Results 13,721-13,740 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Written Answers — House Prices: House Prices (20 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: I do not accept as a fact that another interest rate increase will place Ireland at high risk of a sharp house price reversal. House price inflation has moderated in recent months. The consensus is that a soft landing remains a more likely outcome for the housing market. My Department monitors all developments which can have an impact on the economy.

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

Brian Cowen: As the Deputy will be aware, approximately 1,000 of the 7,200 Civil Service posts covered by the Decentralisation Programme or 10% of the overall programme is composed of professional and technical posts. While the take up from the professional and technical staff has been low to date, in the region of 130 professional and technical personnel have already been assigned to posts that are...

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

Brian Cowen: My function as the Minister for Finance is to provide an appropriate and robust legislative framework for regulation of the financial services sector with a particular focus on the consumer. I am satisfied that, since the establishment of the Financial Regulator and the Financial Services Ombudsman, such a framework is in place. The provision of consumer credit in Ireland is regulated by the...

Written Answers — Fiscal Policy: Fiscal Policy (20 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: Under the National Pensions Reserve Fund Act 2000, the National Pensions Reserve Fund Commission controls and is responsible for the investment of the National Pensions Reserve Fund. The NPRF joined a group of the world's largest institutional investment funds in signing the UN-sponsored Principles for Responsible Investment when they were launched in April 2006. The aim of the Principles is...

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

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 163 and 173 together. The issues surrounding savings and borrowings for people on low incomes are not uniform as they can vary from person to person and over the lifetime of the individual. Persons on low incomes can encounter obstacles in accessing financial services from mainstream financial services providers. The cost and availability of credit for people...

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

Brian Cowen: The Decentralisation Implementation Group submitted its most recent report to me in September 2006. This report was approved by Government and published in early October last. I met with the Chair of the Implementation Group prior to this to receive an update in relation to the progress being made in the implementation of the programme and the issues arising in the implementation of the...

Written Answers — Price Inflation: Price Inflation (20 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: The Department of Finance's current inflation forecasts were published with Budget 2007 on the 6th December 2006. My Department forecast that CPI inflation will average 4.1 per cent and HICP inflation will average 2.6 per cent this year.

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

Brian Cowen: The Deputy may wish to note that my function as the Minister for Finance is to provide an appropriate and robust legislative framework for regulation of the financial services sector. I am satisfied that, since the establishment of the Financial Regulator and the Financial Services Ombudsman, with a particular focus on the consumer, we have such a framework in place. I have no statutory...

Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (20 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: Given the nature of the event my remarks to the Irish American Partnership Breakfast focused in particular on developments in relation to the peace process in Northern Ireland. I did however touch on a number of other policy issues such as the roll out of the new National Development Plan. I highlighted that global warming is a major challenge which requires a global response. I noted that...

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

Brian Cowen: As I have stated previously taxation, in conjunction with other policy measures, can play a part in attaining environment objectives which includes promoting energy efficiency and reducing emissions. Essentially this approach uses the tax system to provide incentives for certain behaviour. Such incentives include capital allowances for corporate investment in renewable energy projects which...

Written Answers — Consumer Credit: Consumer Credit (20 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: My function as the Minister for Finance is to provide an appropriate and robust legislative framework for regulation of the financial services sector with a particular focus on the consumer. I am satisfied that, since the establishment of the Financial Regulator and the Financial Services Ombudsman, such a framework is in place. The Financial Regulator has prioritised the provision of...

Written Answers — National Development Plan: National Development Plan (20 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: As part of the preparatory process for the National Development Plan 2007-2013, consideration was given to the capacity of the construction industry. My Department, together with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, which is the lead Department with immediate responsibility for the construction industry, examined this issue. As Chapter 1 of the Plan indicates,...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (20 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: The percentage of staff in my Department, who claimed expenses for use of private cars in 2006, was 32% and the percentage of staff who claimed expenses in respect of public transport, including bus, rail, and taxis, was 35%. There were no instances of staff members claiming expenses for the use of bicycles.

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

Brian Cowen: The position is that charities and non-profit groups engaged in non-commercial activity are exempt from VAT under the EU VAT Directive, with which Irish VAT law must comply. This means they do not charge VAT on the services they provide and cannot recover VAT incurred on goods and services that they purchase. Essentially only VAT registered businesses which charge VAT are able to recover VAT....

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

Brian Cowen: I presume the Deputy is seeking an extension to sea-fishing boats of 15 tons or less of the zero-rating that applies to the supply, modification, repair and maintenance and hiring of such boats that are over 15 tons. The position is that the VAT regime and indeed the rating of all goods and services is subject to the requirements of EU VAT law with which Irish VAT law must comply. Under EU...

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

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that a person claiming for relief of taxes under The Disabled Drivers and the Disabled Passengers [Tax Concessions] Regulations 1994 on behalf of a person in possession of a Primary Medical Certificate must be a family member of the said person. While the direct relationship between the driver and the disabled person is not defined by law the...

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

Brian Cowen: The level at which user fees and service charges, and where appropriate waiver schemes, are applied is primarily a matter for each relevant Department and public body to determine, in accordance with the statutory, administrative and regulatory frameworks that may apply in each case having regard to the nature of the service. The Deputy should raise the matter with the relevant Minister.

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

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the certificate of tax credits and standard rate cut-off point has already issued to the named individual and his employer. The named individual contacted Revenue on 19 February regarding his tax credit certificate. His request was dealt with and a certificate issued on 5 March. It emerged that one allowance was not included on this and a...

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

Brian Cowen: I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that as the person's tax credits are sufficient to cover the tax due on her total income, she has no liability to tax. Under the provisions of sections 469 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 (relief for health expenses), refunds can only be made in respect of health expenses where there is tax available to repay. As the person in question...