Results 5,261-5,280 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Written Answers — Statutory Instruments: Statutory Instruments (3 Nov 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Government Publications Section of the Office of Public Works is responsible for the printing of Statutory Instruments in accordance with the Statutory Instruments Acts 1947 and 1955. The performance of this function includes the assignment of a unique number to each Statutory Instrument received from a Government Department and/or Statutory Body. In three cases during the year 2000,...

Written Answers — Revenue Payments: Revenue Payments (3 Nov 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am assuming the Deputy is referring to the Business Payment Support Service being operated by HM Revenue and Customs that was introduced in November 2008. I am aware of that service, which is designed to meet the needs of viable businesses affected by the current economic conditions. I think it is important to clarify that it is not a scheme for deferring tax payments per se but rather...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (3 Nov 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As outlined in my reply of 20 October 2009 to Deputy Brian Hayes on this matter, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources has primary responsibility for matters relating to the state body mentioned, including its pension schemes. With regard to pension arrangements, the relevant legislation requires that they be approved by the Minister for Communications, Energy and...

Written Answers — Financial Services Support Scheme: Financial Services Support Scheme (3 Nov 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I do not have the information the Deputy requests. However, I have not received any reports that there is anything unusual regarding the volume of cheques being returned by the covered institutions, now or since the introduction of the bank guarantee scheme last year.

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

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The proposed 80% windfall capital gains tax to which the Deputy refers is being considered as part of the NAMA legislation and it will be discussed at Report Stage of the Bill. It is not customary for the Minister of Finance to comment on the specific details of tax changes prior to publication of the legislation.

Written Answers — Tobacco Smuggling: Tobacco Smuggling (3 Nov 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I wish to assure the Deputy that my Department and I, and also the Revenue Commissioners, who are responsible for the collection of tobacco products tax and tackling the illicit trade in cigarettes and tobacco products, are concerned at the current level of cigarette smuggling. In this regard it is generally accepted that the high level of taxation levied on cigarettes in Ireland makes it a...

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

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 257 and 266 together. These questions relate to potential Budgetary measures. It is the usual practice for the Minister for Finance not to speculate or comment in advance of the Budget what it will contain and I do not propose to deviate from that practice.

Written Answers — Security of the Elderly: Security of the Elderly (3 Nov 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: There is no scheme of grants or assistance towards the cost of the installation of house alarms for the elderly available from my Department. Tax relief was available for expenditure incurred in the period from 23 January 1996 to 5 April 1998 for the cost of purchase and/or installation of alarm systems in the sole or main residence of individuals aged 65 years or over and who lived alone...

Written Answers — EU Funding: EU Funding (3 Nov 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 259 and 386 together. The Cross Border INTERREG IVA Programme (Northern Ireland/Ireland/Scotland) aims to support strategic cross-border co-operation and economic development. The Programme (2007-2013) is managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). The Cross Border Local Authority Groups were established as a network of councillors from the...

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

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the full year yield to the Exchequer, estimated by reference to 2010 incomes, of changing the standard rate of tax by 1%, 2%, 3%, 4% or 5% would be approximately €420 million, €840 million, €1,260 million, €1,680 million and €2,100 million respectively. The figures are estimates from the Revenue tax-forecasting model using actual data...

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

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the full year yield to the Exchequer, estimated by reference to 2010 incomes, of changing the higher rate of tax by 1%, 2%, 3%, 4% or 5% would be approximately €145 million, €290 million, €435 million, €580 million and €725 million respectively. The figures are estimates from the Revenue tax-forecasting model using actual data for the...

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

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the full year yield to the Exchequer, estimated by reference to 2010 incomes, of reducing the single person tax credit by €100 would be of the order of €155 million. The reduction mentioned in the Deputy's question is assumed to apply in similar measure to widowed persons and to include the normal consequential reductions in the tax credit...

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

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Based on information available from ComReg, introducing a tax at the rate of 1 cent per text on mobile phone messaging would have a potential yield of €118 million. However, this potential yield does not take account of any behavioural impact that might result if a levy was directly imposed on customers or imposed on the mobile phone companies and passed on to customers. It also ignores...

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

Brian Lenihan Jnr: It is assumed that the imposition of a cap of €50,000 as mentioned in the question would have the effect of withdrawing the tax exemption from all qualifying income in excess of €50,000. On this basis, I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the full year yield to the Exchequer, estimated by reference to the claims for the exemption made in income tax returns for the tax year...

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

Brian Lenihan Jnr: It is assumed that the threshold for the proposed new tax band mentioned by the Deputy would not alter the existing standard rate band structure applying to single and widowed persons, to lone parents and married couples. I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the estimated full year yield to the Exchequer, estimated by reference to 2010 incomes, of the introduction of a new 48% rate...

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

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the most recent year for which the necessary detailed information is available regarding tax relief for trade union subscriptions is the income tax year 2006, in which the cost to the Exchequer is estimated at approximately €19 million. On this basis, the full year yield to the Exchequer of abolishing tax relief for trade union subscriptions...

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

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the estimated full year yield to the Exchequer from increasing the Capital Acquisitions Tax rate by 1%, 2%, 3%, 4% or 5% could be in the region of €10 million, €20 million, €30 million, €40 million and €50 million respectively. However, it should be noted that this estimate is based upon an assumption that there would be no behavioural...

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

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that estimates of the full year cost to the Exchequer of tax reliefs for heritage items and property are contained in section 11 of Part 8 of the Commission on Taxation Report and are reproduced in the following table. Heritage Relief Year Cost €m Payment of tax by means of donation of heritage items 2008 5 Payment of tax by means of donation...

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

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the estimated full year gain from increasing the rate of Capital Gains Tax (CGT) by 1%, 2%, 3%, 4% or 5% could be in the region of €13 million, €25 million, €38 million, €50 million and €63 million respectively, assuming no significant behavioural change on the part of taxpayers. CGT is very dependent on individual behaviour and a...

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

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 271 and 272 together. It is estimated that if a cap was imposed on public sector salaries at €200,000 it would yield savings in the region of €30m on a full year basis, while it is estimated that a similar cap on salaries at €175,000 would produce savings of the order of €85M on an annual basis. By far the most significant group encompassed by the...