Results 9,181-9,200 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (29 Oct 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am advised by Revenue that they expect taxpayers and businesses to organise their financial affairs to ensure that they pay their tax debts as they fall due. Where occasional cash flow difficulties arise Revenue is prepared to work with a business to ensure full resumption of timely payment of tax debts as quickly as possible. In this particular instance there have been a number of...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (29 Oct 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 207 and 208 together. As the Deputy will be aware, it is proposed to include a threshold which will exempt the minimum wage from the income levy. More detailed provisions, in relation to the collection, recovery, inspection of records, and other provisions required will be set out in the Finance Bill.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (29 Oct 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The detailed provisions of the car parking levy are currently being finalised and will be included in the Finance (No. 2) Bill 2008, which will be published on 20 November next.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (29 Oct 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: 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. The general rate applying will be €10 per passenger, with a lower rate of €2 for shorter air journeys i.e. those not in excess of 300 kms. I decided that a relatively short air journey should reflect a lower charge. It is not unusual...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (29 Oct 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that currently, some 66,000 smaller traders benefit from four or six monthly filing arrangements for their VAT returns as distinct from the normal bi-monthly returns. These arrangements are an important contribution to reducing the compliance burden on smaller businesses and to making it as easy as possible for taxpayers to do business with the...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (29 Oct 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I announced in the Budget that the betting duty rate, which relates to all off-course betting on all sports, will be increased from 1% to 2% with effect from 1 January 2009. To provide for this, the relevant legislation, the Betting Act, 1931 will be amended via the Finance Bill. The decision to increase the betting duty is unrelated and separate to the issue of the maintenance of the Horse...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (29 Oct 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The position is that the minimum wage will be exempted from the income levy of 1%. More detailed provisions, in relation to the thresholds, bands and rates applying to each band, and other provisions required will be set out in the Finance Bill.

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (29 Oct 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I have been informed by the Revenue Commissioners that a Notice of Assessment issued to the person concerned on 17 October 2008. If a duplicate is required please contact Mr Gerry Collins at 021 6027516.

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (29 Oct 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I refer the Deputy to a reply given to Deputy Joan Burton on 30 September 2008 (No. 232), in which the details of bonus payments received in my Department were provided for the years 2006 and 2007. In addition, the following are the details of bonus payments in my Department to date in 2008: Assistant Secretary Awards: 13 people received a total of €177,000 (this includes the Chief Medical...

Written Answers — Exchequer Expenditure: Exchequer Expenditure (29 Oct 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: There is no conflict in these replies. As I indicated in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 234 of 21 October, 2008 on the basis of aggregate forecast outturns published in the 2009 Budget Volume, and taking into account specific offsetting expenditure pressures in some areas, I anticipate that the underlying savings targets for 2008 announced last July will be realised in full. This is...

Written Answers — Exchequer Expenditure: Exchequer Expenditure (29 Oct 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The €1 billion target for efficiency and other savings in 2009, as announced by the Government on 8 July 2008, included savings of €190 million in civil and public service pay. In my Budget Statement, I stated that pay savings of €260 million would in fact be achieved. This is demonstrated in Table A, which shows, in the first column of figures, the 2008 Revised Estimates Volume pay...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (23 Oct 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Deputy refers to proposed cuts to pension tax reliefs but without specific details on the nature of the cuts he has in mind. In Budget 2009, I announced a significant reduction in the annual earnings limit for tax relieved pension contributions from €275,000 to €150,000. This reduced limit will apply for 2009. The annual earnings cap acts, in conjunction with age-related percentage...

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (23 Oct 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Section 11 of the Public Service Management Act 1997 allows the Government to appoint up to 2 Special Advisors to my Department. This power has been exercised to appoint Ms Cathy Herbert, special advisor on 7 May 2008. Her annual salary is in the range €92,730 to €114,366.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (23 Oct 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Budget 2009 provided for an increase in the excise rate on petrol to 50.9 cent per litre and for no change to excise on diesel which remains at 36.8 cent per litre. This means that excise on petrol in Ireland is still substantially lower than the EU 15 average and excise on diesel is also below the EU 15 average. It should also be noted that the excise rates on both fuels are below the rates...

Written Answers — Credit Institutions Support Scheme: Credit Institutions Support Scheme (23 Oct 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am satisfied that credit union depositors are very well protected by the Government's decision to increase the statutory limit for the deposit guarantee scheme from €20,000 to €100,000 per depositor for all credit institutions including credit unions with effect from 20 September. This limit covers the vast majority of credit union savers. The Credit Institutions (Financial Support)...

Written Answers — Banking Services: Banking Services (23 Oct 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: There is no law or regulation which requires production of a utility bill by a person wishing to act as a signatory for a bank account in the circumstances referred to by the Deputy. Section 32 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1994 requires financial institutions to take reasonable measures to identify their customers. Recommended procedures for the implementation of this provision are set out in...

Written Answers — Credit Institutions Support Scheme: Credit Institutions Support Scheme (23 Oct 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Deputy may wish to note that the provisions of the Scheme made under the Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Act, 2008, requires institutions covered by the guarantee in Ireland to confirm their compliance with both the Financial Regulator's Consumer Protection Code (CPC) and the Irish Banking Federation's Code of Practice on Mortgage Arrears. The CPC requires mortgage lenders to...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (23 Oct 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that inheritances passing to a beneficiary are of a capital nature and as a result are not subject to the income levy.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (23 Oct 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that gross rental income is subject to the income levy. The income levy is payable on the gross rental income after deduction of normal expenses associated with the letting of property but before the granting of any reliefs for owners of rented residential accommodation under the various property and area based tax exemptions schemes or the...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (23 Oct 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that expenses paid to an employee which are wholly, exclusively and necessarily incurred in the performance of their employment duties are not treated as part of the employee's emoluments, and as such, these expenses will not be subjected to the income levy.