Results 4,741-4,760 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Written Answers — Budget Submissions: Budget Submissions (2 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: At this time of the year I receive a large number of pre-budget submissions requesting funding for a wide range of issues. I will keep the Deputy's representations in mind in the context of the forthcoming Budget.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (2 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that a PAYE Balancing Statement (Form P21) for 2005 issued to the taxpayer on 31 October 2006.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (2 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: The Gross total Voted Expenditure (including the Social Insurance Fund and the National Training Fund) over the past ten years with the percentage increase is set out in the table below: Year Exchequer Outturn* Year-on-Year Increase â'¬m % 1996 17,332 4.3 1997 18,858 8.8 1998 20,512 8.8 1999 22,811 11.2 2000 25,925 13.7 2001 31,303 20.7 2002 35,808 14.4 2003 38,364 7.1 2004...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (7 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that a repayment of nursing home charges in the case of a deceased patient would form part of the estate of that deceased person, and would be paid out to beneficiaries under the terms of the deceased patient's will or, in accordance with the Succession Act 1965 where the patient died intestate. The capital acquisitions tax code charges to tax any...

Written Answers — Government Expenditure: Government Expenditure (7 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: To date the Exchequer has received €240,902,257 from the sale of its shares in Aer Lingus. These funds have been lodged to the Exchequer and will be classified in the Finance Accounts as Capital Receipts. Accordingly the funds have not been allocated towards any specific expenditure, but will be used to fund expenditure generally.

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (7 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: A special Interdepartmental Review Group reviewed the operation of the Disabled Drivers Scheme. The terms of reference of the Group were to examine the operation of the existing scheme, including the difficulties experienced by the various groups and individuals involved with it, and to consider the feasibility of alternative schemes, with a view to assisting the Minister for Finance in...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (7 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that Section 473 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 provides for an allowance at the standard rate of income tax for individuals who, for a tax year of assessment, prove that they have paid rent in respect of a residential premises that is their main residence. The definition of rent for the purposes of Section 473 is such that it refers only to...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (7 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: There are special rules for estimating the value of the benefit of company provided cars which are available for the private use of employees. Where annual business mileage is 15,000 miles or less the benefit of the car is calculated at 30% of the original market value with this figure reducing in the context of higher annual business mileage categories. For example, where the business...

Written Answers — Financial Services Regulation: Financial Services Regulation (7 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: The Deposit Protection Scheme is a system to compensate depositors in the event of the failure of a credit institution. The European Communities (Deposit Guarantee Schemes) Regulations, 1995, which came into effect on 1 July 1995, set out the terms and conditions governing deposit protection in Ireland. Responsibility for funding the Irish deposit protection scheme rests with participating...

Written Answers — Financial Services Regulation: Financial Services Regulation (7 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 233 and 234 together. There is no State savings guarantee for savers with Irish credit institutions generally. There is, however, a deposit protection scheme funded by credit institutions (other than credit unions) which are authorised by the Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland. The Deputy should note that a key principle underlining the...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (7 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: I received the correspondence dated 17 October 2006 and have already acknowledged its receipt. A substantive reply, along the lines set out below, has also now been issued. The position is that prior to the passing of the Finance Act, 1999, any person going on pension under a defined contribution scheme or a retirement annuity contract was required to purchase an annuity with any...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (7 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: Tax relief for health expenses is allowable as a deduction against income at the taxpayer's marginal rate for annual expenses incurred in excess of €125 per person. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that data on health expenses incurred by individuals where the total amount of expense falls below the threshold are not recorded centrally on Revenue tax records. There is,...

Written Answers — Budget Submissions: Budget Submissions (7 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: I have received a pre-Budget submission from the organisation concerned. Its contents will be considered in the context of the forthcoming Budget and Finance Bill. As Deputies are aware it would not be appropriate for me to comment in advance of the Budget on possible Budget decisions.

Written Answers — Departmental Transport: Departmental Transport (7 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: Official transport for myself and Minister of State, Deputy Tom Parlon is provided by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. My Department does not use any other official vehicles. However, I have asked the Office of Public Works and the Office of the Revenue Commissioners, both of which operate a fleet of vehicles, to provide any relevant information, which will be forwarded to...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (7 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: In Budget 2005, I announced a special stamp duty relief relating to an exchange of farm land between two farmers for the purposes of consolidating each farmer's holding. The relief is contained in section 121 of the Finance Act 2005 which provides that no stamp duty will be charged on an exchange of such lands where the lands are of equal value. In a case where the lands exchanged are not of...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (7 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy will appreciate that in line with normal practice in the run up to the annual Budget and Finance Bill I do not wish to comment further on the intention or otherwise to make changes in taxation.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (7 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: There are three significant financial elements of the sugar compensation package, as far as farmers, as sugar beet growers, are concerned. The first is an amount of €123 million, payable over the next seven years via the single payment scheme, as compensation for the drop in the support price of beet. The second element of the compensation package is the restructuring aid. In July 2006 the...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (7 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: I do not comment on tax proposals ahead of the Budget. I might say, however, that Capital Gains Tax applies to farmers as it applies to those disposing of property in general. The abolition of reliefs allows for a lower rate of tax for all.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (7 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: The Group thresholds, below which no Capital Acquisitions Tax (CAT) is liable, are increased automatically each year according to the Consumer Price Index. With regard to the exclusion of principal private residences from assessment, I assume the Deputy is referring to the gross assets test contained within CAT Agricultural Relief. In order to qualify for Agricultural Relief, at least 80...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (7 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: While the promotion of biofuels and other renewable energy is primarily a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, I am pleased to inform the Deputy that in Finance Act 2006 I provided for significant tax measures to promote biofuels in Ireland. The scheme of excise relief for biofuels will: provide for excise relief on up to 163 million litres...