Results 12,101-12,120 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Budget Statement 2008 (5 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: In the programme for Government we signalled that the first-time buyer, and recent purchasers, would benefit from further increases in the ceiling on mortgage interest relief. Today, I will honour the Government's pledge by increasing the ceiling on mortgage interest relief for first-time buyers by €2,000 for a single person and €4,000 for a married couple or widowed person to €10,000...

Budget Statement 2008 (5 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: This will increase the maximum monthly relief available by about €33 and €66, respectively, bringing it to €166 per month for a single person and €333 per month for a married couple or widowed person. These moves are appropriate in ensuring additional support for a hard-pressed segment of the housing market and should provide the necessary direction and certainty. Housing Market...

Budget Statement 2008 (5 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: Barring exceptional circumstances, there is only one time when it is appropriate to make significant tax changes and that is when they can be properly integrated into overall fiscal planning at budget time. Conditions are now such that there is a better balance between seller and buyer in the housing market.

Budget Statement 2008 (5 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: Price corrections are taking place. Activity is slowing somewhat and there is some uncertainty as to where prices will settle.

Budget Statement 2008 (5 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: The housing market is an important aspect of our overall economy and the sustainability of economic activity can be assisted or impeded by the efficiency of that market. What I am not prepared to do is to introduce a set of small changes that would make the system more complex, but would do little to improve the functioning of the market. I decided that if this Government were to act, it...

Budget Statement 2008 (5 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: It will be extremely simple and considerably less expensive for both buyers and sellers. More importantly, this regime will also provide for a highly progressive stamp duty system whereby those buying the more expensive houses will always pay a higher effective rate than those buying the average house. That is equity at work.

Budget Statement 2008 (5 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: Since the percentage rates concerned will be paid only on the balance over the relevant threshold, rather than on the whole amount as under the current system, the effective rate paid on most homes will be well below the headline rate.

Budget Statement 2008 (5 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: For example, a couple buying a new home for the national average house price of almost €370,000 will pay just over €5,000 less than at present. The effective tax rate falls at all levels — the duty paid on a €350,000 home will fall from 6% under the current stamp duty regime to about 4.5% under the new system and the duty on a €500,000 house will be reduced from 7.5% to...

Budget Statement 2008 (5 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: The gross cost of these measures in 2008 is €190 million. Details are in the summary of budget measures. The Rental Sector I also recognise the importance of the rental sector and the cost pressures on those renting. Accordingly, I will increase income tax relief on rent payments by 11%. I also propose to increase the threshold for the rent-a-room scheme from €7,620 to €10,000 to...

Budget Statement 2008 (5 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: Budget 2008 has been framed against the most challenging backdrop experienced in a considerable number of years.

Budget Statement 2008 (5 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: Growth is moderating, the international financial markets have been turbulent and the global outlook is uncertain. Rather than adopt a conservative, cautious stance, I believe we must respond to the challenge by taking determined action and pushing ahead with renewed vigour.

Budget Statement 2008 (5 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: Today's budget meets the challenge head on. It supports the incomes of the vulnerable. It keeps taxes low for working people and it helps home buyers and the housing market. It protects our environment for the future. It keeps the national development plan on track and it borrows modestly to invest ambitiously. It will sustain our development as an economy, a society and a nation. I...

Budget Statement 2008 (5 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: Today, I present my fourth budget and this Government's first one against a challenging economic backdrop. INTRODUCTION Our economy has experienced extraordinary growth for more than a decade. At home and abroad our success has been lauded. That success is down to the commitment and drive of our people. Recent Governments have succeeded in managing the growth of the economy so that it has...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (4 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: There is provision in the existing Benefit-in-Kind arrangements to allow an employer to provide an employee with a small benefit to a value not exceeding €250 in any one year without applying PAYE and PRSI to that benefit. If the €250 limit is exceeded in any year the employee must pay tax on the total value of any such benefits. The purchase by an employer of a bicycle for an employee...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (4 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 159 and 160 together. The Commissioners of Public Works have informed me that they are currently assessing a number of sites in Charlestown, County Mayo as potential locations for the new offices of the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and that negotiations for the acquisition of a suitable site are now underway. When a site has been...

Written Answers — EU Funding: EU Funding (4 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: ERDF-funded INTERREG programmes are intended to address the economic and social disadvantage that can result from the existence of a border, either land or maritime. During the period 2007-2013 these programmes will take place under the EU's European Territorial Cooperation Objective 3; and that also during this period Ireland will participate in all of the three strands of the Objective 3...

Written Answers — Departmental Correspondence: Departmental Correspondence (4 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that correspondence and meetings in this case date back to 1998. The individual expressed dissatisfaction with the fact that his name had been incorrectly associated with a particular vehicle. As deletion of the entry was not an option at the stage Revenue were advised of the matter, a specific endorsement was added to the vehicle record,...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (4 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: In 2005, on foot of commitments in Sustaining Progress, management and unions reached agreement on the integration of the Performance Management and Development System (PMDS) for the Civil Service with wider HR policies and processes, including assessment systems. In particular the ratings resulting from annual assessments will, in addition to their use for staff development purposes, now be...

Written Answers — Departmental Publications: Departmental Publications (4 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: In accordance with a requirement under the Public Service Management Act 1997, the Department publishes an annual progress report on its Statement of Strategy. The latest annual report, in respect of the year 2006, was published in July 2007.

Written Answers — Departmental Business Planning: Departmental Business Planning (4 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: The Report of the Pilot Project on Resource Allocation, Business Planning and Performance Measurement was presented to me in August 2005, the same month that the inter-departmental working group completed its work. The conclusions and recommendations of this report informed Government thinking on reform of the Estimates and Budget process, in particular in relation to the presentation of...