Results 6,661-6,680 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

National Development Plan: Motion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: ——entering into a process of ad hoc responses and persistent and increased current borrowing. I listened very carefully to what the leader of the Fine Gael Party said yesterday in the course of this debate. When one translates what he said in fiscal terms, he was opposing some of the savings, although he welcomed others, in fairness.

National Development Plan: Motion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: He also proposed other expenditures and a reduction in taxation. That is not a sustainable strategy for Ireland in the future. It would be easy to veer completely off course by resorting to such policies. If we were interested in an easy life for the present, it might be a tempting option.

National Development Plan: Motion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: However, the Government is determined to address the issues by taking the necessary decisions. I know for certain that no Deputy on this side of the House wants a return to the economic situation that pertained in the 1980s.

National Development Plan: Motion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am sure the Deputies opposite share my view on this.

National Development Plan: Motion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: A number of Deputies criticised the proposal to reduce the allocation for FÁS apprenticeships. However, this measure is a recognition of the reality that there will be a lower demand for apprenticeships as a result of the downturn in the new housing sector. I remind Deputies that FÁS schemes are demand-led.

National Development Plan: Motion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Employers look for apprentices. It is not some sort of social employment scheme, as has been suggested by some speakers. The numbers of apprentices are falling because demand for labour in the construction sector is falling. We all know that and have referred to it in the course of this debate.

National Development Plan: Motion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Equally, it is not surprising that the largest saving should come from the health Vote since the entire income tax yield is spent on the health allocation. The savings arise from allocations that cannot be spent this year. That is an ordinary saving for 2008.

National Development Plan: Motion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The truth is health costs have not been targeted for heavier savings than others and the percentage of savings is close to the average for all other Departments combined. Likewise, the savings in overseas development assistance arise from moneys that would not have been spent on time this year. Even so, we will still exceed the 0.54% target set for 2008 in terms of GNP and we will be far...

National Development Plan: Motion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: We are firm in our aim to get savings from payrolls, procurement and policy measures and are prepared to face up to the need for more action as the situation warrants.

National Development Plan: Motion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Over the last 11 years, we have invested wisely in schools, roads, public transport and environmental infrastructure, giving us one of the highest rates of public investment in Europe. We have dramatically increased the State pension, child benefit and the number of gardaí, teachers, doctors and nurses serving our people. These are the choices we made with the surplus that our taxpayers...

National Development Plan: Motion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Our priority will be to manage the present situation sensibly. This will ensure we create the right environment to return to trend rate of economic growth, which is generally agreed by leading economic commentators to be 4%. In doing this we can sustain the real and tangible economic and social progress we have made. The measures I outlined this week will help us along that path.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (10 Jul 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 61 to 63, inclusive, together. I accept that the tax system can, as well as other measures, be used to either encourage or deter certain behaviours that have impacts on the environment. In this regard the Government has been to the fore in using the tax system to promote environmental policies; examples include: Budget 2008 provided for VRT on passenger cars...

Written Answers — Airport Development Projects: Airport Development Projects (10 Jul 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The NDP Central Monitoring Committee was supplied with both a report on the Airports Sub-Programme and with a draft of the 2007 NDP Annual Report, which also included a section on the Airports Sub-Programme. The draft 2007 NDP Annual Report was discussed by the NDP Central Monitoring Committee at its meeting on 16th May last. Following consideration by Government, the 2007 Annual Report was...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (10 Jul 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The table sets out the details of expenditure on consultants by my Department and the Offices under its aegis in each of the years 2003 to 2007 and 2008 to date. Total Consultancies YTD â'¬,2007 â'¬,2006 â'¬,2005 â'¬,2004 â'¬,2003 â'¬,000 â'¬,000 â'¬,000 â'¬,000 â'¬,000 â'¬,000 CPSA 49 227 173 169 * * C&AG 74 181 297 73 65 85 Finance 170 1,657 1,873 2,473 2,140...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (10 Jul 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The remuneration of the CEO of the one State agency, funded from the Vote of my Department, is as follows: Special EU Programmes Body: The salary scale for the CEO which is paid in Sterling ranging from £60,017 to £83,430. In addition there is also an annual performance bonus structure in place in which the Chief Executive can be awarded from a minimum bonus of £nil up to a maximum bonus...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (10 Jul 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Generally speaking, the tax system treats members of cohabiting couples as separate and unconnected individuals. Each partner is a separate entity for tax purposes and credits and bands and reliefs cannot be transferred from one partner to the other. The Working Group Examining the Treatment of Married, Cohabiting and One-Parent Families under the Tax and Social Welfare Codes, which reported...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (10 Jul 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that a PAYE balancing statement 2007, incorporating relief due for health expenses, will issue to the taxpayer in the coming days together with cheque in settlement.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (10 Jul 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Section 473A of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997, provides for tax relief at the standard rate of income tax (20%) for qualifying fees paid by an individual in respect of a third level education course. Qualifying fees means tuition fees paid for an approved course at an approved college. The maximum amount of qualifying fees on which tax relief is allowed is €5,000 for the academic years...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (10 Jul 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The transfer of service in question is a matter for Aer Lingus and the Department of Defence. I might say that the person concerned served in the Permanent Defence Force until 1967 and again for one month with the reserve Defence Force in 1969 in a full time capacity. The latter period may be transferred to Aer Lingus. However, Aer Lingus has not accepted the former service for transfer...

Written Answers — Fiscal Policy: Fiscal Policy (10 Jul 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The areas included in the Mid-Shannon Tourism Infrastructure Investment Scheme are outlined in Schedule 8B of Section 29 of the 2007 Finance Act and include all of the District Electoral Divisions that are wholly or partly within a 12 kilometre band on either side of the mid section of the Shannon. This is a pilot scheme, the operation of which will be carefully monitored and assessed and...