Results 11,281-11,300 of 27,019 for speaker:Michael Noonan

Leaders' Questions (4 Jun 2014)

Michael Noonan: -----resulted in the loss of hundreds of thousands of jobs. When hundreds of thousands of people lose their jobs, they look at their expenditure patterns and one thing they inevitably give up is voluntary health insurance. The unemployed, as a result of the crisis Deputy Martin's Government caused, were the people who gave up health insurance. This happened in two ways, namely, through...

Leaders' Questions (4 Jun 2014)

Michael Noonan: There is nothing mysterious about this. In times of recession, when people lose their jobs, they cannot afford what they could afford when at work. Consequently, rather than trying to blame the current Minister, Deputy Martin should take some responsibility himself for the devastation he visited on hundreds of thousands of families in Ireland.

Leaders' Questions (4 Jun 2014)

Michael Noonan: As for the second issue on the ability of the Minister for Health to deal with the issue, I have outlined what he intends to do and, by any standards, what I have outlined is a serious programme of reform that addresses the issues. More than 44% of people in this country still have voluntary health insurance for which they pay. If one looks at the numbers over the years, this is quite high....

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Rebates (4 Jun 2014)

Michael Noonan: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that further to my reply to the Deputy on 27 May last (PQ No. 158 refers) the refunds due for the years 2003-2009 were credited to the taxpayer's bank account on 30 May 2014.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Revenue Commissioners Investigations (4 Jun 2014)

Michael Noonan: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the correspondence in question is used in very limited circumstances for the purpose of establishing whether a particular person is accurately recorded in their tax register. Where the individual does not have a tax registration, the reply to the correspondence assists Revenue in assessing whether or not the individual should have one.  The...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Pension Provisions (4 Jun 2014)

Michael Noonan: It is not compulsory for self-employed individuals with Defined Contribution (DC) pension savings to purchase an annuity with those savings. Flexible options at retirement are available in respect of all benefits from DC retirement benefit schemes and other DC pension savings. Choices which are available to individuals (after taking the tax-free retirement lump sum) include the option to...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Code (4 Jun 2014)

Michael Noonan: Carer's income paid by the Department of Social Protection is not subject to the Universal Social Charge but is subject to Income Tax. Income Tax is not deducted at source under the PAYE system by the Department of Social Protection. It is collected by reducing the customer's tax credits. In this case, the customer's marginal rate of tax is 20%. I am informed by the Revenue...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Insurance Industry Regulation (4 Jun 2014)

Michael Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 30 and 42 together. At the outset, I would like to say that both I, as Minister for Finance, and the Government are concerned over the situation that arose with regard to the Irish policyholders of Setanta Insurance Company Limited (Setanta).  My Department and the Central Bank will be reviewing the circumstances relating to Setanta and...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Insurance Industry Regulation (4 Jun 2014)

Michael Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 31 and 33 together. At the outset, I would like to say that both I, as Minister for Finance, and the Government are concerned over the situation that arose with regard to the Irish policyholders of Setanta Insurance Company Limited (Setanta).  My Department and the Central Bank will be reviewing the circumstances relating to Setanta and...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Disabled Drivers and Passengers Scheme (4 Jun 2014)

Michael Noonan: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the relevant legislation governing the Drivers & Passengers with Disabilities Scheme is contained in Section 134(3) of the Finance Act 1992 (as amended) and Statutory Instrument No. 353 of 1994 (Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations, 1994. A Form DD1 (Application for Tax Relief in respect of vehicles...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: General Government Debt (4 Jun 2014)

Michael Noonan: The most recent fiscal forecasts were contained in the Stability Programme Update published in April.  The forecast for 2015 is predicated on a consolidation package of €2.0bn which has been well flagged over recent years and represents no change in stated Government policy.  This is estimated to deliver a general government deficit of 2.9% of GDP. However, I would state...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Central Bank of Ireland (4 Jun 2014)

Michael Noonan: I have been informed by the Central Bank that in accordance with section 33AK of the Central Bank Act 1942, in all cases where the Central Bank has information that leads it to suspect that a criminal offence may have been committed by a person or entity supervised by it, the Central Bank is required to report the information to the appropriate specified bodies (including An Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Mortgage Schemes (4 Jun 2014)

Michael Noonan: The recently announced 'Construction Strategy' sets out a comprehensive strategic approach to housing that is being undertaken by Government. As part of this strategy, my Department is committed to examining international best practice, including the concept of a mortgage insurance scheme, to ensure sustainable levels of mortgage lending in the medium term. The objective of...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Credit Unions (4 Jun 2014)

Michael Noonan: The Central Bank has informed me that it is subject to confidentiality requirements under Section 33AK of the Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Act 2003 and therefore cannot comment on individual credit unions or disclose the information requested. Acting as the independent regulator, the Registrar of Credit Unions at the Central Bank has applied...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Central Bank of Ireland Investigations (4 Jun 2014)

Michael Noonan: The Central Bank's investigation into Custom House Capital Ltd (in Liquidation) and persons concerned in its management has been on-going since the publication of the Final Report to the High Court by Court Appointed Inspectors dated 19 October 2011. Following consultation with An Garda Siochána, the Central Bank's investigation has been deferred pending completion of investigations by...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Gambling Sector (4 Jun 2014)

Michael Noonan: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners, who are responsible for issuing gaming machine licences, that the number of licensed gaming machines currently in operation is 1,672 and the revenue to the State generated from these machines is €765,160. These figures refer to licences of up to 1 year and licences of up to 3 months and the current rate of duty on these licences is €505...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Credits (4 Jun 2014)

Michael Noonan: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the tax credit of €3,600 referred to in the Deputy's question concerns Capital Gains Tax (CGT) liability for the 2006 tax year and relates to the disposal of an investment property by the person (details supplied) in May 2006. This person paid preliminary tax in the sum of €25,000 on 3 November 2006.  The CGT return for the...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Credits (4 Jun 2014)

Michael Noonan: I am advised by Revenue that before any refund of tax, including funds arising from the Diesel Rebate Scheme (DRS), are repaid, all of the 'taxheads' that the relevant person is registered for are automatically scanned for any outstanding tax liabilities. Where a liability exists, the refund or part of the refund as applicable is offset against the amount outstanding and any remaining balance...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Central Bank of Ireland Staff (4 Jun 2014)

Michael Noonan: As Minister for Finance, I have no role in the employment of staff in the Central Bank. Under the Central Bank Act 1942, the Central Bank Commission is responsible for staffing matters in the Central Bank with a view to enabling the Central Bank to perform and exercise its functions and powers. The Central Bank Commission approves the staffing plan for the Central Bank on an annual basis...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Insurance Industry Regulation (29 May 2014)

Michael Noonan: In my role as the Minister for Finance I have responsibility for the development of the legal framework governing financial regulation in Ireland.  The day to day responsibility for the supervision of Irish authorised financial institutions is a matter for the Central Bank of Ireland which is statutorily independent in the exercise of its regulatory and supervisory functions.  ...