Results 14,301-14,320 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Budget Statement 2006 (6 Dec 2006)

Brian Cowen: For that reason, I am setting out a range of options in the budget booklet for making such a move. My Department will carry out a public consultation process on these proposals before coming back to Government. Any changes will have effect from a target date of 1 January 2008. At the same time, my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government will consult on his...

Budget Statement 2006 (6 Dec 2006)

Brian Cowen: Linking consumption taxes to environmental goals requires us to discuss the details of such moves thoroughly with stakeholders if we want to get it right. Energy In my last budget, I announced an excise relief scheme for bio-fuels in the energy area. The relief is worth more than €200 million over five years. This initiative helps reduce our dependence on conventional fossil fuels, lowers...

Budget Statement 2006 (6 Dec 2006)

Brian Cowen: In the commercial area, we introduced a bio-heat scheme for grant-aiding, for example, wood pellet burners. I am extending this scheme to cover the installation of other technologies such as solar panels. I am also extending it to buildings in the non-commercial sector such as community centres, and sports facilities so that they will also be able to avail of the grants. The planned...

Budget Statement 2006 (6 Dec 2006)

Brian Cowen: This will reduce the incentive to source these fuels in Northern Ireland where no excise is applied. This measure will cost €24 million in a full year. Supporting Farming and Rural Economy A competitive farming sector is the key to developing a sustainable rural community. It is important that as farmers are increasingly freed from the constraints of production quota and price supports,...

Budget Statement 2006 (6 Dec 2006)

Brian Cowen: In line with the changes announced in my previous two budgets and arising from the conclusion of the latest social partnership agreement, Towards 2016, I am renewing and extending a series of farm tax reliefs in the areas of income tax and capital taxes, at a cost of €14 million in a full year. The two farm stock reliefs are being renewed. The general stock relief allows 25% of any...

Budget Statement 2006 (6 Dec 2006)

Brian Cowen: The tax exemption for long-term leases of farmland is being increased to €20,000 per annum for leases of ten years or more in duration. An exemption from capital gains tax applies to disposals of farmland outside the immediate family on retirement. The present threshold for the exemption is €500,000 and this is being increased to €750,000 from 1 January 2007. In addition, where...

Budget Statement 2006 (6 Dec 2006)

Brian Cowen: These consultations are ongoing. Supporting those in Need When it comes to supporting those in need one of the measures of a true republic is the strength of its support for those on low incomes. Throughout its term in office, the Government has ensured that the less well-off have shared in Ireland's growing prosperity and 2007 will see further, significant progress. Today, I am pleased to...

Budget Statement 2006 (6 Dec 2006)

Brian Cowen: ——substantially more than allocated for 2006. Old Age Pensions I want to recognise the contribution made by our pensioners. These are the people whose work built up this country at a time when conditions were much tougher.

Budget Statement 2006 (6 Dec 2006)

Brian Cowen: In the good times we enjoy, we owe it to them to make their lives a little more comfortable. We had a headline commitment to raise the old age pension to at least €200 per week during our term of office. I wish to confirm today, that by raising the contributory old age pension by €16 per week and the non-contributory pension by €18 per week, we have fulfilled this commitment. The new...

Budget Statement 2006 (6 Dec 2006)

Brian Cowen: ——for the non-contributory old age pension. Lowest social welfare rates In the Sustaining Progress Partnership Agreement, we also undertook to increase significantly the lowest rates of social welfare. In my first budget, I increased the lowest rate by €14 a week and, in my second budget, the increase was €17. In today's budget I am happy to announce an increase of €20, bringing...

Budget Statement 2006 (6 Dec 2006)

Brian Cowen: These rate changes are all significantly higher than inflation and show that the Government has met its commitments in the programme for Government and the social partnership agreements. The total cost of all the increases in the social welfare rates that I have just announced is €973 million in a full year. Other social welfare measures In addition to providing for these very substantial...

Budget Statement 2006 (6 Dec 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am also increasing the annual respite care grant by €300 to €1,500. We are increasing the back to school clothing and footwear allowance to €180 and €285. We are increasing the free fuel allowance to €18 per week and increasing the income threshold for eligibility to €100 per week. This means we will have doubled this allowance in the past two years.

Budget Statement 2006 (6 Dec 2006)

Brian Cowen: For people of working age, the reckonable earnings threshold for maternity benefit will be increased to €350, and we are improving the position of qualified adults of pension age. These are mainly women who, because of their commitment to home-making, may not have a record of social insurance contribution. Accordingly, I am raising the rate for the qualified adult payment to €173 per...

Budget Statement 2006 (6 Dec 2006)

Brian Cowen: The number of elderly citizens is increasing and we must prepare for this. The Government has already given considerable thought to how people needing long-term residential care should be supported. The Minister for Health and Children will be announcing plans in the very near future which will build on the measures I have announced today.

Budget Statement 2006 (6 Dec 2006)

Brian Cowen: These improvements will be part financed by a 25% increase in the charge for private beds in public teaching hospitals.

Budget Statement 2006 (6 Dec 2006)

Brian Cowen: This increase is in line with Government policy since 1999, that the full economic costs of private beds should be charged and will raise €50 million in a full year. As I stated earlier, the proceeds of the 0.5% increase in the health levy on earnings over €100,000 will also contribute to the cost of these service improvements in the care of our elderly. Social inclusion/primary care...

Budget Statement 2006 (6 Dec 2006)

Brian Cowen: ——inclusive of VAT and by corresponding amounts on other tobacco products. This increase serves to underline the desire of us all to curtail the consumption of tobacco, particularly among young people where price sensitivities are greatest. It will raise €112 million in a full year. I believe we should plan for further increases in tobacco excises for a period ahead so as to keep the...

Budget Statement 2006 (6 Dec 2006)

Brian Cowen: Ireland has led the world by successfully introducing the workplace ban on smoking and it is important to build on this. The Minister for Health and Children will announce measures in the near future to restrict the sale of cigarette pack sizes containing less than 20 cigarettes. Helping Young Families I am acutely aware of the pressures on young families today. Families are the core of our...

Budget Statement 2006 (6 Dec 2006)

Brian Cowen: In 2007, I want to see additional support going to those who have bought, or are trying to buy, a home for the first time. Assisting first-time home buyers In the current market situation, any stamp duty cuts would, more likely than not, be incorporated into the sale price and so end up in the pocket of the seller.

Budget Statement 2006 (6 Dec 2006)

Brian Cowen: This will not help first-time buyers to purchase new homes. Our firm aim is to help the first-time buyer——