Results 7,281-7,300 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (24 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I undertook during the Dáil debate on the pension-related deduction to have the case of the retained firefighters examined to see if there are exceptional circumstances with regard to this group of public servants. That examination is in progress. It is no longer the case that they qualify only for gratuity on retirement, as they have been given the option of joining the Local Government...

Written Answers — Consumer Debt: Consumer Debt (24 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Private sector credit growth and debt levels are, in the first instance, a matter for the Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland and details are published by the Bank in their Quarterly Bulletins. Set out below is a breakdown of personal (consumer) debt over the period 2004 to 2008. Information is available for total personal sector lending, house mortgage finance, other...

Written Answers — Credit Institutions: Credit Institutions (24 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: It is not appropriate for me to comment on the affairs of a particular company who may or may not be the customer of an Irish or UK credit institution.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (24 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The income levy is deducted on any payments of income made on or after 1 January 2009. The income levy legislation provides for a refund after the end of the year where there has been an over-deduction of levy. On an administrative basis the Revenue Commissioners have advised employers and pension providers that where they are satisfied that an individual under the age of 65 years will only...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (24 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Where a public service pensioner qualifies for a contributory old age pension and where appropriate, a qualified adult or qualified child allowance is applicable, all of this income would form part of his or her aggregate income for tax purposes. In the case of a public service pensioner receiving a contributory old age pension, the contributory old age pension, together with any additions...

Written Answers — Tourism Investment Schemes: Tourism Investment Schemes (24 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The approval and certification of projects under the Mid-Shannon Tourism Infrastructure Investment Scheme is a matter for the Mid-Shannon Tourism Infrastructure Board in accordance with guidelines issued by the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism in consultation with the Minister for Finance. The Review Board of the Mid Shannon Tax Incentive Scheme and the executive teams within Fáilte...

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (24 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the tax take in respect of alcohol excise duty, tobacco excise duty and vehicle registration tax for each month since January 2004 to February 2009 is set out in the following tables. The figures provided in relation to 2008 and 2009 are provisional at this juncture. The overall decline in excise yields in respect of alcohol, tobacco and...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (24 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Minister for Finance has statutory responsibility for civil service pensions and for pensions paid from the Central Fund. Statutory responsibility for other public service pension schemes is a matter in the first instance for the respective Ministers in other Departments, as appropriate. The data below relate to the civil service. I will provide appropriate pensions data for the Central...

Written Answers — Financial Institutions Support Scheme: Financial Institutions Support Scheme (24 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I have been informed by the Financial Regulator that all of the covered institutions have fully passed on each ECB interest rate cut to owner occupiers since the bank guarantee scheme was introduced and that this will be so for the latest ECB cut announced on 5 March 2009. I have also been informed that since the bank guarantee scheme has been in place, on average, cuts in ECB rates have...

Written Answers — Departmental Allowances: Departmental Allowances (24 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: It has not been the practice of successive Ministers for Finance to involve themselves in the day to day operational details of any semi-State body reporting to the Department of Finance.

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (24 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As the Deputy will be aware the issue of a carbon tax is being considered by the Commission on Taxation. The Commission is due to report by September 2009 at the latest. The precise design of the carbon tax has yet to be determined, however, based on the carbon intensity of the products listed the broad level of excise increases, inclusive of VAT, that would arise from applying a carbon tax...

Written Answers — Members' Remuneration: Members' Remuneration (24 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: A decision to make a gift from salary to the Minister for Finance is a voluntary and personal matter. I have already given information on the total number of members of the Oireachtas who have made such a gift in response to a previous question from the Deputy. I do not consider it appropriate to go beyond this and furnish the information now sought by the Deputy.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (24 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that details of the tax relief for medical expenses are not captured in such a way as to provide a basis for compiling the estimates of cost sought by the Deputy.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (24 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: DIRT is deducted at source by deposit takers — for example, banks, building societies, credit unions, the Post Office Savings Bank — from interest paid or credited on deposits of Irish residents. The rate of tax deducted is determined by the relevant legislation in force at the time the interest is paid or credited. Therefore, the increased DIRT rate of 23% applies to payments including...

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (24 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme provides relief from VAT and Vehicle Registration Tax (up to a certain limit), and exemption from motor tax, on the purchase of an adapted car for transport of a person with specific severe and permanent physical disabilities. The disability criteria for these concessions are set out in the Disabled Drivers and Disabled...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (24 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: In my Budget speech on 14th October, I announced the introduction of a new tax incentive scheme to facilitate the relocation of Seveso-listed industrial facilities which hinder the residential and commercial regeneration of Docklands in urban areas. The EU Seveso Directive seeks to protect public safety by placing land-use restrictions on new residential and commercial development near...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (24 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am taking the reference to a State pension as being to a public service pension. Retained firefighters are subject to the pension-related deduction as they are entitled to join the Local Government Superannuation Scheme and receive a pension and lump sum from a local authority. Those who do not take that option receive a non-contributory retirement gratuity arrangement. Under the Act,...

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (24 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Health Levy estimate is based on collection trends for previous years, the applicable rates and thresholds, as well as anticipated changes in employment levels and wage rates. The 2009 Budget provided for total receipts of €1,333m in respect of the Health Levy. This estimate was based on projected receipts for 2008 together with anticipated changes to employment levels and wage rates...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (24 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Irish VAT law must comply with the EU VAT Directive, which provides that individuals are in general outside the scope of VAT. Essentially only VAT registered persons who charge VAT are able to recover VAT. In addition, in order to register for VAT and thus be entitled to claim VAT deductions, an individual or business must be economically active and the VAT deductions must relate directly...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (24 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: There is no connection between the application of the pension-related deduction in any particular case and any guarantee sought by members in respect of their pension. As the Deputy is aware, discussions are in train with the trustees and the administrators of the five older universities, including Trinity College, and certain non-commercial semi-State bodies with a view to providing...