Results 13,541-13,560 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (3 Apr 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the partition of a tenancy in common is a disposal for capital gains tax (CGT) purposes. Each party is treated as disposing of an interest in the undivided farm in exchange for an interest in a divided part. The chargeable gains are computed by reference to the respective market values of the farm at the date the father died and on partition. A...

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (3 Apr 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that based on the information supplied they have been unable to trace any claim by the named person under the Disabled Drivers and the Disabled Passengers [Tax Concessions] Regulations 1994. A claim under the above regulations can only be considered from a person who has qualified for a Primary Medical Certificate issued by the Senior Area Medical...

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (3 Apr 2007)

Brian Cowen: By reference to the 2007 post-Budget income tax ready reckoner prepared by the Revenue Commissioners, the full year costs to the Exchequer of the Deputy's measures are as follows. Reduction in the standard rate of tax from 20% to 18% is estimated at €1,025 million. Reduction in the marginal, that is, higher rate of tax from 41% to 40% is estimated at €210 million. Increasing the home...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (3 Apr 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that section 86 of the Capital Acquisitions Tax Consolidation Act 2003, subject to conditions, grants exemption from Capital Acquisitions Tax in respect of a house comprised in a gift or inheritance. The conditions require that the donee or successor must occupy the house for the period of 3 years ending with the date of the gift or inheritance. Where...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (3 Apr 2007)

Brian Cowen: My Department has completed the transfer of 126 people to Tullamore. There remain a number of applications on the Central Applications Facility from civil servants for a transfer to my Department and the grade breakdown is as follows: Grade Number of Staff Principal Officer 0 Assistant Principal 0 Higher Executive Officer/Administrative Officer 4 Executive Officer 2 Staff Officer 1...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (3 Apr 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the running costs of providing courtesy transport by a publican would be allowed as a deduction for tax purposes where those costs are incurred wholly and exclusively for the purposes of the publican's trade and where customers using the transport service are not charged for it. Any part of the running costs attributable to the private use of...

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (3 Apr 2007)

Brian Cowen: A special Interdepartmental Review Group reviewed the operation of the Disabled Drivers Scheme. The terms of reference of the Group were to examine the operation of the existing scheme, including the difficulties experienced by the various groups and individuals involved with it, and to consider the feasibility of alternative schemes, with a view to assisting the Minister for Finance in...

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (3 Apr 2007)

Brian Cowen: Based on the most recent data available from the Revenue Commissioners, it is estimated that the number of claimants in the Disabled Drivers and the Disabled Passengers [Tax Concessions] Regulations 1994 Scheme in 2006, was approximately 11,000. The initial application under the Scheme is made to the Senior Medical Officer for the relevant local Health Services Executive (HSE) administrative...

Written Answers — Financial Services Regulation: Financial Services Regulation (3 Apr 2007)

Brian Cowen: The Report of the Review Group on Longer-Term Lending Limits under Section 35 of the Credit Union Act, 1997, was published on my Department's website on 2 February 2007. The Review Group was comprised of representatives from the Irish League of Credit Unions, the Credit Union Development Association, the Registrar of Credit Unions and my Department. The Report recommended that Section 35...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (3 Apr 2007)

Brian Cowen: I assume the Deputy has in mind the estimated cost of tax relief on pension contributions by employers, employees and self-employed. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the latest relevant figures available are in respect of the income tax year 2003. The total cost of tax relief on pensions contributions is tentatively estimated at approximately €1.456 billion. With the...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (3 Apr 2007)

Brian Cowen: The Commissioners of Public Works expect to finalise the acquisition of a site at Rocksborough for Wexford Garda Station very soon. The OPW is scoping the works for this project to enable a design team to be placed under the new Standard Conditions of Engagement for Construction Consultants effective from the beginning of 2007. Planning Consultation under Part 9 will be initiated later on...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (3 Apr 2007)

Brian Cowen: Given the size of the public service pay and pension bill as a component of overall Government expenditure, Ministers are required to control and regulate public sector numbers within their respective areas. It is the responsibility of each Minister and his or her Department to ensure that staff employed in their areas of responsibility are deployed as effectively as possible to meet current...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (3 Apr 2007)

Brian Cowen: Aside from staff who availed of statutory/civil service leave entitlements (set out below), my Department had no staff who were in receipt of full salary and not working. A number of staff of my Department availed of the following leave in the past month: Annual leave — 2; maternity leave — 2; sick leave and maternity leave — 1; maternity leave and annual leave — 1; special leave for...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (3 Apr 2007)

Brian Cowen: I have no plans to commission an assessment of the type referred to by the Deputy. The Government is aware that the decentralisation programme impacts on the staff in the organisations affected, on their career choices and their expectations. From the outset therefore, my Department has put in place a process to discuss the full range of staff issues with union representatives. An approach...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (3 Apr 2007)

Brian Cowen: The Master of Economic Science in Policy Analysis is a two year full time programme delivered by the IPA in conjunction with UCD and is one of a number of measures in place to enhance public policy analysis capability in the civil service. It was commissioned by the Civil Service Training and Development Centre in 2003 and commenced in the academic year 2003/2004. To date 33 students have...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (3 Apr 2007)

Brian Cowen: There are currently no members of staff from my Department for whom two or more phone lines have been provided in their private residence. On occasions, staff have been provided with two phone lines where this has been necessitated by business reasons. This is not a usual occurrence.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (3 Apr 2007)

Brian Cowen: In 2006, a total of €246 was paid to the training officers in the departmental training unit of my Department in respect of travel and subsistence allowances and a total of €884 has been paid to date in 2007. The number of departmental training days organised in 2006 was 950 approximately. All participation in training is managed taking full account of work needs and the duration and...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (3 Apr 2007)

Brian Cowen: No travel and subsistence allowances were paid by my Department in respect of attendance at pre-retirement planning courses prior to the relocation of the Civil Service Training Centre to Tullamore. A total of €777.54 has been paid in respect of attendance at the same course since the centre was relocated.

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (3 Apr 2007)

Brian Cowen: It is understood, following clarification by the Deputy, that the question refers to staff moves out of the Department/Office within six months of their transfer into the Department/Office. Ninety five (95) staff from other Departments/Offices transferred in to my Department under the rules that apply to the Central Applications Facility for decentralisation to Tullamore. One person opted...

National Development Finance Agency (Amendment) Bill 2006: Report Stage (3 Apr 2007)

Brian Cowen: My officials have not shown up with my brief but I have seen it. In terms of the commercial sensitivity of that whole area and the discretion that is necessary it would be inappropriate to publish that particular information. Certainly the timing could be negative in terms of the information it would give to other players in the whole process. The intention is certainly not to accept the...