Results 20,341-20,360 of 27,019 for speaker:Michael Noonan

Written Answers — Department of Finance: VAT Rates (18 Sep 2012)

Michael Noonan: Legal advice has indicated that proposals to exempt from VAT service companies that export more than 90% of their output are not in accordance with EU VAT law, with which Irish VAT law must comply.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Insurance Costs (18 Sep 2012)

Michael Noonan: Pricing of insurance is generally determined by an assessment an insurer will make of the risks involved. Generally I understand that previous claims experience will have a major influence on such matters. Therefore, if there has been a major increase in claims in a particular area, as has happened with household insurance in the last few years, then this will be reflected in an increase in...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Compliance (18 Sep 2012)

Michael Noonan: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that their tax and duty compliance programmes are under constant review to ensure that they are focussed on the areas of greatest risk, including risks from the shadow economy. The hidden economy includes the suppression of sales, wages and income by registered businesses, fraudulent repayment claims, smuggling and trading in counterfeit and...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Consumer Protection (18 Sep 2012)

Michael Noonan: The Government considers that the best means to improve consumer confidence is to restore sustainability to the public finances, repair the banking system and improve competitiveness. Effectively addressing these three areas will result in increased employment, investment and consumer spending and will be key in driving this country forward. Looking more specifically at what the Government...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tobacco Smuggling (18 Sep 2012)

Michael Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 193 and 232 together. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners, who have responsibility for tobacco products tax, that tackling the illicit trade in tobacco is a priority for them. I am sure the Deputy will appreciate that it is extremely difficult to estimate the loss to the Exchequer which results from shadow economy activity and that claims about the...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: NAMA Staff Remuneration (18 Sep 2012)

Michael Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 194 and 313 together. All NAMA staff are employees of the NTMA and under Section 42 of the NAMA Act 2009, the NTMA assigns staff to NAMA. Other than a small number of staff reassigned from other functions within the NTMA, NAMA staff are employed by the NTMA on the basis of specified purpose contracts - their employment lasts for as long as their particular...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Fuel Laundering (18 Sep 2012)

Michael Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 195 and 350 together. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners, who have responsibility for mineral oil tax, that tackling the illicit trade in laundered diesel is a priority for them. Revenue has responded very aggressively to the threat posed to the exchequer and to legitimate business by this criminal activity and has a comprehensive action plan in...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Enterprise Support Services Provision (18 Sep 2012)

Michael Noonan: The relevant information available is the number of applications approved for refund under the Seed Capital Scheme in each year. There were 86 applications approved in 2011 and 40 applications have been approved to-date in 2012.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Reliefs Availability (18 Sep 2012)

Michael Noonan: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the most recent available information on the relief in question is for the year 2010 and is derived from corporation tax returns filed in respect of that year. The number of companies claiming the relief for 2010 was 855.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Credits (18 Sep 2012)

Michael Noonan: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the total number of enterprises benefiting from the research and development tax credit for 2010, the latest year available, was 1,172. I should highlight that this is a provisional figure. Unfortunately, as the granting of a research and development tax credit is not dependent on the size of the claimant company, there is no basis on which to...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Reliefs Availability (18 Sep 2012)

Michael Noonan: Sections 472A and 88A of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 provide tax incentives for both employers and employees, to help the long-term unemployed to return to employment. The relevant information available in relation to the numbers of employees and employers who availed of the Revenue Job Assist scheme for the income tax years 2010 and 2011 respectively, the latest years for which the...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Drug Smuggling (18 Sep 2012)

Michael Noonan: The Revenue Commissioners have primary responsibility for the prevention, detection, interception and seizure of controlled drugs intended to be smuggled or illegally imported into the State. I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that they place particular emphasis on developing their intelligence base through a strong risk analysis focus at national and regional level and by deploying...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Fuel Trader's Licence (18 Sep 2012)

Michael Noonan: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that from 1 October this year, anyone who sells or deals in, keeps for sale or delivery, or delivers marked gas oil or marked kerosene must hold a marked fuel trader’s licence in respect of each premises or place in which such mineral oil is sold or dealt in, or kept for sale or delivery. This licence will be issued by Revenue to successful...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Reliefs Availability (18 Sep 2012)

Michael Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 202, 330 and 331 together. The estimated cost on an annual basis, from 2005 to 2010 inclusive, of the income tax relief available under section 482 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 in respect of heritage properties, and the associated number of claims, are as follows. Year Numbers Cost €M 2005 84 3.3 2006 180 6.2 2007 210 5 2008 290 5.9 2009...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Licensed Moneylenders (18 Sep 2012)

Michael Noonan: I mentioned in the House on 18 July 2012, at the conclusion of the debate on the Private Members' Bill on the issue of capping the interest rate charged by licensed moneylenders, that I would draw to the attention of the Governor of the Central Bank, the concerns and points raised during the debate. I have received a reply from the Governor in recent days and its contents are being examined....

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Job Assist Scheme Expenditure (18 Sep 2012)

Michael Noonan: The cost to the Exchequer of the Revenue Job Assist scheme in each year since inception in 1998/99 to 2010, the latest year for which the necessary detailed information is available, is as follows: Year Cost €m 1998/99 1.0 1999/00 2.7 2000/01 2.9 2001(short tax “year”) 1.7 2002 0.9 2003 0.6 2004 0.4 2005 0.4 2006 0.3 2007 0.3...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Intestate Estates (18 Sep 2012)

Michael Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 205 and 208 together. Section 73 of the Succession Act 1965 provides that where a person dies intestate and without known next-of-kin the estate of that person shall be taken by the State as ultimate intestate successor. Where an estate falls to the State under Section 73, it is administered by the Chief State Solicitor under the direction of the Attorney...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Dormant Accounts Fund Deposits (18 Sep 2012)

Michael Noonan: I am advised by the National Treasury Management Agency - which is the manager of the Dormant Accounts Fund - that the balance of the Fund as at 31 August 2012 was €169,305,657. The Fund does not refer only to deposits of persons who are deceased. An account will be considered to be dormant if it has been 15 years since the last customer-initiated transaction. Under the Unclaimed...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Dormant Accounts Fund Management (18 Sep 2012)

Michael Noonan: Section 73 of the Succession Act 1965 provides that where a person dies intestate and without known next-of-kin the estate of that person shall be taken by the State as ultimate intestate successor. Where an estate falls to the State under Section 73 it is administered by the Chief State Solicitor under the direction of the Attorney General. Depending on the extent and nature of the estate...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: VAT Rates (18 Sep 2012)

Michael Noonan: As you are aware, Ireland applies the zero rate of VAT to children’s clothing and shoes under defined circumstances. Where crested and official primary school uniforms meet the criteria of children’s clothing then they will be subject to the zero rate, if not then the standard VAT rate applies. There is no special VAT treatment of crested and official primary school uniforms...