Results 4,141-4,160 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Order of Business (28 Jan 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Deputies Gilmore and Kenny chose to refer to NAMA and the banks collectively, ignoring the particular circumstances of the institution concerned.

Order of Business (28 Jan 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: It is at least incumbent upon me to put the circumstances of a particular institution before the House.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (27 Jan 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that for the purposes of Capital Acquisitions Tax (Gift and Inheritance Tax), the relationship between the person who provided the gift or inheritance (i.e., the disponer) and the person who received the gift or inheritance (i.e., the beneficiary), determines the maximum tax-free threshold – known as the "Group threshold" – below which gift or...

Written Answers — Fiscal Policy: Fiscal Policy (27 Jan 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Budget 2010 provided for a reduction of €1.48 billion in the public sector pay bill of which €1 billion related to pay rates and the remainder to the Public Sector Moratorium and other schemes including the Incentivised Scheme of Early Retirement. This €1.48 billion represents 8.5% of the expected pay bill for 2009 as published in the Revised Estimates for the Public Services 2009....

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (27 Jan 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The position is that tax relief in respect of mortgage interest paid on a qualifying home loan, i.e. a loan used for the purchase, repair, development or improvement of an individual's principal private residence, is paid through the tax relief at source (TRS) system. The mortgage provider or lender gives the relief, which applies to first-time buyers and non-first time buyers, at source....

Written Answers — Financial Services Regulation: Financial Services Regulation (27 Jan 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: There is no agreement in place or being discussed as the Deputy suggests. The Deputy will be familiar with the Financial Regulator's Code of Conduct on Mortgage arrears which applies to all regulated lenders on a statutory basis. This Code applies only to mortgage lending activities to consumers in respect of their principal private residence in Ireland. The main features of the Code are...

Written Answers — EU Funding: EU Funding (27 Jan 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: My Department is currently working with the EU Commission on making an application for funding under the EU Solidarity Fund.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (27 Jan 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the person concerned has not to date submitted all relevant and requested information to enable a review of his tax liability to be carried out. Accordingly, it is not possible to complete a review of the taxpayer's liability.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (27 Jan 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that a capital gains tax refund for the year ending 2008 issued to the person concerned on 14 January 2010.

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (27 Jan 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Section 12 of the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission Act 2003 gave the Commission the power to determine its staff requirements and to appoint staff members except for staff at or above the grade of Principal (Higher), for which the consent of the Minister for Finance is required. The figures available to my Department for Oireachtas staff in the named grades are as follows: Grade End...

Written Answers — Mortgage Arrears: Mortgage Arrears (26 Jan 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Financial Regulator published new data on mortgage arrears and repossessions on 22 December 2009. This is the latest available data relevant to the Deputy's question and will be updated on a quarterly basis. The data shows that, as at end September 2009, there were 26,271 (3.3% of total) mortgage accounts in arrears of more than 90 days. Of this figure 17,767 (2.2% of total) were more...

Written Answers — Legislative Programme: Legislative Programme (26 Jan 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am aware that because of the recent flooding, there are people who may have difficulties renewing flood insurance cover. The principal reason for this is that the decision to provide any specific form of insurance cover and the price at which it is offered is a commercial matter based on the assessment an insurer will make of the risks involved. This risk assessment process which...

Written Answers — Tendering Procedures: Tendering Procedures (26 Jan 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Under EU Directives contracting authorities are obliged to advertise contracts valued above certain thresholds in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU). These contracts are also advertised on the national public procurement website www.etenders.ie . The current thresholds (exclusive of VAT) which are applicable from 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2011 are as follows: for works...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (26 Jan 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the estimated amount of tax forgone under Section 481 tax relief in each of the past ten years is as follows: Film Tax Relief Tax Year Tax Cost €m 2000/01 29.2 2001 (9 month tax "year") 11.4 2002 21.7 2003 24.6 2004 19.5 2005 15.7 2006 36.4 2007 31.1 2008 32.8 2009 35.0* *Cost is provisional and may be revised.

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (26 Jan 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The cost of extending to the computer game industry a tax relief similar to the scheme for film relief operating under section 481 would depend on the level of uptake by investors and the amounts invested. I am not therefore in a position to provide such an estimate.

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (26 Jan 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The grades, numbers and salaries paid to staff employed by my Department in 1997 and 2009 are set out in tabular format below. DECEMBER 1997 Full-time Equivalent Headcount FTE Based Salary SECRETARY GENERAL FINANCE 1 1 €111,257.08 SECRETARY GENERAL PSMD 1 1 €105,379.52 SECOND SECRETARY 3 3 €298,513.50 CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER 1 1 €79,669.64 ASST SECRETARY TOTAL 9 9 €605,364.55...

Written Answers — Housing Aid for the Elderly: Housing Aid for the Elderly (26 Jan 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that repairs and maintenance of property for the elderly are not exempt from VAT. In certain circumstances, refunds of VAT can be claimed for work which is carried out to provide an aid to assist a disabled person. This would include for example the construction of specially adapted toilets or shower units. In the case referred to the work in...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (26 Jan 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The income levy is payable on gross income from all sources before any tax reliefs, capital allowances, losses or pension contributions. However, there are a number of exemptions from the income levy. The exemptions from the income levy include: - all social welfare payments; - individuals who hold full medical cards; - individuals whose annual income does not exceed €15,028 per annum; -...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (26 Jan 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The breakdown of the figure of €405,000 in the A9 Subhead of the Public Appointments Service Vote in the Estimates Book 2010 is as follows:- Payments to Interview Board Members €382,000 Pre-employment Medical Checks €19,000 Translation Costs €4,000 The figure reflects the reduced levels of recruitment activities in the Public Service consequent on the Government's...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (26 Jan 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that 322,000 of the 564,000 mortgage accounts that were in receipt of mortgage interest relief up until the introduction of the change in the Supplementary Budget 2009 continued to be eligible for the relief notwithstanding that change. I am further advised by Revenue that they are not in a position to provide a breakdown by location of those who...