Results 6,461-6,480 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (4 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Competitiveness is a very broad topic and many factors contribute to national competitiveness. However, since the Deputy has specifically referred to the banking and financial sector, I might focus on that sector in this reply. I am satisfied that my Department has actively sought to improve the competitiveness of the Irish economy through the financial sector in Ireland. It has done this...

Written Answers — Price Inflation: Price Inflation (4 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Achieving a moderate rate of inflation is a key economic policy priority given its importance in helping to restore national competitiveness. Before outlining the Government's actions to achieve this objective, I would first draw the Deputy's attention to the fact that recent price developments have been driven primarily by external factors, namely the global rise in oil and food prices. It...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (4 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: On Budget day, GDP was forecast to rise by 3% this year, with GNP forecast to rise by 2.8 %. However, in framing these forecasts a number of downside risks to the economic outlook were identified. These risks included the possibility of a sharper slowdown in the US, the possibility of adverse exchange rate movements, the possibility that financial market difficulties could persist for longer...

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (4 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme provides relief from VAT and Vehicle Registration Tax (up to a certain limit), and exemption from motor tax, on the purchase of an adapted car for transport of a person with specific severe and permanent physical disabilities. The disability criteria for these concessions are set out in the Disabled Drivers and Disabled...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (4 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 187 and 191 together. A progress report by the Decentralisation Implementation Group (DIG) was submitted to me and published on 8th October last. The Group reported that implementation of the civil service element of the Decentralisation Programme is progressing satisfactorily. Over eleven thousand civil and public servants have applied to relocate under the...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (4 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am aware of the recent decline in consumer confidence as measured by the Consumer Sentiment Index. While there are a number of challenges facing the economy, we face them from a position of strength. For instance, we have one of the lowest levels of public debt in the euro area, our markets are flexible allowing us to respond efficiently to adverse developments, we have a dynamic and well...

Written Answers — House Completions: House Completions (4 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: On Budget Day, my Department forecast that housing completions for 2008 would ease to around 55,000 units. This easing in the level of completions was broadly in line with market consensus forecasts. However, as evidenced by the weaker conditions in the opening months of this year there has been a sharper than expected slowdown in the house building sector. The current market consensus is for...

Written Answers — Departmental Advertising: Departmental Advertising (5 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 71 to 73, inclusive, together. The following tables set out the details sought by the Deputy in respect of advertising campaigns proposed or undertaken by my Department, the Office of the Revenue Commissioners, the Valuation Office and the Office of Public Works. The Department of Finance Campaign/Purpose Cost (incl VAT) of Advertising in Publications...

Written Answers — Price Inflation: Price Inflation (5 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The increase in fuel prices generally, and the increase in the price of diesel, is an international phenomenon. Fuel prices are driven by a number of factors including the price of oil on international markets, exchange rates, production costs and refining costs. The rise in oil prices over recent periods reflected additional factors such as geopolitical uncertainty, supply disruptions and...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (5 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The information sought by the Deputy is set out in tables A and B below. Table A: Interest paid to suppliers in each of the past five years. Interest Paid as % of Total Voted Expenditure 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 â'¬503.92 â'¬305.06 â'¬5,476.51 â'¬8,620.18 â'¬6,016.28 0.0005% 0.0003% 0.006% 0.009% 0.006% Table B: Top three beneficiaries in each year and the amount they...

Written Answers — Legislative Reform: Legislative Reform (17 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 164 and 165 together. The Consumer Credit Act 1995, regulates the provision of consumer credit in Ireland. Section 30 of the Act requires credit agreements to be made in writing and signed by the consumer and by or on behalf of all other parties to the agreement. Section 11(d) of the Electronic Commerce Act 2000, states the nothing in that Act shall prejudice...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (17 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that, in so far as both vehicle registration tax (VRT) and VAT are concerned, the same rates of VRT and VAT (where VAT is chargeable on used vehicles) are applied to both new vehicles and imported used vehicles. Accordingly, Ireland is fully compliant with EU regulations relating to VAT and VRT payable on the registration of vehicles in the State....

Written Answers — Public Service Reform: Public Service Reform (17 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Annual Output Statements were introduced in 2007 as a means of setting out clearly for the Oireachtas the outputs expected to be achieved with the resources available within each Minister's Group of Votes. The 2008 round of Annual Output Statements include performance information on what has actually been achieved with respect to the outputs set out in 2007. As a Ministerial-level...

Written Answers — Computerisation Programme: Computerisation Programme (17 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As the Deputy will be aware, the Taoiseach recently announced that responsibility for eGovernment would be consolidated in my Department. Additionally, following a review of Reach earlier in the year, the functions relating to the Public Service Broker were transferred to my Department in April. Since then my Department has gone about implementing the recommendations of the Reach review and...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (17 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am advised that the voluntary disclosure initiative recently announced by the Revenue Commissioners relates to persons who, at any time in 2005, 2006 or 2007, held in aggregate €100,000 or more in accounts which are now subject to the new interest reporting regulations and who have undeclared tax liabilities associated with these funds. These persons have an opportunity to obtain the...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (17 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: All of County Longford is a qualifying area for the purposes of the Rural Renewal Scheme. This scheme was introduced in 1998 and is due to terminate on 31/07/08. Two different tax reliefs are available under the scheme in respect of qualifying residential units. These are: Owner occupier relief; and Rented residential relief. Owner-Occupier Relief An individual who incurs expenditure on the...

Written Answers — Tax Clearance Certificates: Tax Clearance Certificates (17 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that all three named persons (details supplied) have been issued with Income Tax Notices of Assessment for 2006. The first named person filed the 2006 Income Tax Return, i.e. Form 11E, with the Office of the Revenue Commissioners, Collector-General's Division on 22 November 2007. The Return was processed on 13 February 2008. A Notice of Assessment for...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (17 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The latest estimates of the cost of tax and PRSI relief for private pension provision and of the numbers of taxpayers benefiting from these reliefs are in respect of 2006. This information is set out in the following table: Estimate of the cost of tax and PRSI reliefs for private pension provision 2006. Estimated costs Numbers* € million Employees' Contributions to approved...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (17 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: It is assumed that the Deputy has in mind the replacement of the flat rate of 20% that currently applies for tax relief on mortgage interest allowed under the tax relief at source system (TRS) by a rate of 41%. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that, based on an estimate of €645 million as the cost of mortgage interest relief expected to be allowed in 2008 under the current system,...

Written Answers — Tax Clearance Certificates: Tax Clearance Certificates (17 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that records are not maintained in a manner which would enable a complete reply to be given to the Deputy's question. The following table sets out Revenue's best analysis of the numbers of chargeable persons who were non-resident in the State for the years in question and received tax refunds, together with the amount of tax refunded to them. Year...