Results 18,281-18,300 of 27,019 for speaker:Michael Noonan

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Ministerial Advisers Remuneration (20 Jan 2015)

Michael Noonan: I wish to advise the Deputy that the total amount spent by my Department on special advisors for the past four years was €757,052. This compares to €756,333 spent by my Department on special advisors in the four years 2007 to 2010. I have 2 special advisors. In total there were 5 special advisors in the years 2011 to 2014, 2 from the previous Government and 1 of my special...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Ministerial Transport (20 Jan 2015)

Michael Noonan: The information requested by the Deputy in respect of my Department is set out in the table below. Prior to 2011 Ministerial transport was provided by An Garda Síochána through the Department of Justice and Equality. Year 2011 2012 2013 2014 Pay €48,139.35 €71,117.00 €70,936.50 €69,636.90 Subsistence €24,015.19 €25,673.94...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Reliefs Eligibility (20 Jan 2015)

Michael Noonan: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that in order to qualify for relief from Vehicle Registration Tax a person must have use and possession of a vehicle for six months before transferring residence to Ireland. The individual concerned did not have possession and use of the vehicle for six months before he transferred residence to Ireland and accordingly does not qualify for the...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: VAT Rate Application (20 Jan 2015)

Michael Noonan: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that "smoothie" is a generic term for a range of blended products containing, among other things, fruit juices and other products derived from fruit, frozen yogurt and/or ice cream and, in some cases, chocolate and confectionery products. Paragraph 8(1) of Schedule 2 of the Value-Added Tax Consolidation Act 2010, provides for the application of...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Rebates (20 Jan 2015)

Michael Noonan: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that records indicate that no PAYE income tax was deducted from wages of the person concerned during 2011, 2012 and 2013. Universal Social Charge (USC) was deducted in those years. The Revenue Commissioners have arranged for PAYE Balancing Statements to issue for 2011, 2012 and 2013 and the overpayments of USC  for those years will be refunded...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: IBRC Loans (20 Jan 2015)

Michael Noonan: Neither I, as Minister for Finance, nor the Special Liquidators of IBRC were involved in the decision(s) made by the Bankruptcy Trustee in respect of Mr Sean Quinn and therefore are unable to comment on same. Additionally, neither I, as Minister for Finance, nor the Special Liquidators of IBRC are in a position to comment on individual cases.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Revenue Commissioners Powers (20 Jan 2015)

Michael Noonan: I assume that the Deputy's reference to blocking a person's current account relates to the use of Attachment Orders by Revenue. That being the case, the legal basis for the use of Attachment Orders is provided for by Section 1002 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 (as amended). The Section gives Revenue the authority to instruct financial institutions to transfer funds, to the value of...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Rebates (20 Jan 2015)

Michael Noonan: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that their records indicate that the person concerned was last employed in 2011 and that during that year no tax or universal social charge was deducted from her wages. The Revenue Commissioners will write to the person concerned to establish her employment status and income since December 2011.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Bank Debt Restructuring (20 Jan 2015)

Michael Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 248 and 249 together. Since 2008 burden sharing of c.€15bn has been achieved with holders of dated and undated subordinated bonds in the covered institutions. Unfortunately my Department has been unable to obtain the remainder of the information requested by the Deputy in the time available. I will write to the Deputy directly with the...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Bank Guarantee Scheme Termination (20 Jan 2015)

Michael Noonan: Unfortunately my Department has been unable to obtain the information requested by the Deputy in the time available. I will write to the Deputy directly with the information as soon as it becomes available.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Mortgage Interest Rates (20 Jan 2015)

Michael Noonan: Firstly, I must confirm to the Deputy that I have no responsibility for any variation in the variable mortgage interest rate charged by regulated financial institutions.  The lending institutions in Ireland - including those in which the State has a significant shareholding - are independent commercial entities. I have no statutory role in relation to mortgage interest rates charged,...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: NAMA Portfolio (20 Jan 2015)

Michael Noonan: I am advised by NAMA that of the approximately 14,000 completed residential units currently within the Agency's portfolio, 86% are located in Dublin, the mid-east counties of Wicklow, Kildare, Meath and Louth, and the other main urban centres of Cork, Limerick and Galway.  A more detailed breakdown is set out below. Region Percentage Dublin 48 Mid-East (Wicklow, Kildare, Meath,...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Data (20 Jan 2015)

Michael Noonan: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the estimated cost to the Exchequer of the reduction in the 41% rate of Income Tax to 40% for income earners earning over €70,044 is in the order of €180 million. This cost includes the benefit these income earners get on all of their incomes liable to the higher rate and not just on the portion of their incomes above...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Rebates (20 Jan 2015)

Michael Noonan: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that there is provision for the refund of VAT incurred on qualifying goods for the exclusive use of disabled persons in the Value Added Tax (Refund of Tax) (No 15) Order 1981.  The order specifies the degree of disability and defines the qualifying goods as goods which are aids or appliances, including parts and accessories, specially constructed...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: EU Issues (20 Jan 2015)

Michael Noonan: The question assumes my support for a European debt conference. This does not represent my position.  My view is that when countries have difficulties, a process of negotiation is always better than one of conflict.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Customs and Excise Controls (21 Jan 2015)

Michael Noonan: I propose to answer Questions Nos. 101 and 102 together. I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that goods seized by them in the exercise of their statutory powers which are not returned to the person from whom they are seized may be disposed of by being sold or destroyed or, in the case of motor vehicles, by being allocated for use by the Revenue Commissioners, An Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Proposed Legislation (21 Jan 2015)

Michael Noonan: The Solvency II Directive represents a substantial overhaul of European insurance regulation. It sets out new, stronger EU-wide requirements on capital adequacy and risk management for insurers with the key aim of increasing policyholder protection. It is expected that this new regime should reduce the possibility of consumer loss or market disruption in insurance.  As...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Agreements (21 Jan 2015)

Michael Noonan: As has been outlined to this House before by my colleagues in Government, Ireland, along with all EU partners, adheres to the "One China" policy and as a result does not have diplomatic relations with Taiwan. This does not, however, preclude the development of economic and trade relations. Ireland, together with our EU partners, sees the benefit of encouraging trade with Taiwan and...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Exemptions (21 Jan 2015)

Michael Noonan: The latest information available regarding the Artists' Exemption scheme is for the year 2012, the last year for which returns have been filed and fully processed. In that year approximately 2,490 persons availed of the exemption in respect of income of €27.8 million at an estimated cost to the Exchequer of €4.8 million. It should be noted that the maximum amount of...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Banking Sector (21 Jan 2015)

Michael Noonan: As the Deputy will be aware the Irish banking system is now in a much stronger position than it has been in recent years. Profits are recovering, balance sheets have been restructured and we have started the process of returning cash to the taxpayer following the huge investments that were made over the 2009-11 period. Much of the banking-related work in the Department of...