Results 7,981-8,000 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Written Answers — Court Actions: Court Actions (16 Dec 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Courts Service provides my Department with a quarterly report on the number of Court actions and orders relating to possession of certain real property i.e. buildings and land. The statistics include the number of new cases initiated in each quarter for possession of such property and on the number of court orders made for possession of real property. Circuit Court statistical reports...

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

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 187 and 188 together. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the precise information in relation to the number of fathers of children born to unmarried parents who claimed the single parent tax credit is not available in the format requested. However, information available relating to the number of single males claiming the single parent tax credit...

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

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that P21s for 2004 to 2007 have been issued to the person concerned. Home carers tax credit has been granted for 2004. For the years 2005, 2006 and 2007, instead of home carers tax credit, the individuals concerned were treated as a married two-earner couple and given the appropriate standard rate band. This tax treatment was more beneficial...

Appropriation Bill 2008: Order for Second Stage (17 Dec 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I move: "That Second Stage be taken now."

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2008: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (17 Dec 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: We dealt with the amendment in some detail last night. The position is that income tax relief in respect of health expenses will be granted at the standard rate of tax for 2009 with the exception of nursing home fees, which will continue to be granted at the marginal rate. The changes provided for in the Finance Bill follow on from the changes made in the Finance Act 2007, with the removal...

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2008: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (17 Dec 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The purpose of section 13 of the Bill is the attraction of individuals from overseas with the necessary high level skills that are required in the current economic climate. These individuals will, in turn, act as potential magnets to attract individual levels of business to Ireland, which will enhance our ability to further develop the sectors within which they work. It will also enable us...

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2008: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (17 Dec 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I thank Deputy Morgan for his support as regards the general principle of the measure. It is designed to attract people into this country and can play a key role in that regard. It is not being introduced on the same basis as in the past. Revenue will have a far more effective policing system for this relief in a number of ways. First, the relief will be by way of repayment of tax, so all...

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2008: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (17 Dec 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Deputy's understanding is correct. That has already been decided.

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2008: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (17 Dec 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Members will be aware I recently announced that the rules relating to the requirement for members of defined contribution occupational pension schemes to purchase an annuity with their pension funds in retirement are to be relaxed by the Revenue Commissioners, on a temporary basis. These amendments have, therefore, been overtaken by events. The deferral arrangement will be operated on an...

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2008: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (17 Dec 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The deferral arrangements for annuity purchase which I announced recently are by definition temporary. However, as Deputy Burton suggested, if present conditions persist over an extended period, that issue might have to be revisited. Changing the scope of the existing ARF arrangements is one of a range of issues to be addressed in the long-term pensions policy framework being developed by...

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2008: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (17 Dec 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: We are discussing a scheme for hospices. It was introduced last year at the request of the relevant voluntary groups. Developing hospice care was widely welcomed at the time. Deputy Morgan's amendment proposes that the new scheme of capital allowances for the construction and refurbishment of buildings to be used as specialist palliative care units does not come into effect. I appreciate...

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2008: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (17 Dec 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: In respect of Deputy Morgan's remarks, the State does not provide hospice services, which are provided on a voluntary basis.

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2008: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (17 Dec 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As for palliative services, that is the reason for the introduction of this particular tax incentive. I must refute Deputy Burton's suggestion that this is a sinister plan involving high net worth individuals, who appear to populate her imagination at regular intervals. First, high earners, whose income is in excess of €250,000, do not obtain marginal rate relief on incentive investments....

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2008: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (17 Dec 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Effectively, it has reduced the rate of reliefs——

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2008: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (17 Dec 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: —— to the standard rate and early indications——

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2008: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (17 Dec 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Early indications from the Revenue Commissioners——

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2008: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (17 Dec 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Can I speak?

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2008: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (17 Dec 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Am I permitted to finish?

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2008: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (17 Dec 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: That is not a point of order.

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2008: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (17 Dec 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The crucial point I wished to make, which Deputy Burton did not allow me to complete before interrupting, is that early indications from the Revenue Commissioners suggest the restriction is working as intended, by reducing the effective tax rate to 20% in such cases. The key point is the information I have received from the Revenue Commissioners suggests——