Results 2,261-2,280 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen
- Decentralisation Programme. (9 Nov 2005)
Brian Cowen: There is no point in the Deputy doing the usual stunt in respect of a question on decentralisation. The implementation group, which knows much more about this process than anyone in this House, provided a financial model which confirms that the payback in respect of relocation can be done on a property basis over 20 years. I presume the Deputy is trying to extrapolate. He can just throw out a...
- Decentralisation Programme. (9 Nov 2005)
Brian Cowen: When all aspects are taken into account the implementation group's financial model indicates how it works out. In respect of the Deputy's one in six figure, 138 posts are due to relocate to my town, Tullamore, and 57 of those people have indicated they want to decentralise there from the relevant Department. That is not one in six. A further 33 have accepted offers of posts in Tullamore and...
- Decentralisation Programme. (9 Nov 2005)
Brian Cowen: I will extrapolate the figures back for the Deputy to avoid confusion. I have explained the amount committed in principle on site acquisition to date, namely â¬35.7 million. I do not say that does not correspond to the Deputy's figure in respect of how it will be spent. On the other side of the balance sheet, however, after all the Deputy's extrapolation, is the amount of money the State...
- Decentralisation Programme. (9 Nov 2005)
Brian Cowen: In his desire to give an accurate account of what it costs to move people the Deputy decided to divide a figure he knows by the number of early movers. It does not, however, cost that sum because we will dispose of the other buildings and money will come in for them. We hear a great deal from the financial spokesman in the Deputy's party about the need for models and giving credence to...
- Decentralisation Programme. (9 Nov 2005)
Brian Cowen: The Deputy is purposely not factoring them in because he wants to give a sensational figure to the media.
- Tax Code. (9 Nov 2005)
Brian Cowen: The tax measures in place for child care are capital allowances on child care facilities, an exemption from a benefit-in-kind charge where employers provide free or subsidised child care facilities for their employees and the home carer tax credit. Child benefit is also exempt from income tax. There is a need to examine pragmatically and practically what can be done to provide child care...
- Tax Code. (9 Nov 2005)
Brian Cowen: I appreciate the Deputy asking specific questions, but these matters are under consideration in the context of the upcoming budget. One is much constrained by that. The issue is how we increase options for people and ensure a greater supply of child care places. If we do not look at the supply side of the equation, any efforts on the other side will not have the impact one would like to see....
- Tax Code. (9 Nov 2005)
Brian Cowen: I am not sure what the Deputy means regarding a time limit for the capital allowance. In 1999, a scheme of capital allowances was introduced in respect of qualifying capital expenditure incurred in the construction, refurbishment or extension of a building or part of a building used as a child care facility, where the requirements of the child care pre-school regulations 1996 have been met....
- Official Engagements. (9 Nov 2005)
Brian Cowen: I attended the ECOFIN Council meeting in Brussels on 8 November 2005. This meeting was attended by Ministers of Finance of all 25 EU member states and of Bulgaria and Romania. The Council held a debate on Council conclusions on means of establishing an improved control framework for the EU budget on the basis of work carried out by a group of member state experts convened by the Commission...
- Official Engagements. (9 Nov 2005)
Brian Cowen: We have economic and tax models which have ensured our unemployment rate stands at half the EU average and our growth rate is more than 2.5 times the euro zone average. These models include low taxes on employment and enterprise and different indirect taxation levels. It is a question of how a tax system is structured. The one-stop scheme idea concerns business consumer and Internet type...
- Official Engagements. (9 Nov 2005)
Brian Cowen: Interest rate policy is exclusively a matter for the Governor of the European Central Bank. I do not speculate on such issues, for obvious reasons. The European economy is experiencing a slight recovery, with a possible 1.2% growth this year. While that figure varies significantly from our experience, it is to be expected of the euro area. Unless evidence is found of second round effects with...
- Official Engagements. (9 Nov 2005)
Brian Cowen: I do not know what informal discussions may have taken place among others but I did not discuss the matter with anyone at ECOFIN. As the Deputy is aware, the proceedings of the euro group meeting, which took place the preceding night, is confidential.
- Official Engagements. (9 Nov 2005)
Brian Cowen: The matter was not discussed at yesterday's meeting, nor am I aware of its planned discussion under the UK Presidency. The Austrian Presidency will set its own agenda. I have not been advised that the matter is of imminent concern. VRT tax take is an important part of our tax revenues.
- Tax Code. (9 Nov 2005)
Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the number of reviews of tax liability sought by PAYE taxpayers in the past three years which resulted in refunds are as follows: as of 23 September 2005, there were 322,361 such reviews and the amount refunded was â¬282 million; in 2004, there were 350,016 reviews and refunds of â¬278 million; in 2003, there were 314,298 reviews and refunds...
- Tax Code. (9 Nov 2005)
Brian Cowen: I cannot comment on the Deputy's specific points. If he forwards his data to me, I can give him a considered reply. This is an issue that is ongoing and I accept the Deputy's general argument. I can consider his suggestion when he forwards his information which I will ask Revenue to examine.
- Tax Code. (9 Nov 2005)
Brian Cowen: The Revenue Commissioners are following up these matters and I can get a detailed response from them as to what they are doing to try to deal with the query raised by the Comptroller and Auditor General.
- Tax Code. (9 Nov 2005)
Brian Cowen: I cannot confirm or deny that at present.
- Tax Code. (9 Nov 2005)
Brian Cowen: I understand that.
- Tax Code. (9 Nov 2005)
Brian Cowen: I take the Deputy's point on board. I will have the issue checked out in more detail.
- Archaeological Sites. (9 Nov 2005)
Brian Cowen: Is the Deputy not going to ask me to do a detailed cost-benefit analysis?