Results 5,081-5,100 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (5 Dec 2006)

Brian Cowen: It is a general principle of taxation that, as far as possible, income from all sources should be subject to taxation. This includes the contributory and non-contributory pensions paid by the Department of Social and Family Affairs and there are no plans to change this position. However, in the case of social welfare pension income, the extent to which taxation actually arises in a given case...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (5 Dec 2006)

Brian Cowen: The information requested by the Deputy is not available to my Department, as neither the Financial Regulator nor the Pensions Board collects such data. The Deputy should note that the administration of pension schemes is primarily the responsibility of scheme trustees. Trustees are required to, at all times, act in the best interests of scheme members, with due regard being paid to the...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (5 Dec 2006)

Brian Cowen: In his question of 24 October last, the Deputy raised the issue of the tax treatments of pensions of Irish nationals who are retired officials of the EU as compared with the pensions of Irish nationals who are retired officials of the United Nations. I informed the Deputy that there are legislative provisions which relieve the salaries and pensions of Irish nationals from the charge to Irish...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (5 Dec 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the number of appeals, in the case of vehicles where the VRT was assessed by reference to the Open Market Selling Price, which have been lodged and determined by the Revenue Commissioners in the period 1 January 2003 to 1 December 2006, is as set out in the table and comprises appeals in relation to VRT category A vehicles and VRT category B...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (5 Dec 2006)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy will be aware that I am delivering the Budget tomorrow. He will also be aware that it is not practice to comment on issues, such as this, prior to the Budget.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (5 Dec 2006)

Brian Cowen: It would be premature to make any comment on this matter as the details of the proposed scheme have not yet been finalised.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (5 Dec 2006)

Brian Cowen: I should explain that the VAT regime and rating of goods and services is subject to the requirements of EU VAT law with which Irish VAT law must comply. Under the Sixth VAT Directive charities and non-profit groups engaged in non-commercial activity are exempt. This means they do not charge VAT on the services they provide and cannot recover VAT incurred on goods and services that they...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (5 Dec 2006)

Brian Cowen: The question of refunds of tax is a matter for the Revenue Commissioners. I have been advised by Revenue that the person in question applied for an unemployment repayment on 22 November 2006. This was dealt with on 27 November 2006 and a cheque will issue to the person in question shortly.

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (5 Dec 2006)

Brian Cowen: Prior to 1 June 1973, no superannuation benefits were payable to civil servants, male or female, on cessation of service prior to age 60 other than in cases of retirement on grounds of ill-health or death in service. Prior to 1974, female officers were required to resign on marriage and received marriage gratuities. Following the abolition of the marriage bar, any officer appointed prior to...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (5 Dec 2006)

Brian Cowen: Income earned by artists, writers, composers and sculptors from the sale of their work is exempt from tax in Ireland in certain circumstances. The exemption is only available to individuals who are resident here for tax purposes. Section 195 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997, formerly section 2 of the 1969 Finance Act, allows the Revenue Commissioners to make a determination, under...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (5 Dec 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the charges being applied by the Health Service Executive under the Health (Charges for In-Patient Services) Regulation 2005 are health expenses within the meaning of Section 469 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 and may be included in a claim for relief under the section.

Written Answers — National Pensions Reserve Fund: National Pensions Reserve Fund (5 Dec 2006)

Brian Cowen: Under the National Pensions Reserve Fund Act 2000, the National Pensions Reserve Fund Commission controls and is responsible for the investment of the National Pensions Reserve Fund. It has discretionary authority to determine the Fund's investment strategy in accordance with the Fund's statutory investment policy of securing the optimal total financial return provided the level of risk to...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (5 Dec 2006)

Brian Cowen: In the years 2003 to 2005 my Department entered into contracts for consultancy services with 77 consultants. In the same period my Department spent some €6.57m from its vote on those consultancy services. A significant proportion of this was related to ICT system and software development. As the Deputy will be aware, my Department issues comprehensive guidelines concerning the engagement of...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (5 Dec 2006)

Brian Cowen: Government approved guidelines are in place in relation to appointments to boards of commercial State-sponsored bodies. These guidelines cover competence of appointees, gender balance etc. While an age limit of 70 years as the normal upper age limit for persons to be appointed to boards of State-sponsored bodies was established many years ago, my understanding is that an upper age limit is...

Budget Statement 2006 (6 Dec 2006)

Brian Cowen: As I present my third budget to this House, I am delighted to report that Ireland's economy is strong. Introduction Growth is running at 5%, its ideal, sustainable level, and more than 2 million people are at work. We are making unprecedented investment in our infrastructure and this will enhance our competitiveness and improve our quality of life for years to come. Our public services are...

Budget Statement 2006 (6 Dec 2006)

Brian Cowen: ——equivalent to more than €8.65 per hour. The employee PRSI entry point is also being increased to that level. These measures will remove around 88,000 from the tax net altogether. Once again, in 2007 we will meet our commitment to keep those on the minimum wage completely out of the tax net.

Budget Statement 2006 (6 Dec 2006)

Brian Cowen: This means that almost two out of every five earners, or 846,000 persons, will be outside the tax net in 2007 compared to one third, or 677,000 persons, in 2004 and one quarter, or 380,000 persons, when we took office in 1997. This is a highly significant development.

Budget Statement 2006 (6 Dec 2006)

Brian Cowen: The cost of these measures is €501 million in 2007 and €657 million in a full year. The 20% standard income tax band will be widened by €2,000 per year to €34,000 single and €43,000 married one earner couples. The projected average industrial wage for 2007 is just over €33,000. Again, we have ensured that workers on such earnings will not be liable to pay tax at the higher tax...

Budget Statement 2006 (6 Dec 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am also increasing the threshold for the payments of the health levy from €440 per week to €480 per week, or just under €25,000 per year. This means that all workers earning €480 or less per week will be exempt from the health levy. The income tax exemption limits for senior citizens aged 65 and over are being raised from €17,000 and €34,000 to €19,000 and €38,000 per year...

Budget Statement 2006 (6 Dec 2006)

Brian Cowen: The blind person's tax credit will go up by €260 single and €520 married to €1,760 single and €3,520 married per year, respectively. Alongside the income tax age exemption limits, those aged 65 and over receive an extra tax credit. This extra tax credit will increase by 10% to €275 single and €550 married per year. These measures relating to exemptions and special credits will...