Results 20,061-20,080 of 20,682 for speaker:Mary Hanafin

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (23 Mar 2010)

Mary Hanafin: Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (23 Mar 2010)

Mary Hanafin: Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (23 Mar 2010)

Mary Hanafin: Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (23 Mar 2010)

Mary Hanafin: Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (23 Mar 2010)

Mary Hanafin: Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (23 Mar 2010)

Mary Hanafin: Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.

Tourism Industry: Motion (Resumed) (24 Mar 2010)

Mary Hanafin: I had understood that the Minister for Finance was due to make the final Government contribution to this debate. However, I am delighted to take the opportunity to contribute. Perhaps I might share the time available with the Minister for Finance who I am sure will arrive shortly.

Tourism Industry: Motion (Resumed) (24 Mar 2010)

Mary Hanafin: I thank the Deputies opposite for offering me their good wishes on my appointment. I am glad that Private Members' time has been given over to a debate on a subject as important as tourism. This debate belies comment in the media to the effect that tourism, culture and sport are not important to this country's people or its economy. Tourism is important as regards its potential to give...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (24 Mar 2010)

Mary Hanafin: The table sets out the funding provided in the 2010 revised estimates for the public service for each of the votes in my Department that fund the development of sports facilities. Sub-head Amount C.1 - GRANTS FOR SPORTING BODIES AND THE PROVISION OF SPORTS AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES (PART FUNDED BY NATIONAL LOTTERY) â'¬48,000,000 C.2 - GRANTS FOR PROVISION AND RENOVATION OF SWIMMING...

Written Answers — Departmental Property: Departmental Property (25 Mar 2010)

Mary Hanafin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 161 and 162 together. My Department is not currently leasing any properties from property landlords or to business.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2010 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage. (25 Mar 2010)

Mary Hanafin: ): On Report Stage in the Dáil the Minister for Finance agreed to accept an amendment proposed by Deputy Burton. The amendment requires that a report be prepared for Dáil Éireann on the tax forgone and the benefits in terms of job creation or otherwise arising from tax expenditure included in the finance Bill 2010. While the Minister was happy to accept the amendment, he was concerned...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2010 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage. (25 Mar 2010)

Mary Hanafin: Again.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2010 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage. (25 Mar 2010)

Mary Hanafin: I will clarify the point raised by Senator Twomey. I thank the three Senators for their kind comments. The cost-benefit analysis to which Senator Twomey referred was only for capital expenditure, but the Commission on Taxation suggested there should be a cost-benefit analysis of all of the tax expenditure. The Minister for Finance agrees with this and is coming back to the Cabinet in June...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2010 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage. (25 Mar 2010)

Mary Hanafin: I am sorry, but I understood that the next recommendation was on pensions. Is that not correct?

Seanad: Finance Bill 2010 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage. (25 Mar 2010)

Mary Hanafin: I beg pardon. I appear to have matters in the wrong order. This issue has been debated in the Dáil as well. We understand that the cost of the recommendation proposed by Senator Twomey would likely be in the order of €16 million per annum, with a total cost of €64 million over the lifetime of the proposal. It is very difficult to justify these costs in our current economic...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2010 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage. (25 Mar 2010)

Mary Hanafin: I agree with everything the three Senators have said. The Minister for Finance would be favourably disposed towards such a move. However, Senator White put his finger on the issue in that there may be a need for legislation, regulations or, at least, rules of court to allow periodic payments to be made. The President of the High Court has already asked Mr. Justice Quirke to establish and...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2010 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage. (25 Mar 2010)

Mary Hanafin: As the Senator knows, having a Law Reform Commission report and the required legislation in place are two very different things. I am not in any way at odds with the Senator, nor is the Minister for Finance. In fact, we are favourably disposed to doing exactly what he wants to do. However, given that the report to Mr. Justice Quirke is due by the end of November, I hope we will be in a...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2010 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage. (25 Mar 2010)

Mary Hanafin: This section makes a number of changes to certain pension-related tax provisions contained in the Taxes Consolidation Act. The section restates the formula used for calculating the annual notional distribution amount from an approved retirement fund which amount is subject to tax at the fund-owner's marginal income tax rate. The restatement is to clarify and to put beyond doubt that the...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2010 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage. (25 Mar 2010)

Mary Hanafin: The Senator is right in the first part of his contribution. This is designed to ensure older people who would be a high risk in health insurance would not have to pay much higher premiums. It will address the issues raised in the court. It is a temporary measure for three years until other legislation on a further scheme is introduced.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2010 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage. (25 Mar 2010)

Mary Hanafin: That is a matter for the Minister for Health and Children. Question put and agreed to. NEW SECTION.