from 1 July 2024. The procedures for availing of this service are set out in a letter dated 1 July 2024 from the Secretary General of the Department to all recognised parties and technical groups in Dáil Éireann. To ensure efficiency and fairness all costing requests should be made in this manner, via the standard request format template, instead of the Parliamentary Question system at this time.
203. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the cost of increasing personal, employee and earned income tax credits by €100 in each of the years 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029 respectively. [29555/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Finance has opened its pre-budget costings service, this is available with effect from 1 July 2024. The procedures for availing of this service are set out in a letter dated 1 July 2024 from the Secretary General of the Department to all recognised parties and technical groups in Dáil Éireann. To ensure efficiency and fairness all costing requests should be made in this manner, via the standard request format template, instead of the Parliamentary Question system at this time.
204. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the revenue raised from tapering personal, employee and earned income tax credits by 2.5% per €1,000 on individual income between €100,000 and €140,000 per year, resulting in no entitlement to these tax credits when income is in excess of €140,000 in each of the years 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029, respectively. [29556/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Finance has opened its pre-budget costings service, this is available with effect from 1 July 2024. The procedures for availing of this service are set out in a letter dated 1 July 2024 from the Secretary General of the Department to all recognised parties and technical groups in Dáil Éireann. To ensure efficiency and fairness all costing requests should be made in this manner, via the standard request format template, instead of the Parliamentary Question system at this time.
205. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the revenue raised from tapering personal, employee and earned income tax credits by 2.5% per €1,000 on individual income between €100,000 and €140,000 per year, resulting in no entitlement to these tax credits when income is in excess of €140,000, and assumptions made with respect of this estimate with regards to married people or civil partners. [29557/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Finance has opened its pre-budget costings service, this is available with effect from 1 July 2024. The procedures for availing of this service are set out in a letter dated 1 July 2024 from the Secretary General of the Department to all recognised parties and technical groups in Dáil Éireann. To ensure efficiency and fairness all costing requests should be made in this manner, via the standard request format template, instead of the Parliamentary Question system at this time.
206. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the revenue raised from tapering personal, employee and earned income tax credits by 2.5% per €1,000 on individual income between €100,000 and €140,000 per year, resulting in no entitlement to these tax credits when income is in excess of €140,000, net the cost of increasing personal, employee and earned income tax credits by €50 in each of the years 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029, respectively. [29558/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Finance has opened its pre-budget costings service, this is available with effect from 1 July 2024. The procedures for availing of this service are set out in a letter dated 1 July 2024 from the Secretary General of the Department to all recognised parties and technical groups in Dáil Éireann. To ensure efficiency and fairness all costing requests should be made in this manner, via the standard request format template, instead of the Parliamentary Question system at this time.
207. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the revenue raised from tapering personal, employee and earned income tax credits by 2.5% per €1,000 on individual income between €100,000 and €140,000 per year, resulting in no entitlement to these tax credits when income is in excess of €140,000, net the cost of increasing personal, employee and earned Income tax credits by €100 in each of the years 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029, respectively. [29559/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Finance has opened its pre-budget costings service, this is available with effect from 1 July 2024. The procedures for availing of this service are set out in a letter dated 1 July 2024 from the Secretary General of the Department to all recognised parties and technical groups in Dáil Éireann. To ensure efficiency and fairness all costing requests should be made in this manner, via the standard request format template, instead of the Parliamentary Question system at this time.
208. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Finance if he will reduce the VAT rate on tickets-door admission to dance events (currently operated under the special exemption order system) from 23% to 0%;; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29642/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by Revenue that the VAT treatment of goods and services is subject to EU VAT law, with which Irish VAT law must comply. In general, the EU VAT Directive provides that all goods and services are liable to VAT at the standard rate, unless they fall within categories of goods and services specified in Annex III of the VAT Directive, in respect of which Member States may apply a lower rate of VAT.
On this basis, Ireland applies a reduced rate of VAT, currently 13.5%, to the promotion of and admission to live theatrical and musical events (excluding dances) where food or drink are available for consumption. Additionally, Ireland applies a VAT exemption to the promotion of and admission to live theatrical and musical events (excluding dances) where no food or drink are available for consumption.
