Results 6,641-6,660 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Written Answers — Public Service Staff: Public Service Staff (16 Oct 2007)

Brian Cowen: The following grades in the public service are working in excess of a net 35 hours week: Health Services Ambulance, Support Staff, Nurses, Child Care, Craftworkers, General Operatives and related grades. Local Authorities Firemen, Craftworkers, General Operatives and related grades. Education Technical Officers in Institutes of Technology, Craftworkers, General Operatives and related grades....

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (16 Oct 2007)

Brian Cowen: I understand that the Deputy is seeking information on the number of open recruitment competitions held for the general service grades of Principal Officer, Assistant Principal Officer and Higher Executive Officer, and for similar details in respect of the general service competitions conducted by the Top Level Appointments Committee (TLAC), in the years from 2004 to date. The tables set out...

Written Answers — Expenditure Reviews: Expenditure Reviews (16 Oct 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am pleased to report substantial progress has been made in the programme of work of the Central Expenditure Evaluation Unit (CEEU) in my Department. Following an external recruitment campaign, two specialist evaluators were appointed to the Unit, augmenting the internal expertise already in situ. In addition, two more evaluators joined the Unit on completion of the MSc in Policy Analysis...

Written Answers — Expenditure Reviews: Expenditure Reviews (16 Oct 2007)

Brian Cowen: In July this year I submitted a report to Cabinet to update my colleagues on progress with the Value for Money and Policy Reviews. Under this initiative which was introduced in June 2006 some 90 reviews are to be carried out during the period June 2006 to end 2008. To date, 42 reviews are complete or substantially complete, with 24 having been fully completed. Details of the completed...

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (16 Oct 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the total numbers of gift and inheritance tax returns (IT38) made in 2002 and 2006, and also the numbers in respect of which tax was payable, are as follows: Year Number of IT38s filed Number of Taxable IT38s 2002 11,073 7,231 2006 19,485 11,058 Details from inheritance and gift taxes returns are not maintained in such a way as to provide a...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (16 Oct 2007)

Brian Cowen: Based on the latest data on serving numbers supplied by Departments/Offices, to my Department, the following is the information requested by the Deputy: Main General Service Grades % Female Secretary General 24 Assistant Secretary General 12 Principal 23 Assistant Principal 34 Higher Executive Officer 50 Administrative Officer 57 Executive Officer 65 Staff Officer 81 Clerical...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (16 Oct 2007)

Brian Cowen: The actuarial costs of providing public service pensions to future new recruits for various public service grades are given below where all figures are expressed as the percentages of annual pensionable pay: Gardai: 22% Nurses: 15% Teachers: 17% Prison Officers: 20% Defence Forces Commissioned Officers: 29% Defence Forces Enlisted Personnel: 20% The above figures represent the estimated...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (16 Oct 2007)

Brian Cowen: I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that, on being contacted by the person in question, a Certificate of Tax Credits and Standard Rate Cut-Off point issued to the taxpayer on 9 October 2007 and to his employer on the previous day. The certificate will adjust the level of tax being paid. A tax refund will be due, via the payroll system, following implementation of the certificate...

Written Answers — Regulatory Regime: Regulatory Regime (16 Oct 2007)

Brian Cowen: There is a commitment in the Programme for Government to review the regulatory environment for business. Based on the ESRI Survey of Business Attitudes to Regulation (published March 2007) and the Report of the Business Regulation Forum (published April 2007), the main areas of regulation which the business sector wants examined are: Taxation, Statistical reporting Environmental...

Written Answers — State Agencies: State Agencies (16 Oct 2007)

Brian Cowen: The remuneration of the CEOs of the two State agencies, funded from the Vote of my Department, is as follows: Special EU Programmes Body: The salary scale for the CEO ranges from €84,075 to €116,875. In addition a non-pensionable performance related bonus may be paid up to a maximum of €11,430. A pension is payable on retirement, of 1/80th of final salary for each year of service. A...

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (16 Oct 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the available information in respect of the number of residential property transactions where stamp duty was paid in the past five years is as follows: Stamp Duty on Residential Property Year Number of Duty Paid Transactions Net Receipt â'¬m 2006 52,911 1,311 2005 44,000 945 2004 44,500 752 2003 35,000 528 2002 Not Available 349

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (16 Oct 2007)

Brian Cowen: I do not support this call. The International Development Association (IDA) provides financial assistance to the poorest countries by means of both loans at zero interest with a 10-year grace period and maturities of 35 to 40 years and, more recently, grants. These grants and loans are provided by donors, such as Ireland, financed by the Irish taxpayer and by return reflows. Consequently...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (16 Oct 2007)

Brian Cowen: The Board of Governors of the International Monetary Fund (Fund) and the Boards of Governors of the World Bank Group (Bank) normally meet once a year to discuss the work of their respective institutions. I will attend the meeting to be held this year in Washington and will speak on behalf of Ireland. In addition there are meetings of the International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC),...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (16 Oct 2007)

Brian Cowen: The World Bank group comprises the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), the International Development Association (IDA), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) and the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). Together the IBRD and IDA provide low-interest loans, interest-free credit,...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (16 Oct 2007)

Brian Cowen: Discussions on a replenishment round for the International Development Association (IDA) have commenced. The donors for a 15th replenishment, which number about forty countries, will hold a number of meetings during the course of this year, and possibly next year also, to determine the scale and scope of the overall replenishment needed. Ireland will consider its position in that context.

Written Answers — Tax Clearance Certificates: Tax Clearance Certificates (16 Oct 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that they experienced technical difficulties in the production of C2 cards for a short period in August/September. These difficulties have now been resolved. The backlog which developed has now been largely overcome, and will be eliminated completely within the next two weeks. I am also advised by the Revenue Commissioners that when the technical...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (16 Oct 2007)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 200 and 201 together. It is assumed that the thresholds for the proposed new tax bands mentioned by the Deputy would not alter the existing standard rate band structure applying to single and widowed persons, to lone parents and married couples. I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the full year cost to the Exchequer, estimated by reference to 2008...

Written Answers — Regulatory Impact Assessments: Regulatory Impact Assessments (16 Oct 2007)

Brian Cowen: As the Deputy will be aware, following a Government Decision on 21 June 2005, Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) is now to be applied to all new proposals for primary legislation and significant Statutory Instruments that involve changes to Ireland's regulatory framework, and proposals for EU Directives and significant EU Regulations when they are published by the European Commission. In...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (16 Oct 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that, where a PAYE worker is not reimbursed in respect of the cost of his/her work related expenses, then he or she may claim a tax deduction in respect of— (a)the cost of expenses of travel necessarily incurred in the performance of the duties of an office or employment; and (b)the cost of expenses, other than expenses of travel, wholly,...

Written Answers — Fiscal Policy: Fiscal Policy (16 Oct 2007)

Brian Cowen: We have been publishing Budgets on a multi-annual basis since 1997. Table 1 (page D5) of the Budget book outlines the Government's budget position, including expenditure and revenue projections, on a three-year basis. The overall Exchequer and General Government Balance position are also set out for the three-year period in question. Each year's Budget is framed in the context of the overall...