Results 4,201-4,220 of 27,019 for speaker:Michael Noonan

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (11 Jan 2012)

Michael Noonan: The information requested by the Deputy in relation to agencies under the remit of my department is as follows: National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) There are 5 Boards coming under the NMTA as outlined in the following table. Please note that, in line with paragraph 3.8 of the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, attendance at meetings of the National Treasury...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (11 Jan 2012)

Michael Noonan: As I stated in my Budget speech, the Government has now fulfilled its commitment contained in the Programme for Government to increase the rate of mortgage interest relief to 30 per cent for first-time buyers who took out their first mortgage in the period 2004 to 2008. I will be looking at the technical detail of how this will operate in the preparation of the Finance Bill.

Written Answers — Liquor Licences: Liquor Licences (11 Jan 2012)

Michael Noonan: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that they are responsible for the administration of the issue or renewal of public house licences. The numbers of licences issued for each of the calendar years 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 to date are set out below. Please note that the licensing year runs from the 1st October to the 30th September. 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 No. Issued No....

Written Answers — Banking Sector Regulation: Banking Sector Regulation (11 Jan 2012)

Michael Noonan: I am aware of the interest rates charged by Permanent TSB. However the lending institutions in Ireland, including those in which the State has a significant shareholding, are independent commercial entities. Ultimately the pricing of financial products, including standard variable mortgage interest rates, is a commercial decision for the management team and board of each lending...

Written Answers — Personal Debt: Personal Debt (11 Jan 2012)

Michael Noonan: I am aware of the difficulties that the Deputy refers to in his question. In that regard, the Central Bank has advised me that they wrote to all mortgage lenders to ascertain whether they were offering, or intended to offer, a mortgage product that would allow home owners to sell their existing home and transfer the negative equity portion of the original loan to the new loan. In response...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (11 Jan 2012)

Michael Noonan: The position is that the married person's tax credit is only available where the persons concerned are married, or are registered as civil partners under the Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010 and are jointly assessed to tax. The Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010 only applies to same sex couples. Where the individuals concerned...

Written Answers — General Government Debt: General Government Debt (11 Jan 2012)

Michael Noonan: The latest data for which the General Government Debt can be disaggregated is 30/09/2011. This estimate is produced by the Central Statistics Office using data from the NTMA and the Department of Finance. The CSO compiles quarterly estimates of General Government Debt one quarter in arrears. General Government Debt at 30 September 2011 is reported as EUR162 billion, of which EUR130 billion...

Written Answers — General Government Debt: General Government Debt (11 Jan 2012)

Michael Noonan: General Government Debt grew from 25% of GDP in 2007 to 107% of GDP in 2011. The change in nominal terms over the entire period is EUR119m. The official measures of General Government Debt for 2007 to 2010 are given in the table below, along with an estimate for 2011. These are based on data published by the CSO, the NTMA and Department of Finance. The estimate for 2011 is based on the...

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (11 Jan 2012)

Michael Noonan: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that it is not possible to identify agricultural diesel separately but the figures for Marked Gas Oil (MGO), which is mainly used for agriculture, industrial and heating purposes are given below. It should be noted that 2011 figures are provisional and subject to change. 2009 2010 2011(Prov) Litres('000) Litres('000) Litres('000) MGO 1,274,063...

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (11 Jan 2012)

Michael Noonan: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners, who are responsible for the collection of mineral oil tax and for tackling the illicit trade in mineral oil products, that they are acutely aware of the various illegal activities that lead to loss to the Exchequer of mineral oil tax. The most serious risk in this regard is the large scale laundering of markers from mineral oil which is subject to a...

Written Answers — Electronic Payments: Electronic Payments (11 Jan 2012)

Michael Noonan: In June 2009 the National Payments Implementation Plan Advisory Group presented my predecessor with recommendations for a proposed new Payments Task Force to develop a strong, shared commitment to implementing a modern, efficient payments environment, driven by the requisite leadership and investment from key stakeholders. The Advisory Group also recommended that a national payments plan...

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (11 Jan 2012)

Michael Noonan: This issue is under ongoing discussion with the Northern Ireland authorities. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners, who are responsible for the collection of mineral oil tax and for tackling the illicit trade in fuel products, that they are aware of the threat to the Exchequer posed by laundered fuel. The predominant illicit activity in the mineral oil area in both Northern Ireland and...

Written Answers — Banks Recapitalisation: Banks Recapitalisation (11 Jan 2012)

Michael Noonan: The bank recapitalisation commitments made by the State to date are set out in the following table: €bn AIB/EBS BoI IL&P IBRC (Anglo/INBS) Total Government preference Shares (2009) - NPRF 3.5 3.5* - - 7.0 Capital contributions (with Promissory Notes as consideration) /Special Investment Shares (2010) – Exchequer ** 0.9 - - 30.7 31.6 Ordinary Share Capital (2009) – Exchequer - - -...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (11 Jan 2012)

Michael Noonan: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that there is no issue of non-payment of tax on private pensions. The issue which is currently topical relates to the payment of tax on Department of Social Protection Pensions. In September 2011, under the auspices of a High Level Group of officials charged with ensuring ever closer working between the Department of Social Protection and Revenue,...

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (12 Jan 2012)

Michael Noonan: The Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme provides relief from VAT and VRT (up to a certain limit) on the purchase of a car adapted for the transport of a person with specific severe and permanent physical disabilities, to those who meet certain disability criteria. The disability criteria for eligibility for the tax concessions under this scheme are set out in...

Written Answers — State Property: State Property (12 Jan 2012)

Michael Noonan: My Department does not occupy any Government offices in County Kerry. The Office of Public Works is responsible for the leasing and purchase of most Government offices within the State. You should contact OPW regarding any future plans they may have for the Government offices which are based in County Kerry.

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (12 Jan 2012)

Michael Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 78 and 81 to 83, inclusive, together. I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that in September 2011, under the auspices of a High Level Group of officials charged with ensuring ever closer working between the Department of Social Protection and Revenue, work commenced on looking afresh at data holdings in both organisations which had not previously been...

Written Answers — Tax Clearance Certificates: Tax Clearance Certificates (12 Jan 2012)

Michael Noonan: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that a tax clearance certificate has not been issued to the company concerned because the tax affairs of directors of the company are not up to date. Some directors of the company are partners in a partnership that has outstanding tax returns. However, in view of the particular circumstances of the case, the Revenue Commissioners have now decided...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (12 Jan 2012)

Michael Noonan: The position is that the amount representing what is known as the "living alone allowance" payable under the Social Welfare Acts is not a separate pension but rather is an increased amount of certain pensions such as the widows' pension and the State pension (previously known as the old age pension). Such pensions, including the living alone increase, are taxable.

Written Answers — Bond Markets: Bond Markets (12 Jan 2012)

Michael Noonan: It is the stated intention of the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) to return to sovereign debt markets as soon as market conditions permit. My hope is that a full return to the bond markets will become possible by mid-2013. The steps necessary to position the NTMA for such a return include continued progress in the reduction of the budget deficit in line with the targets agreed in...