The VAT legislation specifically excludes the admission to dance events from these provisions and dance events are, therefore, liable to the VAT at the standard rate, currently 23%. In accordance with the Directive, it would not be possible for Ireland to extend the VAT exemption, the application of the reduced rate or implement a zero rate on the admission fees to dance events.
209. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the number and value of Irish mortgages currently held by non-bank entities; the level of risk analysis his Department has conducted to the significant volume of Irish mortgage debt in the possession of these entities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29660/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Central Bank of Ireland publishes quarterly statistics on the number and outstanding balance of mortgage accounts in Ireland. They are contained in the publication Residential Mortgage Arrears and Repossessions Statistics. The most recent statistics for the first quarter of 2024 were published on 5 July.
At end March 2024, there were a total of 703,308 principal dwelling house (PDH) mortgage accounts outstanding in Ireland, with a value of just over €101 billion. Non-bank entities held 116,342 PDH mortgage accounts with a value of approximately €19.8 billion.
At end March 2024, there were a total of 61,445 buy-to-let (BTL) mortgage accounts outstanding in Ireland, with a value of just under €9 billion. Non-bank entities held 24,019 BTL mortgage accounts with a value of approximately €5.1 billion.
The activity of non-bank entities in Ireland is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland under the provisions of the Consumer Protection (Regulation of Credit Servicing Firms) Act 2015. As regulated firms, non-bank entities and the relevant credit agreements serviced by these firms are subject to the consumer protection regulatory framework. Thus, the consumer protection framework provides the same protections for borrowers regardless of the regulated entity with whom a consumer is dealing with, be that a bank, retail credit firm (RCF) or credit servicing firm (CSF).
The Central Bank is also responsible for maintaining monetary and financial stability and ensuring the financial system works in the interests of the community. The Bank conducts a regular Financial Stability Review to evaluate the main risks facing the financial system and assesses the resilience of the financial system to those risks. The most recent review was published by the Central Bank in June 2024.
210. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Finance the number of applications made to the Revenue Commissioners to 1 July 2024 for the mortgage interest tax relief scheme, by county; how many of these applications were successful, by county; how many of these applications were unsuccessful, by county; how many are still being processed, by county; the cost of this scheme up to 1 July 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29710/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that a deferred reply will be issued to him in respect of this Parliamentary Question, in line with Standing Order 51(1)(b).
211. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Finance the number of customs checks that have been carried out at Cork Airport in 2023 and 2024 to date for the excess purchase of duty-free tobacco products; the number of fines that issued for the same time periods; the number of these fines not paid for the same time periods; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29711/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraRevenue is committed to targeting the illicit tobacco trade and implements a range of measures to identify and target the smuggling, supply or sale of illicit tobacco, including duty free tobacco in excess of duty-free allowances, and where possible, prosecuting those involved. In its efforts to detect the importation of excess duty-free goods, Revenue uses a combination of risk analysis, profiling, intelligence, screening of checked-in and carry-on baggage and the deployment of its detector dog teams. Revenue’s strategy also involves developing and sharing intelligence on a national, EU and international basis. Revenue continues to adopt an agile response to this threat and monitors trends in the illicit tobacco trade on an ongoing basis and adjusts its actions and redeploys its resources in response to new developments or methodologies employed by the criminal gangs involved in that trade.
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.
Revenue optimises media engagement in terms of successful prosecutions, significant seizures and enforcement initiatives, ensuring the general public is aware of the commitment by Revenue to tackling the illicit cigarette and tobacco trade and to deter those involved. To further encourage the general public to engage with Revenue in its efforts targeting the shadow economy and the supply of illegal tobacco products, Revenue includes a message on all press releases relating to tobacco products notifying that businesses or members of the public can contact Revenue in confidence on the free phone number 1800 295 295.
