Results 7,961-7,980 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (16 Dec 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: It is not a U-turn.

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (16 Dec 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As for Deputy Bruton's amendment, I understand he envisages that higher rate taxpayers, who are 70 years old or more, should be allowed to deduct health expenses at their marginal rate. The biggest health expense that an elderly person may face is nursing home fees and I have introduced an amendment to ensure that such fees will continue to be deductible at the taxpayer's marginal rate.

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (16 Dec 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The majority of persons who are 70 years of age or more——

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (16 Dec 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: This is the biggest single expense——

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (16 Dec 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Assuming that such people are insured, this is the biggest expense they face. The majority of persons who are 70 years of age or more have no liability at the higher rate and many are exempt from tax altogether. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that approximately 90% of all income earners over 70 do not have a liability at the higher rate and, therefore, would not be in a position...

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (16 Dec 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As for Deputy Burton's point, higher rate relief is of no benefit to standard rate taxpayers who seek IVF treatment and the reintroduction of higher rate relief is not the answer in this respect. The Government must examine whether a scheme that will help both higher and standard rate taxpayers in the same way is feasible. An expenditure-based scheme would be required, were this to be...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (16 Dec 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: My Department is represented on the High Level Group on Business Regulation, the Regulatory Impact Analysis Network and on an interdepartmental working group on reducing administrative burdens. Within my Department, work in support of these groups is undertaken from within existing staff resources. Accordingly, it has not been necessary to dedicate staff and other resources exclusively in...

Written Answers — Banking Sector Regulation: Banking Sector Regulation (16 Dec 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The choice of mortgage product ultimately rests with the consumer in light of the terms and conditions that their lending institution offers. The decision of borrowers is influenced by factors such as their personal preferences and their own assessment of the relative merits of fixed and variable rate mortgages taking into account the information made available by the Financial Regulator. The...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (16 Dec 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The income levy will apply on the gross or aggregate income of each individual taxpayer subject to the specific exemptions which have been set out in the legislation. Representations have been made in relation to the impact that the legislation would have on persons who had a obligation to make maintenance payments to a separated spouse under a legally enforceable order, in particular the...

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (16 Dec 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme provides relief from VAT and Vehicle Registration Tax (up to a certain limit), and exemption from motor tax, on the purchase of an adapted car for transport of a person with specific severe and permanent physical disabilities. The disability criteria for these concessions are set out in the Disabled Drivers and Disabled...

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (16 Dec 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The initial application for a Primary Medical Certificate under the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations 1994, is made to the Senior Medical Officer of the relevant local Health Service Executive administrative area. If the Primary Medical Certificate has been refused in this case, the named person may appeal the refusal to the Medical Board of Appeal,...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (16 Dec 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The provision of additional temporary accommodation at the Garda Station at Laytown was completed in Autumn 2008. The provision of permanent accommodation for the Laytown District HQ is under consideration having regard to the prioritisation of Garda Building Programme, which is a matter for the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and Garda management in the first instance and the...

Written Answers — Financial Institutions Support Scheme: Financial Institutions Support Scheme (16 Dec 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: In an economy the size of Ireland's it is not unusual that one of the larger financial or legal advisers has to deal with potential conflicts of interest arising from their representation of more than one client in the same sector. I have been assured by my external advisors on the banks guarantee scheme, that where potential conflicts arise they are dealt with through the application of well...

Written Answers — Financial Institutions Support Scheme: Financial Institutions Support Scheme (16 Dec 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am fully satisfied that the appointment of advisors to advise me on the bank guarantee scheme was in accordance with public procurement procedures. Those procedures provide for negotiation with a single contractor without a competitive process where the timeframe for a competitive process cannot be met due to the extreme urgency of the circumstances. The Deputy will recall that speed of...

Written Answers — Regulatory Impact Analyses: Regulatory Impact Analyses (16 Dec 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 175 and 176 together. As a result of a Government decision on 21 June 2005, Regulatory Impact Analysis must be conducted on all proposals for primary legislation involving changes to the regulatory framework (subject to some exceptions), significant Statutory Instruments and proposals for EU Directives and significant EU Regulations when they are published by...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (16 Dec 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that no report has been carried out on the compliance cost of the C2 certification system. Prior to the introduction of Relevant Contracts Tax (RCT), there were significant difficulties with tax compliance in the construction sector. RCT was introduced in 1970 as a measure to tackle that non-compliance problem, and has been significantly...

Written Answers — Fiscal Policy: Fiscal Policy (16 Dec 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: It is generally recognised that there is an unusual number of unsold houses on the market at present. Developers and others are naturally anxious to sell and in many cases have reduced prices, but this is a business decision for them. There is no indication at this stage that banks have taken possession of an unusual amount of property.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (16 Dec 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 179 to 181, inclusive, together. I have been informed by the Revenue Commissioners that an individual may claim a repayment of DIRT where the individual is not liable to pay income tax by reason of the level of his or her income; and either: (a) he or she is over 65; or (b) if under 65, is permanently incapacitated by reason of physical or mental infirmity...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (16 Dec 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that a Form 12 was received from the taxpayer on 11 December 2008. This return will be processed within the next few days and a P21 should issue in the first week of January 2009.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (16 Dec 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Section 848A of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 governs the scheme for tax relief on donations to eligible charities and other approved bodies. The administration of this scheme is the responsibility of the Revenue Commissioners. All primary and post primary schools providing education based on a programme prescribed or approved by the Minister for Education and Science automatically...