Results 12,601-12,620 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Written Answers — Insurance Industry: Insurance Industry (3 Feb 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 196 to 198, inclusive, together. The Financial Regulator does not maintain statistics on insurance premium costs, so I am not in a position to comment specifically upon the level of such increases in the past 2 years nor on the fluctuation in the past five years. However, as mentioned in previous PQs (45220/22 of 2009) the Financial Regulator has provided...

Written Answers — Mortgage Interest Rates: Mortgage Interest Rates (3 Feb 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 199 and 200 together. As Minister for Finance I have no function in interest rate decisions by commercial lending institutions. The level of mortgage interest rates reflect a broad range of factors including European Central Bank base rates, deposit rates, market funding costs, the competitive environment and an institution's overall funding. I have already...

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (3 Feb 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Exchequer Returns for January, including tax revenue receipts, were published yesterday evening on my Department's website. At end-January, €3,074 million had been collected in tax revenue. The amounts for each tax-head are set out in the following table. € millions Customs 16 Excise Duties 260 Capital Gains Tax 27 Capital Acquisitions Tax 16 Stamp Duties 30 Income Tax 1,051...

Written Answers — Credit Availability: Credit Availability (3 Feb 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As part of the recapitalisation package announced on 11 February 2009, Allied Irish Bank and Bank of Ireland reconfirmed their December 2008 commitment to increase lending capacity to provide an additional 30% capacity for lending to first time buyers last year. AIB and Bank of Ireland have also committed to public campaigns to actively promote mortgage lending at competitive rates with...

Written Answers — Credit Availability: Credit Availability (3 Feb 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The second Mazars report on credit availability, published in December, confirmed that while some SMEs are facing significant challenges accessing credit, and the sector in general is more conservative in its borrowing, nevertheless new lending is still taking place. However, the proportion refused credit, especially in certain sectors, remains a concern for Government. With regard to...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (3 Feb 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The numbers serving in my Department in Tullamore as of 1 January of each year is as follows: Location Serving on 01/01/2007 Serving on 01/01/2008 Serving on 01/01/2009 Serving on 01/01/2010 Tullamore 110 124 125 117 I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the numbers serving in their decentralised locations under the programme are as follows: Location Serving on 01/01/2008...

Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (3 Feb 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The following are the details requested in relation to bodies or agencies under the remit of my Department: Credit Union Advisory Committee The following Committee Members were initially appointed for a three year term by the then Minister for Finance, Mr. Brian Cowen, T.D. in October 2004. The full Committee was re-appointed by the same Minister for a further two year term in October 2007....

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (4 Feb 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: It is estimated that the carbon tax, inclusive of VAT, will yield approximately €250 million in 2010. The revenue will, amongst other things, be used to boost energy efficiency, to support rural transport and to alleviate fuel poverty. It is the general practice not to ring-fence revenues for specific purposes but rather take an overall view on priorities in the context of Expenditure...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (4 Feb 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Stamp duty is charged on the transfer of ownership of property by way of any instrument as specified under the First Schedule of the Stamp Duties Consolidation Act 1999. In this case, it appears that as ownership of an interest in a property is being transferred such a transaction, if effected by the execution of an instrument, could be liable to stamp duty under the provisions of the Stamp...

Written Answers — Cross-Border Projects: Cross-Border Projects (4 Feb 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: North South cooperation continues to be a high priority for the Government. In particular, the Government is committed to realising the full potential for the development of all-island co-operation through the North South Bodies and the areas of co-operation established under the Good Friday Agreement. My Department, together with the Department of Finance and Personnel in Northern Ireland,...

Written Answers — Tax Clearance Certificates: Tax Clearance Certificates (4 Feb 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that an application for a Tax Clearance Certificate was issued to the person on 3rd December 2009. If he returns the application form to his Revenue District, or applies on line through www.revenue.ie, the application for the Tax Clearance Certificate will be considered.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (4 Feb 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The position is that with effect from 1 January 2009, relief in respect of qualifying health expenses, with the exception of relief in respect of nursing home expenditure, is granted at the standard rate of tax. Prior to that date, the relief was available at the taxpayer's marginal rate. Relief in respect of qualifying health cost is normally claimed for expenses that were paid in each tax...

Written Answers — Public Service Contracts: Public Service Contracts (4 Feb 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The identity of companies awarded public contracts is not held centrally in the Department of Finance; it would be held by individual contracting authorities. The following table provides aggregated information on the number of contracting authorities (including commercial State bodies covered by public procurement rules) which awarded contracts in excess of €10 million in the years 2005 to...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (4 Feb 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I assume the Deputy is referring to the Income Tax Ready Reckoner for 2010. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that, in view of the relatively limited purpose that would be served in updating the pre-Budget 2010 Ready Reckoner to a post Budget basis, they have no plans to devote resources to carrying out this relatively significant task. The need for it is further reduced this year...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (4 Feb 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that information submitted by businesses in regard to employee details is confidential to the businesses and employees concerned. It is not clear that the Deputy is making representations on behalf of the employer or employees concerned and accordingly Revenue is not in a position to provide the information requested.

Written Answers — Banking Sector Regulation: Banking Sector Regulation (4 Feb 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The toxic loans in the Irish banking system are land and development loans and these are not the type of business that would be separated out by the proposals made by the Deputy. With regard to future regulatory changes, the Government is reforming the institutional structures for financial regulation to prevent a recurrence of inappropriate and unsustainable business practices in the...

Written Answers — Public Procurement: Public Procurement (4 Feb 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: A number of initiatives have been taken to secure efficiencies and to maximise value for money in public procurement. For example, my Department establishes and manages framework arrangements for the purchase of personal computers (desktops and laptops), colour and mono printers, mobile telephony services, a Government Communications Network for voice, data and video and associated products...

Written Answers — Public Sector Staff: Public Sector Staff (4 Feb 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the latest relevant historical information available on the incomes of employees taxed under the PAYE system is derived from income tax returns filed for the income tax year 2007. Accordingly earnings data for public sector employees in respect of 2009 and 2010 is not currently available. While public servants on a salary in excess of €40,000...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (4 Feb 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: In Budget 2010, I announced that I would be extending mortgage interest relief up to the end of 2017 for those whose entitlement to relief was due to end in 2010 or after. I should point out that this measure does not extend to those who took out qualifying loans in 2003. While circumstances and house prices differ, it is necessary to select a cut-off point in these matters. House prices...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (4 Feb 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that on 19 April 2007 a Deed of Transfer for the transfer of property to the persons concerned was received by Dublin Stamping District together with a payment €189,900. To date, Revenue has not received an application for the refund of this stamp duty. A valid claim for the repayment should be submitted within 4 years from the date the instrument...