Results 10,981-11,000 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr
- Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (8 Oct 2009)
Brian Lenihan Jnr: The severance package agreed on behalf of the former Director General of FAS was submitted to my Department by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. My Department issued its consent, on the basis that it was an exceptional case and that the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment was satisfied that the terms of the package were appropriate in the circumstances. I was...
- Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (8 Oct 2009)
Brian Lenihan Jnr: The position in relation to the retention of a company car by a chief executive on retirement is dependent on the terms and conditions specified in the individual's contract of employment and any other relevant provisions in the body's establishment legislation. In 2006, the Department of Finance wrote to all Government Departments circulating a template employment contract for chief...
- Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (8 Oct 2009)
Brian Lenihan Jnr: The authorised staffing number (whole-time equivalent) in my Department on 1 October 2009 was 647.50. The total number of staff serving (whole-time equivalent) on the 27 March 2009 (the date of issue of the Department of Finance letter advising Departments and Offices of the moratorium) was 608.61. Serving numbers at 1 October were 581.53. Prioritisation of resource allocation in my...
- Written Answers — Ministerial Travel: Ministerial Travel (8 Oct 2009)
Brian Lenihan Jnr: In the time available to answer the question, it has not been possible to compile the information sought by the Deputy. However, the information will be compiled shortly and forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
- Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (8 Oct 2009)
Brian Lenihan Jnr: I presume the Deputy is referring to guidelines in relation to foreign travel. My Department issued updated guidelines on foreign travel on 1 July 2009. These supersede instructions issued previously. These guidelines were issued to all Government Departments. In addition to staff of Departments, the guidelines apply to all bodies and agencies under the aegis of Departments. The updated...
- Election of Ceann Comhairle (13 Oct 2009)
Brian Lenihan Jnr: Hear, hear.
- Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (13 Oct 2009)
Brian Lenihan Jnr: As the Deputy is aware, I announced in Budget 2009 that an air travel tax would come into force in respect of passengers departing from Irish airports on and from 30 March 2009. A general rate of â¬10 per passenger would apply, with a lower rate of â¬2 for shorter journeys. The Finance (No.2) Act 2008 confirmed the introduction of an air travel tax from 30 March 2009. However, I took...
- Written Answers — Tobacco Smuggling: Tobacco Smuggling (13 Oct 2009)
Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 84, 128 and 129 together. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the European Anti Fraud Office (OLAF) has a special unit entitled OLAF Task Group Cigarettes, which co-ordinates both international operations and other countermeasures undertaken by the authorities of the Member States against cigarette smuggling. The OLAF also maintains a database of...
- Written Answers — Public Sector Remuneration: Public Sector Remuneration (13 Oct 2009)
Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 85 and 86 together. The information which the Deputy has sought is currently being collated. The information will be provided to the Deputy by my Department as soon as possible.
- Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (13 Oct 2009)
Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that flat-rate farmers are not in the normal course entitled to credit for, or repayment of, VAT incurred by them on business inputs. The Value-Added Tax (Refund of Tax) (No 25) Order 1993 provides for refunds to flat-rate farmers for VAT borne on the "construction, extension, alteration or reconstruction of any building or structure which is...
- Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (13 Oct 2009)
Brian Lenihan Jnr: An income tax exemption for charities is available under section 207 of the Taxes Consolidation Act (TCA) 1997 and the exemption is extended to cover Corporation Tax by section 76 of the same Act. No such exemption is available for VAT. To avail of the charitable tax exemption a body must be established for charitable purposes only and must apply all of its income for charitable purposes...
- Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (13 Oct 2009)
Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 89 and 90 together. I am taking the definition of "non-core pay" to refer to allowances (e.g. higher duties, special duties, machine allowances, shift/roster allowances etc.) that form part of an officer's overall remuneration, but is over and above basic pay. The amount spent by my Department on overtime and non-core pay in 2008 and to date in 2009 is as...
- Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (13 Oct 2009)
Brian Lenihan Jnr: Under the interim NAMA arrangements staff resources are provided by the NTMA. The NAMA Bill confirms this arrangement and also provides that NAMA may outsource certain activities and hire certain service providers. I am not in a position to comment on the details of individuals that have or will in the future be recruited to NTMA and assigned to NAMA. However, it is important to note that...
- Written Answers — Endowment Mortgages: Endowment Mortgages (13 Oct 2009)
Brian Lenihan Jnr: The popularity of endowment mortgages was at its height during the late 1980s and early 1990s, driven by factors such as mortgage interest relief and tax relief. Between 1989 and 1992 endowment mortgages represented over one third of total mortgages approved in Ireland but by 2003 the number of endowment mortgages approved as a percentage of total mortgages was only 3.4%. In 2004 the...
- Written Answers — Exchequer Savings: Exchequer Savings (13 Oct 2009)
Brian Lenihan Jnr: It is estimated that the savings in a full year from a 10% cut in public service salaries of more than â¬100,000 would be in the region of â¬120 million.
- Written Answers — Motor Industry: Motor Industry (13 Oct 2009)
Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am aware of the current challenges facing the motor industry, along with most other industries, arising from the impact of weak world economic activity. I recently announced, following discussions with the motor industry, the introduction of a new VAT margin scheme on second-hand cars with effect from 1 January 2010. Under the margin scheme, dealers will account for VAT on their profit...
- Written Answers — House Repossessions: House Repossessions (13 Oct 2009)
Brian Lenihan Jnr: It is a particular priority of the Government to ensure as much as possible that difficulties in relation to mortgage arrears do not result in legal proceedings for home repossession. Home repossession should be and generally is the last resort for the lender and the preferred method of dealing with arrears cases should be early intervention. There are a number of important initiatives in...
- Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (13 Oct 2009)
Brian Lenihan Jnr: While the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources is responsible for energy including biofuels policy, the Finance Act 2006 provided for excise relief for some 163 million litres of biofuel per annum over five years to end 2010. Under the scheme, biofuel produced by projects approved by the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources are exempt from excise...
- Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (13 Oct 2009)
Brian Lenihan Jnr: The indicative calculations of the amounts of income tax, income levy, health levy and PRSI which apply to a person earning less than â¬200 per week or â¬10,400 per annum, are set out in the following table for the tax year 2009. Employee(Single) Employee(Married) Self-employed (Single) Self-employed (Married) Income Tax Gross Income â¬10,400 â¬10,400 â¬10,400 â¬10,400 Taxed...
- Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (13 Oct 2009)
Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that at present services supplied by travel agents and tour operators are treated as exempt from VAT. The Finance (No.2) Act 2008 amended the Value-Added Tax Act 1972 to provide for the introduction of a travel agents margin scheme. This scheme deals with the activities carried on by travel agents who act in the capacity of a principal when...