Tag Archives: Department of Finance

The Freight Transport Association Ireland (FTAI) has maintained a proposal to replace Ireland’s Universal Social Charge (USC) with a rise in the cost of diesel “is senseless and would hit the price of food, consumer goods and public transport”. FTA Ireland’s pre-budget submission to the Department of Finance called for retention of USC as an employment tax, but with a progressive increase in the income level at which employees are asked to pay the 5.5% rate. Ireland remains a heavily indebted country with a massive hole in its social welfare pensions fund. In the last week, the Department of Finance has floated alternatives to USC such as a rise in diesel prices and increased property tax. FTA Ireland says the replacement of a progressive tax on income with an increase in diesel prices is fiscally illogical. FTA Ireland General Manager Neil McDonnell said: “The cost of goods, services and travel for work and leisure are heavily influenced by the cost …

The move by the Department of Finance to hand sports clubs with bars, or other commercial facilities, a partial exemption on their commercial rates has met with approval from Senator Tony Mulcahy. He received confirmation from Minister of State at the Department, Simon Harris that he will be introducing an amendment to the Valuation Bill, which will give way to the change. “At present sports club facilities are exempt from rates. However, where a sports club has a bar all of its premises are valued for rates purposes including buildings that are purely for sporting purposes. This situation is seen as placing an unfair burden on many local clubs that are a key part of their community,” explained Senator Mulcahy. The Fine Gael senator said, “Under this amendment, community sports clubs will only be liable for rates on buildings that are used for the generation of income. If a sports club’s only commercial facility is the bar then it is …