Results 2,061-2,080 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (18 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: There are no age related stamp duty exemptions for any category of persons for purchasing a home and I have no plans to introduce such an exemption.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (18 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the available information as to the cost to the Exchequer of the exemption of certain earnings of writers, composers and artists is in respect of claimants who made income tax returns for the five income tax years 1998-99 to 2002, the latest year for which it is available. The information is as follows: 1998-99, €24.5 million; 1999-2000,...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (18 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: In the 2005 budget, I announced a comprehensive programme of reviews of a broad range of tax incentive schemes and tax exemptions. Many of these schemes are being reviewed internally within the Department of Finance and the Office of the Revenue Commissioners. In addition, following a competitive tendering process, two external consultancy firms were retained to conduct reviews of the range...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (18 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: The reasons for the engagement of consultants were set out in some detail in the last budget. The consultants appointed have worked in close co-operation with special in-house project management teams set up for this purpose as required under the contracts. As indicated already in reply to other questions on this issue, my Department and Revenue are also carrying out an examination on a...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (18 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: The consultants appointed by me have received full co-operation from the Revenue Commissioners and my Department. This involvement has largely covered provision of support data and overall project management. The work carried out by my Department and Revenue in this case can be regarded as within the normal range of duties and functions carried out by them in discharging their...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (18 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: I assume the Deputy is referring to the cost for 2002 of all income tax allowances, reliefs, exemptions and tax credits which are included annually in table IT 6 of the statistical report of the Revenue Commissioners. I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the estimated cost in 2002 of these tax concessions is estimated to be in the region of €10.8 billion. This figure includes the...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (18 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that, in the case referred to by the Deputy, due to a breakdown in communication between two of its offices, it was incorrectly stated in the reply to a parliamentary question on 28 September 2005 that no response was received from the solicitor's office to their letter of 27 May 2004. The Revenue Commissioners very much regret any inconvenience...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (18 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: The Commissioners of Public Works, following consultations with the Garda authorities on their requirements, estimated that the refurbishment costs would be in the region of €350,000.00. As a result of the tendering process, a contract was placed on 6 May 2003 in the sum of €392,000. The final account figure is not to hand as there is one element of the works to be finalised. The ESB is...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (18 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: A site for a new Garda divisional headquarters in the Roxborough area of Wexford town is currently under consideration. An access issue in relation to the site has arisen which requires to be resolved before the legal formalities can be finalised. The final decision on the selection of the site for the new Garda headquarters in Wexford is a matter for the Department of Justice, Equality and...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (18 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 388 and 389 together. The staffing of my Department's press office consists of a press officer, a higher executive officer, an executive officer and a clerical officer. With the exception of the press officer, each of the other staff members is entitled to claim overtime at standard Civil Service rates in respect of additional attendance outside normal office...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (18 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: In accordance with established procedures in Civil Service employment, my Department permits time off in lieu to grades which are entitled to paid overtime, generally staff up to the level of higher executive officer. This permits staff to avail of extra time off rather than pay for extra attendance. Such agreements are agreed in advance and must be consistent with the work demands. This is...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (18 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: The holding and use of personal information is governed by the Data Protection Act 1988 and the Data Protection (Amendment) Act 2003. On commencing employment with the Department, all staff are informed of these requirements and sign confirming knowledge and acceptance of these requirements. In addition, staff with access to personnel files are briefed on the confidential nature of their...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (18 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: Since 2003, my Department has permitted two staff at HEO-AO-APO grades, to participate in the masters programme in policy analysis administered by the Centre for Management and Organisation Development, leading to an MSc in policy analysis from UCD. Participants enter into a contract which provides for refund of course fees and salary in the event of the person leaving the Civil Service...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (18 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: In the academic year 2004-05, 38 staff members in my Department made an application under the refund of fees scheme in respect of courses undertaken at night or evenings. The expected total cost of the scheme for 2005 is approximately €62,000. Three staff members who were approved to undertake a course under the scheme in the academic year 2004-05 did not subsequently apply for a refund of...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (18 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table: Year Training Budget for the Department (calendar year €m) Expenditure Under the Refund of Fees Scheme (academic year €m) 2002 1.3 0.081 in 2001/2002 — (6.2%) 2003 1.3 0.099 in 2002/2003 — (7.6%) 2004 1.1 0.059 in 2003/2004 — (5.4%) The...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (18 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: In the past three years, my Department has purchased 31 briefcases at a cost of €1,370. Fourteen briefcases were allocated to members of staff who use a briefcase on a regular basis. The remaining briefcases are available for short-term use by staff. In the same period €55 was refunded to one member of staff in respect of a purchase of a briefcase. The largest amount paid for one...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (18 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: My Department has provided five personal digital assistants to staff in my department. The total cost of these five personal digital assistants is €2,341, the most expensive being €526. These items are provided to senior management, principal officer or above, and my Department has a stringent policy and set procedure for the requesting of these items. Each request is scrutinised and...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (18 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: I understand the Deputy has clarified that he is looking for the number of staff in my Department who are currently on sick leave absence of more than six months. The regulations on paid sick leave provide that half rate of pay applies to absences of more than six months duration. If the absence is extended beyond one year, pension rate of pay applies. Four staff in my Department have been on...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (18 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: In the period since 2000 my Department has paid a subscription to the company referred to by the Deputy in each of the years 2002, 2003 and 2004, and paid a fee to the company in 2003. The following table sets out the details, including the payment made in each year in which there was a payment to the company, the services provided and the controls applied in the procurement process. In each...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (18 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: In the period since 2000, my Department has engaged the company referred to by the Deputy to undertake three consultancies. The following table sets out details of the contracts, including the payment made in each year in which there was a payment to the company, the services provided and the controls applied in the procurement process. In each case I am satisfied that my Department achieved...