Results 401-420 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Written Answers — Revenue Investigations: Revenue Investigations (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: As the Deputy will know, my predecessor established the Revenue powers group under the chairmanship of Mr. Justice Frank Murphy to examine Revenue's main statutory powers and report on changes needed. The group's report was published on 4 February 2004 and the Minister indicated at that time that he wished to allow a period for debate and public reflection on the many and varied issues dealt...

Written Answers — Special Savings Incentive Scheme: Special Savings Incentive Scheme (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: The SSIA scheme opened on 1 May 2001 and entry to it closed on 30 April 2002. The accounts are due to mature between May 2006 and April 2007 at the end of the five-year period. A total of 1.17 million accounts were opened during the period outlined. The specific goal of the SSIA scheme was to encourage people to save over a period of at least five years. Its effect has been to stimulate such...

Written Answers — House Prices: House Prices (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: In the past number of years there has been a sharp increase in housing output and it has become a highly significant sector of the economy. In 2003, housing construction accounted for just over 10% of GNP. A gradual easing back of housing output is envisaged in the coming years, although this is expected to be offset by other components of building and construction, assisted by a continuation...

Written Answers — Special Savings Incentive Scheme: Special Savings Incentive Scheme (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 40 and 142 together. The SSIA scheme opened on 1 May 2001 and entry to it closed on 30 April 2002. The accounts are due to mature between May 2006 and April 2007 at the end of the five-year period. A total of 1.17 million accounts were opened during the period outlined. The impact of such maturing funds on consumer demand in 2006 and 2007 is difficult to...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: Figures of the average amount of income tax paid in the categories mentioned by the Deputy in each of the years 1999 to 2003, inclusive, the latter year being the latest year for which the necessary detailed information is available, are set out in the following table. Year (a) PAYE (b) Farmers (c) Other Self-employed â'¬ â'¬ â'¬ 1999 4,548 1,182 7,159 2000 4,558...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: It is not possible at present to examine the take up of tax relief for all pension contributions across different income categories. The relevant information is not available to the Revenue Commissioners because the tax relief for pension contributions for employees is normally given at source i.e., the taxable income is the income net of pension contributions by employees.

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: I assume the Deputy is referring to the disabled drivers and disabled passengers (tax concessions) scheme. This scheme is open to people with disabilities who meet the specified criteria and have obtained a primary medical certificate to that effect. The senior area medical officer attached to the relevant local health board is responsible for both the medical assessment and the issue of the...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: As the Deputy will be aware, the 2005 budget introduced a stamp duty relieving measure for first-time house purchasers who are owner-occupiers of second-hand houses by increasing the stamp duty exemption threshold for such purchasers from €190,500 to €317,500 and by having reduced rates for house values up to €635,000. This relieving measure will further assist affordability for...

Written Answers — Disclosures to Revenue Commissioners: Disclosures to Revenue Commissioners (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that precise figures are not available as to the number of letters which issued from the financial institutions. It is understood to be in excess of 100,000. It is not known how many accounts or individuals this represents because some individuals had accounts in different banks or in different branches of the same bank. In other instances there was...

Written Answers — Banking Sector Regulation: Banking Sector Regulation (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 46 and 61 together. I welcome the publication for consultation of the Competition Authority consultants' study on the banking sector. The Competition Authority has invited responses to this document by 14 February 2005. This is not the end of the Competition Authority's consideration. The report it has published is a consultation document and I will continue...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: From the outset the Government has made it clear that participation in the relocation programme would be on a voluntary basis. Staff in the participating organisations have been assured that if they wish to remain in Dublin they will be offered an alternative public service post in the capital. This remains the position. It has been clear from the beginning that future promotion policies must...

Written Answers — Public Private Partnerships: Public Private Partnerships (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: PPPs are part of the overall strategy to deliver on investment priorities. The Government is committed to developing the PPP process as a viable procurement option for appropriate projects. There has been good progress on PPPs overall since the first group of pilot projects were announced in 1999. Reasonable deal flow has been established in the roads and environment areas but progress in...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: My Department and the Office of the Revenue Commissioners have been working closely to investigate information and data capture issues with a view to improving data quality and transparency without overburdening compliant taxpayers. Arising from this work, Revenue are introducing a number of changes to the tax return forms which will yield additional information regarding the cost of various...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: As with all other organisations that are decentralising, Ordnance Survey Ireland, OSI, has prepared and submitted an implementation plan as requested by the decentralisation implementation group, DIG. This plan includes detailed material on all issues to be addressed in terms of people, property and business planning and will be further developed as additional information emerges. The plan...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the estimated cost of the business expansion scheme for 2004 is in the region of €22 million. As the Deputy will be aware, in budget 2005, I announced that my Department, in conjunction with the Revenue Commissioners, would undertake a detailed review of certain tax incentive schemes and tax exemptions this year. There are a number of elements...

Written Answers — Dormant Accounts Fund: Dormant Accounts Fund (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: I am advised that a figure of €252 million has been transferred to the dormant accounts fund from financial institutions in 2003 and 2004, of which €45 million was subsequently reclaimed by the beneficial owners. Disbursements from the fund to date amount to €14 million. The current balance in the fund, inclusive of accrued interest is €198.5 million. A portion of the dormant accounts...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy may be aware that section 98(a) of the Finance Act 1999, as inserted by section 50 of the Finance Act 2004, provides for the introduction of a scheme for excise tax relief for biofuels. The purpose of the scheme is to allow qualified and conditional relief from excise of biofuel used in approved pilot projects for either the production of biofuel or the testing of the technical...

Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: I was delighted to have been invited by the National College of Ireland to deliver the inaugural talk in its lecture series entitled Leaders in International Financial Services. My talk focused on three main topics: the importance of the financial services industry and the IFSC to the Irish economy; what the Government is doing to support the industry; and the importance the Government...

Written Answers — Budgetary Policy: Budgetary Policy (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: I understand the Deputy's question is concerned with the provision of financial support for children in a budgetary context. The Department of Social and Family Affairs has the primary role in the provision of financial support in respect of dependent children. Child benefit is the main fiscal instrument through which such support is provided. Child benefit provides support to all parents or...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: Securing national competitiveness is a key priority for this Government. The recent strengthening of the euro and its negative impact on our competitiveness further emphasises the need to keep domestic costs down. I warmly welcome the downward trend in the rate of CPI inflation last year. The 2.2% increase last year was the lowest rate of increase since 1999. My decision not to increase...