Results 13,761-13,780 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

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

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that, under Section 114 Taxes Consolidation Act 1997, employees have a statutory entitlement to claim a tax deduction in respect of expenses wholly, exclusively and necessarily incurred in the performance of the duties of their employment. This, therefore, is the statutory basis for granting tax relief in respect of expenses to employees. I am...

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

Brian Cowen: The position is that the VAT rating of goods and services is subject to the requirements of EU VAT law with which Irish VAT law must comply. Under the VAT Directive, Member States may retain the zero rates on goods and services which were in place on 1 January 1991, but cannot extend the zero rate to new goods and services. As the majority of defibrillators were not subject to the zero rate...

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

Brian Cowen: If tax concessions were introduced for persons wishing to trade down, it would have the effect of increasing the supply of larger (and generally more expensive) houses. This would be of benefit to people at the top end of the market. However, the demand for property at the lower end of the market would increase as the older person trading down sought a smaller house and this would adversely...

Written Answers — Capital Expenditure: Capital Expenditure (20 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: The role of the Cross-Departmental Team, which assists the Cabinet Committee on Housing, Infrastructure and PPPs, and which is chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach, is to identify and assist in advancing and resolving issues related to infrastructural planning and delivery, ensuring they are adequately prepared for consideration by the Cabinet Committee and, where necessary, the...

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

Brian Cowen: The Deputy will be aware from previous replies to the similar questions that the position is that the VAT rating of goods and services is subject to the requirements of EU VAT law with which Irish VAT law must comply. Under the VAT Directive Member States may retain the zero rates on goods and services, which have been in place since 1 January 1991, but cannot extend the zero rate to other...

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

Brian Cowen: Lifetime Mortgages are regulated under the Consumer Credit Act 1995. In addition, the Financial Regulator has included specific provisions in the Consumer Protection Code relating to Lifetime Mortgages. The Code provides that consumers are fully advised of the consequences of releasing equity from their home and that the financial service provider obtains sufficient information from the...

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

Brian Cowen: The 1997 Finance Act made provisions for a scheme of tax relief for areas adjacent to regional airports along the same lines as the relief then available under the Enterprise Areas Scheme. The scheme provided for accelerated capital allowances and double rent relief for lessees of qualified buildings. The position is that the scheme as originally announced was submitted to the European...

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

Brian Cowen: The areas to be included in the proposed Mid-Shannon Tourism Infrastructure Investment Scheme are outlined in Schedule 8B of Section 29 of the 2007 Finance Bill and include all of the District Electoral Divisions that are wholly or partly within a 12 kilometre band on either side of the mid section of the Shannon. This is a pilot scheme, the operation of which will be carefully monitored and...

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...

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 — EU Directives: EU Directives (20 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: There is strong co-ordination of measures to deter money laundering in the financial system at EU level. A Third Money Laundering Directive was adopted in 2005 and is due to come into effect shortly and requires to be transposed into domestic legislation in each Member State by December 2007. The Third Money Laundering Directive will replace and update the 1991 and 2001 Money Laundering...

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

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 339 and 340 together. The Government is firmly committed to the development of biofuels generally in Ireland. The promotion of biofuel is primarily a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, however, I am pleased to inform the Deputy that in Finance Act 2006 I provided for significant tax measures to promote...

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

Brian Cowen: Maintaining a moderate rate of inflation remains a key priority of economic policy because of its importance in restoring competitiveness to all sectors, including the manufacturing sector. The Government is focusing on areas it can control and taking positive actions to contain inflation by implementing responsible fiscal policies. For example, we have not increased excise duties for the...

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

Brian Cowen: Some of the high profile job losses recently seem to be due to the fortunes of individual companies rather than national competitiveness. However, we will of course remain vigilant and are committed to maintaining our competitiveness. Employment growth has been extremely strong in recent years, and over 2 million people are now employed in Ireland. Unemployment has remained consistently...

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

Brian Cowen: The Director General of the Central Statistics Office has sole responsibility for, and is independent in, deciding the statistical methodology and professional standards to be used in compiling the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The CPI is designed to measure the change in the average level of the prices paid by consumers for goods and services. It measures in index form the monthly changes in...

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

Brian Cowen: Inflation, as measured by the CPI fell to 4.8 per cent in February from 5.2 per cent in January 2007. On a HICP basis inflation fell to 2.6 per cent in February from 2.9 per cent in January. The rate of CPI inflation has increased in the past year; this is mainly due to ECB interest rate increases which are outside of Government control. If mortgage interest was removed, CPI inflation...

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

Brian Cowen: The programme of Decentralisation is being implemented through the transfer of staff on a voluntary basis. The potential benefits of decentralisation are significant. Existing Civil and Public Servants seeking to leave Dublin, for example, to return to family and friends back home, or to acquire an affordable and comfortable family home within easy reach of their workplace, have a broad...

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

Brian Cowen: When the Decentralisation Programme was announced, all staff were given the opportunity to apply through a Central Applications Facility (CAF), which is operated by the Public Appointments Service, to relocate under the Decentralisation Programme. Apart from the CAF arrangements, my Department does not maintain data centrally on the number of staff who may wish to relocate for other reasons....

Written Answers — Services for People with Disabilities: Services for People with Disabilities (20 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: While there are no specific facilities in my Department for people with a hearing disability to phone the Department there are a number of methods by which members of the public, who have a hearing disability, can contact the Department such as e-mail or fax. In addition my Department has, in compliance with the Disability Act 2005, appointed Access Officers to provide, or arrange for and...

Leaders' Questions (20 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy is highly unlikely to heed that suggestion.