Results 7,321-7,340 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (12 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: A restriction of mortgage interest relief for new first time buyers along the lines suggested by the Deputy would not generate an Exchequer saving in the cost of tax relief before 2012. However, if it is assumed that the average mortgage is €225,000, the average mortgage rate is 3.75%, the average length of mortgage for first time buyers is 30 years, non-first time buyer relief is not...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (12 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the total identifiable costs to the Exchequer of all income tax and corporation tax allowances, reliefs, exemptions and tax credits available, are set out in the following tables for 2004 and 2005, the most recent year for which the necessary historical information is available in the required detail. Relevant notes relating to items in the...

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (12 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 96 to 98, inclusive, together. I have been informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the receipts from betting duty are set out below. The decrease in yield for 2007 arose from the reduction in the betting duty from 2% to 1% with effect from 1 July 2006. 2006 — €54.3m 2007 — €36.4m 2008 — €36.6m (estimate) Arising from the slowdown in economic...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (12 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Office of Public Works are currently exploring options for advance party accommodation in Kildare. Any proposals or recommendations from the OPW will have to be examined on a value for money basis by my Department. Decisions in relation to staffing matters (including those of the individual whose details you have supplied) will be finalised when the value for money process is complete.

Written Answers — Financial Services Regulation: Financial Services Regulation (12 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: My function, as Minister for Finance, is to provide an appropriate legislative framework for regulation of the financial services sector. Within that framework the Financial Regulator is responsible for the regulation of the financial institution referred to in the Deputy's question and for protecting the interests of consumers in line with its statutory consumer protection mandate. Regulated...

Written Answers — Departmental Licences: Departmental Licences (12 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The information requested by the Deputy in relation to licenses and permits issued by my Department and bodies under the remit of my Department is set out in the following tables. In the time available the Office of Public Works were not in a position to compile the information requested. This will be sent directly to the Deputy as soon as it is available. The Deputy may be aware that as...

Order of Business (12 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Deputy is on the high seas.

Written Answers — EU Funding: EU Funding (11 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: My Department is responsible for, amongst other things, overall policy in relation to Ireland's EU Structural and Cohesion Funds. It is responsible for drawing down the European Regional Development and Cohesion Funds which are paid into the Central Fund as a capital receipt. It also plays a central role in the development and monitoring of the programmes/projects through which the Funds are...

Written Answers — Financial Services Regulation: Financial Services Regulation (11 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As the Deputy is aware Anglo Irish Bank Corporation is a public body for the purposes of the Ethics in Public Office Acts 1995 to 2001. The relevant employees of the bank are, by virtue of regulation 5 of SI No 699 of 2004, subject to the provisions of these Acts. It is necessary, however, to designate the positions of Chairman and members of the Board for the purposes of the Acts. The...

Written Answers — Financial Services Regulation: Financial Services Regulation (11 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Anglo Irish Bank is being run on arms length commercial basis. The Board of Anglo is currently preparing a comprehensive business plan which will be required to demonstrate how the Board will oversee the continued commercial operation of the bank in the best interests of the bank, the financial sector generally and the State. This report, which will include details of the proposed risk...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (11 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I have been informed by the Revenue Commissioners that a person may claim a refund of tax when they become unemployed, provided they have paid tax while employed in that year. The person in question should complete a Form P 50 and submit it with their P45 (parts 2&3) to the Revenue Commissioners, PAYE Mail Centre, P O Box 63, Ennis, Co Clare. The Form P 50 can be obtained: on-line at www....

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (11 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Government recently announced its intention to examine all current and capital expenditure as part of its decision to introduce further measures to stabilise the public finances. All decisions on funding for the National Development Plan will be taken in the course of these deliberations and will be announced in the coming weeks.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (11 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As the Deputy will be aware, it is not customary for the Minister for Finance to comment on possible tax and expenditure changes in advance of the Budget.

Written Answers — Financial Services Regulation: Financial Services Regulation (11 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: At the outset the Deputy may wish to note that the choice of mortgage product ultimately rests with consumers in light of their assessment of the terms and conditions that their lending institution offers. The decision of borrowers is influenced by a range of factors such as their personal preferences and their own assessment of the relative merits of fixed and variable rate mortgages. ...

Written Answers — Financial Services Regulation: Financial Services Regulation (11 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am assuming that by "Irish citizens who qualify for non-payment of tax here," the Deputy means Irish-domiciled individuals claiming to be non-resident for tax purposes. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that Irish citizens who are non-resident for tax purposes are in general chargeable on: income arising in Ireland, for example, income from directorships, a trade or profession,...

Written Answers — Financial Services Regulation: Financial Services Regulation (11 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Anyone taking a fixed rate mortgage knows that they are ensuring certainty for their payments over the period. In doing so they avoid the risk of rate increases, but of course they forgo the chance to benefit from rate reductions. In general banks will try to match fixed rate loans with fixed rate funding, so that there is a real cost to them if a customer wishes to end the fixed rate...

Written Answers — Financial Services Regulation: Financial Services Regulation (11 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The variable mortgage interest rates have fallen sharply in recent times. This is a major benefit to many families. The Deputy will be aware that many lenders are conducting extensive advertising campaigns, showing that competition is a real factor on the mortgage scene. The existence of that level of competition in the mortgage lending market is sufficient, I believe, to ensure that credit...

Written Answers — Compulsory Retirement Age: Compulsory Retirement Age (11 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The information sought by the Deputy insofar as it is available is set out in the table(s) below. However it should be noted that though an officer had 40 years pensionable service it does not necessarily mean that she/he had 40 years actual service. In some cases, an officer may have purchased service, had ill-health added years or professional added years. Number of Civil Servants who...

Written Answers — Compulsory Retirement Age: Compulsory Retirement Age (11 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: There is a total of 58 staff currently serving in my Department who have been recruited since the commencement of the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 and who, under the provisions of the Act, are not subject to compulsory retirement at 65 years of age. Of the total, 36 are male and 22 are female. These figures do not include staff on fixed term contracts...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (11 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As the Deputy is aware, I announced in Budget 2009 that an air travel tax will come into force in respect of passengers departing from Irish airports on and from 30 March 2009. A general rate of €10 per passenger will apply, with a lower rate of €2 for shorter journeys. The Finance (No.2) Act 2008 confirms the introduction of an air travel tax from 30 March 2009. However, I took account...