Results 7,221-7,240 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Written Answers — Departmental Offices: Departmental Offices (27 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: A feasibility study is being undertaken on a proposal to extend the existing premises with a view to resolving congestion issues.

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (27 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Commissioners of Public Works that no money has been spent in 2006 and 2007 for Government Departments or State agencies on leasing properties which are not being used because decentralisation has not proceeded as planned.

Written Answers — Site Acquisitions: Site Acquisitions (27 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: The Commissioners of Public Works act as agents for the Department of Education and Science for the acquisitions of sites for schools. In the case of Skibbereen a total of twelve sites were examined and assessed. One site was withdrawn by the Vendors. One site was regarded as suitable by the Local Authority but would require very extensive pre-construction works. The remainder were...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (27 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: I an informed by the Revenue Commissioners that, on the completion of the required computer developments, it is intended to commence by mid January, 2008 the issue of Tax Credit Certificates to employers and employees reflecting any changes that are made in the forthcoming Budget. In cases where a change in circumstances has been notified to Revenue by a taxpayer, a revised Tax Credit...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (27 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the relevant information available which has been compiled on the basis of income tax returns is as follows: Tax refund/tax credit/relief Year Numbers availing Estimated cost to the Exchequer â'¬ million Refund of DIRT 2006 900 1.19 Rent a room 2004 2,300 2.70 Childminding tax exemption N/A N/A N/A Service charges 2004 229,600 12.70...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (27 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: It is assumed that what the Deputy requires are the numbers of income earners, both PAYE and self-employed, on the income tax record for the current income tax year. I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the information requested is as follows: Projected number of income earners for 2007. Single Married one-earner Married two-earner Widowed Total 1,398,600 379,600 427,400 79,800...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (27 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the estimated numbers of income earners availing of the one parent family tax credit from 2000/01 to date are as set out in the following table: One parent family tax credit — numbers availing Year Numbers 2000/01 101,200 2001 97,600 2002 102,700 2003 109,200 2004 101,700 2005 106,800 2006 111,700 2007 115,800 The figures for 2005,...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (27 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: I refer the Deputy to the answer I gave to a similar question (PQ 30483/07, Dáil Question 70) which he tabled on 22 November last.

Written Answers — OPW Projects: OPW Projects (27 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: There are no immediate plans to replace the heating system in the National Library with air conditioning. The Berkely Library in Trinity College is a modern building and very different from the National Library in Kildare Street, which is a very old building (built in 1890) and a protected structure. Buildings such as the National Library pose significant challenges in balancing...

Written Answers — Departmental Offices: Departmental Offices (27 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: The future of the building is currently being considered in the context of Public Service demand for accommodation in the Dundalk area. The following Maintenance related costs were incurred since the Department of Social and Family Affairs moved: Year â'¬ 2004 Cleaning front of Building 240.00 2005 Securing gate at rear of building 39.73 2006 Transfer of records 2,224.60 2007...

Written Answers — Data Protection: Data Protection (27 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: My Department complies with the Data Protection Act and is registered as a data controller with the Data Protection Commissioner under Section 16 of the Data Protection Acts, 1988 and 2003. My Department has a limited number of disclosees to whom data may be disclosed and the Department consults with the Office of the Data Commissioner on these matters. All of my Department's databases and...

Written Answers — Review Body on Higher Remuneration: Review Body on Higher Remuneration (27 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: The table below shows for each of the years 2004 to 2007 the year-on-year increase in cost of the pay of the Taoiseach, Ministers, Ministers of State and TDs. This takes account of all pay increases (i.e. those arising from nation wage agreements, recommendations of the Review Body on Higher Remuneration in the Public Sector and the Benchmarking Body). Report No. 38 of the Review Body on...

Confidence in Minister for Health and Children: Motion (Resumed) (28 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: The five short minutes I have in this debate are inadequate for the number of issues which have arisen. We require more debate in this House on issues like this, not just arising from crises coming up from day to day or week to week.

Confidence in Minister for Health and Children: Motion (Resumed) (28 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: We need a far more general debate.

Confidence in Minister for Health and Children: Motion (Resumed) (28 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: There is no problem about that. We have allowed the narrative about health to be dictated in the political culture of this country on the basis of the presumption that we have a perfect system, and if a problem arises, the person with ministerial responsibility should resign on every occasion. We need to bring into our debate that reform is the buzzword of every political progressive and...

Confidence in Minister for Health and Children: Motion (Resumed) (28 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: It does a disservice. At the moment we have a public and private health care system. I do not want this argument to take up all the three or four short minutes I have in defending the Minister.

Confidence in Minister for Health and Children: Motion (Resumed) (28 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: The idea of co-location is really about making sure we have the cheapest way of getting more beds into the system on a co-located basis.

Confidence in Minister for Health and Children: Motion (Resumed) (28 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: That is not the chief thrust of my argument, which is as follows. We also heard in this House because of the absence of analysis and thinking about this area the idea that we should revert back to the health board system because in some way that was a better system.

Confidence in Minister for Health and Children: Motion (Resumed) (28 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: Nowhere is that true, even considering what happened in Portlaoise, about which I know because I was Minister for Health and Children at the time. The problem has always been the argument not just at political level but also at medical political level, which has been far more partisan in many respects when it comes to debates about health and the need for change. The real issue is that in...

Confidence in Minister for Health and Children: Motion (Resumed) (28 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: I say to those people who want to make this work and ensure we improve our system, there have been real improvements in our health service. The idea that there has been none is a falsehood. There have been real improvements in our health service.