Results 9,641-9,660 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (25 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: On 8 July last, I announced a number of cost saving measures that the Government had decided to implement with immediate effect. These measures included a 3% reduction in the payroll bill of all Departments, State Agencies and Local Authorities, with the exception of certain sectors of the Health and Education areas. The savings resulting from this measure were projected to be €10 million...

Written Answers — Fiscal Policy: Fiscal Policy (25 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Under the terms of the EU Stability and Growth Pact (SGP) Ireland already adheres to a debt ceiling. In line with the provisions of the SGP, all EU Member States agree to respect a general government debt ratio of 60% of GDP. The general government debt is the standard measurement of gross debt used for comparative purposes within the Union.

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (25 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Capital investment under the NDP is considered each year in the context of the Budget. This year will be no different in regard to that process. The delivery of transport investment within the overall envelope is a matter, in the first instance, for my colleague the Minister for Transport.

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (25 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: On 8 July last, I announced a number of cost saving measures that the Government had decided to implement with immediate effect. These measures included a 3% reduction in the payroll bill of all Departments, State Agencies and Local Authorities, with the exception of certain sectors of the Health and Education areas. To meet this requirement, a range of measures were outlined to all...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (25 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: In response to the deteriorating position of the public finances, the Government decided on 8 July 2008 to introduce a range of cost-saving measures in 2008 and 2009 including some capital savings. As I indicated to the Dáil in July 2008, the capital savings in 2008 and 2009 are comprised of the elements set out in the table below: Capital Savings 2008 and 2009 € million Description...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (25 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The VAT rating of goods and services is subject to the requirements of EU VAT law with which Irish VAT law must comply. Under VAT law Member States must apply a standard rate of VAT and may opt to also apply one or two reduced rates of VAT to certain goods and services listed in Annex III of the EU VAT Directive. In addition, where a Member State applied a zero rate or reduced rate to...

Written Answers — Fiscal Policy: Fiscal Policy (25 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As the Deputy knows, Budget 2009 will be presented to the Dáil on Tuesday, 14 October. Decisions in relation to Budget 2009 are currently being formulated for consideration by Government in advance of Budget day. It is not clear as to the overall level of government borrowing that may be required at this stage. This depends on a number of variables. Beyond that, as the Deputy knows, it is...

Written Answers — Departmental Reviews: Departmental Reviews (25 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: In June 2006 the Government approved 92 formal Value for Money and Policy Reviews to be carried out for the period 2006-2008. This programme of reviews focuses on significant areas of expenditure and major policy issues. To date 43 reviews have been completed. 27 within the current round are overdue for completion. As of end-June 2008, eight reviews had yet to commence and one is not...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (25 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 48 and 75 together. Following a decision by the Government on the implementation of recommendations in Report No. 38 of the Review Body on Higher Remuneration in the Public Sector, schemes of performance-related awards were introduced for the levels of Deputy Secretary and Assistant Secretary in the civil service, the Deputy Commissioner and Assistant...

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (25 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: In formulating the Budget every year it is necessary for my Department to make an estimate on the expected outturn for the current year in advance of the receipt of all revenues for that year. As the Budget is traditionally held on the first Wednesday in December, it is normally only tax receipts for the month of December that must be estimated. Obviously this year it will be necessary to...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (25 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The tables below set out the information sought by the Deputy for the Civil Service, the Public Service and the Local Authorities, to the extent it is currently available. The end-December figures for both 2007 and 2008 set out in Table A below reflect the projected position as at Budget day in December 2007. Table B sets out the split by Government Department/Office for the Civil Servant...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (25 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 52 and 74 together. As Minister for Finance, my role as regards financial regulation is to develop policy and bring forward proposals to the Oireachtas for the supervision of the financial services sector, including that based on EU financial services law. Once that legislation has been enacted, the task of implementing and applying regulatory requirements on...

Written Answers — Light Rail Project: Light Rail Project (25 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The tendering process for Metro North is the sole responsibility of the Railway Procurement Agency, which comes under the aegis of my colleague the Minister for Transport. The Railway Procurement Agency was established for this very purpose. I have no role at this stage of the project's proceedings, but of course it will fall to the Government to make a final decision in due course.

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (25 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 55 and 69 together. I understand that the Commissioners of Public Works had agreed terms with Cork County Council, to purchase a site in Youghal, comprising 3 acres approximately, to accommodate new decentralised offices for the Public Appointment Commission and the Valuation Office. A number of title and other issues arose in relation to the Contract for...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (25 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 57 and 65 together. Discussions are in train with the trustees/administrators of the funded pension schemes of the five older universities and certain non-commercial semi-State bodies (SSBs), which have funded pension schemes, with a view to providing consistency and clarity for the future in terms of meeting the liabilities of the schemes. This follows...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (25 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Last July, I announced a series of cost saving measures that the Government had decided to introduce to help meet current expenditure pressures. These measures included a 3% cut in the public sector payroll bill for 2009. In my Department, and all other Departments, work is already being undertaken to ensure that the 3% payroll bill reduction is delivered. A range of measures are being...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (25 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that voluntary organisations must register for tax if they carry out taxable activities or encounter taxing events. An example would be a voluntary organisation which employs persons under the PAYE/PRSI system or carries on a trade. Such an organisation would have an obligation to register and account for PAYE/PRSI, and VAT, if their turnover...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (25 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As I have previously indicated, economic growth for this year is now likely to be significantly less than that forecast at Budget time. At the end of August, taxes were nearly EUR2.8 billion behind target. My Department is closely monitoring overall tax performance in the run-up to the Budget. The weakness in taxes, particularly on VAT, CGT and Stamp Duty receipts, reflect a number of factors...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (25 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The VAT treatment of goods and services is governed by EU law with which Irish law must comply. One of the basic tenets of EU VAT law relates to the proper functioning of the internal market. This means that it is not possible to use VAT law to favour artists not resident in this state over artists that are resident in the state. In addition, Article 283 of the EU VAT Directive precludes...

Written Answers — Public Sector Staff: Public Sector Staff (25 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Last July, I announced that the Department of Health and Children would be drawing up proposals for a targeted scheme to reduce surplus staff in the HSE. A framework for such proposals has recently been received by my Department and this is now being examined. The extension of such proposals to other areas is also being examined.