Results 24,821-24,840 of 27,019 for speaker:Michael Noonan

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (22 Jun 2011)

Michael Noonan: There are currently 4 staff members (1 Principal, 2 Assistant Principals and 1 Higher Executive Officer) in my Department working on North/South related matters as established under the Good Friday Agreement. In addition, these staff members are also responsible for other areas of work i.e. EU Structural Funds and other programmes. Prioritisation of resource allocation in my Department is...

Finance (No. 3) Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (22 Jun 2011)

Michael Noonan: This Bill provides for amendments to the taxation Acts that are necessary as a consequence of the Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010, commonly referred to as the civil partnership Act. The legislation provides for the taxation treatment of persons covered by the civil partnership Act and is the fulfilment of a promise in the programme for Government....

Finance (No. 3) Bill 2011: Referral to Select Committee (22 Jun 2011)

Michael Noonan: I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform pursuant to Standing Order 82A(3)(a) and (6)(a).

Finance (No. 3) Bill 2011: Order for Second Stage (22 Jun 2011)

Michael Noonan: I move: "That Second Stage be taken now."

Finance (No. 3) Bill 2011: Second Stage (22 Jun 2011)

Michael Noonan: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." The purpose of this Finance Bill is to provide for the necessary changes to the existing tax legislation as a consequence of the enactment of the Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010 or for shorthand, the civil partnership Act. Simply put, this Finance Bill recognises in law the new status of civil...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (21 Jun 2011)

Michael Noonan: All members of the Oireachtas including office holders are required under the Ethics in Public Office Act 1995 to disclose annually their registerable interests to the Standards in Public Office Commission. If at any time in a registration period (i.e. a calendar year to 31 December) an Oireachtas member including an office holder has a holding of shares, bonds, debentures or other like...

Written Answers — Economic and Monetary Union: Economic and Monetary Union (21 Jun 2011)

Michael Noonan: The European Stability Mechanism will replace the temporary mechanisms of the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF) and the European Financial Stabilisation Mechanism (EFSM). The purpose of the ESM will be to arrange funding and provide financial assistance, under strict economic policy conditionality, to the benefit of such ESM Members as may be either experiencing, or threatened by,...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (21 Jun 2011)

Michael Noonan: This is a matter for the Revenue Commissioners. Section 161 of the Finance Act 2010 provides for a voluntary scheme that enables members of the Judiciary to make a gift to the State of an equivalent amount to the pension related deduction imposed on State employees under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2009. Subsection (8) of that Section provides that, inter...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (21 Jun 2011)

Michael Noonan: I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that this is a complex case with a considerable tax debt. They have been in contact with the person concerned and his tax advisor regarding arrears outstanding. Following a review of this case, and pending receipt of a signed statement from the person, the Revenue Commissioners would hope to quickly resolve the issue.

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (21 Jun 2011)

Michael Noonan: The Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme provides relief from VAT and Vehicle Registration Tax (up to a certain limit), and exemption from motor tax, on the purchase of an adapted car for transport of a person with specific severe and permanent physical disabilities. The disability criteria for these concessions are set out in the Disabled Drivers and Disabled...

Written Answers — Tax Reliefs: Tax Reliefs (21 Jun 2011)

Michael Noonan: There is a commitment in the Programme for Government to help homeowners in distress. The Government will examine a number of proposals in relation to this commitment. One of these proposals relates to increasing mortgage interest relief to 30% for First Time Buyers who bought between 2004 and 2008 and to finance this in part by abolishing mortgage interest relief for new buyers. When...

Written Answers — Tax Reliefs: Tax Reliefs (21 Jun 2011)

Michael Noonan: Section 248 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 provided unrestricted relief for individuals in respect of interest on monies borrowed to purchase directly or indirectly (such as through a holding company) an interest in, or make a loan to, a trading company. This relief was abolished in Budget 2011. In recognition of the impact that immediate withdrawal of the relief would have, it was...

Written Answers — Financial Services Regulation: Financial Services Regulation (21 Jun 2011)

Michael Noonan: I have no plans to publish the Grant Thornton report Strategic Review of the Credit Union Sector, at this time. The report provides a detailed factual overview and expert assessment of the risk profile of the credit union sector as a whole, including specific proposals to strengthen the prudential soundness of credit unions. Due to the commercially sensitive and prudential nature of the...

Written Answers — Credit Availability: Credit Availability (21 Jun 2011)

Michael Noonan: As part of the Jobs Initiative announced in this House on 10th May, both the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and I confirmed the Government commitment to initiating a tendering process for the development of a temporary partial credit guarantee scheme. A call for competition for the design of a scheme was published on e-tenders on 15th June on behalf of the Minister for Jobs,...

Written Answers — Fiscal Policy: Fiscal Policy (21 Jun 2011)

Michael Noonan: I have no plans to extend the car scrappage scheme beyond 30 June 2011.

Written Answers — Public Sector Staff: Public Sector Staff (21 Jun 2011)

Michael Noonan: The details of each of the public service sectors employment control frameworks up to and including 2014 are set out in the table below. A revised table will be published following the completion of Transfers of Functions and the Comprehensive Spending Review. 2011 2012 2013 2014 Numbers ceilings * 301,000 298,800 296,500 294,700 of which: Civil Service 36,200 35,800 35,250 34,600...

Written Answers — Vehicle Registration: Vehicle Registration (21 Jun 2011)

Michael Noonan: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the PPS number is required at the time of registration when private individuals are registering the vehicle at an NCTS Centre. In the case of a vehicle being registered by a car dealer, the PPS number or the VAT number of the dealer is required. In cases where new vehicles registered by Authorised Traders via the Revenue on-line System, a PPS...

Written Answers — Financial Institutions Support Scheme: Financial Institutions Support Scheme (21 Jun 2011)

Michael Noonan: The information requested by the Deputy is being collated by my Department and will be provided directly to him as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Freedom of Information: Freedom of Information (21 Jun 2011)

Michael Noonan: The Programme for Government proposes to extend the Freedom of Information Acts and the remit of the Ombudsman. The Freedom of Information Acts are currently being reviewed in light of the Programme for Government commitment to inform the preparation of appropriate legislative amendments for consideration by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in the first instance and the...

Written Answers — Economic Growth: Economic Growth (21 Jun 2011)

Michael Noonan: The table shows the Department of Finance's GDP forecasts for the period 2005 to 2010 as well as the outturns, as currently estimated by the CSO. The Department's forecasts are those presented at the time of the annual Budget. Also included in the table are the relevant projections made by other domestic and international institutions. For consistency, all forecast figures are taken from...