Author Archives: Ruairi Trainor

Contacting the HSA during the Covid Crisis

In line with the updated public health measures announced by the Government to delay the spread of COVID-19, all offices of the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) are currently closed, and our staff are working remotely.

We have implemented business continuity measures to maintain our operations and ensure minimal disruption to services. Our focus is to continue to operate business as usual, where possible, while protecting the health of our staff and stakeholders.

During this period, you can continue to contact us, as normal, by telephone, through our online contact form, or by email using existing staff email contacts.

As we will have limited access to physical mail sent to our offices, we ask that, where possible, you do no correspond with us by post and instead contact us electronically.  Please see our Freedom of Information page for details of how we are handling FOI requests during the COVID-19 crisis.

For further information in relation to COVID-19, please see HSA.ie/COVID19

Minister Donohoe outlines measures to support individuals and businesses impacted by COVID-19

The Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure & Reform, Paschal Donohoe TD, today (Wednesday) welcomed the ongoing work of the Central Bank of Ireland, Banking and Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI), and the Revenue Commissioners to support customers in difficulties due to COVID-19.

“Today, I had a constructive meeting with the five CEOs of our retail banks and with Banking and Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI). I note that a meeting will also be held with the Central Bank tomorrow. I welcome the ongoing work that is taking place to assist customers who are impacted by COVID-19.
“The proposed actions by the banks will build on the government response, and the European Central Bank’s monetary and regulatory policy measures to deliver real support to individuals, SMEs and companies in these difficult times. These actions are the translation of European and national policies into individual supports that best assist the needs of our bank customers in the period ahead.”

Support for bank borrowers

The banking sector’s coordinated approach to supporting customers whose income has been impacted by COVID-19 is to be welcomed. The range of supports proposed by the BPFI, and to be discussed with the Central Bank, are customer focused so as to cater for the different impacts of COVID-19 on each individual customer.

These proposals include:

  • flexible arrangements, including a payment break for mortgages and other loans. Customers affected by COVID-19 must contact their bank to discuss the flexibility available to them, including the possibility of a payment break of up to 3 months
  • support for buy-to-let bank customers with tenants affected by COVID 19 – customers with rental property in which the tenants are adversely impacted by COVID-19 will also be provided with flexibility including with an opportunity to seek a payment break of up to 3 months, which will allow them to exercise due levels of forbearance to their tenants
  • extensive supports for SME customers – banks are working to ensure a wide range of credit, cash flow and supply chain supports are offered to businesses who are trying to manage the pressures arising from COVID-19. A deferral of up to 3-months on loan repayments will be of assistance to many businesses
  • in addition, the banks are adopting a customer-focused approach to these businesses with a wide variety of tailored supports including extensions of credit lines, risk guarantees, and trade finance

These supports complement the range of Government supports available through the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland.

Customers facing difficulties due to COVID-19 are urged to contact their bank as soon as possible to make alternative arrangements that will assist them to come through this difficult period. Banks will work to ensure that these supports are made available to borrowers in a straightforward manner and aligned to the processes rolled out by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection.

 

Central Bank Prudential Policies

The Minister welcomes the Central Bank’s decision to reduce the Countercyclical Capital Buffer, from 1% to 0%. This decision will free up bank capital that can be used to provide credit, and to restructure and extend the loans of bank customers, both individuals and SMEs.

The release of this regulatory buffer by the Central Bank in this time of need shows the importance of the Central Bank’s introduction of the buffer two years ago in stronger economic times.

The impact of the reduction of this buffer to 0% will free up in excess of €1 billion of bank capital. This capital amount has the potential to support approximately €13 billion of restructured lending to bank customers that need assistance. Combined with the relaxation of Pillar 2 guidance and the Capital Conservation Buffer by the European Central Bank, the reduction in this buffer will ensure that banks have significant resources at their disposal to support borrowers.

The Minister also welcomes the Central Bank’s ongoing work with European colleagues to ensure that bank customers, whether personal or business customers, impacted by COVID-19 are extended forbearance without their loans being classified as defaulting.

The Minister has also decided to defer the introduction of the Systemic Risk Buffer while all of the key players in the banking sector are working together to support customers.

The actions taken by the Central Bank and Single Supervisory Mechanism to allow banks to focus on the task of supporting their customers is welcome as it strikes the right balance between allowing banks to meet their customers’ immediate needs, while ensuring there is proportionate regulatory oversight.

BPFI actions to ensure operational continuity

The Minister acknowledges the extensive work that has been ongoing across the BPFI and its members to ensure the continuity of banking services to the public. The proactive approach of the BPFI and its members in working together should minimise possible disruption to payment services.

