Results 6,881-6,900 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Order of Business (1 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: That important legislation will be introduced next year. Indeed, I recall that the last committee to deal with this some years ago included the late Deputy Cluskey and former Deputy John Bruton.

Written Answers — Programmes for Government: Programmes for Government (1 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: The Programme for Government is an agreed five year programme between the Government parties, in which we have set out our guiding policy principles. Specifically our guiding economic principles for the next five years are: We will aim to achieve further significant, sustainable growth with our programme based on an average growth rate of 4.5%. We will operate a responsible fiscal policy...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (1 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 55 and 56 together. In relation to the makeup of the increase in Gross Current Expenditure provided for in the Pre-Budget Outlook, I would direct the Deputy's attention to the Chart on page B.10 of that publication. This Chart shows that the increases for: non-pay demographic and demand-led expenditure account for 35% or €819 million of the gross current...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (1 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: The cost of new spending initiatives will be set out on Budget day together with the Government's overall fiscal funding provisions for 2008. I cannot provide further details at this stage.

Written Answers — Fiscal Policy: Fiscal Policy (1 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: In regard to the Valuation Act, 2001, I should point out that the Commissioner of Valuation is independent in the exercise of his duties under the Act and that I, as Minister for Finance, have no function in decisions in this regard. The Valuation Act, 2001 provides that "community halls" including clubhouses which are not licensed to sell alcohol and whose facilities are not used primarily...

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (1 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: The Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme provides relief from VAT and Vehicle Registration Tax (up to a certain limit) on the purchase of an adapted car for transport of a person with specific severe and permanent physical disabilities, as well as relief from excise on the fuel used in the car, up to a certain limit. The disability criteria for these concessions...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (1 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Office of Public Works (OPW) that under the decentralisation programme two hundred and nineteen (219) people have accepted offers to move to Trim, County Meath, of whom one hundred and eighty-five (185) are OPW headquarter staff. A further thirty-eight (38) OPW staff have applied on the Central Applications Facility for a transfer to Trim.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (1 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: All stamp duties, including the stamp duties on financial cards, are reviewed in the context of the annual Budget and Finance Bill. Stamp duty is a significant contributor to the Exchequer, which helps fund public services such as health and education, while keeping the direct tax burden low thereby facilitating continued economic success, which is of benefit to all taxpayers.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (1 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the persons in question will, in accordance with Section 1020 Taxes Consolidation Act 1997, be treated as single persons during the year of marriage. On receipt of a claim by either party, their tax liability will be reviewed after the end of the year to ensure that the tax paid as single persons was not in excess of tax which would have been...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (1 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: The scheme of performance-related awards in the civil service applies to Deputy and Assistant Secretaries and equivalent grades. It does not apply to Secretaries General. Details of awards to individual officers under the performance related scheme are not disclosed on the basis that they are confidential to the officer concerned. However I can say that during 2007 awards totalling...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (1 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that they have today issued a letter to the principal contractor in this case. The letter advises them that, under Section 17 of the Finance Act 1970, they are obliged to deduct tax at 35% from each payment made to a contractor, and that they should issue a Form RCTDC (C45) when such payments are being made. They have been advised to do this...

Seanad: Pre-Budget Outlook: Statements (1 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: I welcome the opportunity to present to the Seanad my pre-budget outlook, launched on Thursday, 18 October, and I look forward to listening to the views of Members in this regard and examining them in the context of preparations for the budget. I apologise for my inability to stay as long as I would wish because of other commitments during the course of this day. It is an especially busy...

Written Answers — Review Body on Higher Remuneration: Review Body on Higher Remuneration (6 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: The Review Body on Higher Remuneration in the Public Sector which was established in 1969 is an independent standing body whose primary function is to advise the Government on the general levels of remuneration appropriate to certain top public service posts. The members of the Review Body are appointed by the Government. The current members of the Review Body are: Tony O'Brien, Chairman of...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (6 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that it appears from their records that the taxpayer commenced employment with the company in question during 2001. On 5 November 2007 a letter was sent to the taxpayer giving details of his pay, tax and PRSI deductions for the years 2001 and 2003 to 2006, in accordance with the records held by the Revenue Commissioners. No details are available for...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (6 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: There is no specific tax scheme to encourage workers to cycle to work. There is, however, a provision in the existing Benefit-in-Kind arrangements to allow an employer to provide an employee with a small benefit to a value not exceeding €250 in any one year without applying PAYE and PRSI to that benefit. If the €250 limit is exceeded in any year the employee must pay tax on the total...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (6 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: There are no plans for the introduction of a scheme of the type referred to by the Deputy. There is provision in the existing Benefit-in-Kind arrangements to allow an employer to provide an employee with a small benefit to a value not exceeding €250 in any one year without applying PAYE and PRSI to that benefit. If the €250 limit is exceeded in any year the employee must pay tax on the...

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (6 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: The Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme provides relief from VAT and Vehicle Registration Tax (up to a certain limit) on the purchase of an adapted car for transport of a person with specific severe and permanent physical disabilities, as well as relief from excise on the fuel used in the car, up to a certain limit. The disability criteria for these concessions...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (6 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the taxpayer retired from his employment on 31 August 2007 following which the taxpayer became entitled to a company pension and a State Pension (Transition). The company has confirmed to the Revenue Commissioners that the taxpayer's lump sum entitlement was paid tax-free on 23 October 2007. The first pension payment (backdated to his...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (6 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: There are no plans to introduce a scheme of the kind referred to by the Deputy. There is provision in the existing Benefit-in-Kind arrangements to allow an employer to provide an employee with a small benefit to a value not exceeding €250 in any one year without applying PAYE and PRSI to that benefit. If the €250 limit is exceeded in any year the employee must pay tax on the total value...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (6 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the taxpayer paid emergency tax in a former employment, which ceased on 1 July 2007. A new employer would normally make a refund of any tax over deducted in a previous employment following receipt of a cumulative certificate of tax credits. A cumulative certificate has issued in this case but as the taxpayer is on unpaid sick leave at...