Results 5,161-5,180 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

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

Brian Cowen: The position is that elderly taxpayers are treated more favourably than the generality of taxpayers under the income tax code and this treatment was underlined in my 2007 Budget. After Budget 2007, elderly earners aged 65 or over may earn €19,000, if single, or €38,000, if married, without having any liability for income tax. Above these limits a system of marginal relief applies. The...

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

Brian Cowen: Section 86 of the Capital Acquisitions Tax (CAT) Consolidation Act 2003 provides an exemption from CAT, in certain circumstances, for persons who acquire their family home by way of gift or inheritance. The relief was introduced in order to reduce the tax burden faced by individuals on receipt of the family home. The relief does not apply a threshold to the value of property that is being...

Written Answers — Special Incentive Savings Scheme: Special Incentive Savings Scheme (7 Dec 2006)

Brian Cowen: The SSIA scheme commenced on 1 May 2001 and is administered by Qualifying Savings Managers in accordance with legislation and guidelines issued by the Revenue Commissioners. Individuals aged 18 and over who were resident in the State could open an SSIA account and in the case of a married couple, both spouses could open their own accounts. However, the SSIA rules do not deal specifically...

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

Brian Cowen: Section 469 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 provides for relief from income tax in respect of certain qualifying health expenses incurred by an individual in respect of himself/herself and/or on behalf of his or her relatives or dependents in a tax year. Section 469(5) provides that where health expenses are incurred in one year but not paid until a following year, an individual has the...

Estimates for Public Services 2006 (12 Dec 2006)

Brian Cowen: I move the following Supplementary Estimates:

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (12 Dec 2006)

Brian Cowen: The Valuation Act 2001, which came into effect on 2nd May 2002, provides that commercially operated child care facilities such as play schools, preschools, crèches and Montessori schools are liable for rates unless specific criteria for exemption are met. This is a continuation of the pre May 2002 situation. In regard to the Valuation Act, 2001, I should point out that the Commissioner of...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (12 Dec 2006)

Brian Cowen: A scheme of tax relief in the form of capital allowances has been available since 1 July 1999 aimed at encouraging the establishment of park and ride facilities in larger urban areas. In addition to park and ride facilities, the scheme made provision for allowances in respect of expenditure incurred on certain commercial premises and residential accommodation to be located at park and ride...

Written Answers — Credit Union Regulation: Credit Union Regulation (12 Dec 2006)

Brian Cowen: The Group established to review the limits on longer term lending set out in Section 35 of the Credit Union Act, 1997 is expected to conclude its deliberations shortly. I will consider the matter further in light of the report of the group.

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (12 Dec 2006)

Brian Cowen: As the Deputy may be aware, I have answered a Parliamentary Question from him, relating to this person, on 3 October 2006. As I stated then, the person concerned applied for the tax concessions under the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme and that the application has been unsuccessful at first instance and on appeal to the Medical Board of Appeal for the Scheme....

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (12 Dec 2006)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy will appreciate that taxation policy is a matter for the Oireachtas to lay down in law from time to time in the public interest and in line with the wishes of the electorate. In these circumstances, Governments cannot effectively bind their successors in this regard nor would it be appropriate to try to do so. I regret therefore that I cannot give the sort of assurances envisaged...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (12 Dec 2006)

Brian Cowen: The staffing of the office of the Minister of State in my Department is set out as follows: Minister of State's Office Grade Number Salary Range Higher Executive Officer 1 €46,078 -€56,999 Clerical Officer 1 €22,102-€35,838 Both of these staff members are permanent civil servants. To date in 2006, allowance payments amount to €17,245. The amount paid in expenses for the same...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (12 Dec 2006)

Brian Cowen: The staffing of my private office and constituency office is set out as follows: Minister's Private Office Grade Number Salary Range Administrative Officer 1 €32,783-€58,052 Executive Officer 2 €28,523-€45,262 Staff Officer 2 €31,656-€42,268 Clerical Officer 3 €22,102-€35,838 Minister's Constituency Office Grade Number Salary Range Executive Officer 1...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (13 Dec 2006)

Brian Cowen: Irish VAT law must comply with the EU Sixth VAT Directive and accordingly, consultations are ongoing between my Department, the Revenue Commissioners and the Department of Health and Children with a view to introducing an exemption for home care services provided by private companies, while complying with the Directive. Consequently, approval is not required from the European Commission for...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (13 Dec 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the Commissioners of Public Works have agreed terms on a suitable premises in Listowel. A programme of works has also been agreed with a view to having the premises ready for occupation in the early part of 2007.

Written Answers — Tax Clearance Certificates: Tax Clearance Certificates (13 Dec 2006)

Brian Cowen: I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that a C2 certificate for the company in question was cleared for issue on 6 December 2006. Due to security considerations in the printing of C2 certificates the anticipated date on which the certificate will become available is 15 December 2006. Immediately the C2 certificate becomes available for collection a letter will be sent to the...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (13 Dec 2006)

Brian Cowen: As I announced in the Budget last Wednesday, the ceiling on mortgage interest relief for first-time buyers is being increased from €4,000 per year in the case of a single person and €8,000 per year in the case of married or widowed persons to €8,000 and €16,000, respectively, with effect from 1 January 2007. This increased support will be available to all those currently in receipt...

Written Answers — : (13 Dec 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that assuming the enactment of the changes announced in the 2007 Budget the full year cost to the Exchequer of allowing a tax credit of €10,000 to each family unit with children, irrespective of the numbers of children in the unit, would be in the region of €2 billion. These figures are provisional and subject to revision.

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (13 Dec 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the yield of stamp duties from the 2 per cent Non-Life Insurance Levy in 2006 is estimated at €83 million. The corresponding yield in 2007 is expected to be of the same order.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (13 Dec 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that assuming the enactment of the changes announced in the 2007 Budget the full year cost to the Exchequer of the increase mentioned by the Deputy is estimated at approximately €82 million. This figure is provisional and subject to revision.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (13 Dec 2006)

Brian Cowen: Tax relief on individual pension contributions is allowed at the taxpayer's marginal tax rate, that is, at the standard or higher rate as appropriate in each case. It is assumed that the change mentioned by the Deputy is to provide tax relief at a rate of 41 per cent, assuming the enactment of the changes announced in the 2007 Budget, for all pension contributions by individuals, including...