Results 9,001-9,020 of 27,019 for speaker:Michael Noonan

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Cycle to Work Scheme Administration (9 Dec 2014)

Michael Noonan: The Cycle to Work scheme is essentially an environmental measure. It was introduced on that basis to help lower carbon emissions, reduce traffic congestion, encourage more employees to cycle to work and also to help improve health and fitness levels. However, as children tend to receive bicycles from their parents there is a concern that such an extension to the scheme would become a...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: National Debt (9 Dec 2014)

Michael Noonan: General government debt is a measure of the total gross consolidated debt of the State and is the measure used for comparative purposes throughout the European Union. As such, this response focuses primarily on general government debt. According to the Central Statistics Office (CSO), general government debt at end-2010 and end-2013 stood at €144.2 billion and €215.6 billion...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: VAT Exemptions (9 Dec 2014)

Michael Noonan: VAT law is governed by the EU VAT Directive, with which Irish VAT law must comply.  The EU VAT Directive does not makes provision for a VAT exemption for the purchase of mountain rescue equipment, and as such an exemption cannot be granted under Irish law. Only persons who charge VAT on their economic activity are entitled to claim VAT on their business inputs. Where mountain rescue...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Credit Availability (4 Dec 2014)

Michael Noonan: The Government recognises that small businesses, including those in the hospitality sector, play a central role in the sustainable recovery of the Irish economy. To facilitate this, Government policy since 2011 has been focused on ensuring that all viable SMEs have access to an appropriate supply of credit from a diverse range of bank and non-bank sources. 2013, the year of...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: NAMA Operations (4 Dec 2014)

Michael Noonan: In the context of the management of close to 800 debtor connections, numerous situations arise where debtors disagree with NAMA as to what may be the best outcome for taxpayers.  This is to be expected.  Whilst in many cases debtors may believe from their perspective that a certain course of action will achieve a better outcome, NAMA has been charged by the legislature...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: NAMA Operations (4 Dec 2014)

Michael Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 59 and 64 together. NAMA's approach to unencumbered assets is determined on a case-by-case basis by reference to its assessment of the best achievable commercial outcome in any given situation.  It is not possible therefore to set out a general position in this matter.  It is clearly the case, however, that, in line with its statutory obligation to...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: NAMA Property Sales (4 Dec 2014)

Michael Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 60, 62 and 63 together. NAMA works closely with its debtors to identify opportunities to enhance asset values through the planning process and it therefore evaluates carefully all requests to fund planning applications.  In a large majority of cases, NAMA agrees to such requests and is currently supporting its debtors to advance a number of significant...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: NAMA Property Construction (4 Dec 2014)

Michael Noonan: Applications for planning are made by NAMA debtors or, in the case of enforcement, on their behalf by receivers and not by NAMA.  I am advised that through NAMA funding it has supported debtor planning applications relating to in excess of 8,000 residential units and a substantial amount of commercial accommodation.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: NAMA Debtor Agreements (4 Dec 2014)

Michael Noonan: I am advised by NAMA that, through its engagement with its debtors, it has obtained charges over a wide range of previously unencumbered property and non-property assets.  Through this process, NAMA has obtained charges over additional security with an aggregate value in excess of €800m, which represents a significant additional protection for Irish taxpayers. This...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: NAMA Debtors (4 Dec 2014)

Michael Noonan: I am advised by NAMA that, where a cooperative borrower has consensually sold all available assets, made full disclosure to NAMA and made every reasonable effort to repay debt, NAMA is prepared to consider forbearance on residual debt.  NAMA will carry out independent verification of the debtor's statement of affairs and will retain recourse to the debtor for a period so that...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: NAMA Debtors (4 Dec 2014)

Michael Noonan: NAMA's engagement with its debtors is carried out in a manner consistent with the highest professional industry standards with the aim of maximising the return to the taxpayer in respect of debts owing to it.  All debtors are afforded equal courtesy and the Agency engages with all debtors in an entirely professional, impartial and objective manner.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Reliefs Abolition (4 Dec 2014)

Michael Noonan: I understand the Deputy to be referring to reliefs or credits eliminated or commencing to be phased out with effect from Budget and Finance Act 2012.  The tax reliefs and credits which follow below were ceased or are being phased out since Budget and Finance Act 2012.  (Section numbers refer to the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997.) I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that tax...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Property Taxation Exemptions (4 Dec 2014)

Michael Noonan: I confirm that I am aware of the anomaly to which the Deputy refers, and that officials of my Department, together with officials of the Department of Environment, Community & Local Government, are examining the alternatives other than testing that may be available in order to confirm entitlement to a Local Property Tax (LPT) exemption.  I am conscious that the...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Disabled Drivers and Passengers Scheme (4 Dec 2014)

Michael Noonan: The Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme provides relief from VAT and VRT (up to a certain limit) on the purchase of an adapted car for transport of a person with specific severe and permanent physical disabilities, repayment of excise duty on fuel, and an exemption from Motor Tax. To qualify for the Scheme, an applicant must have a permanent and severe...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Rebates (4 Dec 2014)

Michael Noonan: The Revenue Commissioners have carried out a detailed examination of the particular case. The individual concerned had failed to submit income tax returns and estimated assessments had been made by a Revenue Officer. No appeals were submitted against the assessments raised and subsequently an attachment order was obtained against payments due to the individual by a State Department. ...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Property Taxation Rate (4 Dec 2014)

Michael Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 72, 74 and 81 together. As the Local Property Tax is a new tax, the Government wished to provide certainty to homeowners and for this reason valuation periods of three years were introduced (with the exception of the first valuation period which covers three and a half years). In addition to providing certainty, it also eases the administration burden on...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Central Bank of Ireland (4 Dec 2014)

Michael Noonan: Primary responsibility for the maintenance of law and order, including the protection of the internal security of the State, rests with An Garda Síochána. However, one of the roles assigned to the Defence Forces in the White Paper on Defence (2000) is to provide Aid to the Civil Power (ATCP) which, in practice, means to assist An Garda Síochána when requested to do so. ...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Disabled Drivers and Passengers Scheme (4 Dec 2014)

Michael Noonan: The Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme provides relief from VAT and VRT (up to a certain limit) on the purchase of an adapted car for transport of a person with specific severe and permanent physical disabilities, repayment of excise duty on fuel, and an exemption from Motor Tax. To qualify for the Scheme, an applicant must have a permanent and severe...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Income Data (4 Dec 2014)

Michael Noonan: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the information requested, estimated by reference to the income tax year 2015, is set out in the following table. All income earners for Income Tax Year 2015 (provisional) Range of Gross Income - € Number of Income Earners 0 to 9,000 368,585 9,001 to 12,000 107,297 12,001 to 15,000 116,836 15,001 to 20,000 213,112 20,001...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Mortgage Lending (4 Dec 2014)

Michael Noonan: The introduction of macro prudential measures is an independent matter for the Central Bank. The consultation period on the Central Bank's macro prudential proposals for residential mortgage lending ends on 8 December next and the Central Bank has informed me that it hopes to be in a position to announce a finalised set of regulations soon after that date depending on the...