Results 14,241-14,260 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (22 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Since June 2007 my Department has had the following Special Advisers (as defined under Section 11 of the Public Service Management Act, 2007: Mr. Gerry Steadman (from 30 September 2004 to 7 May 2008). Mr Steadman acted as Special Advisor to my predecessor, Mr Brian Cowen TD. Mr. Colin Hunt (from 11 September 2006 to 14 June 2007). Mr. Hunt concurrently performed the special adviser role to...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (22 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the taxpayer received a smaller tax refund for the year 2009 because health expenses relief is granted at the standard rate for expenses incurred from 1st January, 2009.

Written Answers — Credit Union Regulation: Credit Union Regulation (22 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Section 35 of the Credit Union Act 1997 imposes limits on credit unions in relation to longer-term lending. The restrictions contained in Section 35 are an important asset and liability instrument which has protected the financial stability of the credit union movement over many years. The funding of credit unions is predominantly provided on a short-term basis in the form of on-demand...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (22 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the person concerned is not registered on their records and there is no record of the person's request. I would suggest that the individual should supply full details of the request to Ms. Geraldine Boyle, Kildare Revenue District, Athy Business Campus, Castlecomer Road, Athy, Co Kildare, and the matter will be dealt with.

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (22 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that Ms. Geraldine Morrissey, Kildare Revenue District, last wrote to the person concerned on 24 March 2010. A full response to that letter has not been supplied and is awaited.

Written Answers — Departmental Correspondence: Departmental Correspondence (22 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: In addition to ensuring that, at a minimum, all representations are replied to, my Department is committed, under its Quality Customer Service Action Plan to replying to 75% of correspondence within 20 working days. New procedures for answering Ministerial representations were introduced in June 2001 when the average rate of reply was 60%. Since then the average rate of reply during the...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (23 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the person concerned is entitled to a refund for 2009. A PAYE Balancing Statement (P21) for the year and a refund of the amount overpaid will issue shortly to the person.

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (23 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As I have mentioned in replies to several previous PQs from the Deputy and others, the third country provisions of the proposed Directive were the most contentious issues of the negotiations. I have also stated that the agreement on a general approach which was reached recently at Ecofin, represented a balanced, workable approach. I still believe that the Council's text on Article 35...

Written Answers — Public Sector Staff: Public Sector Staff (23 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 87 and 88 together. In 2009, my Department introduced a new system for the monitoring of Public Service Numbers. This system builds on existing systems where possible, including the Civil Service Staff Information Portal (CSSIP). The Public Service Numbers System uses December 2008 as its base and it records information on a quarterly basis. In the context...

Written Answers — Public Sector Staff: Public Sector Staff (23 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I introduced a number of measures in the course of 2009 that have secured significant reductions in public service numbers since the end of 2008. The first was the introduction of the moratorium on recruitment and promotion at the end of March 2009. This measure has succeeded in ensuring that most of the natural turnover in staff has resulted in reductions in staff numbers, and has...

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (23 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am aware of the Group's recommendation in this regard and, like the rest of the Group's recommendations, where not acted upon yet, these are subject to ongoing consideration at Government in the context of the annual preparations for the Budget. The Government has already acted to set up the National Procurement Service and has achieved some important savings in this respect. The Group's...

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (23 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: My Department worked with the Special Group on the development of its recommendations for shared ICT services. These recommendations are far-reaching and ambitious. The Special Group recognised that greater sharing would have to be commensurate with improvements in the skills and knowledge of ICT staff. Consequently, the recommendations will take considerable time and effort to implement...

Written Answers — State Agencies: State Agencies (23 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: In Budget 2009, I announced 30 agency rationalisation measures involving a reduction of 41 bodies and the streamlining of certain other functions. To date, 16 agency rationalisations have been completed and information on these proposals, including estimated savings in terms of expenditure and staff reductions, is set out in Appendix 1 below. Information on a range of other agency...

Order of Business. (24 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: It is proposed to take No. 7 - European Financial Stability Facility Bill 2010 - Order for Second Stage, Second and Remaining Stages; and No. 8 - Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2010 - Order for Second Stage and Second Stage to adjourn after four hours today, if not previously concluded. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the Dáil shall sit later than 4.45 p.m. today...

Order of Business. (24 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I thank Deputies Kenny and Gilmore for the constructive approach they have taken to this legislation. There has been a substantial public debate on it and, with regard to Committee Stage, there is not great scope for the House to amend it because the legislation is international in character. I take on board Deputy Gilmore's comment that his party proposes to take a constructive approach to...

Order of Business. (24 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: There are no legislative proposals relating to NAMA but the chairman of the agency recently explained that it has begun to engage directly with borrowers and, as the loans are acquired by NAMA, borrowers are being asked to produce business plans, which will set out detailed and credible targets for reducing their debt. The chairman and chief executive officer of the agency drew attention to...

Order of Business. (24 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Finally, the issue of vetting legislation was raised. I understand the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Barry Andrews, is working on this legislation and it will be published this year.

Order of Business. (24 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I should have mentioned the bank resolution legislation to Deputy Kenny. I did not deal with that. The Central Bank is to publish a discussion paper on that matter and the Bill will be ready early next year. It is important legislation. There is also considerable debate among EU members about bank resolution legislation. Clearly, reflection on that discussion will be important in the...

Order of Business. (24 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: We will see publication early next year. No date has been fixed for the budget by the Government. The budget will be announced in early December, as is the usual practice-----

Order of Business. (24 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: -----but no precise date has been fixed.