Results 7,921-7,940 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

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

Brian Lenihan Jnr: When the Financial Regulator was established in 2003, it was staffed by a combination of the following: 1. Existing staff from Central Bank who had been working in the area of supervision/regulation transferred to the Financial Regulator. 2. 52 staff from Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment (DETE) and the Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs (ODCA) were seconded for a period...

Written Answers — Parking Facilities: Parking Facilities (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Office of Public Works has no plans to acquire lands to provide a public car and bus park adjacent to the Gallarus Oratory, in Co. Kerry. A privately owned car park and visitor centre already exists adjacent to the Oratory and certain visitor facilities are provided there.

Written Answers — Fiscal Policy: Fiscal Policy (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As part of the recapitalisation package announced last week, Allied Irish Banks and Bank of Ireland have reconfirmed their December commitment to increase lending capacity to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) by 10% and to provide an additional 30% capacity for lending to first time buyers in 2009. The banks have committed to public campaigns to actively promote their lending to these...

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

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Deputy's question is related to the calls made on occasion for the establishment of an independent individual or entity whose proposed role would include acting as an advocate for taxpayers who feel unfairly treated by the system. The statutory remit of the Ombudsman already incorporates the roles proposed for a taxpayer advocate, namely, acting for taxpayers and investigating actions...

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

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Financial Regulator published its Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears on 13th February in keeping with the Government's announcement on recapitalisation arrangements. This code applies only to mortgage lending activities to consumers in respect of their principal residence in the State, by all regulated entities operating in the State. Under the Code, where a borrower is in difficulty,...

Written Answers — Public Sector Pay: Public Sector Pay (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: No increase has been awarded to persons at Principal Officer level or above. I presume that the Deputy is referring to the very limited number of increases recommended by the last Benchmarking Body to, among others, Principal Officers. Those increases have not been paid.

Written Answers — Ministerial Travel: Ministerial Travel (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The total cost of my predecessor's visit to Malaysia and Vietnam for St. Patrick's Day, 2008, including foreign travel, accommodation and related Ministerial and official costs, amounted to €27,245.11. No formal arrangements have been put in place for St. Patrick's Day 2009.

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

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The pension related deduction will apply to all public servants including those working in the health sector. As the Government has made clear, the deduction is being made to address the serious budgetary problems facing the country.

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

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The following categories of individuals are exempt from the income levy: an individual with a gross income of less than €18,304 per annum, an individual who is entitled to a full medical card and an individual who is aged over 65 years with an income less than €20,000 for 2009. In addition, a married couple, where either one or both spouses is aged 65 years or over and whose joint income...

Written Answers — Public Sector Pay: Public Sector Pay (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Information is not readily available in the precise format sought by the Deputy. However, the following table provides estimates of the numbers of public servants in various salary bands of €5,000. The recently announced public service pension related deduction will apply to all earnings, not just salary, and will also include employees of the local authorities who are not included within...

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

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I have estimated that the pension related deduction will realise €1.35bn in a full year; the remainder of the €1.4bn will be found through a reduction in travelling and subsistence rates and other adjustments. The public service pay and pensions bill, excluding pensions and PRSI, is approximately €16.7bn. The proposed deduction will average 7.5%, yielding some €1.25bn. It is...

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

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the current requirements that apply to small self-administered pensions schemes as regards documentation to be supplied to Revenue are as follows: 1. A detailed approval application is submitted to which approval is given following satisfactory examination and clarification of the application. 2. Annual accounts are submitted. 3. An actuarial...

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

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The figures the Deputy requests are detailed in the following tables. Tax revenue receipts are published on the Department's website as part of the monthly Exchequer Statements. Jan 2006 Jan 2007 Jan 2008 Jan 2009 €m €m €m €m Stamp Duty 291 347 180 50 Income Tax 1,116 1,107 1,208 1,165 VAT 2,036 2,332 2,335 1,970 Corporation Tax 131 208 197 121 Vehicle Registration Tax in a...

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

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I presume the Deputy is referring to the issue of loans to directors at Anglo Irish Bank. In December 2008, I enquired about the level of director's loans at Anglo compared to other financial institutions. The Financial Regulator informed me at that time of the movement of the former Chairman's loans to the Irish Nationwide Building Society prior to Anglo Irish Bank's year end and the...

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

Brian Lenihan Jnr: While the regulation of financial institutions, including building societies, is a matter for the Financial Regulator, policy responsibility for building societies currently rests with the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. I might mention, however, that arrangements for the transfer of the policy responsibility for building societies legislation to my Department...

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

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Investigation of this issue was a matter for the Financial Regulator, who has as the Deputy is aware, imposed by settlement a penalty on both the company concerned and its Chairman. As the Financial Regulator has not disclosed the details of its investigation it would not be appropriate for me to comment. I was not, and would not expect to be, involved in the conduct of such an...

Written Answers — National Development Plan: National Development Plan (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Government decision of 3rd February last re-allocated €150m from within the revised 2009 capital allocation of €7.931 billion to labour intensive activities in the areas of school building and energy efficiency/home insulation measures. This is part of the Government's endeavours to respond to the employment difficulties at present by investing in labour intensive areas which will...

Irish Economy: Motion (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Deputy must not have been listening.

Irish Economy: Motion (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I wish to share time with the Minister of State, Deputy Michael Kitt.

Irish Economy: Motion (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following: "—affirms that all measures required to deal with the current economic crisis must be based on the principles of fairness and equity; supports the proposed pension-related deduction as a reasoned and measured step which is necessary to help restore balance in the public finances; recognises the...