Results 9,941-9,960 of 27,019 for speaker:Michael Noonan

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Pensions Levy (14 Oct 2014)

Michael Noonan: The position in this matter is that I announced in my Budget 2014 speech that the 0.6% Pension Fund Levy introduced to fund the Jobs Initiative in 2011 would be abolished after this year. I did, however, introduce an additional levy on pension fund assets at a rate of 0.15% for 2014 and 2015. I did this to continue to help fund the Jobs Initiative and also to help make provision for potential...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Fuel Laundering (14 Oct 2014)

Michael Noonan: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners, who are responsible for tackling fuel fraud, that they are very aware of the risks posed to consumers' vehicles, legitimate businesses and the exchequer by all forms of such fraud. Revenue has made great progress in tackling the problem of diesel laundering over the past three years, and reports now indicate the emergence of another form of fuel...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Reliefs Application (14 Oct 2014)

Michael Noonan: I have considered the proposed introduction of a tax relief for Graduate Entry Medicine loans and I do not consider that the tax system is the appropriate way to address the affordability of the GEM programme. The affordability and funding of undergraduate medical education is in the first instance a matter for the Department of Education and Skills, having due regard to the needs and...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Banking Sector Remuneration (14 Oct 2014)

Michael Noonan: As the Deputy will be aware, this Government's policy with respect to banking remuneration has been in place since mid-2011. In summary, remuneration is capped at €500,000 (excluding normal pension entitlements) and the payment of bonuses is not permitted. As a result, there have been no bonuses paid to banking staff in the nationalised banks this year.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Financial Services Ombudsman Data (14 Oct 2014)

Michael Noonan: Firstly, I must point out that the Financial Services Ombudsman is independent in the carrying out of his duties.  I have no role in the day to day workings of the office. However, the Financial Services Ombudsman has informed me that the information requested by the Deputy is as follows: Total Number of New  Complaints Received 2013 Number of Complaints Resolved/Findings issued...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Compliance (14 Oct 2014)

Michael Noonan: I am advised by Revenue that it monitors the tax compliance status of both resident and non-resident contractors through a number of different programmes including the administration of tax clearance and the operation of electronic Relevant Contracts Tax (eRCT). Revenue administers the general scheme of tax clearance certification in accordance with Section 1095 of the Taxes Consolidation...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Revenue Commissioners Audits (14 Oct 2014)

Michael Noonan: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that Income Tax returns for the person (details supplied) for the years 2007, 2008 and 2010 were submitted together on 15thNovember 2012.  Accordingly, all three returns were substantially late (for example, the 2007 return was submitted more than four years after the due date).  Consequently, surcharges totalling €7,072.82 were...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Mortgage Interest Rates (14 Oct 2014)

Michael Noonan: The Government is acutely aware of the increasing financial stress that some households are facing in the current environment and has numerous policies designed to tackle and alleviate these difficulties. However neither the Central Bank nor the Department of Finance has a statutory function in relation to interest rate decisions made by individual lending institutions at any...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Property Taxation Deferrals (14 Oct 2014)

Michael Noonan: I previously set out the criterion required to qualify for deferral of Local Property Tax (LPT) for the Deputy in my reply to Question 37827/14. By way of reminder to the Deputy, Sections 132 and 133 of the Finance (Local Property Tax) Act 2012 (as amended) provides for a system of deferral arrangements for residential property owners/occupiers based on certain income thresholds. Normally, a...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Reliefs Availability (14 Oct 2014)

Michael Noonan: The Government decided that a liability to the Local Property Tax (LPT) should apply to all owners of residential property with a limited number of exemptions.  Limiting the exemptions available allows the rate to be kept low for those liable persons who do not qualify for an exemption. A requirement to pay management fees is not relevant in determining liability to the LPT. Generally,...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Appointments to State Boards (14 Oct 2014)

Michael Noonan: The information requested is set out in the following table. Name Date Appointed Recommended Credentials Publicly Advertised Comments Credit Union Restructuring Board (ReBo) - - - - - Mr  Robert (Bobby) McVeighChairman All members appointed to the board of ReBo with effect from 31 August 2012. Appointed by the Minister for Finance following advertisement on www.publicjobs.ie...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Insurance Coverage (9 Oct 2014)

Michael Noonan: Neither I, as Minister for Finance, nor the Central Bank of Ireland, as Regulator, can compel insurers to quote for business. The decision to provide any specific form of insurance cover and the price at which it is offered is a commercial matter based on the assessment an insurer will make of the risks involved.  My officials have consulted with the Central Bank of...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: State Savings Schemes (9 Oct 2014)

Michael Noonan: In response to the issue raised, it should be clarified that State Savings is not a 'body', but rather is the brand name used to describe the savings products issued by me, as Minister for Finance, to personal savers through the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA). The Minister for Finance has never been subject to the regulation of the Central Bank. However, the NTMA, in...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: VAT Rate Application (9 Oct 2014)

Michael Noonan: The 9% reduced VAT rate for tourism related services was introduced in July 2011 as part of the Government Jobs Initiative. The measure was designed to boost tourism and create additional jobs in that sector.  It is not the practice to comment on what measures may or may not be introduced in advance of the Budget.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Debt Collectors Regulation (9 Oct 2014)

Michael Noonan: The Central Bank confirmed to me that Debt Collection Firms, that is, firms that seek to collect debt due on behalf of creditors are not subject to authorisation and supervision in their own right by the Central Bank of Ireland.  The Central Bank of Ireland does, however, authorise and supervise debt management firms which provide advice to and /or negotiate on behalf of consumers in...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Financial Services Regulation (9 Oct 2014)

Michael Noonan: As the Deputy will be aware, the Central Bank of Ireland has recently published a Consultation Paper on macro-prudential policy for residential mortgage lending which sets out proposals to introduce new macro-prudential measures to enhance the resilience of the banking sector and households to housing market developments. The proposed measures outline restrictions on the loan to...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Pensions Levy (9 Oct 2014)

Michael Noonan: The position in this matter is that I announced in my Budget 2014 speech that the 0.6% Pension Fund Levy introduced to fund the Jobs Initiative in 2011 would be abolished after this year. I did, however, introduce an additional levy on pension fund assets at a rate of 0.15% for 2014 and 2015. I did this to continue to help fund the Jobs Initiative and also to help make provision for potential...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Reliefs Application (9 Oct 2014)

Michael Noonan: The graduate entry programme provides undergraduate medical education of four years duration and has been developed to produce medical graduates with the ability to successfully undertake an internship and thereafter to gain full registration with the Medical Council. The programme is supported by a combination of student fees, State funding and other income.   While in this...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Revenue Commissioners Resources (9 Oct 2014)

Michael Noonan: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that in 2011 the opening hours of the five public counter locations in Revenue's East and South East region were reduced, following an overall reduction in demand for these services.  This reduction in hours included the public office located at Anne St. Wexford.  Taking account of the reduced demand for service at the public offices, and...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Code (9 Oct 2014)

Michael Noonan: It is not my practice to comment on what measures may or may not be introduced in advance of the Budget.