Results 16,181-16,200 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (28 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that there is no general problem with the classification of tax credits for widowed persons including newly widowed persons. Revenue advise, however, that in the recent bulk issue of over 2.2 million tax credit certificates, reflecting the budget changes, some widowed persons were not allocated their full entitlements. I am assured by Revenue that...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (28 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that, based on the information available to them, the person has been granted the correct tax credits. A certificate of tax credits issued on 8 February. Unfortunately, the person's pension from the UK was wrongly described as trading profit. However, the certificate is otherwise correct. A revised certificate with the correct description will...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (28 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the tax credits of the person concerned have been updated for the current tax year to include the home carers credit for his spouse. A review of his tax liability for 2005, to include home carers credit, has been dealt with and a PAYE balancing statement will issue shortly. Tax relief for mortgage payments is deducted at source by the mortgage...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (28 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: There are no circumstances whereby PAYE taxpayers can recover child care fees. However, as the Deputy may be aware, the tax code provides a tax exemption from benefit-in-kind where employees receive free or subsidised child care from their employers. The exemption applies whether the employer provides the facilities in-house or in premises made available by the employer in another location....

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (28 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: The responsibility for general policy and legislation relating to pyramid selling schemes is a matter, in the first instance, for the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. As regards taxation, I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that they are currently examining a particular pyramid selling scheme. The tax implications for those investing in a pyramid selling scheme will...

Written Answers — Price Inflation: Price Inflation (28 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: The changes I announced in the budget — a halving of the excise rates for kerosene and LPG — were undertaken in order that consumers would benefit directly from such a move. In addition, I announced in advance that these excise rates will be reduced to zero in next year's budget. The excise tax reductions should ensure that the price of kerosene is approximately €16 per 1,000 litres...

Written Answers — Government Publications: Government Publications (28 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: The printing cost per 1,000 of the Constitution of Ireland is €1,249.60, exclusive of VAT.

Written Answers — Commemorative Events: Commemorative Events (28 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: The Government is mindful of the fundamental importance of the Easter Rising of 1916 to the establishment of the State and, as such, believes it is appropriate that commemorative events should be organised to respectfully acknowledge the achievements and sacrifices of past generations and to inculcate an awareness and appreciation in modern Ireland of the events and issues of those times. The...

Written Answers — Architectural Heritage: Architectural Heritage (28 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: An archaeological assessment carried out in 2003 of the portal tomb at Knockmary Hill in the Phoenix Park found no evidence of damage occurring since the monument was repaired in 1973. My office will continue to actively monitor the status of the monument.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (28 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: Qualifying developments in this section 50 scheme must conform with guidelines issued by the Minister for Education and Science. One of the conditions of such guidelines is that the developments must be occupied by students as defined therein in the college term. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that they are not aware of any significant abuses of the so-called section 50 scheme of...

Written Answers — Public Private Partnerships: Public Private Partnerships (28 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: I understand that, to date, no moneys have been invested by the Commission in any such projects. The National Pensions Reserve Fund Commission is independent of Government in the exercise of its functions. Under the National Pensions Reserve Fund Act 2000, it controls and manages the fund with discretionary authority to determine and implement the fund's investment strategy. This investment...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2006 [Certified Money Bill]: Second Stage. (28 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: I sincerely thank all Members who contributed to the debate. I wish to reply to some of the key points made. As for various comments made by Senator John Paul Phelan on the review of reliefs and incentives, I must point out, by way of background, that I have ordered the review of two dozen tax incentive schemes in the past year to ensure we get value for money. As a result, I propose to phase...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2006 [Certified Money Bill]: Second Stage. (28 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: I wish to deal with the issues that were raised by Members and much work has been done to achieve that. The relief to which I referred when fully operational in 2008 is expected to support the use and production of around 163 million litres of biofuels per year. This is 20 times the current level of biofuels that is relieved of excise. We are starting from a very small base, but if I bring...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2006 [Certified Money Bill]: Second Stage. (28 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: The Finance Bill contains the legislative proposals to implement the tax changes I announced in the budget last December. This year, in addition to the significant improvements in tax credits, allowances and bands, the changes I am bringing forward include a significant measure of reform of the taxation system. A large part of this reform is based on the review of tax schemes I had carried...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (23 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the person is unlikely to qualify for stamp duty exemption under section 81A of the Stamp Duties Consolidation Act 1999 if the only qualifications held at the date of the instrument of transfer are those supplied with the question. The required qualifications are listed in the Revenue Commissioners leaflet SD2A, which is available on their...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (23 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that it is not clear from the details supplied whether the person would qualify for exemption from stamp duty, as the date of execution of the instrument and some other matters may be relevant. The conditions that must be fulfilled to qualify for exemption are set out in leaflet SD2A, available at the Revenue Commissioners website www.revenue.ie. If...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (23 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: The Value-Added Tax (Refund of Tax) Order 1993 provides a scheme for the refund of VAT paid by farmers on the construction of farm buildings and structures, fencing, drainage and the reclamation of farmland. Refund orders are very much an exception to the general rule, and I have no plans to extend the 1993 refund scheme for farmers to cover farm equipment. However, as a group, unregistered...

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (23 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: The application of VAT on such charges is governed by the EU law with which Irish VAT law must comply. An ECJ ruling on this issue in 2000 meant that Ireland was required to apply VAT at the standard rate on all existing and future roads and bridges which are subject to tolls. The VAT treatment of tolled facilities was amended in the Finance Act 2001 to take account of the court judgment....

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (23 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: The State provides a wide range of support mechanisms for children with regard to their welfare, health and education, including the universal payment of child benefit and, as recently announced in budget 2006, the early child care supplement. Apart from incapacitated children, the tax code does not provide tax relief in respect of the maintenance of children. Accordingly, a married man who...

Written Answers — Departmental Correspondence: Departmental Correspondence (22 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: As Minister for Finance, I receive representations from and have meetings with many different interest groups. I have had no representations from or meetings with representatives of the Open Republic Institute.