Results 15,381-15,400 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (10 Nov 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the latest relevant information available is in respect of income tax relief allowed for contributions to Retirement Annuity Contracts (RACs) and Personal Retirement Savings Accounts (PRSAs) for the income tax year 2007. RACs and PRSAs are available to the self-employed and to employees not in occupational pension schemes. The information is...

Written Answers — Fiscal Policy: Fiscal Policy (10 Nov 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I do not propose to comment on the circumstances of individual debtors. NAMA is currently engaging with the largest debtors whose loans have been acquired from the participating institutions. The draft business plans of these debtors are being subjected to rigorous review and only where a debtor can demonstrate viability will that engagement continue. In a number of cases, NAMA informs me...

Written Answers — Art Collection: Art Collection (10 Nov 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I understand that the Deputy also put down a similar question to my colleague, the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Culture who will respond regarding matters relevant to her functional area. The State, at present, holds, through the National Pensions Reserve Fund, some 18% of the ordinary equity in the bank. Notwithstanding this and the expectation that this stake will increase...

Written Answers — Banking Sector: Banking Sector (10 Nov 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 153 and Question 154 together. Information on the banking system is collected by the Central Bank and aggregate figures are routinely published. Since the introduction of the Guarantee, more detailed figures on the covered institutions have been supplied to my Department on a regular basis. The annual reports of individual banks with audited figures are...

Written Answers — Banking Sector Regulation: Banking Sector Regulation (10 Nov 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Deputy will appreciate that the primary responsibility for managing a bank and for preventing undesirable practices in that bank lies with the board of directors and management of each institution. Boards of directors have a key role as the principal decision-making body in an institution and are responsible for exercising effective control over senior management. In this regard...

Written Answers — Banking Sector Regulation: Banking Sector Regulation (10 Nov 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: In the subscription agreement, AIB and Bank of Ireland were tasked with making available 10% additional capacity for SME lending in 2009. The recapitalised banks stated that there were no constraints on lending to viable businesses. However, the 10% target did not result in the expected level of additional lending. Thus, in the context of NAMA at the end of March, both AIB and Bank of...

Written Answers — Banking Sector Regulation: Banking Sector Regulation (10 Nov 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: In many ways, the banking sector has returned to traditional banking practices with credit only being advanced when the bank is satisfied that the customer has the capacity to repay the loan and the interest as it becomes due. Mr Trethowan of the Credit Review Office considers that the two banks covered by that Office have returned to being prudent cash flow lenders to SMEs. His Office is...

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (10 Nov 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners the revenue accruing to the Exchequer through various motor taxes i.e. excise and carbon tax on petrol and auto-diesel, vehicle registration tax and VAT, from 2005 to date, is shown in the following table. As VAT receipts are not disaggregated by sector, the figures shown for VAT are estimated. The figures provided do not include Motor Tax, which is...

Written Answers — Financial Services Sector: Financial Services Sector (10 Nov 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As the Deputy will be aware, Ireland is a very open economy and as such there are no major impediments to Irish corporates or individuals investing across the European Union or to other jurisdictions subject to anti-money laundering regulations. With regard to the Deputy's specific question, it is my understanding that my Department have sought clarification on the question and are awaiting...

Written Answers — National Assets Management Agency: National Assets Management Agency (10 Nov 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 163 and 164 together. It was originally envisaged that NAMA would transfer loans with a nominal value of almost €81 billion from the five participating credit institutions. This was subsequently reduced by the introduction of a threshold excluding loans below €20 million at AIB and Bank of Ireland. As a consequence, and in conjunction with a number of...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (10 Nov 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The following table sets out the number of persons (six) in my Department who have availed of the incentivised career break arrangements and the net savings to the Exchequer. Grades Pay Savings Pay Savings Pay Savings 2010 2011 2012 HEO â'¬37,995 â'¬37,995 â'¬20,840 CO â'¬21,685 â'¬21,685 â'¬13,880 CO â'¬21,577 â'¬21,577 â'¬7,006 CO â'¬16,655 â'¬16,655...

Written Answers — Budgetary Measures: Budgetary Measures (11 Nov 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: This question relates to potential Budgetary measures. As Deputies are aware it would not be appropriate for me to comment in advance of the Budget on possible Budget decisions.

Written Answers — Cúrsaí Gaeilge: Cúrsaí Gaeilge (11 Nov 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Toisc go ndeachaigh Oifigeach lán aimseartha amháin amach ar scor le déanaí, maraon le lion áirithe Oifigeach páirt aimseartha, ba ghá líon de na Cúrsaí Gaeilge a bhí fógraithe, a chur ar ceal. 69mac léinn a bhi thíos leis. Tá iniúchadh á dhéanamh ag mo Roinnse i láthair na huaire ar staid foirne Ghaeleagrais i bhfianaise na scor seo. D'fhonn teacht leis na srianta...

Written Answers — Personal Debt: Personal Debt (11 Nov 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Mortgage Expert Group submitted its Interim Report to me in early July. The Government accepted all of the recommendations. I understand that good progress has been made in regard to the implementation of the recommendations. Since July, the Expert Group has been working on its Final Report. They have been considering a number of very complex and sensitive issues which has...

Written Answers — Personal Debt: Personal Debt (11 Nov 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Deputy will be aware that the Expert Group on Mortgage and Arrears and Personal Debt (Expert Group) submitted its Interim Report to me in July. The Government accepted all of the recommendations. I understand that good progress has been made in regard to the implementation of the recommendations. To give effect to the recommendations of the Expert Group, the Financial Regulator...

Written Answers — Fiscal Policy: Fiscal Policy (11 Nov 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Incentivised Scheme of Early Retirement closed in 2009 and, consequently, there are no plans to amend its terms.

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (11 Nov 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I have been informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the details supplied are insufficient to enable them to identify the basis of the transaction described. To pursue the matter further, the person in question should contact Miriam McSweeney, Revenue House, Cork. Telephone Number 021 6027440, and should send Ms McSweeney any documentation received from the insurance company concerned.

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (11 Nov 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As previously indicated to the Deputy in my reply to PQ 40173/10, under their terms of their employment, staff with economic expertise are subject to the provisions of the Official Secrets Act, 1963 as amended by the Freedom of Information Acts, 1997 and 2003. In addition, they are required not to disclose to third parties any confidential information especially information with commercial...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (11 Nov 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: A total of 3,407 staff have decentralised to 37 locations since the commencement of the programme. Table 1 gives details of 31 projects in respect of which permanent accommodation has been procured or provided. A total of 2,232 staff have moved to take up positions at those locations. Table 2 gives details of a further 3 sites where the contractual arrangements for the provision of permanent...

Written Answers — Banking Sector Regulation: Banking Sector Regulation (11 Nov 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The mortgage portfolios which form part of a bank's asset book depend on the institution's level of activity in mortgage lending. Some financial institutions engaged in greater mortgage lending than others and would therefore contain larger mortgage portfolios. Although the number of mortgages in arrears has risen, the number of repossessions remains low. The Deputy will appreciate that I...