Results 6,201-6,220 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (8 May 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: While the promotion of biofuel is primarily a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, the Deputy will be aware the Finance Act 2006 provided for significant tax measures to promote biofuels in Ireland. The overall level of excise relief available for biofuels is regarded as a level which is sufficient to match Ireland's output potential in...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (8 May 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that without the PPS number of the person in question they are unable to furnish the information requested, as the taxpayer is not registered on their records at the address supplied and all searches have been unsuccessful. However, if the taxpayer wishes to contact the Kildare PAYE Customer Service, by telephoning 1890 44 44 25 or by e-mailing...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (8 May 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: In responding to the Deputy's question to my predecessor Mr. Cowen, I would begin by saying that the Government recognises that improving national competitiveness is essential to facilitate a re-balancing of the economy towards more sustainable, export-led growth and to maintain Ireland's attractiveness as a location for inward investment in all sectors of the economy. While external factors...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (8 May 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The non-property once-off costs incurred for decentralisation of my Department to Tullamore from 2004 to end 2007 are €624,472. As my Department completed its decentralisation to Tullamore it is not expected that there will be any further costs associated with this move. However, my Department will be decentralising circa 30 ICT posts to Naas later in the year. To date no costs have been...

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (8 May 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the information requested by the Deputy is estimated as follows: Estimated Tax Yield Year ended Individuals Companies Total â'¬m â'¬m â'¬m 31/12/2004 295 121 416 31/12/2005 324 124 448 31/12/2006 334 133 467 The figures shown in respect of year ended 31/12/2006 are provisional and may be revised. The rental income could come from...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (8 May 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the latest relevant information available is in respect of income tax relief allowed for contributions to Retirement Annuity Contracts (RACs) and Personal Retirement Savings Accounts (PRSAs) for the income tax year 2005. RACs and PRSAs are available to the self-employed and to employees not in occupational pension schemes. The information is set...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (8 May 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Programme for Government contains a commitment to examine the scope for reducing the VAT rate on environmental goods and services from the standard VAT rate of 21 per cent to the reduced rate of 13.5 per cent. I should mention that this is just one of a number of initiatives in the Programme aimed at delivering a cleaner environment. When considering a change in the VAT treatment of a...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (13 May 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As the Deputy may be aware a commitment was made in Budget 2008 to examine this matter and to bring forward measures in this area in Budget 2009.

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (13 May 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The initial application for a Primary Medical Certificate under the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations 1994, is made to the Senior Medical Officer of the relevant local Health Service Executive administrative area. If the Primary Medical Certificate has been refused in this case, the named person may appeal the refusal to the Medical Board of Appeal,...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (13 May 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: This is a matter for the Revenue Commissioners. I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the amounts due in this case are based on tax returns submitted by the taxpayer. These returns indicate liabilities as well as credits due to the taxpayer. Contact is being made with the person concerned, through his agent, to clarify the situation regarding these liabilities.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (13 May 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The position is that the activities of tidy towns organisations may be regarded as being established for charitable purpose under the category of benefit to the broader community. The other categories of charitable purpose are the advancement of religion, the relief of poverty and the advancement of education. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that a number of tidy town...

Written Answers — National Pensions Reserve Fund: National Pensions Reserve Fund (13 May 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Under the National Pensions Reserve Fund Act 2000, the National Pensions Reserve Fund Commission controls and manages the National Pensions Reserve Fund. The Commission 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 the moneys held or...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (13 May 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: If what the Deputy has in mind is the taxation at 10 per cent of portions of the bands currently taxable at 20 per cent, the full-year cost to the Exchequer, by reference to the income tax year 2008, is estimated by the Revenue Commissioners to be about €690 million. This cost is estimated on the basis that the thresholds for the proposed new tax bands would not alter the existing standard...

Written Answers — Parliamentary Questions: Parliamentary Questions (13 May 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The cost of answering a Parliamentary Question will vary according to the nature, and phraseology of the question asked and this inevitably involves differences in the costs among Departments and indeed within a Department from time to time. Replies to such questions are treated with the utmost seriousness by Departments and Ministers and accordingly considerable care is taken with the...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (13 May 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Section 110 of the Finance Act 2007 made provision for a charge to stamp duty where license agreements and other such arrangements are used when land is purchased for development without conveyance or transfer. The provision ensured that these arrangements will incur a Stamp Duty charge where a landowner receives a payment amounting to 25% or more of the market value or consideration...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (13 May 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the cost of reducing the current 9% rate of stamp duty on commercial property to 8% is estimated at €133 million, based on Budget 2008 projections. As this cost is a function of the actual and estimated number of transactions, and the price levels at which these transactions take place, it is therefore sensitive to cyclical changes in the...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (13 May 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: While the increase in the price of fuel and in particular the disproportionate increase in the price of auto-diesel compared to petrol is not tax driven, the Government continues to monitor price developments. I understand that the current increase in the price of auto-diesel is evident throughout the EU and some explanations that have been put forward include: shortage of diesel at European...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (13 May 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 135 and 136 together. The position is that all homeowners who hold a qualifying loan with a qualifying lender may fully benefit from mortgage interest relief. Tax relief at source in respect of mortgage interest was introduced with effect from 1 January 2002. Since that date a borrower is not required to be earning a taxable income to be eligible for mortgage...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (13 May 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the data requested by the Deputy in relation to the number of people who have paid preliminary tax and the number who have been charged interest as a result of non-payment in the last five years could not be compiled within the timeframe available. Information on the lines requested by the Deputy will be forwarded to him by Revenue as soon as it...

Irish Economy: Motion (Resumed) (14 May 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am pleased to have an opportunity to contribute however briefly to this debate. Last evening, the Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh, outlined the Government's outstanding record on the economy in recent years and the nature of the short and medium-term economic challenges which we face. He emphasised the fundamental strengths of the economy which will enable us to recover quickly from...