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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation

Credit union levy consultation

Summary

Deputy Danny Healy-Rae and then Deputy Eugene Murphy raised concerns about housing income thresholds and the credit union levy consultation. The Tánaiste said the housing income thresholds were under review and would have the Minister respond on the credit union issue directly.

Pat the Cope Gallagher An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

I would like to make something clear to Deputy Danny Healy-Rae. If a Deputy represents his or her grouping at Leaders' Questions he or she cannot come in a second time. Otherwise-----

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The Order of Business is a different thing altogether.

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Pat the Cope Gallagher An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

The Deputy has been in during the Order of Business.

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The Leas-Cheann Comhairle has been here longer than I have, but that is not how this has operated every other day.

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Pat the Cope Gallagher An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

That would mean that every leader could come in twice.

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Pat the Cope Gallagher An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

No.

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Deputy Calleary came in twice.

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Pat the Cope Gallagher An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

The Deputy's man came in in his place. What is the Deputy's question? It is to be a question, not a statement.

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People on the housing list are being thrown off because their family income supplement puts them over the income threshold for social housing. If people are poor enough to be on family income supplement, that money should not be considered as income for the purposes of throwing them off the housing list. A couple who have been on the housing list for 12 years are being thrown off because-----

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Pat the Cope Gallagher An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

The Deputy is to ask a question, not make a statement.

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-----their family income supplement puts them over the limit. That is not fair.

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Simon Coveney The Tánaiste Fine Gael

The Minister is reviewing the income thresholds.

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Pat the Cope Gallagher An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

I made a major mistake. Deputy Eugene Murphy was in the Chair prior to me and I overlooked his question. I call on him to put a concise question.

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Last Thursday, I asked the Tánaiste about the industry funding levy for credit unions. I mean no disrespect to him because, in fairness to him, he always tries to answer the questions correctly but I did not get a correct answer. The information I have received from the horse's mouth is that there has been no consultation with the credit unions on this issue since 2015. Prior to that, the last consultation was in 2012. This levy will be increased to 50%, raising the amount paid from €1.8 million to €8 million over a number of years. There are already five levies on credit unions. I do not know how many people realise that. We cannot underestimate the benefits of the credit unions and the social role they play in society. If some of the levies could be got rid of and this one brought in over ten years, this would be acceptable to the credit unions.

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Simon Coveney The Tánaiste Fine Gael

I will get the Minister to come back to the Deputy on this issue directly.

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