Results 8,621-8,640 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that in this case the person concerned had an agreed payment arrangement with the Sheriff's office. The person concerned was written to by the sheriff on 10 February advising how the matter of bailiffs costs will be resolved having regard to the terms of the agreed payment arrangements.

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The design and tender documentation for the proposed new Station at Ballyvary, Co. Mayo is currently being processed by the Office of Public Works. However, due to emerging financial constraints, this Station is not included on the current Garda priority list, and it will not go to works stage in 2009. Garda Management have indicated to OPW that while they can continue to provide policing...

Written Answers — Smarter Travel Policy: Smarter Travel Policy (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: My Department is aware of the Government's Smarter Travel Policy, launched by the Minister for Transport on 5 February, which recognises the valuable role that workplace travel planning can play in making commuting travel patterns more sustainable. My Department promotes the travel pass scheme, of which approximately one third of the Dublin based staff avail, and will shortly introduce the...

Written Answers — Financial Services Regulation: Financial Services Regulation (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I would like to draw the Deputy's attention to the fact that Irish Government bonds, for which the National Treasury Management Agency is responsible, allow organisations such as credit unions to invest in fixed-term, fixed-rate instruments which are part of the National Debt.

Written Answers — Financial Institutions Support Scheme: Financial Institutions Support Scheme (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Deputy will be aware that in keeping with the Government's announcement (11 February 2009) on recapitalisation, that a commitment was given to the publication of a Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears as part of the arrangements. The Code was published by the Financial Regulator on 13th February and applies only to mortgage lending activities to consumers in respect of their principal...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Measures are already in place to support those who have recently become unemployed and who may experience difficulties in meeting their mortgage payments. For example FÁS has a specific policy in place to deal with redundancies and/or company closures. It offers a tailored approach as early as possible to the workers affected with a view to assisting them to access alternative employment...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Minister for Finance has statutory responsibility for civil service pensions. Statutory responsibility for public service pension schemes outside the civil service rests in the first instance with the relevant Ministers in other Departments, as appropriate. The total amount of pension contributions paid by civil servants in 2008 was €46.42m including contributions to the Main Scheme...

Written Answers — Public Service Contracts: Public Service Contracts (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I assume the Deputy is referring to the use by contracting authorities of the most economical advantageous criteria rather than simply price in evaluating tenders for public contracts. In relation to tendering procedures it is important to note that, in line with EU procurement law, there are two stages: (i) a suitability assessment (pre-qualification) stage and (ii) the tender competition...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The sole purpose of an approved retirement scheme is to provide relevant benefits on retirement to the member or members of the scheme. It is to this end that the beneficial tax treatment of contributions to and investment growth in approved pension schemes exists. Moreover, it is the responsibility of pension scheme trustees to ensure that there are sufficient assets in the scheme to pay...

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that a breakdown of the savings to the Exchequer, estimated to be of the order of €1 billion, from confining to the standard rate of income tax those deductions and reliefs which are allowable for tax at an individual's marginal rate is set out as follows for the year 2005, the most recent year for which the necessary detailed information is...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The table below sets out the information requested by the Deputy in relation to State Agencies under the aegis of my Department. There were no instances of Chief Executive Officers or equivalent becoming chairpersons of the Board. In the case of the Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland two members of the Board have served more than two terms and similarly with the...

Written Answers — Financial Services Regulation: Financial Services Regulation (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: When the Financial Regulator was established in 2003, it was staffed by a combination of the following: 1. Existing staff from Central Bank who had been working in the area of supervision/regulation transferred to the Financial Regulator. 2. 52 staff from Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment (DETE) and the Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs (ODCA) were seconded for a period...

Written Answers — Parking Facilities: Parking Facilities (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Office of Public Works has no plans to acquire lands to provide a public car and bus park adjacent to the Gallarus Oratory, in Co. Kerry. A privately owned car park and visitor centre already exists adjacent to the Oratory and certain visitor facilities are provided there.

Written Answers — Fiscal Policy: Fiscal Policy (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As part of the recapitalisation package announced last week, Allied Irish Banks and Bank of Ireland have reconfirmed their December commitment to increase lending capacity to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) by 10% and to provide an additional 30% capacity for lending to first time buyers in 2009. The banks have committed to public campaigns to actively promote their lending to these...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Deputy's question is related to the calls made on occasion for the establishment of an independent individual or entity whose proposed role would include acting as an advocate for taxpayers who feel unfairly treated by the system. The statutory remit of the Ombudsman already incorporates the roles proposed for a taxpayer advocate, namely, acting for taxpayers and investigating actions...

Written Answers — Financial Institutions Support Scheme: Financial Institutions Support Scheme (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Financial Regulator published its Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears on 13th February in keeping with the Government's announcement on recapitalisation arrangements. This code applies only to mortgage lending activities to consumers in respect of their principal residence in the State, by all regulated entities operating in the State. Under the Code, where a borrower is in difficulty,...

Written Answers — Public Sector Pay: Public Sector Pay (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: No increase has been awarded to persons at Principal Officer level or above. I presume that the Deputy is referring to the very limited number of increases recommended by the last Benchmarking Body to, among others, Principal Officers. Those increases have not been paid.

Written Answers — Ministerial Travel: Ministerial Travel (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The total cost of my predecessor's visit to Malaysia and Vietnam for St. Patrick's Day, 2008, including foreign travel, accommodation and related Ministerial and official costs, amounted to €27,245.11. No formal arrangements have been put in place for St. Patrick's Day 2009.

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The pension related deduction will apply to all public servants including those working in the health sector. As the Government has made clear, the deduction is being made to address the serious budgetary problems facing the country.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The following categories of individuals are exempt from the income levy: an individual with a gross income of less than €18,304 per annum, an individual who is entitled to a full medical card and an individual who is aged over 65 years with an income less than €20,000 for 2009. In addition, a married couple, where either one or both spouses is aged 65 years or over and whose joint income...