Results 13,701-13,720 of 27,019 for speaker:Michael Noonan

Written Answers — Department of Finance: NAMA Operations (17 Dec 2013)

Michael Noonan: The sale of property is a matter for the Board of NAMA, which is guided by its independent commercial mandate under the NAMA Act and the overriding requirement to maximise the realised value of assets securing its loans and the return to the Irish taxpayer. NAMA has been established as a fully commercial agency to operate under the direction of a Board of Directors by the NAMA Act....

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Banking Sector Staff Issues (17 Dec 2013)

Michael Noonan: As I stated in earlier replies to Parliamentary Questions on this matter I can confirm that the three State supported banks responded with their individual strategies, designed to achieve the required savings, by the due date of 30 April as requested by the Government in response to the Mercer Report. I was not prescriptive in how this was to be achieved respecting their differing State...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Enterprise Support Schemes (17 Dec 2013)

Michael Noonan: In the recent Budget I announced the Start Your Own Business initiative, which provides an exemption from Income Tax for individuals who have been unemployed for a period of 12 months and who start a new, un-incorporated business between 25 October 2013 and 31 December 2016. I can confirm that a person in receipt of the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance is eligible for the initiative.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Reliefs Application (17 Dec 2013)

Michael Noonan: I assume the Deputy’s question relates to the changes to the Standard Fund Threshold (SFT) regime announced in my 2014 Budget Statement and reflected in the Finance (No.2) Bill 2013. The primary purpose of the changes I am making to the SFT regime is to further restrict the capacity of higher earners to fund or accrue large pensions through tax-subsidised sources. The SFT regime...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Income Data (17 Dec 2013)

Michael Noonan: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the latest relevant sector-based information available on income earners in the tax system is derived from income tax returns filed for the income tax year 2011 and represents about 95 per cent of all returns expected at the time the data was compiled for analytical purposes. The data relating to the public sector includes individuals in receipt...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Consultancy Contracts Expenditure (17 Dec 2013)

Michael Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 168 and 170 together. The information requested by the Deputy could not be collated in the time available. My Department will respond directly to the Deputy by the end of this week.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Departmental Legal Cases (17 Dec 2013)

Michael Noonan: The information requested by the Deputy could not be collated in the time available. My Department will respond directly to the Deputy by the end of this week.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Property Taxation Yield (18 Dec 2013)

Michael Noonan: The amount received into the Exchequer at end-November 2013 under the heading Local Property Tax was €287 million. Section 157 of the Finance (Local Property Tax) Act 2012, as amended, provides that, in each financial year commencing with 2014, the Minister shall pay from the Central Fund or the growing produce thereof into the Local Government Fund an amount equivalent to the Local...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tobacco Smuggling (18 Dec 2013)

Michael Noonan: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the introduction in Ireland of a system of the type indicated by the Deputy would be unlikely to assist in tackling the problem of cigarette smuggling in Ireland. As the Deputy notes, this is type of track and trace system which seems to be applicable to legitimate production and may be more relevant in countries where cigarettes are...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tobacco Smuggling (18 Dec 2013)

Michael Noonan: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that Revenue is an integrated Tax and Customs administration, and all Revenue staff are available for assignment to any required functions in accordance with currently identified priorities and risks. At the end of 2012 Revenue had approximately 2,000 staff engaged directly in activities that are dedicated to target and confront non-compliance. These...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Disabled Drivers Grant Application Numbers (18 Dec 2013)

Michael Noonan: Primary Medical Certificates, which certify that a person is a severely and permanently disabled person for the purposes of the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Regulations 1994, are issued by the Health Services Executive (HSE). Accordingly, the information sought by the Deputy is a matter for the HSE in the first instance. In order to be granted the Primary Medical Certificate,...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Banking Sector Issues (18 Dec 2013)

Michael Noonan: As I stated in earlier replies to Parliamentary Questions on this matter I can confirm that the three State supported banks responded with their individual strategies, designed to achieve the required savings, by the due date of 30 April as requested by the Government in response to the Mercer Report. I was not prescriptive in how this was to be achieved respecting their differing State...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Banking Sector Issues (18 Dec 2013)

Michael Noonan: As the Deputy is aware, the covered institutions have appointed a number of rent receivers and fixed rent receivers. I have informed the Deputy recently that under the Relationship Frameworks that govern the relationship between the Minister for Finance and the State supported banks’, the bank’s Board and Management team retain responsibility and authority for determining the...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Banking Sector Issues (18 Dec 2013)

Michael Noonan: I have been informed by AIB that customers may be required to sign a confidentiality agreement as part of AIB’s normal commercial activities. AIB has stated that its correspondence/interactions with customers are confidential and all customers are encouraged in advance of signing any new documentation to get their own independent advice prior to signing. However AIB informs me that it...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: National Pensions Reserve Fund Administration (18 Dec 2013)

Michael Noonan: The National Pensions Reserve Fund was valued at €15.6 billion at 30 September 2013. The directed portfolio (public policy investments in Allied Irish Banks and Bank of Ireland made at the direction of the Minister for Finance) was valued at €9.0 billion and the discretionary portfolio (the investment of which remains the responsibility of the NPRF Commission) was valued at...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: NAMA Operations (18 Dec 2013)

Michael Noonan: I am advised by NAMA that its debtors and receivers have, to date, sold a combined 204 houses, with a value in excess of €40m, under the 80/20 Deferred Payment Initiative. This Initiative was introduced by NAMA in May 2012 in response to concerns amongst certain categories of buyers, at that time, about possible future declines in housing values.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Crime Investigation (18 Dec 2013)

Michael Noonan: I wish to advise the Deputy that there is no specific 'offence of reckless management' on the statute books. However, the Deputy will be aware that An Garda Síochána, the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement and the Central Bank have carried out investigations into the actions of certain officials who were employed in the financial services industry. It would not be...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: National Treasury Management Agency Staff (18 Dec 2013)

Michael Noonan: The following table, which is included in the National Treasury Management Agency Annual Reports and Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2012, sets out the salaries paid by the agency by salary band. NTMA Salaries by Salary Band at End 2012 - NTMA (excluding NAMA) NAMA Total Up to €50,000 92 25 117 €50,001 to €75,000 71 49 120 €75,001 to €100,000...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Financial Services Ombudsman Issues (18 Dec 2013)

Michael Noonan: Firstly, I must point out that the Financial Services Ombudsman is independent in the performance of his statutory functions. It would not be appropriate for me to comment on how he performs his duties. I have been advised by the Financial Services Ombudsman that in respect of the work undertaken by him during the period 1 January 2013 to 13 December 2013 the average period from the...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Collection (18 Dec 2013)

Michael Noonan: Firstly, the Deputy will be aware that the debt collection environment continues to be very challenging for Revenue given the ongoing difficult financial environment. In that regard I am assured that Revenue is very conscious of the challenges that exist for some businesses in meeting their tax obligations in a timely manner. Its debt collection caseworkers will always seek to work...