Results 10,861-10,880 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Written Answers — Price Inflation: Price Inflation (24 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: Inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), has risen by 5.0 per cent in the twelve months to March 2008. The main contributions to this increase, in order of importance were: housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels (which includes mortgage repayments) contributing just over 2.0 per cent; food and non-alcoholic beverages contributing almost 1.1 per cent; and transport...

Written Answers — Fiscal Policy: Fiscal Policy (24 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: The fiscal position at end-March was some EUR600 million behind where we had expected. Furthermore, I have indicated that at this stage it is not expected that this tax shortfall, particularly in CGT, will be recouped later in the year. In terms of new house completions, the indications are now suggesting that housing output may be below that anticipated at Budget time. Some of this...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (24 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: Six (6) people have transferred from Dublin to my Department in Tullamore under the decentralisation programme since 1 January 2008. The total number of people who have transferred to date under the decentralisation programme to Tullamore is one hundred and twenty five (125) people. I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that four (4) people have moved from Dublin under the...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (24 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: I have noted the OECD's generally positive assessment of the Irish economy and the assessment that the fundamentals all remain strong. I would agree with the OECD that key challenges for the economy include productivity growth and wage moderation to avoid a weakening of export performance. The recommendations in the report relate to a broad range of policy areas, some of which are the...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (24 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 105 and 106 together. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the cost in a full year, estimated in terms of expected VAT yield in 2008, of reducing each of the 13.5% and 21% VAT rates by 1 percentage point is €399 million and €484 million respectively.

Written Answers — Services for People with Disabilities: Services for People with Disabilities (24 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: As I indicated in my response to the previous parliamentary questions, the overall allocation of Exchequer funding for the provision of disability specific services is provided for in the annual estimates. The development of policy, the provision of services for people with disability and expenditure on those services in each sector are primarily a matter for the Minister responsible for...

Public Sector Reform. (24 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: I have already brought forward initiatives relating to the budget that mean the Deputy and others in committees can look at output statements and examine whether we are getting the outputs Departments set for themselves at the beginning of the year. I have unified the budget process considerably and I would have thought there would be some acknowledgement of change in this area. If this is...

Public Sector Reform. (24 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: In fairness, a structure is in place for the committees of this House to analyse Government expenditure across all areas of the public service on the basis of targets they would place for themselves. Before I introduced changes to the budgetary process, there were criticisms of no references to outputs. I have put an obligation on all Departments to set out their outputs at the beginning of...

Public Sector Reform. (24 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: It is not just a question of doing something different and what I just referred to is new. It was not done in the Deputy's time in the Department or ever before.

Public Sector Reform. (24 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: The committee system has a large responsibility. I suggest that should be used for effective scrutiny. Although I am not a close watcher of everything going on in every committee, from my observations I note that committees decide their own agendas as to who attends and when depending on what issue arises daily or weekly, when they could set out a strategic job of work to be done. If we...

House Prices. (24 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: There is a general view that the sustainable level of new housing completions is approximately 60,000 units per annum. This estimate is based on factors such as the demographic structure of the population. In the past several years, the level of output has been in excess of that level. The Government has always been aware that activity would have to revert to more sustainable levels at some...

House Prices. (24 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: I do not understand the Deputy's argument. He argues I should have moved earlier on stamp duty reform but it was his party's main policy plank going into the general election. This canard has been going about for 12 months. The Deputy has just decried the fact that housing output was increasing exponentially, which is a function of the market. The housing market and the capacity of the...

House Prices. (24 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: I am pointing out the paradox in the Deputy's argument.

House Prices. (24 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: I do not accept that point.

House Prices. (24 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: For the very simple reason that when revenue projections were exceeded, more than 75% of the increased revenues went back to reduce debt. We did not base the budget on the boom. Deputy Bruton claimed earlier that all these increased revenues went on unsustainable spending programmes and we are now hitting the wall. That is not the case.

House Prices. (24 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: Fine Gael is decrying we do not have those revenues available to us this year.

House Prices. (24 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: We did build them on solid foundations.

House Prices. (24 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: Is the Deputy saying the foundations of the economy are crumbling?

House Prices. (24 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: The foundations of the housing market are not crumbling. The market is adjusting. There is a correction taking place because we had an oversupply in the market. That happens in markets. The commercial property market is not as weak but actually stronger.

House Prices. (24 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: I know that but the suggestion that the whole building industry is crumbling does not stand up.