I am pleased to acknowledge that Revenue has achieved considerable success in tackling the illicit tobacco trade. The table below outlines the total number and value of seizures made by Revenue nationally, for cigarettes and tobacco from 2023 to end June 2024:
|
2023 |
|
|
|
- |
No. of Seizures |
Value |
|
Cigarettes |
5,164 |
€55.7m |
|
Tobacco |
1,673 |
€7.7m |
|
2024 |
As at end June |
|
|
- |
No. of Seizures |
Value |
|
Cigarettes |
2,529 |
€49.1m |
|
Tobacco |
775 |
€29.5m |
In addition, the number of summary convictions and fines related to tobacco offences is outlined in the table below:
|
Year |
No. of Summary Convictions |
Fines |
|
2023 |
87 |
€204,000 |
|
2024 (as at end June) |
42 |
€110,750 |
I am advised by Revenue that it cannot provide data in relation to the number of fines that have been paid as fines are collected directly by the Courts Service. In relation to the number of customs checks carried out for excess purchases of duty-free tobacco products, officers based at the points of entry into the state carry out checks targeting a variety of risks and as such, I am advised that it is not possible to disaggregate the number of checks for duty-free tobacco products from the overall checks carried out.
The Government has ensured through the Finance Acts over the years that Revenue has the necessary statutory powers to tackle the illicit tobacco trade. I am satisfied that the current legislative framework provides an effective basis for undertaking and continuing its important work in this area. I am assured that Revenue is aware of the threat that tobacco smuggling poses to health, to legitimate business interests and to the Exchequer and I commend Revenue and all the relevant State agencies for their work in this important area.
This Government has been consistent in its strong support for ensuring that Revenue has the necessary resources to fulfil its mandate in respect of functions that are critical for its effective functioning as a tax and customs administration and I remain open to considering any proposals from Revenue that will support its work in combating fraud, illicit trade and smuggling.
212. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Finance the number of residential properties listed under deferral payments for local property tax for 2023, broken down by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29712/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by Revenue that the number of residential properties subject to a deferral of Local Property Tax payment for 2023, broken down by county, is set out in the table below.
|
County |
Number of deferrals |
|
Carlow |
137 |
|
Cavan |
188 |
|
Clare |
291 |
|
Cork |
1,205 |
|
Donegal |
342 |
|
Dublin |
3,772 |
|
Galway |
500 |
|
Kerry |
291 |
|
Kildare |
525 |
|
Kilkenny |
206 |
|
Laois |
184 |
|
Leitrim |
83 |
|
Limerick |
482 |
|
Longford |
107 |
|
Louth |
411 |
|
Mayo |
278 |
|
Meath |
515 |
|
Monaghan |
140 |
|
Offaly |
170 |
|
Roscommon |
135 |
|
Sligo |
159 |
|
Tipperary |
319 |
|
Waterford |
321 |
|
Westmeath |
202 |
|
Wexford |
422 |
|
Wicklow |
388 |
|
Total |
11,773 |
214. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Finance the number of payments made under the help-to-buy scheme for County Cork for each month this year up to June 2024; their average value monthly for Cork county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29714/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by Revenue that the table below presents a breakdown of the number of Help to Buy claims in relation to County Cork by month for 2024, based on the date of approval. The table outlines the number of claims as well as the total and average claim amount (payment) per month.
|
Month |
Number |
Total Claim Amount (€m) |
Average Claim Amount € (rounded to nearest hundred) |
|
January |
72 |
1.8 |
24,900 |
|
February |
111 |
3.0 |
27,300 |
|
March |
129 |
3.5 |
26,900 |
|
April |
134 |
3.5 |
26,200 |
|
May |
123 |
3.3 |
26,900 |
|
June |
111 |
3.0 |
27,100 |
215. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Finance when the current issues being experienced when submitting form 11 will be resolved, that has been ongoing from 16 June 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29830/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by Revenue that recent issues experienced by taxpayers and agents filing 2023 Income Tax returns arose following a system update on 15 June but that these issues were fully rectified on 26 June. Returns are being filed and processed as normal since then.
Revenue engaged with the tax practitioner bodies and some third-party software providers in relation to the issues during that time. Revenue continually monitors its pay and file systems, and any necessary fixes and upgrades are carried out as quickly as possible.
