Results 7,721-7,740 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (5 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 203 to 205, inclusive, together. There are no specific task forces currently operating in my Department or established in the past five years. As part of the Department's usual course of business, various working groups, consultative committees etc. are established. The membership of these groups are generally drawn from my own Department or other government...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (5 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: Below are details reported to the Decentralisation Implementation Group in June 2007 relating to the non-property costs of decentralisation for my Department since 2004. Year Total Expenditure â'¬ 2004 0 2005 117,669 2006 410,353 2007 (Qtr 1) 31,057 My Department is currently updating this information and expects to submit further details to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (5 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: To date one hundred and twenty three (123) staff of my Department have decentralised to Tullamore and a further two (2) have accepted offers of decentralisation. It is envisaged that a further five (5) will have relocated to Tullamore by the end of 2008, bringing to one hundred and thirty (130) the overall number of posts which will have been decentralised to Tullamore. Approximately thirty...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (5 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that, as same-sex couples are not separately identified in tax statistics, it is not possible to provide the precise information requested by the Deputy. However, in the event that a formal registration scheme for same-sex couples were introduced, it is estimated that the cost of extending married treatment under the income tax code to such couples...

Written Answers — Income Statistics: Income Statistics (5 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 211 and 212 together. I understand from the Revenue Commissioners that statistics maintained by them on the incomes of taxpayers do not distinguish between incomes derived from full-time employment and part-time working. It would not be possible to arrive at meaningful figures for average incomes without conducting a protracted re-development of the...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (5 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: As the Deputy may be aware, informing Embassies located in the State on various matters is, generally, done by way of Note to the Heads of the Missions issued by the Protocol Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs. In this regard, I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the Protocol Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs, by way of Note dated 28th June 2005, encouraged...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (5 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: Under the decentralisation programme both the Public Appointments Service and the Valuation Office will transfer 100 posts each to Youghal. The current status with both of these agencies is that arrangements for decentralisation are proceeding in accordance with their implementation plans which have been prepared and submitted by each of the agencies to the Decentralisation Implementation...

Written Answers — Social Partnership: Social Partnership (5 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: The implementation of the modernisation agenda has been, and continues to be, driven by the various social partnership agreements across the public service. The current social partnership agreement, Towards 2016, builds on the progress made under previous agreements and ensures continued co-operation with change and modernisation initiatives as well as improvements in productivity right...

Written Answers — Fiscal Policy: Fiscal Policy (5 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: I presume the Deputy is referring to one of the 93 recommendations of the National Taskforce on Obesity report "Obesity: the Policy Challenges" published in 2005. Primary responsibility in relation to policy on health promotion including healthy eating, active living and obesity rests with the Minister for Health and Children and the HSE. I understand that the Department of Health and...

Written Answers — EU Funding: EU Funding (5 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: My Department is responsible for, amongst other things, overall policy in relation to Ireland's EU Structural and Cohesion Funds. It also plays a central role in the development and monitoring of the programmes/projects through which the Funds are drawn down. Ireland has qualified for Structural Funds since we joined the EU in 1973 and for the Cohesion Fund from 1993 when it was established....

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (5 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that, as in all other Departments and Offices, it is possible to be listed for a priority transfer at grades represented by Civil Public & Services Union, i.e. Clerical Officer and Staff Officer grades. An Officer must be on the appropriate Central Transfer List for the Revenue location in question. Human Resources Division, Revenue, must receive...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (5 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: To date one hundred and twenty three (123) staff of my Department have decentralised to Tullamore and a further two (2) have accepted offers of decentralisation. It is envisaged that a further five (5) will have relocated to Tullamore by the end of 2008, bringing to one hundred and thirty (130) the overall number of posts which will have been decentralised to Tullamore. My Department...

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (5 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme provides relief from Vehicle Registration Tax, VAT and excise duty on fuel (up to certain limits), and exemption from motor tax, on the purchase and use of an adapted car for transport of a person with specific severe and permanent physical disabilities. Based on the most recent data available from the Revenue Commissioners...

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (5 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: I understand from the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal, which is independent in the exercise of its functions, that 420 appeals were received during 2007 by the Medical Board of Appeal against decisions by Senior Medical Officers of the Health Service Executive to refuse Primary Medical Certificates. The Medical Board of Appeal contacted some 460 people regarding offers of...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (5 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: Parliamentary Questions are dealt with, as the need arises, by the staff in the sections dealing with the particular issue(s) raised in individual Parliamentary Questions. The number and level of staff and time spent on an individual answer depends on the complexity and importance of the issue raised , the form in which the information exists in the Department, and the form of the proposed...

Finance Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: I thank Deputies for the many interesting contributions to the debate on the Finance Bill 2008 and look forward to a constructive and informed discussion on Committee Stage, during which I hope Deputies will have a fuller opportunity to discuss some of the issues of interest to them. In my reply I will respond, in so far as possible, to the points made by the Deputies on the Bill. In my...

Finance Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: That one got by the Deputy; she did not realise it would work.

Finance Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: Deputy Mansergh correctly pointed out that it is just not possible to introduce stamp duty reform in an overheated market. The conditions that now prevail allow for reform of the stamp duty regime without unduly affecting the market conditions. That is why I have chosen to introduce reform at this time rather than when the market was overheated. The reform will lead to a direct benefit for...

Finance Bill 2008: Referral to Select Committee (6 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Finance and the Public Service Justice, in accordance with Standing Order 120(1) and paragraph 1(a)(i) of the Orders of Reference of that committee.

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (6 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme provides relief from VAT and VRT (up to certain limit) on the purchase of a car adapted for the transport of a person with specific severe and permanent physical disabilities, to those who meet certain disability criteria. The disability criteria for eligibility for the tax concessions under this scheme are set out in the...