Results 16,241-16,260 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (9 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the person concerned does not meet the qualifying conditions for owner-occupier relief in the rural renewal scheme. To obtain owner-occupier relief, a person must satisfy the condition that the expenditure on which relief is claimed must relate to a house situated within the "qualifying rural area" as defined in section 372L(1)(a) of the Taxes...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (9 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: The rate of stamp duty on residential property is dependent on the status of the buyer — first-time buyer or owner occupier — and whether the property is new or second-hand. Stamp duty is chargeable on the purchase of residential properties greater than or equal to €127,001. There are exemptions available for first-time buyers and owner occupiers. First-time buyers can purchase...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (9 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: A person who holds a credit card account with a credit card provider pays stamp duty on that credit card account once for each 12-month period ending on 1 April each year. Where a person cancels a credit card account within a 12-month period, he or she pays the charge at the time of cancellation. This means that, in respect of any credit card account, an individual will only pay once for the...

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (9 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: I would refer the Deputy to replies he received to previous questions on this matter. In particular, I would draw his attention to Questions Nos. 354 and 355 dated 2 November 2005, Question No. 147 on 7 February 2006, together with my reply to Question No. 110 of 28 February 2006. The role of my Department is to assist in achieving the Government's priorities, including those priorities...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (9 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: I have been informed by the Revenue Commissioners that there are no special exemptions from stamp duty in respect of the purchase of a second-hand house in the circumstances outlined by the Deputy. In the case of the purchase of a second-hand house by a first time purchaser, there is an exempt threshold of €317,500 and reduced rates up to €635,000. A person who previously, either...

Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (9 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: I will be visiting Australia for St Patrick's Day, visiting the cities of Sydney, Canberra and Brisbane. The Australian market is extremely important to Ireland due to its substantial industry and consumer base. In recent years, significant inroads have been made into the Australian market by indigenous Irish software companies. Overall trade figures have also increased, with exports from...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (9 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: The issue of a P21, balancing statement, is a matter for the Revenue Commissioners. I have been informed by Revenue that it issued a P21 to the person concerned on 21 October 2005 in respect of the 2004 tax year. It received a further request for a P21 for the same year on 13 February 2006 and a duplicate will shortly issue together with a form P21 for the year 2005.

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (8 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: Policy in respect of the promotion or development of biofuels, including biodiesel, is primarily a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources. However, acknowledging that tax can play a role in the promotion of biofuels, a duty exemption scheme for pilot projects in biofuels was introduced by section 50 of the Finance Act 2004. The purpose of the...

Written Answers — Financial Services Regulation: Financial Services Regulation (8 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: In light of the high proportion of credit union assets now invested, the Registrar of Credit Unions has highlighted that under the current investment rules, credit unions are not precluded from taking on inappropriate levels of risk. The registrar made proposals in November 2005 for a new investment framework to protect and safeguard the risk profile for credit unions and ensure that members'...

Finance Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage. (7 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take amendments Nos. 15 and 16 together. I understand the intentions of the Deputies with regard to the two amendments are to ensure that all landlords now legally obliged to register their tenancies with the Private Residential Tenancies Board will be required to demonstrate that they fulfil their obligations or will otherwise not be granted any deduction in determining the...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (7 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 262 and 266 together. I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the tax demand arose because of the incorrect operation of PAYE by one of the person's employers, who refunded tax to him in error. No tax was paid on the redundancy payments the person received as they were not taxable. No relief, therefore, is due in this regard. However, there is a...

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (7 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: I have received a letter from the person concerned. She applied on behalf of her daughter for a primary medical certificate in respect of the tax concessions available under the disabled drivers and disabled passengers (tax concessions) scheme. She was not awarded the certificate and wishes to appeal the decision. The senior area medical officer of the relevant Health Service Executive area...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (7 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the taxpayer's claim for service charges has been processed and notification of refunds arising to him have issued, dated 28 February 2006.

Written Answers — Semi-State Bodies: Semi-State Bodies (7 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: Section 6 (1) of the Sugar Act 1991, No. 3/91, states: Every person who immediately before the transfer date was an employee of the Company, shall, on the transfer date, enjoy the same rights (including rights under a pension or superannuation scheme of the Company) and be subject to the same obligations as he enjoyed and was subject to immediately before the said date. The "transfer" refers...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (7 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that a P21 for the year 2005 issued to the taxpayer on 28 February 2006. A revised P21 for 2004 will issue in the next few days. The combined reviews will show a small refund due and a cheque will issue to the taxpayer shortly.

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (7 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: At year end 2005, 19 staff were recorded as having a disability, equal to 2.85% of staff. The Department of Finance, in common with all other Departments and Civil Service offices, fully implements the Government's policy on the employment of people with a disability. As part of a review of policy on the employment of people with a disability in the Civil Service, my Department commissioned...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (7 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: I assume the Deputy is seeking the numbers of higher rate taxpayers as a percentage of all income earners on the income tax record in each year. I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the information requested by the Deputy is as follows: Tax year Higher rate No. % 1996-1997 388,580 27.96 1997-1998 424,050 28.40 1998-1999 481,970 30.41 1999-2000 542,980 32.57 ...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (7 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that for reasons to do with the structure and operation of the tax assessment and collection system, it is not possible to estimate the value of tax refunds which have not been claimed by individual taxpayers. For PAYE taxpayers, the tax collection system is designed to collect an employee's tax liability for a year on a cumulative basis over the...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (7 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: Capital expenditure incurred on the construction or refurbishment of registered nursing homes may be written off for tax purposes over seven years at the rate of 15% per annum over the first six years and 10% in the seventh year. To qualify for allowances the home must be operated or managed as a registered nursing home within the meaning of section 2 of the Health (Nursing Homes) Act 1990...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (7 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the person's Med 1 form has been processed and refunds are due to the person and his wife for the years 2004 and 2005. Cheques have been issued accordingly.