Results 9,041-9,060 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Written Answers — Price Inflation: Price Inflation (3 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: We have in recent months seen a reduction in tender prices of up to 20% in certain areas and this more competitive pricing environment is expected to continue throughout 2009 and should be reflected in all new contracts entered into by the various Departments during the coming year. The 2009 Budget allocated €8.231 billion in Exchequer capital for 2009 and the recent Government decision to...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (3 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: My Department has recently asked Departments to indicate their level of contractual capital commitments for 2009. Departments have advised that the level of commitments entered into for 2009 so far amounts to about €5.9 billion, approximately 75% of the total capital allocation for 2009.

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (3 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Based on current staffing and numbers, the estimated savings in public service pay and pension costs from not paying the terms of the Review and Transitional Agreement for the years in question are as follows: Year â'¬m 2009 230 2010 990 2011 1,200 2012 1,200 2013 1,200

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (3 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: It is estimated that the annual cost of increments for the areas covered by the public service pay bill is of the order of €250m. No provision is made in the annual Estimates for increments on the basis that the additional cost is generally offset by other staff movements. In assessing the effect of suspending increments, it is important to understand that not all public servants receive...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (3 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 141 and 142 together. It is estimated that a saving in excess of €300m would be achieved in each of the years in question through the application of percentage cuts as set out by the Deputy. The figure does not include the local authority area which is outside of the public service pay and pensions bill. The Deputy will, of course, appreciate that the...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (3 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: All income tax exemptions, allowances and reliefs are reviewed on an ongoing basis as part of the annual Budget and Finance Bill process. As I outlined in my Financial Statement on Budget day last year I fully expect the Commission on Taxation to examine options relating to the tax treatment of universal child benefit and early childcare supplement payments. I will give careful consideration...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (3 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the full year yield to the Exchequer, estimated by reference to 2009 incomes, from applying income tax to child benefit and the early child care supplement would be of the order of €510 million. This figure is provisional and subject to revision.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (3 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the yield to the Exchequer in 2009, of increasing the higher rate of income tax from 41% to 43%, 45%, and 47%, if applied from April 2009, would be of the order of €230 million, €470 million and €700 million respectively. These figures are provisional and subject to revision, and have been rounded to the nearest ten as appropriate.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (3 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the yield to the Exchequer in 2009 of increasing the standard rate of income tax from 20% to 21%, 22%, and 23%, if applied from April 2009, would be of the order of €310 million, €630 million and €950 million respectively. These figures are provisional and subject to revision, and have been rounded to the nearest ten as appropriate.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (3 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 147 to 151, inclusive, together. It is assumed that the income tax rate changes the Deputy has in mind is the replacement of the existing higher and standard rates of 41% and 20% by rates of 43% and 22% and of 45% and 23%, respectively and a reduction in the personal and employee tax credits to €1,150 in both cases. I am informed by the Revenue...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (3 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 152 and 153 together. The Deputy will be aware the issue of a carbon tax is being considered by the Commission on Taxation. The Commission is due to report by September 2009 at the latest. Given that the precise design of the carbon tax is yet to be determined as well as other factors such as consumer behaviour, it is not possible to accurately predict the...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (3 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As part of the work on the Green Paper on Pensions, a review was carried out into the current regime of tax incentives for supplementary pension provision. This was done with a view to developing more comprehensive and reliable estimates of the cost of reliefs in this area. Arising from the review, the following estimates of the cost of tax and other reliefs for private pension provision for...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (3 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that, as information on the value of capital gains arising from the disposal of principal private residences is not required in capital gains tax returns, there is no dedicated basis for separately identifying the yield that would arise from applying capital gains tax to sales of principal private residences. Accordingly, the specific information...

Written Answers — Banking Sector Regulation: Banking Sector Regulation (3 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: In my role as Minister for Finance I have no statutory function in relation to the issue raised by the Deputy. If the Deputy or any other person is aware of any criminal conduct connected to debt collection practices he should of course bring this information to the information of the Garda Authorities. It is of course incumbent on any individual or business availing of debt collection...

Investment of the National Pensions Reserve Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (4 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I thank the Deputies for their contributions. I am happy to clarify a number of issues that were raised during the debate. A number of issues more relevant to the recapitalisation strategy have been raised in the proposed amendment to the motion for a Second Reading. I do not accept the case for the amendment. Indeed, in regard to the Fine Gael Party, I am disappointed it tabled a motion...

Investment of the National Pensions Reserve Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (4 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Deputy expressed a specific concern about the adequacy of the capitalisation which was proposed for each of the institutions. It is important to note that the impact of the Government's proposed investment has been assessed to increase AIB's core capital to €12 billion and Bank of Ireland's to €11 billion. In addition, Deputies should be aware that the existing reserves of the banks...

Investment of the National Pensions Reserve Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (4 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am checking that.

Investment of the National Pensions Reserve Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (4 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I do not seem to have amendments in the name of Deputy Burton.

Investment of the National Pensions Reserve Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (4 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Does it begin with the words, "Any advance contributions"?

Investment of the National Pensions Reserve Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2009: Committee and Remaining Stages (4 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Yes.