Results 5,781-5,800 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

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

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 339 and 340 together. The Government is firmly committed to the development of biofuels generally in Ireland. The promotion of biofuel is primarily a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, however, I am pleased to inform the Deputy that in Finance Act 2006 I provided for significant tax measures to promote...

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

Brian Cowen: Maintaining a moderate rate of inflation remains a key priority of economic policy because of its importance in restoring competitiveness to all sectors, including the manufacturing sector. The Government is focusing on areas it can control and taking positive actions to contain inflation by implementing responsible fiscal policies. For example, we have not increased excise duties for the...

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

Brian Cowen: Some of the high profile job losses recently seem to be due to the fortunes of individual companies rather than national competitiveness. However, we will of course remain vigilant and are committed to maintaining our competitiveness. Employment growth has been extremely strong in recent years, and over 2 million people are now employed in Ireland. Unemployment has remained consistently...

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

Brian Cowen: The Director General of the Central Statistics Office 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 in...

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

Brian Cowen: Inflation, as measured by the CPI fell to 4.8 per cent in February from 5.2 per cent in January 2007. On a HICP basis inflation fell to 2.6 per cent in February from 2.9 per cent in January. The rate of CPI inflation has increased in the past year; this is mainly due to ECB interest rate increases which are outside of Government control. If mortgage interest was removed, CPI inflation...

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

Brian Cowen: The programme of Decentralisation is being implemented through the transfer of staff on a voluntary basis. The potential benefits of decentralisation are significant. Existing Civil and Public Servants seeking to leave Dublin, for example, to return to family and friends back home, or to acquire an affordable and comfortable family home within easy reach of their workplace, have a broad...

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

Brian Cowen: When the Decentralisation Programme was announced, all staff were given the opportunity to apply through a Central Applications Facility (CAF), which is operated by the Public Appointments Service, to relocate under the Decentralisation Programme. Apart from the CAF arrangements, my Department does not maintain data centrally on the number of staff who may wish to relocate for other reasons....

Written Answers — Services for People with Disabilities: Services for People with Disabilities (20 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: While there are no specific facilities in my Department for people with a hearing disability to phone the Department there are a number of methods by which members of the public, who have a hearing disability, can contact the Department such as e-mail or fax. In addition my Department has, in compliance with the Disability Act 2005, appointed Access Officers to provide, or arrange for and...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (21 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: The primary mechanism for placing civil servants who are in posts which are due to decentralise but wish to remain in Dublin is by way of bilateral transfer. As staff whose organisations are remaining in Dublin, but who themselves have applied to relocate, continue to be transferred into decentralising organisations, the posts they vacate become available to those wishing to remain in...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (21 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: While the promotion of biofuel is primarily a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, I am pleased to inform the Deputy that in the Finance Act 2006 I provided for significant tax measures to promote biofuels in Ireland. The main benefits of this scheme, which received the necessary EU State Aid approval and commenced in November 2006, include:...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (21 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that arrangements are in place with the Financial Institutions relating to the introduction of DIRT exempt savings accounts as announced in the Budget and the scheme will be implemented as soon as the Finance Bill is enacted. The scheme will be available to individuals or their spouses who are aged 65 years of age or over and to those persons or their...

Written Answers — Public Service Contracts: Public Service Contracts (21 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: The information requested by the Deputy is being compiled by my Department and will be forwarded to him as soon as it is available.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (22 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: It is possible to reduce the tax burden while extending public services provided that economic growth can provide the resources, as the last ten years of this Government has shown. To keep growing requires that we maintain and improve competitiveness and adhere to the responsible policies of this Government that have made the economy so successful.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (22 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that there are no mechanisms available within the PAYE system for the taxpayer to claim or re-coup expenses paid in respect of tuition fees paid for children with special educational needs. In recent years, the Government has increased significantly the supports available through the direct expenditure system for children with disabilities. In...

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (22 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: The Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme provides relief from VAT and VRT (up to certain limit) on the purchase of a car adapted for the transport of a person with specific severe and permanent physical disabilities, as well as relief from excise on the fuel used in the car up to a certain limit. The disability criteria for eligibility for the tax concessions...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (22 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: Section 34 of the Finance Act 2005 introduced a number of changes to the capital allowance regime for hotels, guesthouses, holiday hostels and holiday camps. Guesthouses and holiday hostels were specifically brought into the capital allowances regime for the first time. Also, the entitlement to the capital allowances was provided for the first time on the basis of buildings being registered...

Written Answers — Special Savings Incentive Scheme: Special Savings Incentive Scheme (22 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: The SSIA scheme opened on 1 May 2001 and entry to it closed on 30 April 2002. The accounts mature between May 2006 and April 2007. A total of 1.17 million accounts were opened during the period outlined. The specific goal of the SSIA scheme was to encourage people to save over a period of at least five years. Its effect has been to stimulate such savings over varying income ranges which is...

Written Answers — Tax Certificates: Tax Certificates (22 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that a PAYE balancing statement form P21 issued to the taxpayer on 21 March 2007.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (22 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that individual payments from the scheme in question will have two identifiable component parts and that one part will be taxable while the other will not. The taxable component will be that part of the payment which is based on a fisherman's catch and this will be taxable on recipients in the year of receipt. Accordingly, commercial fishermen...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (22 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: The information requested by the Deputy covers an extensive time period and range of legislation, and it will consequently take time to compile a comprehensive response to the Deputy's question. A definitive reply will issue directly to the Deputy in due course.