Results 6,781-6,800 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The following table sets out the details of expenditure on consultants by my Department and the Offices under its aegis in each of the years 2007 and 2008 to date. Name of Office 2007 2008 YTD â'¬,000 â'¬,000 Commission for Pubic Service Appointments 227 127 Comptroller and Auditor General 181 178 Department of Finance 1,657 84 Office of the Ombudsman 47 33 Office of the Revenue...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Apart from the bodies staffed and headed by civil servants which report to me and where the remuneration arrangements are identical with those in Departments and Offices, only one body of those apparently comprehended by the Deputy's question has paid annual bonuses: Special EU Programmes Body There is an annual bonus structure in place in which the Chief Executive can be awarded up to a...

Written Answers — Budget Submissions: Budget Submissions (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I have received a pre-Budget submission from Construction Industry Federation. Its contents will be considered in the context of the forthcoming Budget and Finance Bill. As Deputies are aware it would not be appropriate for me to comment in advance of the Budget on possible Budget decisions.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Any proposed changes in VAT must be considered in the context of EU law. There is no provision in European VAT law that would allow the application of a reduced VAT rate on supplies of goods or services based on their environmental impact per se. While Member States can retain the zero rating provisions which they had in existence on 1 January 1991, they cannot introduce any new ones....

Written Answers — Budget Submissions: Budget Submissions (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: In light of the economic and budgetary challenges this year — which necessitated the move to an October Budget — the 'existing level of service' estimates have not been prepared this year.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Central Expenditure Evaluation Unit supports and monitors roll out of the programme of Value for Money and Policy Reviews across all Departments. It also provides the Secretariat to the Central Steering Committee (CSC) which oversees the process. Completion of individual reports is a matter for the relevant spending Department. As part of its role in supporting the initiative and...

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (24 Sep 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 Code: Tax Code (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The scheme of capital allowances for the construction or refurbishment of buildings used as private hospitals was introduced in the Finance Act 2001 and came into effect in May 2002. Provided that capital expenditure on the proposed co-located private hospitals, which are designed to free-up capacity in public hospitals, conforms with the existing legislation governing that scheme, normal tax...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am happy to clarify that the carbon tax issue is being examined by the Commission on Taxation which was established in February this year. The Commission is due to report by September 2009, at the latest.

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: At the outset I should point out that the safe home programme is a matter for my colleague Micheál Martin T.D., Minister for Foreign Affairs and I am replying on his behalf. Funding for the Safe Home Programme has been provided annually by the Department of Foreign Affairs since 2003. Emigrant Support (then Díon) grants were also awarded to the Safe Home Programme in 2001 (€63,487) and...

Written Answers — National Development Plan: National Development Plan (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Two programme evaluations under the National Development Plan are currently under way: an evaluation of Science Technology and Innovation Investment; and an evaluation of the Local and Community Development Programme. These are the first programme evaluations under the 2007-2013 National Development Plan and on completion they will be presented to the Monitoring Committee, submitted to the...

Fiscal Policy. (25 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together. In early July my Department published a technical economic update which set out forecasts for 2008, based on the latest information available at that time. On this basis, unemployment was expected to average 5.8%, or in numerical terms some 132,000 during 2008. This compares to unemployment of 4.5% or 101,000 over the 2007 period. At the...

Fiscal Policy. (25 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I do not accept they have been destroyed, but I accept responsibility as Minister for Finance for ensuring those fundamentals are improved and enhanced in the years ahead. With regard to the cause of our current position, Ireland is an exceptionally open economy and the deterioration in the global climate in the past year has had a major impact here. We are more exposed to global trends...

Fiscal Policy. (25 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am glad Deputy Burton acknowledged a major contribution to the slowdown in our economy has been caused by global factors. She is correct that domestically a major adjustment to the house building sector is under way, with output likely to decline by at least one third this year. There are also strong indications of over supply and in these circumstances a further large reduction in output...

Fiscal Policy. (25 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: That is a long list of questions. This country has a solid export driven sector. Our export driven goods and services sector is the mainstay of our economy today and is thriving.

Fiscal Policy. (25 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I did. There is some moderation in demand because of the position in other markets, not because of a position created by the fundamental factors here.

Fiscal Policy. (25 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The fundamental factors regarding exports of our goods and services are soundly based. The difficulties that have arisen have arisen in the construction and banking sectors and have international causes. That situation is visible to all.

Fiscal Policy. (25 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I assure Deputy Burton that I am not wasting vital weeks. The reason for bringing forward the budget to Tuesday, 14 October is the gravity of the situation in terms of our national finances and this year's deteriorating economic position. That deterioration has been reflected in a sharp reduction in forecast tax revenues. I appreciate that Deputy Burton and, I am sure, Deputy Bruton would...

Fiscal Policy. (25 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: If I may complete my answer, for that reason I will arrange for my officials to fully brief the Deputies on the state of the economy upon the conclusion of the September quarterly analysis by my Department.

Pension Provisions. (25 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Discussions are in train with the trustees and administrators of the funded pension schemes of the five older universities and certain non-commercial semi-State bodies, SSBs, which have funded pension schemes with a view to providing consistency and clarity for the future in terms of meeting the liabilities of the schemes. This follows consideration some time ago of the pension difficulties...