Results 11,401-11,420 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 42, 53, 113 and 114 together. The Programme for Government states that the Government will continue to move ahead with decentralisation and ensure that no public servant is obliged to accept decentralisation against their wishes and that promotion opportunities remain available. A progress report by the Decentralisation Implementation Group (DIG) was submitted...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: I presume the Deputy is referring to the recommendations concerning VAT made by Forfás in their "Review of the European Single Market" of January 2008. In this regard, Forfás calls for new VAT rules for cross-border business to be introduced which would shift the place of taxation to where services are consumed, to replace the existing rules based on the location of the supplier. The...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 44 and 74 together. I would note that although various technical work has been taking place, the Commission has not yet made any formal proposal in relation to the common consolidated corporate tax base (CCCTB) proposition, and I would hope that the Commission will reflect on the considerable scepticism and opposition to the proposition among Member States...

Written Answers — Programmes for Government: Programmes for Government (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: As I have indicated in previous responses, the Programme for Government is a five year programme in which a number of guiding principles in relation to economic and budgetary matters have been set out. In October 2007 I published the Pre-Budget Outlook which set out the cost of providing for the existing level of services over the medium term. As the Deputy is aware, the first instalment of...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: The position is that tax relief is available for medical insurance premiums paid to an authorised insurer under Section 470 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997. The relief is granted at source and is at the standard rate.

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: Under the decentralisation programme the Public Appointments Service will transfer one hundred (100) posts to Youghal. Arrangements are proceeding in accordance with their Decentralisation Implementation Plan. To date, no staff have decentralised, however ten (10) staff are currently in posts in Dublin awaiting a transfer to Youghal. The Public Appointments Service are considering sending...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: Under the proposed scheme of accelerated capital allowances for expenditure on specified energy-efficient equipment, companies will have the benefit of writing-off the full cost of such equipment against their taxable income in the year the expenditure is incurred. Under existing arrangements, companies benefit from wear and tear allowances on the cost of such equipment at a rate of 12.5% per...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that there have been recent contacts between officials in the Revenue Commissioners and in the US Treasury about updating the existing US-Ireland income tax treaty. At this stage, no dates have been agreed for a meeting between the officials. Given that no discussions have yet taken place, it is not possible to estimate any possible Exchequer...

Written Answers — Financial Services Regulation: Financial Services Regulation (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: At the outset, I would point out to the Deputy that the Government have taken steps last October in Section 19 of the Markets in Financial Instruments and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2007, which amended Part V of the Central Bank Act 1997, to provide for an appropriate system of authorisation and supervision of retail credit firms engaged in specialist or so-called sub-prime lending and home...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Estimates Volume provides information on voted expenditure by Departments and Offices in respect of administration and programme costs. This includes expenditure in respect of civil servants' pension costs, as provided for in Vote 7 (Superannuation and Retired Allowances) and the pension costs of other public servants; including Teachers, members and former members of an Garda Siochana...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: In Section 34 of the Finance Act 2007, I introduced a new scheme to allow the operation of DIRT exempt savings accounts subject to two conditions — (1) the account holder must be aged 65 years or over or be permanently incapacitated and (2) their total income must not exceed €19,000 for an individual or €38,000 for a married couple. Provisional figures show that in 2007, 47,218 such...

Written Answers — Commission on Taxation: Commission on Taxation (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 54, 80 and 89 together. I announced the establishment of a Commission on Taxation on Thursday 14 February 2008. I also announced the terms of reference of the Commission. They state that the Commission is requested to report on the results of its examination and consideration and to make such recommendations as, and when, it thinks fit to the Minister for...

Written Answers — Fiscal Policy: Fiscal Policy (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 55 and 62 together. The European Commission's assessment represents a reasonable view of the Irish economy. While it refers to the challenges of a "transition to a period of lower economic growth, mainly linked to a return to more sustainable activity in the housing sector", it also acknowledges the overall strong position of the public finances. Ireland is...

Written Answers — Social Partnership: Social Partnership (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Government's objective in entering talks on the Social Partnership Agreement is to achieve a sustainable agreement compatible with improving competitiveness and productivity. Towards 2016 is a ten-year framework social partnership agreement covering the period 2006 to 2016. The current national pay deal — the first pay agreement under Towards 2016 — expires at various dates in the...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the Revenue has no solid basis on which to estimate the numbers entitled to refunds of DIRT in excess of those who annually seek and are granted tax refunds. A refund of deposit interest retention tax is provided for in very limited circumstances only, viz. an individual who is not liable or fully liable to income tax and is over 65 years of age...

Written Answers — Fiscal Policy: Fiscal Policy (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: At Budget time, my Department estimated that new house completions in 2008 would be around 55,000 units. This is below the level experienced in recent years and will exert a drag on economic growth this year. Activity in other areas of the construction sector, including the National Development Plan, is expected to remain reasonably healthy. Thus, in overall terms, GNP growth of 2.8 per cent...

Written Answers — Financial Services Regulation: Financial Services Regulation (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: The role and functions of the Financial Services Ombudsman (FSO) in dealing with consumer complaints complements that of the Financial Regulator in protecting the interests of consumers of financial services as a whole. During the passage of the FSO legislation through the Oireachtas in 2004 it was stated, on behalf of the Minister for Finance, that the Ombudsman's remit essentially is to...

Written Answers — Appropriation Accounts: Appropriation Accounts (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: As the Deputy is aware, there are two forms of accounting in the public service. The accounts of Government Departments and Offices are prepared on a cash basis while Local Authorities and Commercial State-Sponsored Bodies, for example, prepare their accounts on an accrual basis which includes the charging of depreciation. The Appropriation Accounts for central Government Departments and...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: I take it that the Deputy's reference to environmental service charges means the annual 'service charges' i.e. charges in respect of the provision of water for domestic purposes, domestic refuse collection or disposal or domestic sewage facilities. Such charges are allowable at the standard rate up to an overall limit of €400 per annum. Full details are contained in Revenue's Explanatory...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Government is firmly committed to the development of biofuels generally in Ireland. While the promotion of biofuel is primarily a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, I am pleased to inform the Deputy that in Finance Act 2006 I provided for significant tax measures to promote biofuels in Ireland. This scheme, which received the...