Results 4,341-4,360 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (28 Sep 2006)

Brian Cowen: As the Deputy will be aware from previous replies to similar questions on this issue, I want to make sure any such relief can work and does not open up the VAT system to other very costly demands. The examination of the matter is ongoing and I will consider it in the context of the forthcoming Budget.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (28 Sep 2006)

Brian Cowen: The 2006 revised estimate for my Department's vote is €110.831 million. Moneys from the Vote will be fully and appropriately spent in accordance with the ambit of the Vote. While the Outturn for the Vote will not, of course, be known until after end year, expenditure trends to date suggest a possible saving of the order of €10 million may arise at end 2006. Any Savings will be...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (28 Sep 2006)

Brian Cowen: The National Development Plan/Community Support Framework (NDP/CSF) 2000-2006 is implemented through seven Operational Programmes. The most recent expenditure data on the Plan relates to the period to the end December 2005. This data is set out in Tables 1 and 2 below. Data for first six months of 2006 will be available at end October 2006 following the meetings of the Operational...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (28 Sep 2006)

Brian Cowen: My Department has no objection, in principle, to the pension scheme proposal submitted by the Department of Education and Science for certain caretakers employed in certain primary schools. However, there are some details in relation to the proposal which remain to be considered further before formal sanction to the scheme can be given by my Department. Discussions on these issues are...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (28 Sep 2006)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions 164 and 165 together. As the Deputy will appreciate, the tax liability of, and tax payments made by, individual taxpayers is a matter for the Revenue Commissioners. I am advised by Revenue that the information requested by the Deputy is confidential to the taxpayer concerned and, accordingly, they are not in a position to disclose it. If the taxpayer wishes to...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (28 Sep 2006)

Brian Cowen: I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that an amended PAYE Balancing Statement for 2005 issued to the taxpayer on 26 September 2006. This showed that no tax deductions were made from her income in 2005. Consequently, no entitlement to a refund arises in this instance.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (28 Sep 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that relief from Capital Acquisitions Tax on gifts and inheritances of agricultural property is available where the beneficiary fulfils certain conditions. If the beneficiary sells the agricultural property within six years of the date of the gift or inheritance a claw-back of the relief will occur, unless the proceeds from the sale are fully...

Public Expenditure: Motion. (3 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: For the record, I did clap. I am glad the Deputy is observant.

Public Expenditure: Motion. (3 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy should keep her compliments and stick to the subject matter.

Public Expenditure: Motion. (3 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following: "—notes the Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General on the 2005 Appropriation Accounts and that in line with normal procedure it will now be passed for scrutiny to the Committee of Public Accounts; acknowledges the need to pursue best practice in the management of public...

Public Expenditure: Motion. (3 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: A significant amount of resources have been invested in providing for people with disabilities and in placing them in mainstream education. This may have deferred in some instances the question of reducing pupil-teacher ratios which have been reduced by a further one this year and a further one next year, as outlined by the Minister for Education and Science. The Government's record in...

Public Expenditure: Motion. (3 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: The real achievements cannot be ignored.

Public Expenditure: Motion. (3 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: People expect us to recognise——

Public Expenditure: Motion. (3 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: I remind the Deputy that heckling in a childish manner in this Parliament does nothing to add to the quality of debate.

Public Expenditure: Motion. (3 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: Significant progress is being made in a range of areas. The Comptroller and Auditor General's annual report to this House, as is the case for every Government of every composition, points out where we can do better and where we need to do better. The important point is whether we put in the systems of accountability that minimise the chance of risk and whether we can ensure that we have the...

Public Expenditure: Motion. (3 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: Are we going to have order in the House when a Member from the Government side is speaking?

Public Expenditure: Motion. (3 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: A Leas-Cheann Comhairle, can we have order in the House, please?

Public Expenditure: Motion. (3 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: Deputy Burton should cop herself on. It is no wonder she is going to lose her seat with the way she carries on.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (3 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that Revenue Job Assist allows employers a double wages deduction in their accounts, if they employ a person who has been unemployed for 12 months or more. The double wages deduction may last for 3 years and applies to: Wages paid to a qualifying employee in a qualifying employment and Employer's PRSI contributions paid in respect of such wages. The...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (3 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: I have no proposals to abolish stamp duty on houses bought by first-time buyers. There are already significant reliefs in the stamp duty and income tax code for first-time buyers which put them in an advantageous position compared to other house buyers.