Changes to assist Public Health Policy

In order to support public health policy, the Minister is requesting that industry increase the limit on contactless payments to €50. This change covers most transactions given the average value of contactless transactions is €12.23 and the average value of debit card transactions is €41.52.

Deferral to stamp duty

The Minister has decided to defer the collection of stamp duty on credit cards to July, which is normally levied in April, for which he will legislate for in due course.

Non-Bank lending

The Minister welcomes the fact that initial discussions with Credit Service Firms and with those non–bank lenders who provide mortgages have taken place with the BPFI. Both the Credit Service Firms and non-bank lenders have issues which need to be addressed with the Central Bank of Ireland, but both are committed to working with the government and industry to provide the flexibility that people need at this time.

The Minister concluded by stating:

“We are all acutely aware of the impact of this public health crisis on our fellow citizens, both in terms of serious illness but also in terms of income loss.
“The proposed actions provide real support to those most impacted by COVID-19. It is incumbent on those citizens who continue to receive their full income to do their part by paying their bills, taxes, and loans on time, so as the maximum amounts of supports are available to our fellow citizens who are most in need.
“We must work together and support each other.”

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Eoghan Murphy TD, in support of the measures announced today added:

“Today’s announcement by the banking sector represents a first step in protecting both tenants and landlords in the current crisis.
“These actions remove pressures on landlords who have shown a willingness to exercise forbearance in relation to tenants who are experiencing difficulty with rents due to the loss of income resulting from contracting the COVID-19 virus, being in self-isolation as a result of the virus or having lost all or significant employment.
“I have spent the last number of days engaging with both landlords and tenants organisations as well as charities and NGOs and I expect to be in a position to announce further measure to compliment today’s announcement shortly.”

CIF – Budget 2020 Analysis

The Help to Buy scheme is extended in its present format until 31 December 2021. The HTB scheme is an income tax incentive measure designed to assist first-time buyers with the deposit required to purchase or self-build a new house or apartment to live in as their home

  • The Living City Initiative is extended in its present format until 31 December 2022. The LCI is a scheme of property tax incentives aimed at the regeneration of certain ‘Special Regeneration Areas’ in the historic centres of Cork, Dublin, Galway, Kilkenny, Limerick and Waterford.
  • There is an increase in Stamp Duty on Non-residential Property from 6% to 7.5% from Budget night.
  • The rate of stamp duty applicable to non-residential property transactions will be raised from 6% to 7.5% from Budget night. This will be subject to transitional arrangements whereby the existing 6% rate will apply to instruments executed before 1 January 2020 where a binding contract existed prior to Budget day (8th October 2019).
  • Consequential amendments will also be made to the legislation relating to the repayment of stamp duty where the land involved is subsequently used for residential development, so as to ensure that the rate of stamp duty chargeable after a full refund remains at 2%. • If there is a ‘No Deal’ Brexit €220 million will be made available immediately. Of this, €110 million will be targeted to help vulnerable but viable businesses.
  • There will be a €6 increase on the current rate of Carbon Tax applied per tonne of carbon dioxide emission. This will bring the rate from €20 per tonne to €26. The increase will be applied to petrol and auto diesel from midnight on 8th October and all other fuels on 1st May 2020.
  • The R&D tax credit is being amended for micro and small companies to increase the 25% R&D credit to 30%. See Slide 9.
  • A regionally balanced project pipeline is promised in order to respond to Brexit and wider challenges such as climate change and to bring greater economic resilience to Ireland’s regions by addressing current infrastructural deficits. Reference: Project Ireland 2040 and the NDP.

Block 4 Irish Life Completed

PC & BCAR achieved on the construction of a new entrance and Cat A fit-out to the first floor office space, Block 4 for Irish Life, Dublin 1.

PHOTO SHOWS: Block 4 at Irish Life Mall, Talbot Street, Dublin 1. PHOTO: Conor Ó Mearáin

CIF Launch Online Covid Induction – It’s in our hands

The CIF Safety and Health sub-Committee, mindful of the best available guidance, nationally and internationally, has developed the Construction Sector C-19 Standard Operating Procedures document to serve as a guide for the management of COVID-19 on a construction site for the duration of the pandemic.

Construction Sector C-19 Standard Operating Procedures

The actions set out in the Construction Sector C-19 Standard Operating Procedures document should be implemented in tandem with an amended Construction Stage Health and Safety Plan. The purpose of the document is to protect workers, their families and the community, while also recognising the need to protect livelihoods. The CIF’s executive body has endorsed the document for implementation.

Simply put, the Construction Sector C-19 Standard Operating Procedures document is the most important document the CIF has distributed to this point in terms of preparing construction companies to operate in the industry after restrictions are relaxed.