Results 581-600 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (17 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: Data is not held by my Department concerning the weight of waste disposed, except in the case of confidential waste paper which amounted to approximately 104,000 kg. in 2004. My Department uses Dublin City Council's refuse collection service for the disposal of general waste, including cardboard for recycling. In the case of obsolete computer equipment, staff members are first given the...

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (17 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: The disabled drivers' and disabled passengers' (tax concessions) scheme is open to people with disabilities who meet the specified criteria and have obtained a primary medical certificate to that effect. The senior area medical officer attached to the relevant local health board is responsible for both the medical assessment and the issue of the medical certificate. The medical criteria for...

Written Answers — Drug Seizures: Drug Seizures (17 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: As the Deputy will be aware, drug abuse is a national and not just a regional problem. The memorandum of understanding which was signed by both the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Minister for Finance in January 1996 provides that the Customs and Excise service of the Revenue Commissioners has primary responsibility for the prevention, detection, interception and seizure...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (17 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: There have been reductions in tax rates under most tax heads since 1997. At the same time the tax yield to the State has continued to rise owing to the extra economic activity accompanying that policy. In some cases, such as capital gains tax and corporation tax, the tax yield increased substantially after rates were cut. That extra tax revenue has been used, among other things, to reduce tax...

Written Answers — Departmental Credit Cards: Departmental Credit Cards (17 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: As stated in my reply on 27 January 2005, since the formation of the Government in June 2002, a total of 18 departmental credit cards have been in use by office holders and officers in my Department, of which 14 cards are currently in use. Two of the cards are held by officers in corporate services division and the administration unit of the Centre for Management and Organisation Development....

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (17 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: The following is the information sought by the Deputy regarding my Department and public bodies funded from its Vote. My Department did not award contracts solely for public relations projects in the period mentioned by the Deputy. It did, however, award two contracts in the period which, while mainly for other purposes, involved a public relations element. The details of those two contracts...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (22 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: I have no plans to introduce a tax on second homes.

Written Answers — Standards in Public Office Commission: Standards in Public Office Commission (22 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: There are no plans to extend the scope and remit of the Standards in Public Commission.

Written Answers — Departmental Correspondence: Departmental Correspondence (22 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that a correct PAYE balancing statement 2003, form P21, issued to the taxpayer dated 16 February 2005.

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (22 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: I have no direct responsibility for the day-to-day operation of the medical board of appeal for the disabled drivers and disabled passengers (tax concessions) scheme. However, my Department, together with the Department of Health and Children, is reconstituting the medical board of appeal for the scheme. Progress has been made and it is hoped that the new arrangements will be put in place...

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (22 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: I have no direct responsibility for the day-to-day operation of the medical board of appeal for the disabled drivers and disabled passengers (tax concessions) scheme. However, my Department, together with the Department of Health and Children, is reconstituting the medical board of appeal for the scheme. Progress has been made and it is hoped that the new arrangements will be put in place...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (22 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 156 and 157 together. As the Deputy will be aware, I changed the stamp duty rates for first-time owner-occupiers of second-hand property in the 2005 budget, which was announced on 1 December 2004. The following table, which was provided to the Deputy in a previous parliamentary question response, outlines the old rates which were applicable up to 1 December...

Written Answers — Political Fund Raising: Political Fund Raising (22 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: I have no plans to introduce such a restriction.

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (22 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: Under section 6, recording and reporting on consultancies in the Civil Service, of the Department of Finance guidelines for engagement of consultants in the Civil Service — March 1999 — Departments-offices which commission consultants are required to establish computer registers and to record in relation to each consultancy the firm awarded the contract, the cost and purpose of the...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (22 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: The guidelines for engagement of consultants in the Civil Service, produced by my Department in March 1999, outlines in paragraph 3.05 a number of general criteria to be adhered to by Departments in relation to consultancy projects. One of the general criteria outlined is that Departments should ensure that additional costs and-or expenses are included as part of the fee. Where this is not...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (22 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: There are three sets of guidelines which set out the criteria in question: general guidelines on procurement, general guidelines on the engagement of consultants and new guidelines which will apply particularly in the public relations or communications area. In March 1999, my Department issued the guidelines for engagement of consultants in the Civil Service. The latest public procurement...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (22 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: There are no tax incentives available for persons towards paying crèche fees. Over recent years, the Government has considered carefully the area of child care. It has been decided as a matter of policy that child benefit will be the main instrument through which support will be provided to parents. One of the main benefits from this approach is that, whereas tax relief would be of little or...

Written Answers — Dormant Accounts Fund: Dormant Accounts Fund (22 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: Under section 6 of the Unclaimed Life Assurance Polices Act 2003, a life assurance policy is treated as unclaimed if, in the case of a fixed term policy, the specified term has expired, if an amount would be payable if the policyholder were to make a claim, and if the insurance undertaking has received no communication from the policyholder for a period of at least five years. In the case of...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (22 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: The Minister for Education and Science, in consultation with the Minister for the Environment and Local Government, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, issues guidelines regarding section 50 student accommodation. Under these guidelines there is a requirement for a minimum of three bed spaces per unit and a maximum of eight per unit. In this regard, I am informed by the Department...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (22 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: Under the provisions of section 472 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997, a proprietary director and her-his spouse are not entitled to the employee tax credit, formerly the PAYE allowance, against emoluments paid to either spouse by a company of which one of the spouses is a proprietary director. However, the employee tax credit may be due to each spouse against her-his other emoluments, if...