Results 4,541-4,560 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Written Answers — National Asset Management Agency: National Asset Management Agency (3 Dec 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: NAMA is being established to purchase certain portfolios of risky loan assets from the balance sheets of participating institutions. In the course of its operation it is expected that NAMA will take possession of various properties. Under the NAMA Act, NAMA will have access to working capital in order for it to complete developments or projects where it is commercially advantageous to do...

Written Answers — Debt Management: Debt Management (3 Dec 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Government recently decided that all relevant material on the matter of indebtedness and mortgage arrears in Departments should be brought together in consideration of the debt problems faced by some householders. External input will be by way of consultation where relevant Ministers could meet with appropriate external organisations. In response, an interdepartmental group, chaired by...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (3 Dec 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: At the end of March 2009, the Government introduced a moratorium on public service recruitment and promotion, while allowing for certain exemptions in the Education and Health Sectors for the filling of certain key posts. Furthermore, in the April 2009 Supplementary Budget, I announced a range of initiatives which are intended to lead to savings in the public service pay bill - an...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (3 Dec 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that they have no record of tax paid by the person concerned in 2008.

Written Answers — Graduate Support Schemes: Graduate Support Schemes (3 Dec 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Renewed Programme for Government provides for the taking on of 1,000 Third and Fourth level graduates to provide additional capacity and skills across the Public Service and in Government Departments and to provide valuable work experience. These are work placements as distinct from additional posts in the Public Service. My Department is currently examining the options in relation to...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (3 Dec 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: On April 30th last, the European Commission adopted a proposal for a Directive on Alternative Investment Fund Managers (AIFM). The proposal has been discussed at a number of meetings at Council Working group level since May and discussions are still taking place. It has not yet been discussed by the Ecofin Council. The proposal aims to put in place a regulatory regime for managers of all EU...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (3 Dec 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Figures providing a breakdown of refunds of Income Tax (non-PAYE) and Corporation Tax in 2009 to mid-November for the banking and related financial intermediation sector, are set out in the following table. Refunds By Size In 2009 for the Banking and related Financial Intermediation Income Tax Corporation Tax Size of Refund Number Value €m Number Value €m Less than €1m 1,176 3.2...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (3 Dec 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Government's decision to proceed with 30 rationalisation proposals was included in the 2009 Budget measures. The decision was informed by a set of central guiding principles, which were also set out in the 2009 Budget. These principles succinctly set out the Government's policy on the role that agencies should play in delivering public services. Accordingly, the rationalisation...

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (3 Dec 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am committed to the introduction of a carbon tax on a phased basis in the context of the 2010 Budget. Indeed work is already underway on the design of a carbon tax. In relation to the issue of fuel poverty, it is acknowledged that appropriate measures may need to be put in place depending on the level of carbon tax introduced. I would draw to the Deputy's attention that it is the usual...

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (3 Dec 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The estimated yield from the health levy in 2009 was €1,892m. This included an estimated receipt of €719m this year from a doubling of the levy in the 2009 Supplementary Budget, with a full year yield of €1,501m. Recent projections indicate a shortfall in this estimate and provision for this shortfall has been included in the 2009 Supplementary Estimate for the HSE currently before the...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (3 Dec 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Deputy does not give details or specify the sectors of the public service to which he refers, but he will be aware that the term "public service" encompasses a wide range of organisations, including but not limited to Civil Service Departments and Offices, the Garda Síochána, Permanent Defence Forces, Local Authorities, HSE, VECs and various bodies established by enactment and wholly or...

Written Answers — Insurance Industry: Insurance Industry (3 Dec 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 105 to 107, inclusive, together. The response deals with recent increases to insurance premiums, the background to such increases, and the Government response. While I am aware that there has been an increase in insurance premiums including motor insurance premiums this year, the Financial Regulator does not maintain statistics on insurance premium costs, so...

Written Answers — Banking Sector Regulation: Banking Sector Regulation (3 Dec 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 108 to 110, inclusive, together. It is fair to assume that the banks should be in a better position to lend once the riskiest loans have been removed from their balance sheets and taken over by NAMA and that viable businesses should expect a fair hearing when seeking funding. I intend to issue guidelines to participating institutions to ensure that this is the...

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (3 Dec 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: A special Interdepartmental Review Group reviewed the operation of the Disabled Drivers Scheme. It examined the current benefits, the qualifying medical criteria, the Exchequer costs, relationship with other schemes and similar schemes in other countries. The report also made a number of recommendations, both immediate and long-term, referring respectively to the operation of the appeals...

Written Answers — Fiscal Policy: Fiscal Policy (3 Dec 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Over the last eighteen months the Government has taken action on a number of occasions, including the measures introduced in Budget 2009, to address the large gap which has opened up between revenue and expenditure as a result of the deterioration in the economic environment. The overall 2009 deficit position has been improved by the various measures the Government have taken by the order of...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (3 Dec 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that, based on the information available, the tax liability of the person concerned has been reviewed for the years 2005-2008 inclusive and tax overpaid has been refunded. In addition tax paid for 2009 has been refunded to the person concerned.

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (3 Dec 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that figures to indicate the amount of revenue generated in the State through the taxation of motor vehicles are not available on a county basis. It is not possible therefore to produce the information requested by the Deputy.

Written Answers — National Asset Management Agency: National Asset Management Agency (3 Dec 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: My understanding is that the financial institutions in question expressed the view that there is not a shortage of credit available to business but that the risks taken by financial institutions must be compatible with the amount of capital they hold. Banks can currently access funds but the cost is higher than was previously the case. The banks' balance sheets will be stronger once NAMA has...

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (3 Dec 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Different Government departments and agencies have responsibilities for specific emergency planning functions. In the event of a major emergency, the most appropriate Department or agency is designated as the lead agency to co-ordinate the response to it. In relation to flooding, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is chairing the Emergency Response Coordination...

Written Answers — Financial Services Regulation: Financial Services Regulation (3 Dec 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As the Deputy is aware, the specified bank submitted its Remuneration plan to the Covered Institutions Remuneration Committee (CIROC) whose report was placed before the House on 13 March 2009. The Government considers the CIROC recommendations regarding remuneration of chief executives including bonuses, pensions, long term incentive plans, which includes stock options, are appropriate but...