Results 8,641-8,660 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (24 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: At Budget time, my Department projected an increase in consumer spending of 3.8 per cent this year. This is lower than last year and reflects more modest employment growth and the absence of any significant SSIA impact. The Budget day forecasts for VAT receipts this year are partly based on this more modest rate of consumer spending. VAT receipts for the first quarter are slightly behind the...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (24 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the number of claimants for top slicing relief in respect of payments made as compensation for loss of office which has been compiled on the basis of income tax returns for 2004, the most recent year for which full actual figures are available, is 1,400. There are preliminary indications that the numbers of claimants for 2005 is of a similar...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (24 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the information requested by the Deputy can be found in the table. No. Building Location County Function 1 Staplestown Rd. Carlow, Co. Carlow Carlow VRT, compliance and audit functions are also carried out in this sub-offices of Kilkenny District 2 Newcourt Centre Church Street Cavan Compliance and Audit functions for the taxes and duties...

Written Answers — Fiscal Policy: Fiscal Policy (24 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: While there are a number of challenges facing the economy, the fundamentals are still good. For instance, our public finances are sound with one of the lowest levels of debt in the euro area, our markets are flexible allowing us to respond efficiently to adverse developments, we have a dynamic and well educated labour force, we have a pro-business outward looking society and the tax burden...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (24 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Government recognises that, in a small open economy such as Ireland's, it is imperative that sustainable export growth is maintained. Such growth can only be realised through ensuring that our economy and exports, in particular, remain competitive. Our competitiveness determines our ability to trade in international markets. In order to maintain or indeed to improve our competitiveness...

Written Answers — Price Inflation: Price Inflation (24 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: Inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), has risen by 5.0 per cent in the twelve months to March 2008. The main contributions to this increase, in order of importance were: housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels (which includes mortgage repayments) contributing just over 2.0 per cent; food and non-alcoholic beverages contributing almost 1.1 per cent; and transport...

Written Answers — Price Inflation: Price Inflation (24 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: The main contributions to the annual increase of 5.0 per cent in CPI over the 12 months to March 2008, in order of importance were: housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels contributing just over 2.0 per cent; food and non-alcoholic beverages contributing almost 1.1 per cent; and transport contributing 0.75 per cent. Therefore out of the twelve categories comprising the basket of...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (24 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Government's approach to taxation is set out in the Programme for Government and in recent Budgets and Finance Bills. In addition the Partnership Agreement, Towards 2016, states that the Government is committed to a taxation policy designed to maintain and strengthen the competitive position of the economy, foster improvements in productive capacity, economic and social development, and...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (24 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: On Budget day, GDP was projected by my Department to rise by 3.0 per cent this year, before increasing to 3.5 per cent next year and to 4.1 per cent in 2010. The equivalent figures for GNP were for growth of 2.8 per cent this year, followed by 3.3 per cent next year and 3.9 per cent in 2010. The Budget forecasts have not been changed. At the time a number of downside risks to these...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (24 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that Form P60 which contains details of pay and tax/PRSI deducted for a particular tax year is not issued by the Revenue Commissioners; it is obtainable by an individual from the employer in whose employment the individual was at 31st December and must be issued by the employer before the following 15 February. The Revenue Commissioners have no...

Written Answers — Price Inflation: Price Inflation (24 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: Inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), has risen by 5.0 per cent in the twelve months to March 2008. The main contributions to this increase, in order of importance were: housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels (which includes mortgage repayments) contributing just over 2.0 per cent; food and non-alcoholic beverages contributing almost 1.1 per cent; and transport...

Written Answers — Fiscal Policy: Fiscal Policy (24 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: The fiscal position at end-March was some EUR600 million behind where we had expected. Furthermore, I have indicated that at this stage it is not expected that this tax shortfall, particularly in CGT, will be recouped later in the year. In terms of new house completions, the indications are now suggesting that housing output may be below that anticipated at Budget time. Some of this...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (24 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: Six (6) people have transferred from Dublin to my Department in Tullamore under the decentralisation programme since 1 January 2008. The total number of people who have transferred to date under the decentralisation programme to Tullamore is one hundred and twenty five (125) people. I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that four (4) people have moved from Dublin under the...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (24 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: I have noted the OECD's generally positive assessment of the Irish economy and the assessment that the fundamentals all remain strong. I would agree with the OECD that key challenges for the economy include productivity growth and wage moderation to avoid a weakening of export performance. The recommendations in the report relate to a broad range of policy areas, some of which are the...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (24 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 105 and 106 together. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the cost in a full year, estimated in terms of expected VAT yield in 2008, of reducing each of the 13.5% and 21% VAT rates by 1 percentage point is €399 million and €484 million respectively.

Written Answers — Services for People with Disabilities: Services for People with Disabilities (24 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: As I indicated in my response to the previous parliamentary questions, the overall allocation of Exchequer funding for the provision of disability specific services is provided for in the annual estimates. The development of policy, the provision of services for people with disability and expenditure on those services in each sector are primarily a matter for the Minister responsible for...

Leaders' Questions (29 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: I sympathise with the family on the death of the person concerned. I will make a general point about trying to put the citizen at the centre, which is the purpose of trying to have better public services. The Minister for Health and Children has taken a systematic approach to hygiene in the health system. HIQA has been established and we are now measuring hospital infection in a manner...

Leaders' Questions (29 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: As the Deputy knows, infection control is a rising priority in all advanced health systems in view of the number of people who come through the system.

Leaders' Questions (29 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: This a serious issue about which I am not in any way complacent. In fairness to the Minister, she has brought forward a systematic response to those issues and phenomena in the health service. On the question of the microbiologist post specific to Loughlinstown hospital, I cannot say if that specific area will be addressed but the changes in the consultants' contract provide the opportunity,...

Leaders' Questions (29 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: Those assertions are not evidence based to the extent to which Deputy Kenny speaks.