Results 25,221-25,240 of 27,019 for speaker:Michael Noonan

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (18 May 2011)

Michael Noonan: There is a commitment in the Programme for Government to carry out a review of the Universal Social Charge (USC). As I have stated before in the house, I would encourage all interested parties to join the review of the USC by way of submission to my Department. My Department is currently accepting submissions from interested parties, however, if changes to the USC are being proposed I would...

Written Answers — University Debt: University Debt (18 May 2011)

Michael Noonan: Under the Universities Act, university borrowings must be in accordance with a framework agreed between the universities and the HEA, following consultation by the HEA with the Minister for Education & Skills and the Minister for Finance. There is therefore a Borrowing Framework in place for the university sector and as part of that Framework the universities are required to report annually...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (18 May 2011)

Michael Noonan: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the stamp duty regime applicable to residential property was reformed under Budget 2011. A new lower stamp duty rate of 1% was introduced for residential property transactions up to €1,000,000 with a higher rate of 2% applying to the excess over €1,000,000. The reform also involved the abolition of certain reliefs relating to residential...

Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (18 May 2011)

Michael Noonan: The information requested by the Deputy in relation to appointments made to bodies under the aegis of my predecessor is contained in the following tables: 2008 Name of Body Name of appointee Date appointed /reappointed An Post National Lottery Mr Donal ConnellMr James HylandMs Barbara Patton all appointed 08 Nov 2008 Valuation Tribunal Mr Tony TaaffeMr James BrowneMs Fiona...

Written Answers — Banking Sector Regulation: Banking Sector Regulation (18 May 2011)

Michael Noonan: The day-to-day regulation of banks and other financial service providers is primarily a matter for the Central Bank of Ireland (the Bank). The Bank has a range of enforcement tools available to it to ensure the regulation of the Financial Services industry up to and including the bringing of summary prosecutions. Other agencies such as An Garda Síochána, the Office of the Director of...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (17 May 2011)

Michael Noonan: The position is that the Universal Social Charge, which came into effect on 1 January 2011, is a tax payable on gross income, including notional pay, after any relief for certain trading losses and capital allowances, but before pension contributions. All individuals are liable to pay the Universal Social Charge if their gross income exceeds the threshold of €4,004 per annum (€77 per...

Written Answers — Motor Vehicle Registration: Motor Vehicle Registration (17 May 2011)

Michael Noonan: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that vehicle identification is a primary requirement in the process of vehicle registration in the State. In this regard, in order that a vehicle may be formally identified at the time of presentation for registration, documentary evidence (i.e. EC certificate of conformity, foreign registration certificate or certificate of permanent export from...

Written Answers — Motor Taxation: Motor Taxation (17 May 2011)

Michael Noonan: The Deputy may be aware that the rate of €50 for Category C vehicles (which includes vintage tractors and cars) had not been increased since its introduction in 1993 (when it was set at £40 and converted to €50 in 2002). Given that the rate hardly covered the administration costs of registering a vehicle, it was decided in the 2011 Budget to increase the rate for registering a Category...

Written Answers — Public Procurement Contracts: Public Procurement Contracts (17 May 2011)

Michael Noonan: The Government recognises that the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector is very important to the economy and that public procurement can be a source of business for SMEs. Whilst public bodies may use a prospective contractor's turnover to assess a company's financial capacity, there are no centrally imposed requirements for a minimum turnover. Such requirements would normally be...

Written Answers — Public Service Staff: Public Service Staff (17 May 2011)

Michael Noonan: The Government is committed to reducing Public Service numbers generally and is currently engaged in a Comprehensive Review of Expenditure with all Departments. Following a study of the outcome of this review, the Government will consider all options proposed by the review in order to ensure we meet the overall targets set out in the Programme for Government including taking into account...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (17 May 2011)

Michael Noonan: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that, based on information to hand, the taxpayer in question is entitled to the following tax credit for 2011: · Personal Tax Credit of €1,650 · PAYE Tax Credit of €1,650 · Rent Tax Credit of €320 It should be noted that tax law does not provide for a tax "family marriage allowance for children". The foregoing is...

Written Answers — Financial Services Sector: Financial Services Sector (17 May 2011)

Michael Noonan: The Central Bank has advised me that the following lenders have notified the Bank of their intention to implement the recommendation of a Deferred Interest Scheme (DIS), as set out in the final report of the Expert Group on Mortgage Arrears and Personal Debt: Allied Irish Banks. AIB Mortgage Bank. Bank of Ireland. ICS Building Society. EBS. Haven Mortgages. Irish...

Written Answers — Banking Sector: Banking Sector (17 May 2011)

Michael Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 99 and 100 together. The Minister for Finance has no role in the employment of staff of the Central Bank of Ireland or in its terms and conditions. However, I have been informed by the Central Bank of Ireland that there are 1,384 persons employed by the Central Bank of Ireland. The majority of staff in the Central Bank fall into the category of Professional...

Written Answers — Financial Services Regulation: Financial Services Regulation (17 May 2011)

Michael Noonan: Some financial service providers, currently authorised by the Central Bank provide debt advice to consumers e.g. mortgage brokers. Consumers can confirm whether or not a financial service provider is authorised by checking the Register of Financial Service Providers on the Central Bank's website. However, there are also companies which offer debt advice and debt counselling services which...

Written Answers — Bank Guarantee Scheme: Bank Guarantee Scheme (17 May 2011)

Michael Noonan: The Central Bank of Ireland has advised me that the value of senior bonds that matured in the period between September 2008 and September 2010 is €70.3 billion I do not have a breakdown by covered institution to hand as requested by the Deputy. I will however request a breakdown of guaranteed and unguaranteed senior bonds repaid during the above period from the covered institutions and...

Written Answers — Departmental Correspondence: Departmental Correspondence (17 May 2011)

Michael Noonan: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that a full and detailed review of the circumstances arising in the case that the Deputy refers to has been completed. A copy of the outcome of the review has been sent to the Deputy.

Written Answers — National Debt: National Debt (17 May 2011)

Michael Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 105 and 107 together. At the end of 2010, Ireland's National Debt stood at €93 billion. The projections for the National Debt for the years 2011 to 2015, based on the budgetary forecasts contained in the Stability Programme Update that was submitted to the European Commission and published on 29 April, are set out in the table below. It should be noted that...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (17 May 2011)

Michael Noonan: The table below lists the bodies under the aegis of my Department, that are members of the Irish Business and Employers Confederation (IBEC), together with the amounts paid to that organisation in the years in question. Body Paid in 2007 Paid in 2008 Paid in 2009 Paid in 2010 Paid to Date in 2011 The Central Bank and Financial Services Authority /replaced by the Central Bank Commission in...

Written Answers — National Asset Management Agency: National Asset Management Agency (17 May 2011)

Michael Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 108 to 111, inclusive, together. I am advised by NAMA that all major contracts awarded by it since its inception have been awarded through www.etenders.gov.ie, the website for Irish public tenders and have been fully compliant with standard public procurement procedures, which require that the most economically advantageous bid be accepted. The names of all...

Written Answers — Departmental Responsibilities: Departmental Responsibilities (17 May 2011)

Michael Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 112 and 144 together. As indicated in my reply to a previous PQ, it was my intention that Minister Howlin and I would present the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill for consideration by the Government at its meeting, today Tuesday, 17 May, with a view to publishing it as soon as possible thereafter. In general terms, it is proposed that the following...