Results 5,741-5,760 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Written Answers — Insurance Industry: Insurance Industry (16 Sep 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am aware that there has been an increase in insurance premiums this year. This increase however has to be considered against a backdrop of the continuing stress in the financial markets and the recessionary pressures in the economy which is affecting all financial service providers including the insurance industry. My Department has been advised by the Financial Regulator that while the...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (16 Sep 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 230, 231, 240 and 243 together. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners, who are responsible for the collection of tobacco products tax and tackling the illicit trade in cigarettes and tobacco products, that the information requested by the Deputies is as follows. Revenue's current strategy for tackling this illicit trade is focussed both on intercepting...

Written Answers — Electronic Mail: Electronic Mail (16 Sep 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Section 3(1)(a) of the Statutory Instruments Act,1947, as amended by section 1 of the Statutory Instruments (Amendment) Act 1955, provides that a copy of every Statutory Instrument is sent to named bodies listed in the Act, including the National Library of Ireland, the Law Library, Four Courts, etc. I have sought the advice of the Attorney General as to whether electronic mail would satisfy...

Written Answers — Betting Offices: Betting Offices (16 Sep 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 233 and 234 together. The permitted opening times of registered betting premises were originally provided for in the Betting Act, 1931. The Act has been amended in particular by the Finance Act 1998 and the Finance Act 2007. The 1998 changes extended the opening hours of betting shops to cater for the growing trend towards evening race meetings and Sunday...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (16 Sep 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The position is that income levy is charged on an individual's aggregate income for a tax year. Aggregate income includes lump sums, both bonus payments and retirement lump sums. In the case of retirement lump sums only that part of the lump sum which is liable to income tax is subject to the income levy. The supplementary budget increased the rates of income levy. These increased rates...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (16 Sep 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 241 and 242 together. Tax collection issues in any individual case are matters for the Revenue Commissioners who, for reasons of taxpayer confidentiality, cannot comment on individual cases. As a result, the Deputy will appreciate that it would be inappropriate for the Commissioners to comment on the tax affairs of any taxpayer at the request of another...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (16 Sep 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The rent-a-room scheme was introduced in Finance Act 2001. The scheme allows an exemption from income tax on rent received where a person rents out a room or rooms in his or her principal private residence, and the rent received does not exceed €10,000 per year (€7,620 up to and including the 2007 tax year). In order to qualify for the exemption, it is necessary for the residential...

Written Answers — Government Bonds: Government Bonds (16 Sep 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 246 and 248 together. The National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) advise that the total amount of Government bonds issued in the period 1 August 2008 to 31 August 2009 was €27 billion. In relation to the geographic distribution of investors, the NTMA advise that such information is only available in relation to bonds sold through syndicated issues. Of...

Written Answers — National Asset Management Agency: National Asset Management Agency (16 Sep 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: It is my intention to designate only land and development loans and associated loans as assets eligible for transfer to NAMA. Associated loans will be those loans which are not in the land and development category but which are held by individuals/companies that also have land and development exposures. Associated loans will take account of cross collateralisation and other associated loan...

Written Answers — Company Closures: Company Closures (16 Sep 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Policy issues relating to redundancy, company law and employment law are a matter for my colleague the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Mary Coughlan in the first instance. I can confirm that this company does not have any contracts with my Department. The position in respect of other Departments or Government agencies is a matter for the relevant...

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (16 Sep 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the air travel tax arising from travel undertaken in any month is payable by the 23rd of the following month. The yields from the air travel tax received in the period from May to August 2009, in respect of travel undertaken during the months April to July 2009 are as follows: Month â'¬m May 9.6 June 11.5 July 11.9 August 12.5

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (16 Sep 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The position is that the income levy is an annual charge. This means that the levy is applied to an individual's aggregate income from all sources in a year, that is, employment, self-employment, rental, investment and dividends. For those with employment only income, which is paid regularity over the course of the year, the payroll deduction system should ensure that the right amount of...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (16 Sep 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The income levy structure provides an exemption threshold of €15,028 below which the income levy is not applied. The income levy is applied at a rate of 2% on all income up to €75,036, at 4% on income above this amount up to €174,980 and at 6% on income above €174,980. While it is acknowledged that the threshold at €15,028 leads to a "step" in the income levy, the overall...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (16 Sep 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that artists who qualify for exemption from income tax under the provisions of section 195 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 are obliged to pay any PRSI due on such income directly to the Department of Social and Family Affairs. Arrangements are already in place whereby the Revenue Commissioners notify the Department of Social and Family Affairs,...

Written Answers — Public Appointments Service: Public Appointments Service (16 Sep 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Vacancies for Temporary Clerical Officers arise in various Government Departments and Offices from time to time throughout the country. Such vacancies are filled by way of recruitment campaigns undertaken by the Public Appointments Service (PAS). I can confirm to the Deputy that the closing date for receipt by the Public Appointments Service of applications for the 2009/10 Temporary...

Written Answers — Oireachtas Expense Allowances: Oireachtas Expense Allowances (16 Sep 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: It should be recognised that TDs incur legitimate expenses as part of their parliamentary duties both in attending Leinster House and as part of their constituency duties. I have already taken steps in relation to the revision of expenses. I have generally reduced the Oireachtas expense allowances by 10% and by 25% in the case of mileage. The Oireachtas Commission made proposals to me...

Written Answers — Job Assist Scheme: Job Assist Scheme (16 Sep 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the number of employers who have availed of the Revenue job assist scheme in the years concerned is as follows: 2005 -- 567 2006 -- 410 2007 -- 286 2008 -- 193 2009 (to 4 September) 133

Written Answers — Financial Regulation: Financial Regulation (16 Sep 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Financial Regulator is currently funded by two sources. These are direct levies paid by financial entities that are regulated by the Financial Regulator and a subvention from the Central Bank, which is provided from the Bank's own resources generated from its activities in the financial markets. In 2009, it is estimated that the former funding source will raise approximately €34...

Written Answers — Financial Regulation: Financial Regulation (16 Sep 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Central Bank Act 1942 as amended provides that the Consultative Consumer Panel shall consist of not fewer than five and not more than 20 members. In January, I appointed eleven members to the Consumer Panel. Accordingly, all statutory requirements on the level of membership of the Panel have been fully met. The possibility of making further appointments to the Consumer Panel, subject...

Written Answers — Financial Regulation: Financial Regulation (16 Sep 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Financial Regulator that the annual budgets for the Consultative Panels are agreed between the respective Chairs of the Panels and the Authority. The 2009 budget for the Consumer Panel is €208,000 and the budget for the Industry Panel is €85,000. These budgets cover the costs arising from external research and consultations, the publication of the respective annual...