Results 15,601-15,620 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (1 Jun 2006)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy will be aware that I have primary responsibility for Civil Service pensions. The position is that, prior to 31 July 1973, the law required female employees to resign on marriage. In such cases, employees under pension age who had at least five years service (six years prior to 1 January 1968) qualified for marriage gratuities of 1/12th of salary per year of service, subject to a...

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (31 May 2006)

Brian Cowen: I assume that the Deputy is referring to the relief from road tax available under the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme. A person who has qualified for a Primary Medical Certificate under the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme can avail of relief from road tax under the conditions of the Scheme for as long as he/she continues to...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (31 May 2006)

Brian Cowen: I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that a PAYE balancing statement (Form P21) for the year 2005 issued to the taxpayer on 26 May 2006. The written request for the balancing statement was dated 18 May 2006 and, consequently, there was no undue delay in the issue of same.

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (31 May 2006)

Brian Cowen: As the Deputy is aware, the Human Rights Commission does not deal directly with my Department. All matters relating to the Commission are in fact dealt with by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, with reference to my Department where appropriate. In common with other Voted expenditure, grants to the HRC are subject in the normal way to the procedures set out in relevant...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (31 May 2006)

Brian Cowen: Under the Garda Síochána Act the numbers and grades of officers of the Ombudsman Commission are subject to the approval of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, with the consent of the Minister for Finance. Accordingly the Ombudsman Commission itself does not seek my approval. It makes proposals on staffing to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and it is then a...

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (31 May 2006)

Brian Cowen: The stamp duty on ATM and debit cards is €10 per annum. In the case of combined cards (cards which have both ATM and Debit functions), the stamp duty is €20. The Deputy will be aware that I introduced changes in this year's Finance Act to alter the way that stamp duty is charged on combined cards. The stamp duty on a combined card was reduced to €10 per annum where the card is only used...

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (30 May 2006)

Brian Cowen: I understand that the person concerned has applied for the tax concessions under the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme and that she has been unsuccessful at first instance and on appeal to the Medical Board of Appeal for the Scheme. I have no direct responsibility for the day-to-day operation of the Medical Board of Appeal for the Disabled Drivers and Disabled...

Written Answers — Financial Services Regulation: Financial Services Regulation (30 May 2006)

Brian Cowen: Information of this nature is submitted to the Financial Regulator and published annually in the Insurance Statistical Review, which is laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas. The most recent figures available were published in September 2005 in the Financial Regulator's Insurance Statistical Review 2004. I assume the Deputy is referring to underwriting profits. The total non-life...

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

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 272 and 286 together. The Deputy will be aware that as Minister for Finance I have primary responsibility for Civil Service pensions. Other Ministers have primary responsibility for pensions in their own respective areas. Nonetheless, the figures set out in the table represent the Exchequer Pensions Bill, net of contributions, for the years 1996 to 2005 and...

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

Brian Cowen: I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the taxpayer's claim to repayment which was received on 30 March last has now been processed. A cheque for the refund due will issue shortly.

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (30 May 2006)

Brian Cowen: The table sets out the name, function, location, and establishment date in respect of bodies under the aegis of my Department. As regards administrative costs funding for 2005 this is shown where provided from Exchequer funding. Body Name Function/role Location and Establishment Date Administrative Costs in 2005* € Office of the Revenue Commissioners Collection and...

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

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that according to their records the taxpayer has not paid any tax since 2002. Therefore no relief is due to him for the medical expenses incurred.

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

Brian Cowen: The Central Applications Facility identified the following posts as decentralising to Kildare to discharge certain functions of my Department. These staff are required to discharge the work of the units decentralising. Principal Assistant Principal Higher Executive Officer Executive Officer Clerical Officer Total 2 7 16 6 2 33

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

Brian Cowen: The Central Applications Facility identified the following posts as decentralising to Athy to discharge the functions of the Office of the Revenue Commissioners. These staff are required to discharge the work of the decentralising units. Principal Assistant Principal Higher Executive Officer Executive Officer/ Staff Officer Clerical Officer Others Total 7 25 47 74 92 5 250

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (30 May 2006)

Brian Cowen: The data in the table are based on information on serving non-industrial civil servants, on whole time equivalent basis, supplied by Departments/Offices to my Department. The figures for 2005 are provisional pending confirmation by Departments/Offices. Variations in the figures for individual Departments/Offices will be affected by the transfer of functions between Departments and from...

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

Brian Cowen: I have been informed by the Revenue Commissioners that where an occupational pension scheme does not provide its members with maximum pension entitlements (i.e. two thirds of final remuneration at normal retirement age) an employee may top up his or her benefits by paying what are know as Additional Voluntary Contributions, or AVCs. An employee can contribute 15-40% of salary as between...

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

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that there is a range of controls and procedures in place to ensure that imported cars are correctly valued for Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) purposes. Legislation provides that motor distributors declare their opinions of the market value, known as the open market selling price, of cars, and of extras, supplied by them. These distributor...

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

Brian Cowen: VAT does not apply to driving tests and consequently no VAT receipts arose from that source in 2005. I should explain that, in general, public bodies are exempt from VAT under the Sixth VAT Directive with which Irish law must comply. As such, public bodies do not charge VAT on their services and cannot recover VAT on goods and services which they purchase.

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

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the relevant available information relates to the cost of tax relief on pension contributions by employers, employees and self-employed and the exemption from tax of income and gains in the pension funds. This information, together with the numbers of employee and self-employed contributors, is provided for the ten income tax years 1993-94 to...

Seanad: National Development Plan: Statements. (30 May 2006)

Brian Cowen: The National Development Plan 2000-2006 set out to ensure that Ireland remained competitive in the global marketplace and that the fruits of our economic success would be shared more equally at regional level and throughout our society. The plan was framed after an extensive consultation process that involved social partners and regional interests. It reflected the broad consensus on the...