Results 14,341-14,360 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Budget Statement 2006 (6 Dec 2006)

Brian Cowen: It helps young families and first-time buyers.

Budget Statement 2006 (6 Dec 2006)

Brian Cowen: It promotes enterprise and innovation and enhances our competitiveness and it rewards work by reducing the tax burden for all.

Budget Statement 2006 (6 Dec 2006)

Brian Cowen: It advances the environmental agenda and encourages farming initiatives.

Budget Statement 2006 (6 Dec 2006)

Brian Cowen: We are trying to let some air out of the windbag. It positions our country for the future. It is a major step forward in the building of a fairer and stronger Ireland. I commend the budget to the House.

Budget Statement 2006 (6 Dec 2006)

Brian Cowen: As I present my third budget to this House, I am delighted to report that Ireland's economy is strong. Introduction Growth is running at 5%, its ideal, sustainable level, and more than 2 million people are at work. We are making unprecedented investment in our infrastructure and this will enhance our competitiveness and improve our quality of life for years to come. Our public services are...

Budget Statement 2006 (6 Dec 2006)

Brian Cowen: ——equivalent to more than €8.65 per hour. The employee PRSI entry point is also being increased to that level. These measures will remove around 88,000 from the tax net altogether. Once again, in 2007 we will meet our commitment to keep those on the minimum wage completely out of the tax net.

Budget Statement 2006 (6 Dec 2006)

Brian Cowen: This means that almost two out of every five earners, or 846,000 persons, will be outside the tax net in 2007 compared to one third, or 677,000 persons, in 2004 and one quarter, or 380,000 persons, when we took office in 1997. This is a highly significant development.

Budget Statement 2006 (6 Dec 2006)

Brian Cowen: The cost of these measures is €501 million in 2007 and €657 million in a full year. The 20% standard income tax band will be widened by €2,000 per year to €34,000 single and €43,000 married one earner couples. The projected average industrial wage for 2007 is just over €33,000. Again, we have ensured that workers on such earnings will not be liable to pay tax at the higher tax...

Budget Statement 2006 (6 Dec 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am also increasing the threshold for the payments of the health levy from €440 per week to €480 per week, or just under €25,000 per year. This means that all workers earning €480 or less per week will be exempt from the health levy. The income tax exemption limits for senior citizens aged 65 and over are being raised from €17,000 and €34,000 to €19,000 and €38,000 per year...

Budget Statement 2006 (6 Dec 2006)

Brian Cowen: The blind person's tax credit will go up by €260 single and €520 married to €1,760 single and €3,520 married per year, respectively. Alongside the income tax age exemption limits, those aged 65 and over receive an extra tax credit. This extra tax credit will increase by 10% to €275 single and €550 married per year. These measures relating to exemptions and special credits will...

Budget Statement 2006 (6 Dec 2006)

Brian Cowen: This rate cut will cost a net €125 million in 2007 and a net €186 million in a full year. If this Government is returned to office, and is honoured with a further term, then on the basis of our current economic strength being maintained, it is our shared intention to complete the commitment to cut the top income tax rate to 40% in next year's budget.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (5 Dec 2006)

Brian Cowen: Employee contributions to approved occupational pension schemes, including AVCs, are exempt from income tax, subject to certain limits, as are contributions made by self-employed individuals to retirement annuity contracts. Similar relief applies to contributions to personal retirement savings accounts (PRSAs). With effect from 1 January 2006, the maximum annual tax relieved contribution...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (5 Dec 2006)

Brian Cowen: By using capital allowances for the construction of private hospitals, I believe that the hospitals will come on stream quicker than if they were being provided by the public sector. The Government is committed to exploring fully the scope for the private sector to provide additional capacity needed in the health system. The HSE will be able to take up a proportion of the additional beds at...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (5 Dec 2006)

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 Sixth VAT Directive, Member States may only apply the reduced VAT rate to those goods and services which are listed under Annex H of the EU Sixth VAT Directive. While Annex H does include the supply of children's car seats, it does not include...

Written Answers — National Development Plan: National Development Plan (5 Dec 2006)

Brian Cowen: I cannot accept the Deputy's contention that an injustice exists in the BMW region. Under the National Development Plan/ Community Support Framework (NDP/CSF) 2000-2006, there has been substantial investment in infrastructure — such as roads, public transport, water and waste services — in health facilities, social housing, education, industry and rural development in Ireland. The most...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (5 Dec 2006)

Brian Cowen: It is assumed that the information sought by the Deputy is the additional excise duty on a litre of petrol that would be required to produce the same yield as Vehicle Registration Tax in the event of that tax being abolished. On the basis that the VRT yield for 2006 will be approximately €1,300 million, I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that a yield of this amount from excise duty...

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (5 Dec 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that there has been no significant Mineral Oil Tax yield from biofuels over the period. I introduced a full relief from Mineral Oil Tax in the Finance Act 2004 for biofuel produced or used in pilot projects. The Revenue Commissioners are not aware of any commercial biofuel operations that are not currently relieved from Mineral Oil Tax. Also in...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (5 Dec 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the number of investments per month in pension products using all or part of matured SSIA funds and availing of the new Pensions Incentive Tax Credit introduced in the Finance Act 2006, is as follows: June 2006 78 July 2006 267 August 2006 575 September 2006 892 October 2006 1,293 The total number of investments in pension products using...

Written Answers — Oireachtas Members' Remuneration: Oireachtas Members' Remuneration (5 Dec 2006)

Brian Cowen: The table shows the salary rates payable from 1 June 2006 and the salary rates applicable following implementation of the first phase of the agreement Towards 2016 i.e. 3% from 1 December 2006. Please note that the Minister and Minister for State receive the TD's basic salary in addition to their ministerial salary. Post 1 June 2006 Sustaining Progress Final Phase — 2.5% 1 December...

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (5 Dec 2006)

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...