Results 16,021-16,040 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

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

Brian Cowen: The financial services sector is a major employer in the Irish economy, employing over 55,000 people both directly and indirectly and making a significant contribution to GNP overall. It supports activity in other economic sectors, contributes substantial tax to the Exchequer and forms an essential part of our economic infrastructure. Strong opportunities exist to grow and develop Ireland's...

Written Answers — Public Private Partnerships: Public Private Partnerships (30 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: The National Aquatic Centre building was not procured by means of a public private partnership arrangement. We understand that the court proceedings, to which the Deputy refers, concerned issues related to the lease for the operation of the centre granted by an entity which is under the ambit of the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, to whom any questions should be directed.

Written Answers — Price Inflation: Price Inflation (30 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: Inflation, as measured by annual changes in the consumer price index, CPI, was 3.3% in February. Part of the pick-up in the annual inflation rate is due to the rise in interest rates by the ECB. In addition, the price of oil rose throughout most of last year and this had an impact on the annual rate of inflation in February. We have no control over these external factors. In my recent budget,...

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

Brian Cowen: In its report to Government in November, 2004 the decentralisation implementation group, DIG, identified 15 organisations as early movers. This involved 21 projects, 20 locations, nearly 3,500 jobs and the transfer of eight headquarters. The report contained a schedule showing indicative construction start and completion dates for the procurement of office accommodation in the new locations....

Written Answers — Strategic Management Initiative: Strategic Management Initiative (30 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: I have asked officials in my Department to examine this report and assess the implications in consultation with other Departments.

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

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 68 and 80 together. The new childminding tax scheme allows an individual to mind up to three children in the minder's own home, without paying tax, on the earnings received, provided the amount is not more than €10,000 per annum. If childminding income exceeds €10,000, the total amount will be taxable, as normal, under self-assessment. The scheme is...

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

Brian Cowen: I refer the Deputy to my reply to a similar parliamentary question from Deputy Costello on 9 November last, which set out the background to this issue in relation to the contacts that have been ongoing with the European Commission. As regards the future of the tax exemption for stallion fees, I announced in my Budget Statement of 7 December 2005 that this exemption will be discontinued from...

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

Brian Cowen: The scheme of capital allowances for the construction of private hospitals was reviewed by Indecon Economic Consultants as part of the overall review of property tax incentives in 2005. Indecon consulted widely in the course of its review, including consultations with the Department of Health and Children and the Health Service Executive. Its report was published on 6 February 2006 and is...

Written Answers — Public Service Employment: Public Service Employment (30 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: The figures in table 5 of the Revised Estimates Volume are the average public service numbers which are calculated on the basis that they equate to the numbers that underpin the Exchequer pay and pensions bill in 2005 and 2006. They are set out in table 5 on a Vote basis with an increase being recorded from 2005-06 of 8,818. This figure includes provision for filling posts that were vacant in...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (30 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the following information is the up to date position on court prosecutions initiated for tax evasion. In 1997, there was one prosecution and one conviction. A fine of €635 was imposed with no custodial sentence. In 1998, there were six cases and eight convictions; fines totalling €42,854 were imposed. There were two custodial sentences, one...

Written Answers — Economic Policy: Economic Policy (30 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am aware of the Central Bank's views on economic policy through its various publications, including the quarterly bulletin. I also meet the governor of the bank from time to time to discuss various economic issues. My last meeting with the governor was yesterday.

Written Answers — State Property: State Property (30 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: As part of the transforming of State assets programme the following properties have been disposed of: Disposed of in 2004 Property Method of Sale Price â'¬ 2 Church St., Dungarvan, Co. Waterford Public Auction 337,000.00 Lad Lane, Dublin 2. Public Tender 22,5000.00 Blacklion Customs Frontier Post Site — Cavan Private Treaty to Cavan Co. Co. 21,586.23 ...

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (30 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: Stamp duty exists on various financial cards in order to provide Exchequer revenue. The stamp duty on cheques, bills of exchange and promissory notes has existed for many years and when electronic means of money transfers were subsequently introduced, stamp duty was gradually extended to these products to ensure that the stamp duty from cheques etc. was not eroded. The current annual rates of...

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (30 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that figures for the total yield from various special investigations and initiatives by the Revenue Commissioners for the years 1998 to 2005 and updated to 28 February 2006 are set out in the following table. Yield from special investigations up to end February 2006. Heading Total yields â'¬ million DIRT Audits 225.0 Bogus...

Written Answers — Housing Policy: Housing Policy (30 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: The housing sector has performed very strongly over recent years, with housing supply increasing in response to high levels of demand, which, in turn, have been underpinned by a range of fundamental demographic and economic factors. Total housing output for 2005 reached an all-time high of about 81,000 units. Construction employment growth was also particularly buoyant in 2005 and employment...

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

Brian Cowen: The Revenue Commissioners' study, Effective tax rates of the top 400 earners: Report for the tax year 2001, was published by my Department in March of last year. I understand that the equivalent report in regard to 2002 is near completion. This will be published by my Department in due course, as in the past.

Written Answers — Freedom of Information: Freedom of Information (30 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: It is not my intention to reconsider the policy of charging fees for freedom of information requests on foot of the recommendation referred to by the Deputy.

Written Answers — Peer Review System: Peer Review System (30 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: The centre for management and organisation development, CMOD, in my Department developed procedures for the peer review process and agreed these in meetings with other Departments and offices late last year and the formal peer review process is now operational. The peer review is carried out at key decision points, preliminary business case assessment, detailed assessment, pre-tender,...

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

Brian Cowen: I have no plans to change the scale or scope of the decentralisation programme. In line with the timeframes set out by the decentralisation implementation group in its June report I expect that up to 1,000 posts will have decentralised by end 2006-early 2007. I do not accept the Deputy's view that there has been a poor response to the programme. On the contrary, the Government is very pleased...

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

Brian Cowen: To date, over 1,200 civil servants have been assigned to decentralising posts. This represents 17% of the overall number of approximately 7,200 Civil Service posts earmarked for decentralisation. Many of these staff are located in Dublin for a transition period to enable effective transfer of skills and knowledge and to ensure that quality customer service continues to be delivered as...