Results 5,001-5,020 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (22 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the general position in relation to such projects under the rural renewal and other schemes is that qualifying expenditure may be incurred for tax relief purposes up to 31 December 2006 where a valid application for full planning permission in respect of the project was submitted to the relevant local authority by 31 December 2004. However, the...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (22 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the most up-to-date estimates of the information requested by the Deputy are as follows: Numbers of income earners on income tax record Year Exempt Paying at 20% or less Paying at greater than 20% Total 2006 776,100 937,700 446,700 2,160,500 35.9% 43.4% 20.7% These figures allow for the fact that many income earners pay no tax at all; many...

Written Answers — Radon Gas Levels: Radon Gas Levels (22 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: In 2004, my Department in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland undertook a programme for checking for the presence of Radon Gas in all buildings occupied by members of staff. The results from the testing programme found that in all cases Radon levels in the buildings surveyed were well within the safety limit as laid down by the...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (22 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: The cost of energy used by my Department in 2005 was €306,017.75. The suppliers of energy were Texaco Ireland, Energia, Bord Gáis and the ESB. The quantities of energy used are not readily identifiable. An audit has not been carried out on my Department's energy use. However, I understand that the Office of Public Works has invested in an energy monitoring and targeting system which is...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (22 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: The total cost of water acquired by my Department in 2005 amounted to €23,728.87. This amount includes payments to Dublin City Council, All Water Systems and Tipperary Natural Mineral Water. The cost of the water supplied consists of bottled and tap water, servicing of mains fed drinking fonts and the supply of disposable drinking cups. The quantity of bottled water used was 3,838 litres....

Written Answers — Price Inflation: Price Inflation (22 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: The Director General of the Central Statistics Office (CSO) has sole responsibility for and is independent in deciding the statistical methodology and professional standards to be used in compiling the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The CPI is designed to measure the change in the average level of the prices paid by consumers for goods and services. It measures in index form the monthly changes...

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (22 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the information to be furnished on VAT returns does not require the yield from particular sectors of trade to be identified. It is, therefore, not possible to identify what portion of the net VAT received relates to sales of electricity or gas to domestic households. However, based on statistical data derived from non-Revenue sources, the...

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (22 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the information to be furnished on VAT returns does not require the yield from particular sectors of trade to be identified. It is, therefore, not possible to identify what portion of the net VAT received relates to sales of electricity or gas to domestic households. However, based on statistical data derived from non-Revenue sources, the...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (22 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: The Excise duty on a litre of petrol and diesel is 44.3 cent and 36.8 cent respectively. Petrol and auto diesel are subject to the standard VAT rate which in Ireland is 21%.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (22 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...

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (22 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 — Financial Services Regulation: Financial Services Regulation (22 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: Anti-Money Laundering procedures in Ireland and throughout the European Economic Area are governed by the 1st and 2nd Money Laundering Directives. Those Directives were recently updated by the 3rd Money Laundering Directive which is required to be transposed into National Law by December 2007. The main purpose of the 3rd Money Laundering Directive is to implement the most recent revisions...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (22 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: Enhancing national competitiveness is a key priority for this Government. The Government is keenly aware of the importance of Ireland's exporting sectors to investment and jobs — and in turn of the importance of competitiveness for these sectors. Competitiveness is influenced by many factors not just inflation. Exchange rates, moderate wage inflation, sustainable public spending growth,...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (22 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: The Government's economic and budgetary strategy is based on pursuing economic growth and full employment as the basis of continued prosperity and enhanced living standards for all. In this regard maintaining and improving Ireland's competitive position is imperative in order to ensure Ireland continues to grow strongly and remains an attractive location for inward foreign direct investment....

Written Answers — Credit Union Regulation: Credit Union Regulation (22 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am aware of the report referred to by the Deputy and welcome all contributions to the debate regarding the future development of the credit union movement. The Deputy should note, however, that many of the recommendations contained in the report are addressed to the credit union movement itself. My specific role as Minister for Finance is to ensure that the legal framework for credit unions...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (22 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the latest relevant figures available are in respect of the income tax year 2003. Figures in respect of employee contributions to occupational pension schemes, that is schemes set up by the employer, represent estimates in aggregate form provided on a tentative basis. Subject to these limitations, and using data on the numbers of employee...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (22 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that figures of contributions to "Retirement Annuity Contracts" (RACs), which are available to the self-employed and to employees not in occupational pension schemes, and to PRSAs, for the tax years 2001, 2002 and 2003 (the latest available) are as follows: Pension contributions relating to RACs and PRSAs Amount of deduction 2001 2002 2003 €m...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (23 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that, historically, they had treated the supply of corrective spectacles and contact lenses by an optician as a single supply chargeable at the standard rate of VAT (currently 21%). Opticians had, in general, accounted for VAT on the full price for the supply of spectacles and contact lenses. Opticians have always been exempt from VAT in respect of...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (23 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that a review of liability has been carried out on behalf of the taxpayer. The taxpayer has received all refunds due to him to date. An underpayment has arisen for the year 2004 and a balancing statement detailing this issued to the taxpayer on 10 November 2006.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (23 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: The application of VAT in these cases is governed by EU law. This requires that private providers of homecare services must charge VAT at the appropriate rate of up to 21%. My Department is examining in consultation with the Department of Health and Children the scope within the relevant EU Directives to exempt the provision of such services from VAT in the future.