Results 14,861-14,880 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

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

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the information to be furnished on VAT returns does not require the yield from particular products to be identified. However, based on clearances of petrol on which excise duty has been paid it is estimated that the amount of VAT generated on sales in the first nine months of 2006 was € 323.5 million. The VAT treatment of petrol is in...

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

Brian Cowen: The stamp duty yield from residential properties in 2005 amounted to €945m. The stamp duty yield from residential property in the period January-August 2006 was €810m. The equivalent figure for the same period in 2005 was €574m.

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

Brian Cowen: The Deputy will be aware from the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General that arrears of tax and duty amount to €1,085m as at 31st March 2006. Of the debt of €1,085m, €253m is under appeal and not currently available for collection. €184m is under control, generally through agreed instalment arrangements where the taxpayer/business is given additional time to pay. €435m is...

Written Answers — National Development Plan: National Development Plan (18 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: In the matter of cost variations, it is important to recall that in the early years of the NDP, following the acceleration of public expenditure on capital projects, construction cost inflation was running at 12% per annum in 1999 and 2000. This has now moderated and in the interim cost estimation and control systems have been strengthened. Procurement policy and practice has also been...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (18 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: The following table contrasts the Central Applications Facility (CAF) application levels in September 2004 with those in June 2006: September 2004 June 2006 Increase/Decrease Total CAF Applicants* 8,958 10,672 +1,714 CAF Applicants for new locations 7,793 9,135 +1,342 CAF Applicants for existing locations 1,165 1,537 +372 *The total number of CAF applicants in September 2004 was 9,214...

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

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 170, 205, 206, 208 and 209 together. The position is that expenses in respect of tuition for children with dyslexia do not qualify for health expenses tax relief and have never qualified for the relief since it was first introduced in 1967. I understand from the Revenue Commissioners, who deal with such claims, that individuals may have been under the...

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

Brian Cowen: There are three significant financial elements of the sugar compensation package, as far as farmers, as sugar beet growers, are concerned. The first is an amount of €123 million, payable over the next seven years via the single payment scheme, as compensation for the drop in the support price of beet. The second element of the compensation package is the restructuring aid. In July 2006 the...

Written Answers — Sale of Aer Lingus: Sale of Aer Lingus (18 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: To date the Exchequer has received €206,705,455 from the sale of shares in Aer Lingus. These funds have been lodged to the Exchequer and will be classified in the Finance Accounts as Capital Receipts.

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

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the additional revenue likely to accrue to the Exchequer arising from the increase in the price of petrol and other oil products relates to the Value Added Tax portion of the increased price since the start of the year. The revenue collected from mineral oil excises does not fluctuate with price changes. The estimated yield of additional value...

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

Brian Cowen: In recognition of the need to tackle the issue of climate change and reduce our dependency on fossil fuels, this Government has introduced a number of tax reliefs aimed at promoting environmentally friendly vehicles, in addition to the promotion of alternative motor fuels. Firstly, a VRT relief for hybrid electric vehicles was introduced in January 2001. The purpose of the scheme — which...

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

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that their audit and compliance programmes target particular sectors from time to time and that one of those sectoral programmes includes the investigation of security firms supplying door security. I am advised that it is not possible to give a figure for the estimated cost of tax fraud in this sector. Neither are full Revenue statistics available...

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

Brian Cowen: Generally speaking, the tax system treats members of cohabiting couples as separate and unconnected individuals. Each partner is a separate entity for tax purposes and credits and bands and reliefs cannot be transferred from one partner to the other. There are no special favourable tax arrangements for cohabiting couples with dependent children. The Working Group Examining the Treatment of...

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

Brian Cowen: I have no plans to introduce a scheme along the lines proposed. In line with normal practice, stamp duty revenues are applied by the Exchequer for the common good, as determined by the Oireachtas. Earmarking particular taxes reduces the discretion of Government and the Oireachtas in determining the priority areas in which public money should be spent.

Written Answers — Budget Submissions: Budget Submissions (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 further on the intention or otherwise to make changes in taxation. In addition, as the Deputy is no doubt aware, matters relating to tourism policy are a matter in the first instance for the Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism and individual actions and...

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (18 Oct 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...

Motor Fuels. (18 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: It is a moot point as to whether we should put in place some incentive just so that certain rogue operators will see that it makes sense to abide by the law. I am inclined to favour an approach which ensures there is greater compliance in the sector generally. I pay tribute to those licensed hauliers who are abiding by the law and dealing with very competitive issues. The best way forward...

Fiscal Policy. (18 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: On 11 June, I announced a revamping of the expenditure review initiative, ERI, which has been retitled value for money and policy reviews and has a broader coverage. For the period 2006 to 2008, the revamped framework will encompass formal reviews already agreed to be carried out under the ERI as well as all other policy reviews conducted and commissioned by the Departments which impact on...

Fiscal Policy. (18 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: The total amount covered by the reviews is in the order of €6.25 billion during the period concerned. When we introduced expenditure review initiatives previously, we found that one does not get the reports needed if one tries to cover every area of expenditure and assess the situation. I have indicated that the roll-over reviews that were not done on time will be done in the initial phase...

Fiscal Policy. (18 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: It is not mindless.

Fiscal Policy. (18 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: It is an accurate representation of the reviews under——