Results 5,721-5,740 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (20 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that for the tax year 2003 and earlier years claims for capital allowances for the construction of private hospitals were aggregated in tax returns with other claims and could not be distinguished from other reliefs claimed. Accordingly, the specific information on costs for 2003 and earlier years are not available. Information on the scheme of tax...

Written Answers — Financial Services Regulation: Financial Services Regulation (20 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: Firstly, I might just explain to the Deputy that there is no specific definition of what a hedge fund is. Funds with the characteristics commonly associated with hedge funds generally invest in the same asset classes as other investment funds, namely, in equities, bonds, foreign exchange and so on. The main difference with hedge funds is that they are more flexible in terms of investment...

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (20 Mar 2007)

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 (20 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: The scheme of capital allowances for the construction of private hospitals was reviewed by Indecon Economic Consultants as part of the overall review of property tax incentives in 2005. Indecon consulted widely in the course of their review, including consultations with the Department of Health and Children and the Health Service Executive. Their report was published on 6 February 2006 and is...

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (20 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the relevant information available is in respect of the yields in each of the calendar years 2003, 2004 and 2005 of Corporation Tax from the 100 largest payers of Corporation Tax in the calendar year 2005. The figures in question, together with information on the sectoral breakdown of the companies, are set out in the tables. Table A:...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (20 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: Global stock market movements reflect global developments over which we have no control. While the value of the Irish stock market declined in early March, it remains above the level of this time last year. The outlook for the Irish economy has not changed since Budget Day, and I expect growth of 5.3% this year. My Department will continue to monitor all developments potentially affecting...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (20 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 156 and 282 together. I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that, in accordance with their duty of confidentiality to taxpayers, they neither comment on matters pertaining to specific taxpayers, whether individual or companies, nor do they make general comments which would be likely to be treated as referring to identifiable taxpayers. I would draw the...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (20 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that they are not in a position to provide information on the volume of complaints in relation to Tax Credit Certificates. If a taxpayer requests an amendment to a Tax Credit Certificate, this is not recorded as a complaint. I am further advised by the Revenue Commissioners that on the 9th February last, they completed the issue of 2,194,174 Tax...

Written Answers — Public Service Contracts: Public Service Contracts (20 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: Contracting authorities are obliged to advertise contracts valued above thresholds set out in EU Directives in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU). The current thresholds are €5,278,000 for works contracts, €137,000 for supplies and service contracts of Government Departments and Offices and €211,000 for supplies and service contracts of most other public bodies. In...

Written Answers — House Prices: House Prices (20 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: I do not accept as a fact that another interest rate increase will place Ireland at high risk of a sharp house price reversal. House price inflation has moderated in recent months. The consensus is that a soft landing remains a more likely outcome for the housing market. My Department monitors all developments which can have an impact on the economy.

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (20 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: As the Deputy will be aware, approximately 1,000 of the 7,200 Civil Service posts covered by the Decentralisation Programme or 10% of the overall programme is composed of professional and technical posts. While the take up from the professional and technical staff has been low to date, in the region of 130 professional and technical personnel have already been assigned to posts that are...

Written Answers — Financial Services Regulation: Financial Services Regulation (20 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: My function as the Minister for Finance is to provide an appropriate and robust legislative framework for regulation of the financial services sector with a particular focus on the consumer. I am satisfied that, since the establishment of the Financial Regulator and the Financial Services Ombudsman, such a framework is in place. The provision of consumer credit in Ireland is regulated by the...

Written Answers — Fiscal Policy: Fiscal Policy (20 Mar 2007)

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. The NPRF joined a group of the world's largest institutional investment funds in signing the UN-sponsored Principles for Responsible Investment when they were launched in April 2006. The aim of the Principles is...

Written Answers — Anti-Poverty Strategy: Anti-Poverty Strategy (20 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 163 and 173 together. The issues surrounding savings and borrowings for people on low incomes are not uniform as they can vary from person to person and over the lifetime of the individual. Persons on low incomes can encounter obstacles in accessing financial services from mainstream financial services providers. The cost and availability of credit for people...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (20 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: The Decentralisation Implementation Group submitted its most recent report to me in September 2006. This report was approved by Government and published in early October last. I met with the Chair of the Implementation Group prior to this to receive an update in relation to the progress being made in the implementation of the programme and the issues arising in the implementation of the...

Written Answers — Price Inflation: Price Inflation (20 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: The Department of Finance's current inflation forecasts were published with Budget 2007 on the 6th December 2006. My Department forecast that CPI inflation will average 4.1 per cent and HICP inflation will average 2.6 per cent this year.

Written Answers — Financial Services Regulation: Financial Services Regulation (20 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy may wish to note that my function as the Minister for Finance is to provide an appropriate and robust legislative framework for regulation of the financial services sector. I am satisfied that, since the establishment of the Financial Regulator and the Financial Services Ombudsman, with a particular focus on the consumer, we have such a framework in place. I have no statutory...

Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (20 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: Given the nature of the event my remarks to the Irish American Partnership Breakfast focused in particular on developments in relation to the peace process in Northern Ireland. I did however touch on a number of other policy issues such as the roll out of the new National Development Plan. I highlighted that global warming is a major challenge which requires a global response. I noted that...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (20 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: As I have stated previously taxation, in conjunction with other policy measures, can play a part in attaining environment objectives which includes promoting energy efficiency and reducing emissions. Essentially this approach uses the tax system to provide incentives for certain behaviour. Such incentives include capital allowances for corporate investment in renewable energy projects which...

Written Answers — Consumer Credit: Consumer Credit (20 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: My function as the Minister for Finance is to provide an appropriate and robust legislative framework for regulation of the financial services sector with a particular focus on the consumer. I am satisfied that, since the establishment of the Financial Regulator and the Financial Services Ombudsman, such a framework is in place. The Financial Regulator has prioritised the provision of...