Results 13,641-13,660 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Written Answers — Ordnance Survey Maps: Ordnance Survey Maps (27 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by Ordnance Survey Ireland (OSI) that it developed a specific digital mapping product to address the particular requirements of the educational sector. The development of this product was possible as a result of the collaborative involvement of a number of software providers who contributed their data or expertise at significantly discounted rates. By agreement, this product and...

Written Answers — Financial Services Regulation: Financial Services Regulation (27 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: The Financial Services Ombudsman's Bureau is an independent body established under the Central Bank Act 1942 (as amended). The Financial Services Ombudsman Council was established under the same Act to, inter alia, prescribe guidelines under which the Financial Services Ombudsman is to operate, determine the levies and charges payable and keep under review the efficiency and effectiveness of...

Written Answers — Tax Certificates: Tax Certificates (27 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that a PAYE balancing statement form P21 for 2006 issued to the taxpayer on 22 March 2007.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (27 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that relief from income tax in respect of rent paid for residential premises is available unless the person/entity entitled to the rent is a housing authority. In this case, the rent is not actually being paid to Threshold but to Tuam Community Council Housing Aid Society. The claim for rent relief was erroneously disallowed on the mistaken...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (27 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the information to be furnished by taxable persons on VAT returns does not require the yield from the supply of particular products to be identified. Consequently, the information requested is not available. I would add that under EU VAT law, with which Irish law must comply, it is not possible to introduce new zero rates of VAT, as we can only...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (22 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: It is possible to reduce the tax burden while extending public services provided that economic growth can provide the resources, as the last ten years of this Government has shown. To keep growing requires that we maintain and improve competitiveness and adhere to the responsible policies of this Government that have made the economy so successful.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (22 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that there are no mechanisms available within the PAYE system for the taxpayer to claim or re-coup expenses paid in respect of tuition fees paid for children with special educational needs. In recent years, the Government has increased significantly the supports available through the direct expenditure system for children with disabilities. In...

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (22 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: The Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme provides relief from VAT and VRT (up to certain limit) on the purchase of a car adapted for the transport of a person with specific severe and permanent physical disabilities, as well as relief from excise on the fuel used in the car up to a certain limit. The disability criteria for eligibility for the tax concessions...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (22 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: Section 34 of the Finance Act 2005 introduced a number of changes to the capital allowance regime for hotels, guesthouses, holiday hostels and holiday camps. Guesthouses and holiday hostels were specifically brought into the capital allowances regime for the first time. Also, the entitlement to the capital allowances was provided for the first time on the basis of buildings being registered...

Written Answers — Special Savings Incentive Scheme: Special Savings Incentive Scheme (22 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: The SSIA scheme opened on 1 May 2001 and entry to it closed on 30 April 2002. The accounts mature between May 2006 and April 2007. A total of 1.17 million accounts were opened during the period outlined. The specific goal of the SSIA scheme was to encourage people to save over a period of at least five years. Its effect has been to stimulate such savings over varying income ranges which is...

Written Answers — Tax Certificates: Tax Certificates (22 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that a PAYE balancing statement form P21 issued to the taxpayer on 21 March 2007.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (22 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that individual payments from the scheme in question will have two identifiable component parts and that one part will be taxable while the other will not. The taxable component will be that part of the payment which is based on a fisherman's catch and this will be taxable on recipients in the year of receipt. Accordingly, commercial fishermen...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (22 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: The information requested by the Deputy covers an extensive time period and range of legislation, and it will consequently take time to compile a comprehensive response to the Deputy's question. A definitive reply will issue directly to the Deputy in due course.

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (21 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: The primary mechanism for placing civil servants who are in posts which are due to decentralise but wish to remain in Dublin is by way of bilateral transfer. As staff whose organisations are remaining in Dublin, but who themselves have applied to relocate, continue to be transferred into decentralising organisations, the posts they vacate become available to those wishing to remain in...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (21 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: While the promotion of biofuel is primarily a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, I am pleased to inform the Deputy that in the Finance Act 2006 I provided for significant tax measures to promote biofuels in Ireland. The main benefits of this scheme, which received the necessary EU State Aid approval and commenced in November 2006, include:...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (21 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that arrangements are in place with the Financial Institutions relating to the introduction of DIRT exempt savings accounts as announced in the Budget and the scheme will be implemented as soon as the Finance Bill is enacted. The scheme will be available to individuals or their spouses who are aged 65 years of age or over and to those persons or their...

Written Answers — Public Service Contracts: Public Service Contracts (21 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: The information requested by the Deputy is being compiled by my Department and will be forwarded to him as soon as it is available.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (20 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that interest relief is available to an individual or company borrowing money where that money is employed in the purchase, improvement or repair of a property which is let for residential purposes. The relief cannot be claimed until the property is let. The interest paid is treated as an expense deductible from the rental income arising from the...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (20 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: The legal framework governing the regulation of credit unions is provided by the Credit Union Act, 1997. The Act has served credit unions well providing stability and legal certainty during a period of substantial development and growth in the assets of the movement. As a result of this development and changes in the financial environment generally, the need for some modernisation of the...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (20 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: On Budget Day, my Department projected economic growth of 5.3% in both GDP and GNP terms for this year. Interest rates remain relatively low in historical terms, and the recent increase has not altered the economic outlook. The effect of further rate increases on the economy generally and on small businesses in particular depends on several factors, including developments in our major...