Results 12,041-12,060 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (11 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: There are 3 elements to the overall sugar beet compensation package: Compensation to growers, Restructuring Aid, and Diversification Aid. The tax treatment of sugar beet compensation payments to former sugar beet growers is a matter for the Revenue Commissioners. I am informed by the Commissioners that, based on the information available to them on the current proposals for the payment of...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (11 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take questions numbers 187 and 188 together. As the Deputy will be aware, over the years Revenue initiated a number of Special Investigation Projects related to particular methodologies which had been used by taxpayers to evade taxes. To date recoveries of almost €2.4 billion have been made. Some of these projects have been completed or are nearing completion while others are...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (11 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am assuming that the Deputy is referring to investigations undertaken by the Investigations and Prosecutions Division of the Revenue Commissioners. I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the following is the up to date position on court convictions for tax evasion since 2002. In 2002, there were three cases and three convictions. Fines totalling €5,540 were imposed and there was...

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (11 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: The initial application for a Primary Medical Certificate under the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations 1994, is made to the Senior Medical Officer of the relevant local Health Service Executive administrative area. If the Primary Medical Certificate has been refused in this case, the named person may appeal the refusal to the Medical Board of Appeal,...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (11 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: I can inform the Deputy that children's nappies are not subject to VAT or any other indirect tax. Consequently the option of incentivising the use of specific types of children's nappies such as biodegradable nappies through the tax code does not arise.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (11 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: The stamp duty relief for first time buyers is provided for in section 92B of the Stamp Duties Consolidation Act 1999 and the term "first time purchaser" is defined in the section. In the definition, a first time purchaser is referred to as a person who has not previously purchased a house or a part of a house or previously built a house on his or her own behalf. In addition, a first time...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (11 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that returns of income from patents for years prior to 2004 were not captured in such a way as to provide a basis for compiling the information sought by the Deputy. Patent income was aggregated in the Revenue Commissioners' records with other forms of income and could not be distinguished without conducting an extensive investigation of those...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (11 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: I have been informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the taxpayer has been in employment in this country since 2006. To enable Revenue to determine if the taxpayer is entitled to a refund of tax for 2006, a form P60 for that year should be submitted to the following address: Revenue Commissioners, PAYE Mail Centre, PO Box 63, Ennis, Co Clare. No refund will be due for 2007 unless the...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (11 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: Water charges are levied by virtue of Local Government legislation and not the Valuation Act, 2001. As Tánaiste and Minister for Finance I have no role, therefore, in relation to the setting of water charges.

Written Answers — Management Information Framework System: Management Information Framework System (11 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 196, 208 and 209 together. The Management Information Framework (MIF) project covered all central Government Departments and Offices — numbering 33 in all. Based on their reports to my Department, the total costs of the MIF roll-out was €59.3 million up to end-2006, by which time installation was completed, compared with the €60 million estimate...

Written Answers — Departmental Transport: Departmental Transport (11 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: The table provides details of the cost of transport hire in respect of myself and my staff for attendance at meetings since my appointment as Minister for Finance. Car hire for the trips outlined was arranged by the Department of Foreign Affairs. Year Purposes and location of car hire Cost â'¬ 2004 Attending ECOFIN meetings in Brussels 1,562 2005 Attending ECOFIN meetings in...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (11 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 198 and 199 together. I am assuming that the reference by the Deputy to 'persons who are availing of tax exile status' is a reference to Irish domiciled individuals claiming to be non-resident for tax purposes. I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the 2005 income tax year was the first year for which it was possible to capture the number of returns...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (11 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: The Valuation Act, 2001 which came into effect on 2 May 2002 provides that all buildings used or developed for any purpose including constructions affixed thereto are rateable. In regard to the Valuation Act, 2001, I should point out that the Commissioner of Valuation is independent in the exercise of his duties under the Act, and that I, as Tánaiste and Minister for Finance, have no...

Written Answers — Public Service Contracts: Public Service Contracts (11 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: Government recognises the important business opportunities that public service contracts represent for small businesses in the local and national economy and encourages participation to the greatest extent possible. Public procurement guidelines issued by the National Public Procurement Policy Unit (NPPPU) in my Department recommend that contracting authorities ensure that recently...

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (11 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that statistics on tax receipts are not recorded in such a manner as would enable the information requested by the Deputy to be provided. Such information could not be obtained without conducting a protracted investigation of the Revenue Commissioners' records. I refer the Deputy to the recent combined answer to PQs 32018/07 — 32023/07 on 4th...

Written Answers — Departmental Communications: Departmental Communications (11 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: The staff provided with mobile access to e-mail varies in accordance with business needs. At present, twenty-one (21) members of staff have such access.

Written Answers — Departmental Communications: Departmental Communications (11 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: The table shows the number of databases used by my Department; and the number of these that are wholly and partly operated by external organisations or individuals and operated solely within my Department. The number of databases used by my Department The number of databases wholly and partly operated by external organisations or individuals The number of databases operated solely within my...

Written Answers — Departmental Communications: Departmental Communications (11 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: The table shows the number of information technology projects undertaken by my Department since 2004, the number delivered over budget, the number after their original deadline, the number on budget, the number under budget, the number delivered on their original deadline and the number delivered ahead of their original deadline. Number of information technology projects undertaken by my...

Written Answers — Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (11 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: On foot of the commitment in the Programme for Government on carbon offsetting of official air travel, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is developing a scheme for use by all Government Departments and bodies under their aegis. My Department will fully implement the terms of the scheme outlined as soon as they become available.

Written Answers — Data Protection: Data Protection (11 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: All of my Departmental databases including those holding personal information relating to members of the public are protected from hackers by modern firewall infrastructures. The first layer of protection is provided at the Government Network Internet access point with a further layer located at the Department's access point to the Government Network. Both infrastructures provide industry...