I thank the Deputies for their contributions. As I and the Minister, Deputy Martin, have stated, we will make a decision on this in the coming weeks. As a Government, we appreciate and understand the importance of public service media for a well-functioning democracy. It is also essential for cultural development, social cohesion and well-being. As such, it requires a funding model that provides long-term certainty, is sustainable and, vitally, protects the independence of media providers. Such funding is not only …

What I said publicly is what I am restating here: a discussion is ongoing. We are committed to the introduction of a new sustainable and fair funding model and will make a decision on that in the coming weeks. In reply to Deputy Doherty's question, we are exploring all options for a new and reformed funding model with a contribution. As I said, we have not landed on any particular model or system of payment collection regarding the licence fee. We need to fix the system and strengthen compliance. The majority of pe…

The vast majority do pay the TV licence fee. That underpins independence in public service media. We need ongoing support for that to be in a sustainable and long-term funding position. As I said in other domains, I support the ongoing contribution by the public to public service media and the TV licence. We are committed to making a decision on this matter in the coming weeks. In fiscal terms, the solution to everything is not to just abandon the contribution people make, whether that is tax or the TV licence. We …

That is why we have to prioritise spending and make sure there is an ongoing contribution. On the Deputy's question, I said we are exploring all options for a reformed funding model.

That is the answer.

We are exploring all options.

I will not go back to the previous question but I referenced that we are exploring all options for a funding model. That is the position. I will engage with Government colleagues on that. The Government is conscious of the implications of fuel costs for all sectors of society. This is reflected in the fact that in 2022, in light of the acute impact rising prices were having on households and businesses, the Government provided for temporary cuts in excise rates which, inclusive of VAT, amounted to 21 cent, 16 cent …

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 aware, and our medium-term fiscal plan by 15 October. That is the basis of our preparation. As I said earlier this morning, the Governme…

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.

What will set the wider budgetary and fiscal parameters is the summer economic statement, which we announce next week. That will set out the position on taxation and expenditure, and what is possible for budget 2025. The Deputy is posing a complete contradiction. First, he is calling for an election every day of the week in here. Second, we are committed to political stability and running our full term. Again, the Deputy dismisses a European Union meeting as just some European meeting. This shows the scepticism----…

-----that is reflected by his party and its opposition to every European treaty and its opposition to our pro-trade and pro-enterprise policies, which are reflected in the strong corporation tax figures, the strong income tax figures, and the strong tax figures we have seen more generally in June this year. Sinn Féin's policy is to abandon all fiscal prudence, spend as it likes and increase taxes on people. We know Sinn Féin's budgetary policy. We will set out a clear framework next week that will set the wider fis…

As the Deputy will be aware, the 9% VAT rate was applied on a temporary basis to the hospitality and tourism sectors until 31 August 2023, when it reverted to the 13.5% rate. The 9% rate was introduced on 1 November 2020 in recognition of the fact that the tourism and hospitality sectors were among those most impacted by the public health restrictions put in place throughout the pandemic. The economic rationale for a VAT rate reduction at that time, as it was in 2011 when it was also reduced to 9%, was to lower con…

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 provided significant support to businesses throughout a period of increasing costs. Budget 2024 contained a number of measures that …

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 in the summer economic statement next week. With inflation easing, we expect the domestic economy and the real disposable income of households to strengthen and improve during the year, which will help retailers and…

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 passenger, and to certain organisations. To qualify for relief, the applicant must hold a primary medical certificate issued by the relevant princi…

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 progress from that report. While I acknowledge that the issue has been ongoing for too long and is affecting many people, what has bee…

I will pursue a timeline on this. It is in the interests of my Department and the collective interests of people we represent in our constituencies to find a way forward on this. I assure the Deputy I will pursue that with the group established in the Department of the Taoiseach. The group will report in the autumn and we need to see progress on it in the aftermath of that. I take the Deputy's point that other reports and structures in the past have not delivered an outcome. It is about trying to structure somethin…

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 develop access to cash legislation to establish a framework to ensure the future evolution of cash infrastructure in the State will be managed in a fair, orderly, transparent and equitable manner. It also recommended that the starting point should be the level of cash infrastructure prevailing in…

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 cash can be deposited and withdrawn and where there is in-person assistance available. Bank branches and post offices satisfy this …

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 person’s liability to the tax is determined on the basis of individual income and personal circumstances. It is a more sustainable…