Results 25,181-25,200 of 27,019 for speaker:Michael Noonan

Written Answers — Bank Funding: Bank Funding (24 May 2011)

Michael Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 77 and 78 together. The Central Bank of Ireland publish figures monthly on ECB lending to the Irish banking sector in its Money and Banking Statistics. The latest figures published by the Central Bank of Ireland (Table A.4 .1 Domestic Market Credit Institutions: Aggregate Balance Sheet) show that ECB lending to the six domestic banks totalled almost €82.8bn...

Written Answers — Mortgage Lending: Mortgage Lending (24 May 2011)

Michael Noonan: I assume that the six Irish banks referred to by the Deputy are the six banks covered by the Government Guarantee Scheme (Bank of Ireland, Allied Irish Banks, EBS Building Society, Irish Nationwide, Irish Life and Permanent, Anglo Irish Bank). I have been advised by the Central Bank of Ireland that the amount of mortgage loans outstanding to the six banks is €139 billion of which €73.2bn...

Written Answers — Private Sector Lending: Private Sector Lending (24 May 2011)

Michael Noonan: I assume that the Deputy is referring to the credit institutions covered by the Irish Government Eligible Liabilities Guarantee Scheme. I am informed by the Central Bank that the total amount of credit advanced to the Irish private-sector (non-financial corporate, households, non-bank financial intermediaries) on balance sheets by the credit institutions covered by the Irish Government...

Written Answers — National Cash Reserves: National Cash Reserves (24 May 2011)

Michael Noonan: National Treasury Management Agency The National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) was established in December 1990 to manage the assets and liabilities of the Irish Government / Exchequer. I am informed by the NTMA that cash reserves and other investments of €18.8 billion were held by the NTMA as of 18 May 2011, consisting of: Exchequer Account €5.2 billion Cash on Deposit –...

Written Answers — Financial Services Regulation: Financial Services Regulation (24 May 2011)

Michael Noonan: I am advised by the Financial Services Ombudsman that from January 2010 to date the Financial Services Ombudsman's Bureau has received over 10,000 complaints from individuals against financial service providers. In that period, 3,455 findings were issued and a further 6,107 cases were closed or settled. Currently 1,317 cases are with the investigation team and a further 1,158 cases are...

Written Answers — National Asset Management Agency: National Asset Management Agency (24 May 2011)

Michael Noonan: NAMA advises me that the property or other assets securing loans transferred to NAMA remain in the possession of the debtor unless enforcement action is taken against the debtor by NAMA. Where enforcement action is taken by NAMA, the agency may ultimately take ownership of property but it is expected that in the majority of these instances the property will be managed by a receiver who is...

Written Answers — National Debt: National Debt (24 May 2011)

Michael Noonan: National Debt is essentially the debt of the Exchequer and the increase in the level of National Debt from some €75 billion at end-2009 to just over €93 billion at end-2010 was primarily due to the fact that the Exchequer recorded a deficit of €18.7 billion in 2010. Just under €12.6 billion of the Exchequer deficit in 2010 related to the excess of current expenditure over current...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (24 May 2011)

Michael Noonan: The following table details amounts paid to the company in question from 1993 to 2001. Year Amount Detail 2001 £32,224.93 Public Transport Evaluation

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (24 May 2011)

Michael Noonan: This matter involves a State agency that falls within the aegis of my colleague the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport. It is a matter therefore for him whether or not there is an issue that needs to be followed up.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (24 May 2011)

Michael Noonan: The 2011 Budget Booklet, Annex A pages C19 – C21 provides a comprehensive illustration of the average tax rates for the years 1997 to 2011 inclusive, for the various house-hold types at different income levels under a range of PRSI classes such as full PRSI (Class A) and self-employed (Class S). This information can also be obtained on the following website http://www.budget.gov.ie.

Written Answers — Croke Park Agreement: Croke Park Agreement (24 May 2011)

Michael Noonan: Progress under the Public Service Agreement 2010-2014 is overseen by the Implementation Body, established in July 2010 and chaired by Mr. P.J. Fitzpatrick. In line with paragraph 1.16 of the Agreement, a review of progress is to be undertaken on an annual basis by the Body to determine the sustainable savings that have been achieved. The first such review is currently underway. As part of...

Written Answers — Pension Fund Levy: Pension Fund Levy (24 May 2011)

Michael Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 91 to 93, inclusive, together. I would very much hope that individuals already saving for their retirement and those considering doing so would not be influenced in a negative way by the pension fund levy. The levy is a relatively small charge on the significant assets of pension funds, much of which are represented by investments outside of Ireland. As the...

Written Answers — National Lottery Funding: National Lottery Funding (24 May 2011)

Michael Noonan: The surplus generated by the National Lottery is transferred regularly to the Exchequer. The surplus transferred is applied to part-fund the Exchequer allocations to a specified range of expenditure subheads across various Votes. The amount transferred to the Exchequer from the National Lottery surplus, together with details of the total Exchequer allocations to the relevant subheads are...

Written Answers — National Lottery Funding: National Lottery Funding (24 May 2011)

Michael Noonan: For the past number of years, each Government Department with responsibility for expenditure that is part-funded by the National Lottery surplus publishes details of such expenditure (including lists of recipient organisations and amounts involved) on the Department's website. Links to all this data are also provided from the National Lottery's website. In view of this, there are no plans...

Written Answers — Government Expenditure: Government Expenditure (24 May 2011)

Michael Noonan: The Review of Capital Expenditure is currently underway and is running in parallel with the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure. It is intended that the review will be completed in the autumn. Programmes and projects that support economic recovery will be at the core of the capital review.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (24 May 2011)

Michael Noonan: Section 473 of the Taxes Consolidation Act, 1997 provides tax relief at the standard rate to individuals who pay for private rented accommodation that is used as their sole or main residence. The level of rent qualifying for rent relief depends on an individual's marital status and age. In Budget 2011, it was announced that rent relief was being withdrawn on a phased basis. No new...

Written Answers — Motor Vehicle Seizures: Motor Vehicle Seizures (24 May 2011)

Michael Noonan: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the law provides for the seizure of motor vehicles in respect of which customs, excise or vehicle registration tax offences have been committed. However, except where serious offences such as cigarette or drug smuggling are involved, or where there are particular aggravated circumstances, it is normal Revenue practice to return seized vehicles...

Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (24 May 2011)

Michael Noonan: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that their Customs Service currently deploys 13 units, each comprising a detector dog and handler, at strategic locations throughout the country. The dogs are used to detect drugs, tobacco and cash. Passive dogs are used as this allows for the screening of passengers as well as merchandise and baggage. The detector dog units play an important role...

Written Answers — Banking Sector Regulation: Banking Sector Regulation (24 May 2011)

Michael Noonan: As already communicated to the Deputy, the next phase of the process to shortlist and evaluate the large number of expressions of interest received – just short of 500 when control checks were applied to the total number of applications received – is under consideration.

Written Answers — Bank Guarantee Scheme: Bank Guarantee Scheme (24 May 2011)

Michael Noonan: My officials are in the process of gathering this information and I will provide the Deputy with the breakdown as he has requested as soon as it is available.