Results 341-360 of 406 for speaker:Charlie McCreevy

Seanad: Finance Bill 2004 [[i]Certified Money Bill[/i]]: Committee and Remaining Stages. (24 Mar 2004)

Charlie McCreevy: As I said earlier, we are aware of just one possible park and ride development, despite the scheme's attractiveness.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2004 [[i]Certified Money Bill[/i]]: Committee and Remaining Stages. (24 Mar 2004)

Charlie McCreevy: I am not sure, but I think the Deputy is correct. It should be borne in mind that the living over the shop scheme is a regurgitation of a previous scheme, which may have been introduced by Deputy Quinn. As there was practically no take-up of the former scheme, it was eventually abandoned. When I became Minister for Finance, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government said...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2004 [[i]Certified Money Bill[/i]]: Committee and Remaining Stages. (24 Mar 2004)

Charlie McCreevy: It has not worked, even though changes were made. The student accommodation scheme has been well utilised in the various university cities and towns, including one in my constituency.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2004 [[i]Certified Money Bill[/i]]: Committee and Remaining Stages. (24 Mar 2004)

Charlie McCreevy: There has been a big take-up of the scheme, which was introduced in section 50 of a previous Act. The take-up of the park and ride scheme has been almost non-existent, the take-up of the living over the shop scheme has been very poor, even though it is being rejigged for the second time, and the take-up of the student accommodation scheme has been substantial.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2004 [[i]Certified Money Bill[/i]]: Committee and Remaining Stages. (24 Mar 2004)

Charlie McCreevy: The Senator mentioned this matter in his contribution on Second Stage. Under the original Bill, as published, one's incremental expenditure on research and development had to be at least €50,000. I reduced that figure to €0 on Report Stage in the Dáil.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2004 [[i]Certified Money Bill[/i]]: Committee and Remaining Stages. (24 Mar 2004)

Charlie McCreevy: I meant to correct the Senator when he referred to €50,000 on Second Stage.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2004 [[i]Certified Money Bill[/i]]: Committee and Remaining Stages. (24 Mar 2004)

Charlie McCreevy: With respect to Senator McDowell's colleague, she totally misunderstood and misinterpreted the building aspect of the scheme.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2004 [[i]Certified Money Bill[/i]]: Committee and Remaining Stages. (24 Mar 2004)

Charlie McCreevy: I explained the matter to her in my reply, but she continued to speak about it.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2004 [[i]Certified Money Bill[/i]]: Committee and Remaining Stages. (24 Mar 2004)

Charlie McCreevy: That is not the intention.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2004 [[i]Certified Money Bill[/i]]: Committee and Remaining Stages. (24 Mar 2004)

Charlie McCreevy: It will not be like that. I can send the Senator detailed notes on the matter.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2004 [[i]Certified Money Bill[/i]]: Committee and Remaining Stages. (24 Mar 2004)

Charlie McCreevy: Section 33 gives effect to the budget announcement to introduce a tax credit for research and development by providing for a credit of 20% of incremental expenditure by a group of companies on research and development. Expenditure on buildings is not considered in the calculation of incremental expenditure, as a credit for such expenditure is dealt with separately. Expenditure that is not on...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2004 [[i]Certified Money Bill[/i]]: Committee and Remaining Stages. (24 Mar 2004)

Charlie McCreevy: Yes. If one stops engaging in research and development——

Seanad: Finance Bill 2004 [[i]Certified Money Bill[/i]]: Committee and Remaining Stages. (24 Mar 2004)

Charlie McCreevy: The buildings have been considered under separate sections for a number of reasons. Expenditure on building a laboratory would constitute research and development, so it would have to be allowed. The relief would be distorted, however, if such expenditure was considered with the research and development activity. One would be able to claim it all back in one year, for example. One will be...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2004 [[i]Certified Money Bill[/i]]: Committee and Remaining Stages. (24 Mar 2004)

Charlie McCreevy: The original relief would be clawed back in such circumstances. A claimant must be a qualified company — a company that carries out research and development activities itself. A lessor that incurs expenditure on the construction of a building and rents it to a research and development company will not qualify for the credit on the construction costs. Therefore, the scheme cannot be regarded...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (30 Mar 2004)

Charlie McCreevy: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the person in question submitted a claim for medical expenses relief on 16 October 2003. The claim related to medical expenses incurred by the person's wife during the year 2003. The claim was returned to him on 16 October 2003 indicating that the claim could not be addressed until the end of the tax year 2003. On 21 January 2004, the taxpayer...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (30 Mar 2004)

Charlie McCreevy: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the progress on decentralisation of Revenue staff to Listowel, Kilrush and Newcastle West is dependent on the availability of suitable accommodation in the relevant locations and the completion of the implementation committee's implementation plan. The OPW is undertaking an initial assessment of the accommodation proposals for each of the locations.

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (30 Mar 2004)

Charlie McCreevy: In recent years, the Government has carefully considered the whole area of child care and its cost. In that context, the core objective of Government policy in the area of child support is the provision of assistance to parents which offers real choice and is beneficial to all children. As a matter of policy, the Government has decided that child benefit will be the main fiscal instrument...

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (30 Mar 2004)

Charlie McCreevy: My Department has no involvement in the operation of the disabled drivers medical board of appeal. However, I am informed that there is a backlog of appeals to be dealt with by the board. At present, there is a waiting time of more than two years to be seen by the board. I am advised that the backlog of appeals — approximately 500 — is caused by a number of factors, in particular the...

Written Answers — Farm Retirement Scheme: Farm Retirement Scheme (30 Mar 2004)

Charlie McCreevy: A farmer who wishes to avail of the Department of Agriculture and Food administered early retirement scheme must transfer or lease his or her lands and cease all commercial farming activity. The scheme provides for a pension for retiring farmers of up to €13,515 a year for up to 10 years and I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that this income is taxed in the normal way. I am...

Written Answers — Drinks Industry: Drinks Industry (30 Mar 2004)

Charlie McCreevy: The information requested by the Deputy is being compiled by the Revenue Commissioners and will be forwarded directly to him.