Results 14,781-14,800 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Written Answers — Equal Opportunities Employment: Equal Opportunities Employment (19 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: There is no upper limit on the grade which can be obtained within the Civil Service by a person with a disability. Recruitment to and promotion within the Civil Service is governed by the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act, 2004 and by the Civil Service Regulation Acts, 1956 -2005. The 2004 Act provides for the establishment of the Commission for Public Service...

Written Answers — National Lottery: National Lottery (19 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: Under Section 7 of the National Lottery Act 1986, the total number of persons who may be authorised to sell National Lottery tickets is determined by the National Lottery Company with the consent of the Minister for Finance. The licence granted by the Minister for Finance to An Post National Lottery Company to operate the National Lottery sets out incremental annual targets for the number of...

Written Answers — Freedom of Information: Freedom of Information (19 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: My Department maintains FOI statistics in a format required for reporting purposes to the Information Commissioner. From the data held it is not possible to develop all the specific statistical breakdowns required by the Deputy. The following table provides the information my Department has been able to produce in response to the Deputy's queries. In any analysis of the patterns relating...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (19 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 149 to 152, inclusive, together. I am informed by Ordnance Survey Ireland (OSI) that the latest data from the Central Applications Facility (CAF) shows that a total of 49 public servants from outside OSI and 16 OSI staff have applied to decentralise to Dungarvan, Co Waterford. The indicative data available from CAF indicates that the majority of applicants to...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (19 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the latest relevant figures available are in respect of the income tax year 2003. The total cost of tax relief on pensions contributions is tentatively estimated at approximately €2.9 billion. This total figure is broken down as follows both in terms of numbers where available and in terms of costs. Type of Pension Contributions Numbers 2003...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (19 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the only relevant information available is in respect of income tax relief allowed for contributions to "Retirement Annuity Contracts" for the income tax year 2003, which are available to the self-employed and to employees not in occupational pension schemes. A distribution by income ranges of the number of cases, amount of deduction and...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (19 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: The VAT rating of goods and services is subject to the requirements of EU VAT law with which Irish VAT law must comply. Ireland has a reduced VAT rate of 13.5% and a standard VAT rate of 21%. Under the Sixth 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. However,...

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (19 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the breakdown of the total yield from stamp duties in 2005 and the numbers of associated transactions, where available, are as follows: Description> Numbers of transactions where stamp duty was paid Net Receipt €m Property: Residential* 44,000 945 Property: Non-Residential* 41,000 1056 Property: Mortgages* 43,582 17.3 Shares 289,471...

Written Answers — Excise Duty: Excise Duty (19 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the excise per litre charged under Irish legislation for different categories of petrol, auto-diesel, kerosene and fuel oil for the manufacture of alumina, fuel oil for generation of electricity and for other purposes; and the revenue generated from each category is as follows: Excise Content per Litre Receipts 2005 â'¬ â'¬m Petrol...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (19 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: Capital Gains Tax is charged on the lifetime disposals of most assets whether the disposal is by sale, gift or exchange. The total CGT yield in 2005 was close on €2 billion. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the precise information requested by the Deputy is not available. The relevant information available is a proportional breakdown by reference to asset types of the...

Written Answers — Adult Education: Adult Education (19 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: A number of supports in the taxation system may assist unemployed individuals returning to full-time education. Where, for example, an individual has paid tax during a tax year, he/she may be may qualify for tax relief on tuition fees and/or be entitled to a refund of some (or all) of that tax where he/she returns to full-time education. In general, when an individual becomes unemployed,...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (19 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: In practice the tax bands and allowances are increased each year as resources permit. To provide for this automatically by law is, in my view, not advisable, as the Oireachtas should be allowed the maximum flexibility in deciding the resources to be allocated to tax relief each year and how this relief should be distributed.

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (19 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the available information with regard to first-time buyers and other buyers broken down by reference to the consideration price bands corresponding to the rates of stamp duty, for 2005, is set out in the following table. It is not possible to distinguish investors from other buyers, excluding first-time buyers, as the same rates of stamp duty...

Written Answers — Customer Services: Customer Services (18 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: I have seen the recent newspaper report about the survey. Customer surveys can be useful in providing feedback on service delivery. In fact, I am advised that Revenue has recently conducted its own survey of SMEs, and while they are currently in the process of analysing the preliminary results, the indications from this survey are generally very positive as regards Revenue's service to...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (18 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: There is no system of prior application and approval under the scheme of tax relief for the construction or refurbishment of buildings used as private hospitals. When the relevant facilities have been completed, and provided they meet the necessary criteria, investors can then claim tax relief on the expenditure incurred under the scheme in their annual income tax returns as part of the...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (18 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy will appreciate that in line with normal practice in the run up to the annual Budget and Finance Bill I do not wish to comment on the intention or otherwise to make changes in taxation. However, as I have pointed out in previous replies, I cannot in any way agree that North Mayo, or indeed any part of Mayo, is being persistently ignored by the Government. I would like to refer the...

Written Answers — Export Performance: Export Performance (18 Oct 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 — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (18 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that receipts for VRT in respect of the last seven years are as follows: €m 1999 771 2000 1,001 2001 788 2002 793 2003 819 2004 946 2005 1,149 The figures reflect the large increase in car sales over this period which is primarily a function of Ireland's strong economic growth where disposable incomes have grown significantly partly...

Written Answers — Tax Policy: Tax Policy (18 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: The Government's approach to tax policy is set out in the Agreed Programme for Government and in recent Budgets and Finance Bills. Furthermore, under the Partnership Agreement, Towards 2016, the Government is committed to a taxation policy designed to maintain and strengthen the competitive position of the economy, foster improvements in productive capacity, economic and social development,...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (18 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 96 and 113 together. The Deputies will be aware that office holders and members of the Dáil and Seanad may accept a significant gift in only limited circumstances. The Taoiseach and Tánaiste issued statements last week indicating that the Ethics legislation will be amended to require an office holder or member, before accepting a significant gift or loan, to...