Results 14,381-14,400 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (30 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Office of Public Works (OPW) in relation to their decentralisation of 349 posts to Trim, Co Meath that a preferred tenderer has been selected. A planning application was lodged with Meath County Council and Trim Town Council in late October 2006. Subject to the receipt of satisfactory planning permission, the preferred tenderer will be instructed to prepare working...

Written Answers — Fiscal Policy: Fiscal Policy (30 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: Provisional data for the first half of 2006 show that the volume of exports in goods and services increased by almost 6% on an annual basis in that period. This compares with an annual increase of 3.9% for 2005 as a whole. In the medium term, the outlook for Irish export performance remains broadly positive. Our existing strong export base, particularly in pharmaceuticals, food, medical...

Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (30 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: In response to the Deputy's question, Sealúchas Árachais Teoranta is the only body that has a statutory basis for appointment of its two directors in accordance with section 10 of the Insurance (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1985, as amended by the Central Bank and Financial Services of Ireland Act, 2004. The appointment of members to the Committee on Top Level Appointments in the Civil...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (30 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: The information requested by the Deputy is not available to my Department, as neither the Financial Regulator nor the Pensions Board collects such data. The Deputy should note that the administration of pension schemes is primarily the responsibility of scheme trustees. Trustees are required to, at all times, act in the best interests of scheme members, with due regard being paid to the...

Written Answers — Vehicle Registration Tax: Vehicle Registration Tax (30 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) is assessed on the open market selling price (OMSP) of a vehicle in the State and is defined in Section 133 of the Finance Act 1992 as the price inclusive of all taxes and duties which, in the opinion of the Revenue Commissioners, the vehicle might reasonably fetch on a first arm's length sale in the open market in...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (30 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: I have been informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the person's former employer issued a form P45 to him on 27 October 2006. The Inspector of Taxes issued a copy of the form P45 to the person on 28 November 2006.

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (30 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: The 2002 voluntary early retirement package for staff employed under the secretarial assistance scheme provided that the lump sum due at retirement was incorporated within the terms of the package and staff availing of the package were required to sign a declaration in that regard. This element of the package represented a tax free element of the package and the remainder of the package was...

Seanad: National Development Finance Agency (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (30 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: I have given it a detailed critique already.

Seanad: National Development Finance Agency (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (30 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am pleased to be before the House to present the National Development Finance Agency (Amendment) Bill 2006, the purpose of which is to provide a statutory basis for the Government's initiative to improve the capability of Departments or agencies to undertake public private partnerships, PPPs. The measure involved the establishment in 2005 of a centre of expertise for PPP procurement within...

Written Answers — National Development Plan: National Development Plan (29 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 144, 148 and 152 together. The National Development Plan/Community Support Framework (NDP/ CSF) 2000-2006 is an integrated investment plan and strategy for economic and social development for Ireland. The aim of the plan is to ensure that Ireland remains internationally competitive and that our economic success is shared more equally. There was a commitment...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (29 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: As I stated in my reply to the Deputy's question of the 16th of November last, the Revenue Commissioners advise me that they have not sought audited accounts from this charity. I am further advised that the Revenue Commissioners have detailed procedures in place towards ensuring that bodies which have been granted charitable tax exemption are complying with the terms of their exemption and...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (29 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: EU Directive 2004/18/EC co-ordinating procedures for the award of public works contracts, public supply contracts and public service contracts has been transposed into Irish Law by regulations made under Statutory Instrument 329 signed on 22 June 2006. Draft regulations implementing EU Directive 2004/17/EC, co-ordinating the procurement procedures of entities operating in the water, energy,...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (29 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: The Revenue Commissioners have advised that a P21, 2005, issued to the persons in question on 3 October 2006 and that a duplicate has issued dated 28 November 2006.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (29 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: By reference to the 2007 Pre-Budget ready reckoner prepared by the Revenue Commissioners the full year cost to the Exchequer of reducing the top rate of income tax by two percentage points is estimated to be €457 million. The ready reckoner is available on my Department's website, at www.finance.gov.ie It is assumed that the thresholds for the proposed new tax bands mentioned by the Deputy...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (29 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that a replacement refund cheque for €980 will issue within the next 10 days. The address on record is now correct.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (29 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the yield in corporation tax to the Exchequer from companies whose corporation tax liability for their first accounting period did not exceed €50,000 was approximately €22 million. This estimate is by reference to corporate profits earned in accounting periods ending in 2004, the latest year for which the relevant figures are available. I...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (29 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: As the Deputy will be aware from previous replies to similar questions on this issue, I want to make sure any such relief can work and does not open up the VAT system to other very costly demands. The examination of the matter is ongoing and I will consider it in the context of the forthcoming Budget.

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (28 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that a person who qualifies for a Primary Medical Certificate issued by the Senior Area Medical Officer of their local HSE may avail of tax relief (VRT and VAT) on a vehicle under the Disabled Drivers and the Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations 1994. There are separate arrangements for a Disabled Driver and a Disabled Passenger. The...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (28 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: In "Towards 2016", the social partners agreed that work should continue on outstanding public service pension reform issues. These issues form part of a programme of actual and proposed changes over recent years which is largely based on the recommendations in 2000 of the Commission on Public Service Pensions, which were accepted in principle by Government. As indicated in my reply to...

Written Answers — Social Finance Initiative: Social Finance Initiative (28 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: The Government has agreed that the Social Finance Initiative announced in Budget 2006 will be implemented through the establishment of a not-for-profit company to act as a wholesale supplier of social finance. The seed capital funding committed by the banking community to the implementation of the Initiative is €25 million. The social finance company will be established on a non-statutory...