Results 2,221-2,240 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Written Answers — EU Regional Policy: EU Regional Policy (3 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: I stated in my reply to the Deputy on 23 March 2005 that my Department would continue to monitor the developments as they unfolded in the area of future EU structural policy, and that until such time as the proposals for the 2007-13 period had been agreed, and the areas of eligibility defined, it would not be possible to make specific proposals in regard to any future Structural Funds. With...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (8 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the net VAT receipts collected for 2004 in respect of businesses managed and controlled in the geographical area covering Dublin city centre, the south city, the north city, south county, Fingal and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown was €3,342 million.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (8 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that statistics on stamp duty transactions are not compiled by reference to the address of the property purchased and, accordingly, it is not possible to provide the information requested.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (8 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: As the Deputy will be aware, in budget 2005, I announced that my Department, in conjunction with the Revenue Commissioners, would undertake this year a detailed review of certain tax incentive schemes and tax exemptions, including the artists' exemption scheme. This review is almost complete. With regard to plans that I may be considering to modify the scheme, I would refer the Deputy to the...

Written Answers — National Anthem: National Anthem (8 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: My Department holds the copyright in the national anthem. The principal reasons for holding the copyright are to ensure that it is freely available, to prescribe that performance fees are not to be charged or collected in respect of the use of the national anthem, and to ensure that it is not used in an inappropriate context and without due deference, such as to render it an object of scorn...

Written Answers — Departmental Correspondence: Departmental Correspondence (8 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: Neither I nor the relevant officials in my Department are aware of any such meeting or correspondence.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (8 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: As Deputies are aware, it is a long-standing practice of the Minister for Finance not to comment in advance of the budget on possible budget decisions.

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (8 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: I understand the Deputy is seeking a breakdown of stamp duty yield, in each of the years referred to, according to the main available stamp duty categories, and furthermore in the case of residential property, a breakdown of yield according to the various stamp duty rates that applied in each year. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that information is not available to provide a...

Written Answers — Irish Language: Irish Language (8 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: The main area of expenditure on the Irish language in my Department is through Gaeleagras na Seirbhíse Poiblí. Gaeleagras was established in the Department in 1971 with the general aim of promoting the Irish language throughout the Civil Service. Gaeleagras continues to make a significant contribution to the promotion and development of the use of Irish in the Civil Service including...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (8 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: The position is that the VAT rating of goods and services is subject to the requirements of EU VAT law with which Irish VAT law must comply. Under the sixth VAT directive, member states may retain the zero rates on goods and services which were in place on 1 January 1991, but cannot extend the zero rate to other goods and services. As the supply of property was not subject to the zero rate on...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (8 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: As I pointed out in my replies to recent parliamentary questions tabled by the Deputy on this topic, the estimated figures in respect of employee and employer contributions to occupational pensions are only available in aggregate form on a tentative basis. Subject to those limitations, and using some data obtained from the Pensions Board, the estimated cost of €563 million for tax relief on...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (8 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the basis for existing estimated figures of the net income of approved superannuation funds, contributions plus investment income less pension outgoings, is aggregated data estimated on a very tentative basis. Using estimates of the value of assets held by Irish pension funds provided by the Irish Association of Pension Funds, making certain...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (8 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the relevant information available is in respect of income tax relief allowed for contributions to retirement annuity contracts for the income tax year 2002, which are available to the self-employed and to employees not in occupational pension schemes. A distribution by income ranges of the number of cases, amount of deduction and reduction in...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (8 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: The membership of the audit committee of the Department of Finance is: Mr. Michael Flynn, chairperson, head of internal audit, Health Service Executive; Mr. Peter Crilly, director of audit, Bank of Scotland (Ireland) Limited; Ms Anne Vaughan, principal officer, Department of Social and Family Affairs; Mr. Aidan Dunning, assistant secretary, Department of Finance; and Ms Judith Brady,...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (8 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: The investment of the national pensions reserve fund is a matter for the National Pensions Reserve Fund Commission, under the provisions of the National Pensions Reserve Fund Act 2000. The commission's annual report and financial statement for 2004 includes a table setting out the details of the fund's portfolio of investments at 31 December 2004. The report does not provide details of the...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (8 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 345 and 346 together. In accordance with the requirements set out in the June 2005 progress report of the decentralisation implementation group each of the organisations not previously identified as "early mover" organisations, including the organisation to which the Deputy refers, are now in the process of preparing a deeper iteration of their original...

Written Answers — State Companies: State Companies (8 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: The total amounts paid to the Exchequer in the form of dividends from State companies between 1990 and to date are as set out in the following table: 1990 Company Dividend Payments Received by the Exchequer (€000) Aer Lingus 3,200 ICC Bank 1,826 Irish Life Assurance 598 Telecom Éireann 38,092 Total 43,716 1991 Company Dividend Payments...

Written Answers — Public Finances: Public Finances (8 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: The Department of Finance by virtue of having overall responsibility for the management of the public finances, has responsibility for managing the allocation of resources as approved by Government at a global level and putting in place a policy framework for securing value for money by line Departments and their implementing agencies in the delivery of public services. Primary responsibility...

Written Answers — Budget Submissions: Budget Submissions (8 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: I have received a pre-budget submission from the organisation concerned and I have met it as part of the community and voluntary pillar, one of a series of meetings held in advance of the budget. The contents of the pre-budget submission will be considered in the context of the forthcoming budget and Finance Bill. It would not be appropriate for me to comment in advance of the budget on...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (8 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: I have been informed by the Revenue Commissioners that based on the information provided they have been unable to identify the person concerned from their VRT records. However, should the Deputy wish to provide any additional information, the Revenue Commissioners will arrange, if necessary, for a further search to be undertaken. If the Deputy's query relates to motor tax, then it would be a...