Results 15,401-15,420 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan
- Budget Statement 2011 (7 Dec 2010)
Mary Coughlan: We do not have No. 10. We do not have chefs and servants.
- Budget Statement 2011 (7 Dec 2010)
Mary Coughlan: I do not think â¬100,000 is an empty gesture.
- Budget Statement 2011 (7 Dec 2010)
Mary Coughlan: A salary reduction of â¬100,000 is no empty gesture.
- Financial Resolution No. 4: Excise (Vehicle Registration Tax) (7 Dec 2010)
Mary Coughlan: I move the following Financial Resolutions:
- Financial Resolution No. 9: Income Tax (7 Dec 2010)
Mary Coughlan: There is a different of perspective on a number of these issues that have been raised. In Fine Gael, there is a view that the sum, which will be â¬2.3 million and which was previously â¬5.4 million, might not even be adequate to deal with-----
- Financial Resolution No. 9: Income Tax (7 Dec 2010)
Mary Coughlan: Deputy English raised this issue and he is entitled to an answer. Deputy English's view was that perhaps this would be more restrictive on persons who at a later stage in life may not be in a position to get an adequate pension.
- Financial Resolution No. 9: Income Tax (7 Dec 2010)
Mary Coughlan: I suppose our perspective is that it was â¬5.4 million and it is now moved down to â¬2.3 million, and there would be adequate space in that for persons-----
- Financial Resolution No. 9: Income Tax (7 Dec 2010)
Mary Coughlan: -----to address their financial needs, which, perhaps, is an opposing point which Deputy Shortall would have. Deputy Shortall is correct in stating that this is a progressive tax measure being introduced into pension legislation. We now see a â¬200,000 limit as opposed to what was there heretofore. Anything over and above that will be taxable. She raised an issue on others who have an...
- Financial Resolution No. 9: Income Tax (7 Dec 2010)
Mary Coughlan: After that, the changes will take place. On the other issue Deputy Shortall raised, which is the employer's contribution, which is an argument which has been traditionally made by many on applying limits to the employer contribution, which would prevent the funding of certain individual pensions, there are issues being considered by the Department at present. It is under consideration.
- Financial Resolution No. 9: Income Tax (7 Dec 2010)
Mary Coughlan: No. This issue is being considered by the Department and the Minister in the context of the finance Bill which will be prepared for later on. The overarching message from these measures is that those who have acquired and who would prefer to acquire larger lump sums tax-free will not do so. We are now setting a threshold of â¬200,000.
- Financial Resolution No. 9: Income Tax (7 Dec 2010)
Mary Coughlan: We are also preventing situations whereby people obtained large ex gratia payments which were not taxed. This matter has also been addressed. Many of the concerns raised in providing an equity argument in the context of pension legislation are now being addressed in these resolutions being put to the House.
- Written Answers — Teaching Qualifications: Teaching Qualifications (7 Dec 2010)
Mary Coughlan: The 18 month post graduate course for primary teaching will commence in early 2011 for the purpose of enabling persons holding degrees (level 8) to qualify as primary teachers. In total there are 200 places available on the course. The number of places available in each College of Education offering the course is set out below. St. Patrick's College of Education, Drumcondra, Dublin 9 - 60...
- Written Answers — School Attendance: School Attendance (7 Dec 2010)
Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 12 and 13 together. Following the bad weather last January, officials from my Department met with the relevant education partners. The main focus of those discussions was to ensure that any impact of the school closures on teaching and learning was addressed in an appropriate and sensible manner. The critical issue was to ensure courses were completed and...
- Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (7 Dec 2010)
Mary Coughlan: The school referred to by the Deputy may use their minor works grant which they received recently to carry out works to minimise the risk of pipes and tanks freezing. Emergency works grants are also made available to those schools most in need of resources as a result of unforeseen emergencies of a capital nature that may arise during the school year. My Department has no record of receiving...
- Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (7 Dec 2010)
Mary Coughlan: The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table. Name Title Salary Scale Pension Arrangements Mr. Michael Shovlin Special Adviser â¬85,957- â¬105,429(Principal Officer Higher Salary Scale). Member of the Non-contributory Pension Scheme for Non-established State Employees.Member of the Spouses and Children's Contributory Pension Scheme for Non-established State...
- Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (7 Dec 2010)
Mary Coughlan: The information required to respond to Parliamentary Question No. 107 has been compiled and I can inform the Deputy that a reply will issue to him shortly.
- Written Answers — Schools Building Projects: Schools Building Projects (7 Dec 2010)
Mary Coughlan: The school to which the Deputy refers has applied to my Department for large scale capital funding for an extension project. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and assigned a band rating of 2. Information in respect of the current school building programme along with all assessed applications for major...
- Written Answers — School Enrolments: School Enrolments (7 Dec 2010)
Mary Coughlan: The selection and enrolment of pupils in schools is the responsibility of the authorities of the individual school. My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in an area. However, this may result in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice. As schools may not have a place...
- Written Answers — School Enrolments: School Enrolments (7 Dec 2010)
Mary Coughlan: The selection and enrolment of pupils in schools is the responsibility of the authorities of the individual school. My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in an area. However, this may result in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice. As schools may not have a place...
- Written Answers — Schools Recognition: Schools Recognition (7 Dec 2010)
Mary Coughlan: In July 2008 Notifications of Intention to apply for recognition for a new primary school in Athy, County Kildare was received by my Department from the patron body referred to by the Deputy. A review of the procedures for the establishment of new primary schools is currently being carried out under the Commission on School Accommodation. In the interim it is not proposed to recognise any new...