Results 7,661-7,680 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (18 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: An increase in the Betting Duty from 1% to 2%, based on current information, would raise an estimated additional €36m in a full year, however it is clear that betting turnover is lower than had been expected so this level of additional revenue might be optimistic. Representatives of the sector have indicated that some participants will face a very challenging position in 2009. The Finance...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (18 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Betting duty is payable by the bookmaker. If a bookmaker were to establish an on-line betting operation within the State, the bookmaker would be liable to pay betting duty. In general, however, the charge to pay duty does not apply to on-line betting because virtually all providers of such a service are based outside the State. A similar scenario occurs in the case of bets carried out by...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (18 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The position is that the income levy will be payable on gross income, including occupational pensions. It is intended, however, to provide a threshold which will exempt those on low incomes, social welfare payments and contributory and non-contributory State pensions will be exempt. Full details regarding provisions in relation to the collection, recovery, inspection of records, and other...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (18 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am aware of the difficulties for certain individuals, particularly members of defined contribution schemes, who are retiring in current market conditions and who are required to purchase an annuity on retirement at this time. I am examining this matter and consulting with industry interests to establish the extent of the problem and what, if anything, can be done to alleviate it.

Written Answers — Bookmaker Licences: Bookmaker Licences (18 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the number of licences issued to bookmakers and the betting tax paid by bookmakers in each of the past five years for which figures are currently available is set out in the following table: Year Betting Tax Paid Licences issued € 2007 (Prov) 36,437,009 704 2006 54,295,658 496 2005 45,850,201 588 2004 45,552,353 535 2003 38,422,170...

Written Answers — Tax Compliance: Tax Compliance (18 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: A Revenue authorised officer has general enquiry powers that allow him/her enter a business premises and obtain information from those present. Section 905(2)(a) of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 provides that an authorised officer may at all reasonable times enter any premises or place where the authorised officer has reason to believe that any trade, profession or other activity, the...

Written Answers — Licensed Trade Sector: Licensed Trade Sector (18 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that Exchequer returns from the alcohol drinks sector are not captured in such a way as to be able to identify and measure the effect of the changes to the licensing laws, under the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008, as distinct from the effects of other market factors on customer demand. It is not possible therefore to provide the information requested...

Written Answers — Financial Institutions Support Scheme: Financial Institutions Support Scheme (18 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The European Investment Bank (EIB) announced on 3 October 2008 that it was increasing its support for Europe's small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to help mitigate the effects of the current credit crisis. This is to take the form of a €30 billion facility to provide loans to SMEs through commercial banks. I understand that the EIB has had discussions with a number of Irish banks...

Written Answers — National Treasury Management Agency: National Treasury Management Agency (18 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The advisory service referred to by the Deputy was contracted at my request by the National Treasury Management Agency in September 2008, under the powers set out in the National Treasury Management Agency Act 1990, to assist the Government by providing general, strategic and specific technical advice on the Irish banking sector. The contract extends to provide advice as required for a period...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (18 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: This is an escheated estate case where the Chief State Solicitor is administering the estate of the deceased who died intestate without next of kin and where the Minister for Finance under the Succession Act 1965 became entitled as ultimate intestate successor to the estate. Correspondence has been ongoing for some time between the Chief State Solicitor's Office and the solicitors for the...

Written Answers — Benchmarking Awards: Benchmarking Awards (18 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: My Department has consistently received a positive assessment from the Civil Service Performance Verification Group (PVG) in relation to the achievement of its modernisation objectives under successive public service Pay Agreements. These objectives, including objectives relating to the provision of services to the general public, were part of a modernisation plan approved in advance by the...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (18 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As published in the Budget, gross current expenditure for 2009 is forecast at €61,782 million. Gross capital expenditure is forecast at €10,723 million. Gross expenditure in respect of the Health and Children, Social and Family Affairs and Education and Science Votes for 2009 is forecast at €16,335 million, €19,570 million and €9,628 million respectively. A detailed breakdown of...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (18 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the information requested by the Deputy is not available.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (18 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I assume the Deputy is referring to the scheme of capital allowances for capital expenditure on registered nursing homes which was introduced in 1997. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that information on the scheme of tax relief for registered nursing homes was for the first time specified and separately included in personal income tax returns for the tax year 2004, which were due...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (18 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that to date forty eight (48) staff have relocated to the advance office (based in Limerick city), for decentralisation to Newcastlewest, County Limerick. It is expected that the permanent office in Newcastlewest will be completed by the end of this year. The Revenue Commissioners do not anticipate any difficulty in filling the full quota of fifty...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (18 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The following is the average number of sick days taken by staff in my Department for each of the 3 years requested: Year Average number of sick days 2005 8.9 2006 8.9 2007 7.5 When long term sick leave is excluded, the equivalent number is as follows: Year Average number of sick days (excluding long term illness cases) 2005 3.84 2006 4.26 2007 3.68 The figures have been calculated...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (18 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the increase in the number of income earners over 65 paying income tax in 2009 compared with 2008 is estimated to be about 2,600. It should be noted that the available figures for numbers of taxpayers aged 65 or over for 2008 and 2009 are projected estimates from the Revenue tax-forecasting model using actual data for the year 2005 adjusted as...

Written Answers — Departmental Transport: Departmental Transport (18 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Approximately €31 million was expended across the civil service in 2007 on mileage expenses relating to official business. Departments and offices are responsible for the day to day management of expenditure on mileage. Most of this expenditure relates to inspections, inquiries, visits etc to ensure compliance with regulations and that services are being delivered appropriately.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (18 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the Schedule set out as follows identifies those sections of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 (as amended) which provide for a full or partial exemption from income tax. Due to the time constraints some minor legislative provisions may have been overlooked. Description of income Section of the Taxes Consolidated Act 1997 1. Interest on...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (18 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The following table sets out details of the money paid to consultants in each of the years 2000 to 2008 (to date) by my Department and the offices under its aegis. The State Laboratory was unable, in the time available, to collate material in respect of 2000 to 2003. However, that office will forward the relevant material direct to the Deputy as soon as it is available. Year Contractor...