Results 13,701-13,720 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

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

Brian Cowen: I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that 402 cases were selected for random audit as part of their 2006 programme. To date, 167 audits have been concluded. 43 cases yielded €233,721. There were no recoveries from 124 cases (74%). 235 cases are still ongoing. I am advised that 410 cases were selected for random audit under Revenue's 2005 programme. 60 cases did not proceed...

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

Brian Cowen: The EU Commissioner for Taxation and Customs Union has stated on a number of occasions recently that the European Commission has no plans for the harmonisation of corporate tax rates in the European Union. However, a technical working group, chaired by the EU Commission, is working towards the development of a Common Consolidated Corporate Tax Base (CCCTB). Ireland, along with a number of...

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

Brian Cowen: The Government have already made clear that renewable energy will be a critical and growing component of Irish energy supply to 2020 and beyond. Renewable energy is an integral part of our climate change strategy and sustainability objectives. The additional diversity which renewables bring to Ireland's energy demand will also make a direct contribution to our goal of ensuring secure and...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (20 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: One Hundred and eighteen (118) staff of my Department have decentralised to Tullamore and a further six (6) have accepted offers of decentralisation. Of those in Tullamore, ninety-four (94) moved to my Department to decentralise to Tullamore. The data available in my Department on the previous careers of these staff do not indicate in all cases the previous locations of staff or whether or...

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

Brian Cowen: The information requested by the Deputy in a format which presents the data in terms of the effective tax rates actually paid by taxpayers is set out in the table. This is the same format as used for the presentation of pre-Budget 2007 and post-Budget 2007 distributions of earners in the 2007 Budget booklet. Tax Year Exempt(1) Paying at 20% or less(2) Paying at greater than 20% Total 2006*...

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

Brian Cowen: The tables set out the number of second hand cars imported and the VRT revenue generated on such cars over the past five years. The VRT rates applicable to such cars are also provided. Year Total Registrations, including instances of transfer of residence VRT Revenue Yield € 2002 13,838 20,789,879 2003 14,628 28,184,180 2004 23,573 53,367,076 2005 41,801 100,591,425 2006 (Prov)...

Written Answers — Anti-Poverty Strategy: Anti-Poverty Strategy (20 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: The proposal is to develop a pilot savings scheme for low-income households, similar to the SSIA scheme which is now in its final months. While the proposal has a number of socially progressive features, I am not convinced that a further SSIA type scheme is the appropriate way forward. Raising the income levels of those affected by more jobs, higher wages or better social welfare support...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (20 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: A progress report by the Decentralisation Implementation Group (DIG) was submitted to me and published on 4th October last. The Group reported that implementation of the Decentralisation Programme is progressing satisfactorily. To date, over 2,400 staff had been assigned to decentralising posts. Approximately 800 of these are currently in place, in 17 new locations, while the remainder are...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (20 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: The State encourages individuals to supplement the social welfare pension arrangements with private pension arrangements by offering tax relief on private pension provision. The tax relief arrangements for private pension provision are long-standing and have helped a significant proportion of the workforce to provide for supplementary pensions for their retirement. Tax relief is provided at...

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

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the relevant information available in respect of the PAYE yields in each of the calendar years 2003, 2004 and 2005 of PAYE from the 100 largest payers of Corporation Tax in the calendar year 2005 is as follows: Year Amount Paid million € million 2003 649.5 2004 703.9 2005 755.7 The corresponding information is not readily available for...

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

Brian Cowen: In Budget 2006 I announced the introduction of a limit, with effect from 1 January 2007, on the use of tax reliefs, including certain exemptions, by some high-income individuals. Section 17 of Finance Act 2006 gave effect to this announcement. This measure was designed to address the issue of a small number of individuals with high incomes who, up to now, mainly by means of the cumulative...

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

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that for the tax year 2003 and earlier years claims for capital allowances for the construction of private hospitals were aggregated in tax returns with other claims and could not be distinguished from other reliefs claimed. Accordingly, the specific information on costs for 2003 and earlier years are not available. Information on the scheme of tax...

Written Answers — Financial Services Regulation: Financial Services Regulation (20 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: Firstly, I might just explain to the Deputy that there is no specific definition of what a hedge fund is. Funds with the characteristics commonly associated with hedge funds generally invest in the same asset classes as other investment funds, namely, in equities, bonds, foreign exchange and so on. The main difference with hedge funds is that they are more flexible in terms of investment...

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

Brian Cowen: The scheme of capital allowances for the construction of private hospitals was reviewed by Indecon Economic Consultants as part of the overall review of property tax incentives in 2005. Indecon consulted widely in the course of their review, including consultations with the Department of Health and Children and the Health Service Executive. Their report was published on 6 February 2006 and is...

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

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the relevant information available is in respect of the yields in each of the calendar years 2003, 2004 and 2005 of Corporation Tax from the 100 largest payers of Corporation Tax in the calendar year 2005. The figures in question, together with information on the sectoral breakdown of the companies, are set out in the tables. Table A:...

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

Brian Cowen: Global stock market movements reflect global developments over which we have no control. While the value of the Irish stock market declined in early March, it remains above the level of this time last year. The outlook for the Irish economy has not changed since Budget Day, and I expect growth of 5.3% this year. My Department will continue to monitor all developments potentially affecting...

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

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 156 and 282 together. I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that, in accordance with their duty of confidentiality to taxpayers, they neither comment on matters pertaining to specific taxpayers, whether individual or companies, nor do they make general comments which would be likely to be treated as referring to identifiable taxpayers. I would draw the...

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

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that they are not in a position to provide information on the volume of complaints in relation to Tax Credit Certificates. If a taxpayer requests an amendment to a Tax Credit Certificate, this is not recorded as a complaint. I am further advised by the Revenue Commissioners that on the 9th February last, they completed the issue of 2,194,174 Tax...

Written Answers — Public Service Contracts: Public Service Contracts (20 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: Contracting authorities are obliged to advertise contracts valued above thresholds set out in EU Directives in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU). The current thresholds are €5,278,000 for works contracts, €137,000 for supplies and service contracts of Government Departments and Offices and €211,000 for supplies and service contracts of most other public bodies. In...