Results 7,901-7,920 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 147 to 149, inclusive, together. Public servants at all pay levels have access to public service pension schemes. These schemes are superior to the generality of such schemes applying in the private sector, both in relation to security and the terms on offer. It is appropriate, therefore, that a deduction should be made to reflect this reality at a time when...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Minister for Finance has statutory responsibility for Civil Service pensions. However, statutory responsibility for public service pension schemes outside the Civil Service is a matter in the first instance for the relevant Ministers in other Departments, as appropriate. Policy responsibility for the oversight of private sector pensions is a matter for the Minister for Social and Family...

Written Answers — Financial Institutions Support Scheme: Financial Institutions Support Scheme (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Government believes that pay restraint is important in the overall context of the economy and the financial supports being provided by the taxpayer to the covered institutions under the Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Scheme 2008 (the Scheme). Section 47 of the Scheme requires each covered institution to prepare a plan to structure the remuneration packages of directors and...

Written Answers — Semi-State Bodies: Semi-State Bodies (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As in the case of commercial State sponsored bodies I, as Minister for Finance, do not have statutory control in relation to the pay of ESB employees generally. My sole responsibility as regards pay in the ESB relates to the remuneration of the chief executive officer.

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 154 and 172 together. The Deputy asks if the Minister will support a matter, i.e. major concerns from public sector workers on the equity of pension levy. The Government has brought forward several measures to restore stability to the public finances, to maximise economic activity and employment and to improve competitiveness. The new pension-related payment...

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: It is assumed that the threshold for the proposed new tax bands 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 2009 incomes, would be of the order of €435...

Written Answers — Public Service Contracts: Public Service Contracts (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Full and precise data on the country of origin of companies winning public contracts is not available as this type of information is not published for all contracts. However, analysis of the available data on the national public procurement website, www.etenders.gov.ie, where about 95% of all advertised public contracts are published, indicates that: 83.5% of high-value contracts (i.e.,...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I assume that the Deputy is referring to the scheme of capital allowances for private hospitals, which was introduced in the Finance Act 2002. Based on the information that has been received and collated for the tax year 2005, there were 67 claims for €7.7 million capital allowances for the construction of private hospitals. This figure would correspond to a maximum Exchequer cost of the...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the relevant information available relates to the cost to the Exchequer of tax relief in respect of a range of property-based incentives derived from personal income tax returns filed by non-PAYE taxpayers and corporation tax returns filed by companies for 2005. The information on estimated costs is set out on an itemised basis in the following...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that in this case the person concerned had an agreed payment arrangement with the Sheriff's office. The person concerned was written to by the sheriff on 10 February advising how the matter of bailiffs costs will be resolved having regard to the terms of the agreed payment arrangements.

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The design and tender documentation for the proposed new Station at Ballyvary, Co. Mayo is currently being processed by the Office of Public Works. However, due to emerging financial constraints, this Station is not included on the current Garda priority list, and it will not go to works stage in 2009. Garda Management have indicated to OPW that while they can continue to provide policing...

Written Answers — Smarter Travel Policy: Smarter Travel Policy (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: My Department is aware of the Government's Smarter Travel Policy, launched by the Minister for Transport on 5 February, which recognises the valuable role that workplace travel planning can play in making commuting travel patterns more sustainable. My Department promotes the travel pass scheme, of which approximately one third of the Dublin based staff avail, and will shortly introduce the...

Written Answers — Financial Services Regulation: Financial Services Regulation (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I would like to draw the Deputy's attention to the fact that Irish Government bonds, for which the National Treasury Management Agency is responsible, allow organisations such as credit unions to invest in fixed-term, fixed-rate instruments which are part of the National Debt.

Written Answers — Financial Institutions Support Scheme: Financial Institutions Support Scheme (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Deputy will be aware that in keeping with the Government's announcement (11 February 2009) on recapitalisation, that a commitment was given to the publication of a Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears as part of the arrangements. The Code was published by the Financial Regulator on 13th February and applies only to mortgage lending activities to consumers in respect of their principal...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Measures are already in place to support those who have recently become unemployed and who may experience difficulties in meeting their mortgage payments. For example FÁS has a specific policy in place to deal with redundancies and/or company closures. It offers a tailored approach as early as possible to the workers affected with a view to assisting them to access alternative employment...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Minister for Finance has statutory responsibility for civil service pensions. Statutory responsibility for public service pension schemes outside the civil service rests in the first instance with the relevant Ministers in other Departments, as appropriate. The total amount of pension contributions paid by civil servants in 2008 was €46.42m including contributions to the Main Scheme...

Written Answers — Public Service Contracts: Public Service Contracts (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I assume the Deputy is referring to the use by contracting authorities of the most economical advantageous criteria rather than simply price in evaluating tenders for public contracts. In relation to tendering procedures it is important to note that, in line with EU procurement law, there are two stages: (i) a suitability assessment (pre-qualification) stage and (ii) the tender competition...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The sole purpose of an approved retirement scheme is to provide relevant benefits on retirement to the member or members of the scheme. It is to this end that the beneficial tax treatment of contributions to and investment growth in approved pension schemes exists. Moreover, it is the responsibility of pension scheme trustees to ensure that there are sufficient assets in the scheme to pay...

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that a breakdown of the savings to the Exchequer, estimated to be of the order of €1 billion, from confining to the standard rate of income tax those deductions and reliefs which are allowable for tax at an individual's marginal rate is set out as follows for the year 2005, the most recent year for which the necessary detailed information is...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The table below sets out the information requested by the Deputy in relation to State Agencies under the aegis of my Department. There were no instances of Chief Executive Officers or equivalent becoming chairpersons of the Board. In the case of the Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland two members of the Board have served more than two terms and similarly with the...