Results 25,741-25,760 of 27,019 for speaker:Michael Noonan

Jobs Fund (23 Mar 2011)

Michael Noonan: To the extent that the proposals for a jobs fund as set out in the programme for Government involve additional costs, these costs will have to be counterbalanced by offsetting measures to reduce expenditure or raise revenue. Over the coming weeks, I will be examining the options in this regard in conjunction with colleagues on the Economic Management Council and with the wider Cabinet. Full...

Jobs Fund (23 Mar 2011)

Michael Noonan: In our discussions with the IMF and the European partners, they made it quite clear, and we assented quite willingly because we made it quite clear during the election, that whatever changes we made to the conditions in the memorandum of understanding would be fiscally neutral. In other words, if we substituted a range of measures, whether taxes or expenditure savings, by another range of...

Jobs Fund (23 Mar 2011)

Michael Noonan: With regard to the measures I outlined in my reply, the measures for 2011 have a cost of €220 million and €640 million in a full year. We slightly overestimated our costs during the campaign so they are somewhat lower than the figures the Deputy has quoted.

National Debt (23 Mar 2011)

Michael Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 11 and 13 together.

National Debt (23 Mar 2011)

Michael Noonan: The purpose of the joint EU-IMF programme of financial support is to provide the necessary funding while Government continues the process of repairing the banking system, restoring the public finances to a sustainable position and assisting the economy to return to a path of sustained growth and job creation. The programme provides access to a secure source of funding which the State can...

National Debt (23 Mar 2011)

Michael Noonan: As the Deputy pointed out, there is an ongoing and far-reaching debate on these issues. However, there is not a consensus, as he suggested. There are different views and the debate continues. I never said our debt was not sustainable; I said it could become unsustainable, which is a different issue. It could become unsustainable and we must be very careful to ensure it does not become so....

National Debt (23 Mar 2011)

Michael Noonan: In pressing my position Deputy Doherty seemed to slide over the key word. I never said, as he did, that our position is unsustainable. I said it could become unsustainable if too much of a burden is placed-----

National Debt (23 Mar 2011)

Michael Noonan: The simplest way of looking at unsustainability is the following: if the State were to reach a point whereby we could no longer afford to service our debts, then we would be coming to the point of unsustainability. However, there are many variables that would build up to that and we are a long way from that position. I have great confidence in this economy. In tandem with the jobs budget...

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (22 Mar 2011)

Michael Noonan: As the Deputy may be aware, the Government recently announced a number of cost saving measures relating to the personal appointees of Ministers and Ministers of State. These measures include a reduction in the number staff allowed in each Minister and Minister of State's Private and Constituency Office. The selection of Ministerial appointees is a matter for individual Ministers having...

Written Answers — Universal Social Charge: Universal Social Charge (22 Mar 2011)

Michael Noonan: The position is that the Universal Social Charge (USC) is applied at the following rates: · 2% on the first €10,036 (€193 per week) · 4% on the next €5,980 (€193.01 to €308.00 per week) and · 7% on the balance. For persons aged 70 years and over or with an entitlement to a full medical card the USC is applied at the following rates: · 2% on the first €10,036...

Written Answers — Departmental Responsibilities: Departmental Responsibilities (22 Mar 2011)

Michael Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 45, 46, 52, 57 and 60 together. It is envisaged that the transfer of Public Expenditure and Reform functions from the Department/Minister for Finance to the Department/Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform will require primary legislation. Work on the legislation has commenced and is being given top priority. Discussions are still proceeding about the...

Written Answers — Legislative Programme: Legislative Programme (22 Mar 2011)

Michael Noonan: The Deputy will be aware that the Construction Contracts Bill which was introduced by Senator Feargal Quinn passed Committee and remaining stages in the Seanad on 8 March. I understand that the Seanad debate highlighted a number of matters relating to the Bill that require further consideration. It would also be imperative that the full regulatory impact of such a piece of legislation be...

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (22 Mar 2011)

Michael Noonan: I have not yet received the final Report of the Review Group on State Assets and Liabilities. The Group is in the process of finalising the Report and I expect that it will be submitted shortly.

Written Answers — Semi-State Bodies: Semi-State Bodies (22 Mar 2011)

Michael Noonan: The future of Coillte, including its forestry and land holdings, will be considered by Government in light of commitments made in the Programme for Government. When considering the issue, Government will also take account of any recommendations on Coillte contained in the Report of Review Group on State Assets and Liabilities, which is currently being finalised.

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (22 Mar 2011)

Michael Noonan: The Report of the Independent Review Panel: Strengthening the Capacity of the Department of Finance was commissioned by the Minister of Finance, following his commitment at the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Finance and Public Service that a review would be carried out to assess the Department of Finances policy advice and performance over the past 10 years and to make recommendations on how...

Written Answers — Commencement of Legislation: Commencement of Legislation (22 Mar 2011)

Michael Noonan: Section 13 of the Finance Act 2011 provides for income tax relief at the standard rate for expenditure incurred by individuals on a range of works that are carried out to improve the energy efficiency of residential premises situated in the State. Relief will be available for qualifying expenditure of up to a maximum of €10,000 for single individuals, or up to a maximum of €15,000 per...

Written Answers — Departmental Responsibilities: Departmental Responsibilities (22 Mar 2011)

Michael Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 53 and 68 together. As part of the restructuring of Government Departments, the former Sectoral Policy Division of the Department of Finance is transferring into the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform. While the operational and organisational details are now being finalised, the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform will oversee and manage the...

Written Answers — Budgetary Process: Budgetary Process (22 Mar 2011)

Michael Noonan: It is the Government's intention that the Department of Finance will be reconfigured as two departments – a restructured Department of Finance which will, broadly speaking, encompass two of the existing divisions: Budget, Taxation and Economic Division and Financial Services Division, and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform which will also comprise, in broad terms, two existing...

Written Answers — Financial Institutions Recapitalisation: Financial Institutions Recapitalisation (22 Mar 2011)

Michael Noonan: The allocation of public funding to financial institutions will follow normal cabinet clearance procedures. However, the Deputy may also be enquiring about the formal role of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. It is intended that the Minister for Finance will retain responsibility for overall budget, tax and spending parameters while the Minister for Public Expenditure and...

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (22 Mar 2011)

Michael Noonan: Both the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and I, and our colleague the Minister of State in the Department, are in the process of making arrangements for the staffing of our respective constituency offices. As the Deputy may be aware, the Government recently decided to limit the number of staff in a Minister's constituency office to 4, and the number of staff in a Minister of...