Results 9,921-9,940 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Written Answers — Public Sector Remuneration: Public Sector Remuneration (13 May 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2009 introduced the deduction from the remuneration of public servants who are members of a public service pension scheme or who have an analogous arrangement, provisions to allow public bodies to reduce the professional fees paid by them to external service providers as well as some changes in the early child care supplement and in...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (13 May 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The position is that where an employee holds a full medical card at any time during the year they are exempt from paying the income levy. Where the income levy has been applied to a particular pay period or periods during the year and an employee presents to their employer/pension provider evidence of being in valid possession of a full medical card, the employer/pension provider should make...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (13 May 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that each spouse is treated individually throughout the year by their employer/pension provider when the income levy is applied. According to Revenue records, the person in question is aged over 65; therefore the €20,000 per annum (€385 per week) exemption is applied to each pay period. However, no refund can be made during the year. After the...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (13 May 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that section 235 of the Taxes Consolidation Act (TCA) 1997 gives an income tax exemption to sporting bodies, which have been approved by the Revenue Commissioners on the basis that the body has been established for, and exists for the sole purpose of promoting athletic or amateur games or sports. The exemption extends to the amount of the income of...

Written Answers — Local Authority Staff: Local Authority Staff (13 May 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I have received a letter from Wicklow County Council in relation to the retention of staff at the centre. This is a matter in the first instance for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government as the circular in question was issued by his Department and local authority staffing matters are his responsibility.

Written Answers — Motor Vehicle Registration: Motor Vehicle Registration (13 May 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the information requested by the Deputy is as follows. A motor vehicle is detained or seized by authorised Officers of the Revenue Commissioners where there is evidence that it is being retained permanently in the State, is liable to registration and payment of Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT), and its owner has failed to declare the vehicle and...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (13 May 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I assume that the Deputy's question refers to the scheme for tax relief on donations to eligible charities and other approved bodies which is available under section 848A of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997. The administration of this scheme is the responsibility of the Revenue Commissioners. Under the terms of the scheme, tax relief applies to donations which: • Are €250 or greater in...

Written Answers — Financial Institutions Support Scheme: Financial Institutions Support Scheme (13 May 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 146 to 149, inclusive, and 151 together. A core Government objective is to free up lending on a commercial basis into the economy to support economic growth. In the context of the bank guarantee scheme and recapitalisation the banks have made important commitments to support business lending. A Code of Conduct for Business Lending to Small and Medium...

Written Answers — Financial Services Regulation: Financial Services Regulation (13 May 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The decision on the interest rate to be charged by a lending institution for house improvement or similar loans is a commercial decision for the financial institution concerned. This decision will reflect a range of different factors including funding costs, market conditions, profitability and business strategy as well as the competitive environment overall. The Deputy will appreciate it...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (13 May 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: While the promotion of biofuel is primarily a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, the Deputy will be aware the Finance Act 2006 provided for significant tax measures to promote biofuels in Ireland. Under the scheme, biofuel produced under projects approved by the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources are exempt from...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (13 May 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Further to my response on 10th December last, the total amount of expenditure on the property aspects of the programme up to the end of February 2009 is approximately €294m. This is comprised of the cost of site/property acquisitions, fit-out works and rent of approximately €290m expended by the OPW together with some €4m in costs incurred by other organisations. My reply of 10th...

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (13 May 2009)

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 — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (13 May 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Irish economy's competitive position deteriorated since the early part of this decade. Reasons for our decline in competitiveness include an appreciation of the euro as well as wage costs increasing at a rate faster than productivity improvements. In addition, inflation in Ireland was above the euro area average from 1999 to 2007. As a result, consumer price levels in Ireland are now...

Written Answers — National Debt: National Debt (13 May 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am advised by the National Treasury Management Agency that, in line with the Exchequer Borrowing Requirement for 2009 of some €20 billion as set out in the Supplementary Budget, the National Debt will increase to some €71 billion by end 2009. This equates to a General Government Debt ratio at end 2009 of 59% of GDP. The General Government Debt measure does not allow for the offsetting...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (13 May 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: My Department has reported to Government on all expenditure by Departments on a monthly basis since February 2002. This was supplemented by bi-monthly Expenditure Management Reports from the Departments of Social & Family Affairs, Health & Children, Justice, Equality & Law Reform and Education & Science from 2003. Departments with capital expenditure in excess of €250 million were...

Written Answers — Departmental Guidelines: Departmental Guidelines (14 May 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Rules and guidelines on public tendering are revised and updated periodically in line with developments in the public procurement regime. General guidance on award of contracts issued in 2004 and detailed guidance on particular aspects has been published on the national public procurement website www.etenders.gov.ie. Guidance Notes issued for (i) public works contracts in April 2007 and (ii)...

Written Answers — State Agencies: State Agencies (14 May 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: A general moratorium on recruitment, promotion and acting appointments in the public service was introduced with effect from 27 March 2009. This moratorium includes all agencies under the aegis of all Government Departments and Offices, with the exception of commercial semi-state bodies. Any exceptions to this principle in the Health area, which will arise in very limited circumstances only,...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (14 May 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the information available in respect of the yield from inheritance tax is as follows: Year Inheritance Tax €m 2000 154.7 2001 121.5 2002 128.1 2003 130.7 2004 171.3 2005 196.7 2006 299.4 2007 314.5 2008 291.8

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (14 May 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that they have no record of payment of income tax by the person concerned in recent years. If he wishes to pursue his claim, I would suggest that he submit the relevant details, with supporting documentation, to Geraldine Morrissey, Kildare Revenue, Athy Business Campus, Castlecomer Road, Athy, County Kildare.

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (14 May 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: When a civil servant with at least five years' actual reckonable service retires on grounds of permanent ill-health, there is immediate payment of pension and lump sum. The retirement benefits may be supplemented by the award of added years, at the discretion of the Minister for Finance, the amount of which depends on the member's age and actual service. In respect of the Spouse's and...