Results 30,161-30,180 of 32,583 for speaker:Richard Bruton

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (22 Nov 2006)

Richard Bruton: Question 351: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the way savings will be valued under the provision of supplementary welfare in 2007; and if the Estimates have included changes in this provision. [39680/06]

Written Answers — Social Insurance: Social Insurance (22 Nov 2006)

Richard Bruton: Question 352: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the provisions made in Estimates 2007 for the threshold, the exemption limit and the ceiling under social insurance payments; and the basis of the increase made. [39681/06]

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (22 Nov 2006)

Richard Bruton: Question 353: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the income which is disregarded in calculating a person's eligibility for rent supplement, distinguishing the treatment of maintenance payments, part-time earnings, pensions and so on; the provision which has been made for changes in any of these in Estimates 2007. [39683/06]

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (22 Nov 2006)

Richard Bruton: Question 354: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the recent changes which have been announced for eligibility for free electricity and free gas allowance; and if further changes have been made in the free schemes in Estimates 2007. [39684/06]

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (22 Nov 2006)

Richard Bruton: Question 356: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the maximum rent payment which will be considered for supplement under supplementary welfare in respect of different household sizes in Dublin in 2007; and the index of rents which was used for considering adjusting these limits. [39687/06]

Written Answers — Security of the Elderly: Security of the Elderly (22 Nov 2006)

Richard Bruton: Question 374: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the provision which has been made in the 2006 Estimates for the provision of locks, alarms and so on for pensioners through local volunteer groups; the categories of pensioners who will be eligible; and if the scheme will be placed on a year round basis. [39703/06]

Written Answers — School Enrolments: School Enrolments (22 Nov 2006)

Richard Bruton: Question 388: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if schools which are not in the fee paying category are entitled to levy a non-refundable enrolment fee of €150; and if her Department requires schools to operate some hardship clause in respect of such a fee if it is put in place. [39305/06]

Written Answers — Third Level Charges: Third Level Charges (22 Nov 2006)

Richard Bruton: Question 412: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she has included in Estimates 2007 any provision for increase in the registration charge for college students; and the charge that will apply in 2007-2008 and the categories which will be exempt from these charges. [39699/06]

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (22 Nov 2006)

Richard Bruton: Question 413: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she has made provision in Estimates 2007 for the increase in the income limits and in the maintenance payments, under the higher education grant, in respect of standard applicants and applicants eligible for a special top up grant; and the values in respect of these which applied in the 2006-2007 academic year; and the values...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (22 Nov 2006)

Richard Bruton: Question 414: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the month for calculating the movement in prices and the movement in wages which is used by her Department for updating the value of maintenance payments and of income thresholds under the higher education grant. [39701/06]

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (22 Nov 2006)

Richard Bruton: Question 446: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the thresholds which will apply in 2007 under the house purchase schemes in respect of the qualifying income of one and of two earner applicants; the qualifying limit on gross household income to qualify for a subsidy toward repayment; the value of subsidy towards repayments at different income thresholds;...

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (22 Nov 2006)

Richard Bruton: Question 447: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the interest rate and the mortgage protection cover rate which is currently in place under fixed and variable options of the house purchase schemes; and the cost of these per €1,000 borrowed in terms of annual payments on a standard mortgage. [39697/06]

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (22 Nov 2006)

Richard Bruton: Question 448: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the maximum value of the grant payable by local authorities towards the cost of essential repairs and adaption of a home to meet the needs of a person with a disability in 2007; and the way these have been increased in Estimates 2007. [39698/06]

Fiscal Policy. (22 Nov 2006)

Richard Bruton: Question 53: To ask the Minister for Finance if the tax targets set out in the Programme for Government 2002 continue to shape Government policy; and if he has satisfied himself that current tax policy is fair to ordinary families. [39575/06]

Fiscal Policy. (22 Nov 2006)

Richard Bruton: I refer to the Government's tax targets. Over the past four years, total tax as a proportion of national income has increased. Far from being a low tax Government, this has been a high tax Government. It is even worse for families. The proportion of their personal income taken in tax has increased by seven percentage points to 38.5%. The Minister has the unusual distinction of being the...

Fiscal Policy. (22 Nov 2006)

Richard Bruton: That does not make sense. Talk about the devil reciting scripture.

Fiscal Policy. (22 Nov 2006)

Richard Bruton: It is very clear——

Fiscal Policy. (22 Nov 2006)

Richard Bruton: The Minister is asking the question and I was going to volunteer an answer.

Fiscal Policy. (22 Nov 2006)

Richard Bruton: The Minister is not answering the question.

Fiscal Policy. (22 Nov 2006)

Richard Bruton: Does the Minister agree that the commitment in the programme for Government made no reference to effective rates of tax, which have been produced like a rabbit out of a hat to pretend that something promised was not promised? That is the reality. The programme stated the Minister will ensure 80% of all earners pay only at the standard rate, without a mention of effective rates of tax. I am...