Results 7,601-7,620 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (6 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The change in the standard VAT rate is taking effect from 1 December 2008. The change could have been made effective from 1 November 2008, the start of the preceding VAT taxable period, however, the later date of 1 December 2008 was chosen in order to give industry more time to adjust their systems to the Budget change. This provided a lead-in time of almost seven weeks during which traders...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (6 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As I have said previously my Department and I are always mindful of potential international developments that could adversely affect foreign direct investment here. However, I am not aware of any concrete proposals to make changes to US tax legislation. While there has been some speculation in the context of the Presidential election that any new Administration could seek to make changes to...

Written Answers — Financial Institutions Support Scheme: Financial Institutions Support Scheme (6 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: In accordance with the terms of the Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Scheme all covered institutions are required to provide such information or reports as I, or the Financial Regulator on my behalf, may require. Under the Scheme covered institutions are also required to submit reports required by the Financial Regulator to monitor compliance with the terms and conditions of the...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (6 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Improving our competitive position is essential to facilitate a re-balancing of the economy towards more sustainable, export-led growth and to maintain Ireland's attractiveness as a location for inward investment. In recognition of this, and notwithstanding the need to underpin the sustainability of the public finances, the Government took a number of steps in Budget 2009 aimed at supporting...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (6 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Budget 2009, published on 14 October 2008, sets out the forecast outturn for Departments' expenditure in 2008 and the Budget Estimates allocations for 2009. Departments are required to manage within their agreed spending allocations and the question of issuing instructions to this effect does not arise.

Written Answers — Financial Institutions Support Scheme: Financial Institutions Support Scheme (6 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I have met with the relevant institutions and there is ongoing contact between the Financial Services Regulator, the Central Bank, the credit institutions and officials of my Department. The Deputy will appreciate that when I introduced the Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Legislation to this house, I made it clear that the disruption in international financial markets required a...

Written Answers — Banking Sector Regulation: Banking Sector Regulation (6 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: From the outset of the financial market difficulties in August 2007 EU Finance Ministers have taken a number of steps to address the difficulties in financial markets and Ireland has of course been a full participant in that work. In October 2007 Finance Ministers agreed on a set of common principles and a roadmap of further actions to enhance financial stability arrangements and the ability...

Written Answers — Programme for Government: Programme for Government (6 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Programme for Government is a five year programme which must be judged over the full five years of the Government. However, it is now clear that we have entered a period of lower economic growth than was envisaged when the Programme for Government was drawn up. This has consequences for the public finances and the Government is committed to carefully managing the economic and budgetary...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (6 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the taxpayer was informed on the 2nd October 2008 that no refund of income tax is due in this case.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (6 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that they have no record of receiving a request from the individual for a tax refund. A Tax Return, Form 12 2007, issued to the individual on 4 November 2008 to enable them to carry out a review.

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (6 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: My Department uses the PeopleSoft Human Resource Management System (HRMS) to facilitate the collation of information relating to a wide range of absences from duty e.g. sick leave, annual leave, special leave, maternity leave and other statutory and non-statutory leave provisions. That information is used for internal staff management purposes. The identification of suitable groups against...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (11 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 203 and 230 together. The position is that, as announced in the Budget, Health Expenses Relief will be granted at the standard rate only from 1 January 2009, with the exception of nursing home expenses where temporary arrangements will apply. Nursing home expenses will be standard rated from 1 January 2010. It is not my intention to make any other adjustments.

Written Answers — Commemorative Events: Commemorative Events (11 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Island of Ireland Peace Park at Messines (Mesen), Belgium was opened on 11 November 1998 to commemorate all those from the island of Ireland, from all political and religious traditions, who fought and died in the First World War. On behalf of the Irish and British Governments, the park is jointly managed by the Office of Public Works (OPW) and the Office of the First Minister and Deputy...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (11 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I announced in Budget 2009 that an Air Travel Tax will come into force in respect of passengers departing from Irish airports on and from 30 March 2009. A general rate of €10 per passenger will apply, with a lower rate of €2 for shorter journeys. This measure is estimated to yield €95 million in 2009 and €150 million in a full year. This is not an insignificant amount of money and...

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (11 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Pilot Tax Relief Scheme for the Renewal and Improvement of Certain Resort Areas (colloquially known as the Seaside Resort Scheme) was introduced with effect from 1 July 1995 for three years on a pilot basis. The qualifying period was extended in the 1998 Finance Act for a further year to 30 June 1999 for pipeline projects. The scheme was extended again until 31 December 1999 in the 1999...

Written Answers — Global Financial Crisis: Global Financial Crisis (11 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: One important element of the conclusions of the European Council meeting of 15th and 16th October 2008 was the establishment of a Financial Crisis Cell to enable swift and effective action to be taken in a crisis situation. The cell is a warning, information-exchange and evaluation mechanism involving representatives of the Presidency-in-office, the President of the Commission, the President...

Written Answers — Financial Services Regulation: Financial Services Regulation (11 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As the Deputy will be aware, in welcoming the European Central Bank's announcement on 6 November 2008 of a 0.5% reduction in its key interest rates, I highlighted that I would expect financial institutions to pass on these reductions to their customers including in particular to those purchasing properties on variable mortgages but also to small and medium-sized enterprises. This will help...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (11 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The following table sets out the non-property costs incurred by my Department and the bodies under the aegis of my Department for the decentralisation process broken down by location to end September 2008. Department/Body Location Cost € Finance Tullamore 741,509 Revenue Kilrush 130,218 Listowel 130,590 Navan 183,810 Athy 123,574 Non-salary administrative costs for all...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (11 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As announced in the Budget, health expenses relief will be granted at the standard rate only from 1 January 2009, with the exception of nursing home expenses where temporary arrangements will apply. Nursing home expenses will be standard rated from 1 January 2010.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (11 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 213 to 217, inclusive, together. The artists tax exemption was introduced in 1969 to help create an environment in Ireland in which the arts could flourish and to encourage artists living abroad to come and live in Ireland. Under the scheme, income earned by artists, writers, composers and sculptors from the sale of their work (books and other writings,...