Results 6,861-6,880 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (25 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: In the Budget for 2008, my predecessor announced an efficiency review that required all Departments to review the scope for savings in a wide range of areas including the scope for the rationalisation of State Agencies. This was taken further last July, when I specifically asked for a further review of all State Agencies to examine whether they can share services, whether it would be...

Written Answers — Fiscal Policy: Fiscal Policy (25 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 12, 15 and 26 together. In their discussion of Member States' response to the current economic slowdown at the recent informal Ecofin meeting and in so far as budgetary policy is concerned, Ministers noted the supportive role of the Stability and Growth Pact, its emphasis on reducing deficits and the importance of compliance with the Pact. The question of a...

Written Answers — Pre-Budget Outlook: Pre-Budget Outlook (25 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Given the short time to Budget day I will not be publishing a Pre-Budget Outlook in advance of this year's Budget. However, my Department published a mid year technical update of current year macro-economic forecasts in July. In this update an economic and fiscal assessment was presented based on the information to hand at end June. On the 3rd of September the Government announced that it was...

Written Answers — Fiscal Policy: Fiscal Policy (25 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: 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 numbers terms some 132,000 during 2008. This compares to unemployment of 4.5% or 101,000 in 2007. My Department last published inflation forecasts on July 2nd as part of the...

Written Answers — Public Service Staff: Public Service Staff (25 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Staffing levels in the public service are subject to regular scrutiny at official level and are set in the context of the demands on public services and the resources available to fund them. It is the Government's aim to use staff resources as efficiently and effectively as possible and I know that this objective is shared by all my Government colleagues.

Written Answers — Social Partnership Agreements: Social Partnership Agreements (25 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Towards 2016 is a ten year framework agreement which sets out an agenda for the further modernisation of the public service. It commits the parties to the Agreement to continued co-operation with change and modernisation initiatives, as well as improved productivity across the public service. In approaching the recent Partnership talks the Government recognised that while significant...

Written Answers — Financial Services Regulation: Financial Services Regulation (25 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 18, 60 and 87 together. As I announced on 20 September 2008, the Government has decided to increase the statutory limit for the Deposit Guarantee Scheme for banks and building societies from €20,000 to €100,000 per depositor per institution. The cover will apply to 100% of each individual's aggregate deposits up to the prescribed limit per banking...

Written Answers — Banking Sector Regulation: Banking Sector Regulation (25 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Ireland's system of financial regulation is based largely on a comprehensive and detailed EU template and conforms to international best-practice standards. The role of the Minister for Finance as regards financial regulation is to develop policy and bring forward proposals to the Oireachtas for the regulation of the financial services sector. Once that legislation has been enacted, the...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (25 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: A person is regarded as resident in the State for tax purposes in a tax year if he or she spends: (a) 183 days in the State in that year, or (b) 280 days in aggregate in that tax year and the preceding tax year. An individual who is present in the State for 30 days or less in a tax year will not be treated as resident for that year unless he or she elects to be resident. Also, a day will...

Written Answers — Price Inflation: Price Inflation (25 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I assume the Deputy is referring to the perception that government charges are significantly increasing the rate of inflation. In this regard, I would draw the Deputy's attention to the fact that the pickup in inflation in recent years has been driven primarily by external developments, namely the global rise in oil and food prices and increases in interest rates. Government administered...

Written Answers — Social Partnership Agreements: Social Partnership Agreements (25 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Based on current staffing and numbers, it is estimated that the cumulative costs of implementing the pay increases provided for in the draft Agreement will be approximately €260m in 2009, €990m in 2010 and €1,200m in 2011.

Written Answers — Financial Services Regulation: Financial Services Regulation (25 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Deputy will be aware that on 20 September 2008 the Government increased the statutory limit for the deposit guarantee scheme for banks and building societies from €20,000 to €100,000 per depositor and extended the scheme to include credit union savers. It is intended that in the case of credit union savers the deposit protection scheme will act as a backstop to an approved savings...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (25 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: In his 2005 Budget Statement, my predecessor announced that a review of a broad range of tax incentive schemes would be undertaken in 2005. The review process included studies by external consultants Indecon and Goodbody Economic Consultants, as well as internal reviews by officials from the Department of Finance and the Office of the Revenue Commissioners, with the involvement of other...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (25 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 25, 54 and 64 together. The National Pensions Reserve Fund (NPRF) was established in 2001 under the National Pensions Reserve Fund Act 2000. The purpose in establishing the NPRF was to meet as much as possible of the cost to the Exchequer of social welfare pensions and public service pensions to be paid from the year 2025 until at least 2055. The Act...

Written Answers — Fiscal Policy: Fiscal Policy (25 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: At the end of this month, as is usual, my Department will make its 6 monthly return to Eurostat setting out the overall fiscal position, including the General Government Balance for the years up to 2007 and my Department's latest forecast for 2008. A comprehensive assessment of the fiscal and economic position will be contained in the Budget which will be presented to the Dáil on 14th...

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (25 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the deductions and reliefs which are allowable for tax at an individual's marginal rate of income tax and for which estimates of cost can be provided are set out below together with estimated costs for the year 2005, the most recent year for which the necessary detailed information is available except where otherwise stated. If relief for these...

Written Answers — Banking Sector Regulation: Banking Sector Regulation (25 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 29, 56, 63 and 70 together. Maintenance of the overall stability of the Irish financial system is a central priority of Government. Since August 2007 the international financial system has been affected by unprecedented turmoil and dislocation. Credit markets which are pivotal to meeting the medium-term funding needs of the financial system have effectively...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (25 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 30 and 34 together. I have stated previously that the carbon tax issue is being examined by the Commission on Taxation and the Commission is due to report by September 2009 at the latest. With regard to Budget 2009, as the Deputies will be aware it is not the usual practice for the Minister for Finance to speculate in advance of the annual Budget on what it...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (25 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I want to assure the House that the Government's position on our corporate tax regime is unambiguous. It is clearly stated in the Programme for Government that the 121⁄2 per cent rate of corporation tax will remain. Although the Deputy does not specify what threats to the Irish corporate tax regime he has in mind, he may be referring to the European Commission's technical work on a common...

Written Answers — Budgetary Process: Budgetary Process (25 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Budget documentation is published each year and updates on the Exchequer finances are published monthly by my Department. The economic assumptions which underpin the Budget are based on the best information available at Budget time. The Budget book also contains a comparison of the Department's main macro-economic forecasts with those of other key institutions. As regards performance...