Results 1,621-1,640 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Written Answers — Electronic Payments: Electronic Payments (19 Oct 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The promotion of the use of electronic payments is a key Government policy and a number of initiatives have already been taken in this regard, with the longer-term objective of significant reductions, over a number of years, in the volume of paper-based payments in use throughout the economy. This policy is fully aligned and is developing in tandem with market and regulatory developments at...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (19 Oct 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the taxpayers Return of Income Form has been processed and a Notice of Assessment will issue to the person concerned within a week to ten days.

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (19 Oct 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that, based on the information available, the person concerned is not entitled to a refund in respect of taxes paid in 2009. A PAYE Balancing Statement (P21) detailing his tax position for that year issued to the person on 13 October 2010.

Written Answers — Departmental Contracts: Departmental Contracts (19 Oct 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The following contracts are held by my Department with telecommunication providers: Telecommunication Provider Type of Service Financial agreement Description UPC Data Annual Primary link to Government Networks monitoring system Smart Data Monthly Resilient link to Government Networks monitoring system BT Data Monthly Link for HR Management System Support UPC Data Annual Primary...

Written Answers — Departmental Contracts: Departmental Contracts (19 Oct 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The contracts for energy supply of Government Departments, Offices and Agencies are procured by the former Government Supplies Agency (GSA). The National Procurement Service of the Office of Public Works has assumed responsibility for GSA contracts. The contracts put in place by the GSA with energy providers are as follows: Supplier Contract Date Contract Value 2008 Contract Value 2009...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (19 Oct 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the Value Added Tax (Refund of Tax) (No.15) Order 1981 enables Revenue to refund the VAT paid on qualifying goods which are purchased for the exclusive use of disabled persons suffering a specific degree of disablement. The relief applies to VAT on the purchase of aids and appliances designed to assist a disabled person to overcome his/her...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (19 Oct 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: It is assumed that the threshold for the proposed new tax bands mentioned by the Deputy would not alter the existing standard rate band structure applying to single and widowed persons, to lone parents and married couples. I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the estimated full year yield to the Exchequer, estimated by reference to 2011 incomes, of the introduction of each of the...

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (19 Oct 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The total direct costs arising from the floods in late 2009 were estimated to amount to 520.9m euro. Of this, 276.9m euro related to costs to the State with the remaining 244m euro consisting of damage to private infrastructure (residential property, commercial property, and motor vehicles) which was covered by private insurance. My Department made an application to the EU Commission for...

Written Answers — Departmental Appointments: Departmental Appointments (19 Oct 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The following Economists are on fixed-term employment contracts with my Department. These appointments were approved by the Government and were not the subject of open competitions. Name Title Rate of pay Details Jim O'Leary Senior Economist €150,000 per annum 3 year fixed term contract. Alan Ahearn Special Adviser to Minister €131,308 per annum Appointment to terminate with that of...

Written Answers — EU Presidency: EU Presidency (19 Oct 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As President of the Council of the EU, Belgium's role mainly consists of organising and managing the work of each Council configuration, including the ECOFIN Council, through its competent Ministers. Under Lisbon Treaty rules, Belgium forms part of the Trio Presidency with Spain and Hungary and would have collaborated with both these member states in the formulation of their 18-month Trio...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (19 Oct 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: In response to the Deputy's question the following bodies were established under the aegis of my Department in the period 2007- 2010. The National Asset Management Agency The National Asset Management Agency was established on 21 December 2009. It's budget for 2010 is €124m (excluding due diligence costs which will be recovered from Participating Institutions), but indications are that...

Written Answers — State Companies: State Companies (19 Oct 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: In September 2009 Anglo Irish Bank was nationalised. Anglo Irish Bank does not publish a figure for turnover. In the 15 month period to 31 December 2009 the total operating income as published in the 2009 annual accounts amounted to €2,774 m.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (19 Oct 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that in order to avail of the tax relief to which the Deputy is referring, the accommodation must, among other requirements, be used for letting to students in accordance with the relevant guidelines. These guidelines are issued by the Minister for Education and Skills, in consultation with the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (19 Oct 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Section 117 of the Finance Act 2010 included provision to make public bodies subject to VAT with effect from 1 July 2010 in accordance with the European Court of Justice ruling against Ireland of 16 July 2009 in Case C-554/07. In summary, the VAT Act 1972 was amended to provide that public bodies, including local authorities, are made subject to VAT. More specifically, they are subject to...

Written Answers — National Solidarity Bond: National Solidarity Bond (19 Oct 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: In Budget 2010, I announced the Government's intention to launch a National Solidarity Bond, the purpose of which is to allow citizens an opportunity to invest and provide money to the State to stimulate economic recovery and to assist in the maintenance and creation of employment. The necessary legislative basis was provided in this year's Finance Act and the Bond was launched on Tuesday 4...

Written Answers — Tax Reliefs: Tax Reliefs (19 Oct 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Section 848A of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 provides for a scheme for tax relief on donations to eligible charities. Certain other approved bodies are also eligible to relief under section 848A and a list of these bodies as well as the conditions which they must satisfy in order to be approved are included in Schedule 26A of the Act. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners who...

Written Answers — Financial Services Regulation: Financial Services Regulation (19 Oct 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: In view of the complexity of the various issues involved, I have agreed with the Chair, Mr. Hugh Cooney, that the Group should take somewhat longer over its task. It is now envisaged that the Group will Report in the coming weeks. I must emphasise that the Group has not yet taken final decisions on its recommendations, nor has any recommendation been submitted to Government. I would add...

Written Answers — Illicit Trade in Tobacco: Illicit Trade in Tobacco (19 Oct 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 222 to 225, inclusive, together. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners, who are responsible for the collection of tobacco products tax, and for tackling the illicit trade in cigarettes and tobacco products, that the figures for seizures and prosecutions arising from "Operation Downstream" from January 2008 to September 30th 2010 are as follows: Year...

Written Answers — Valuation of Property: Valuation of Property (19 Oct 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Valuation Act 2001 which came into effect on 2nd May, 2002, provides for the revaluation of all commercial and industrial property in the State. The Commissioner of Valuation has sole responsibility for all valuation matters under the Act, which includes the implementation of the revaluation programme. This is a major project in nature and scale, given that such a nationwide exercise has...

Written Answers — Vehicle Insurance: Vehicle Insurance (19 Oct 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Financial Services Ombudsman is a Statutory Officer, charged with investigating complaints from the public against all regulated financial service providers. This would include complaints against insurance providers. However, as the Financial Services Ombudsman is independent and impartial, it is solely at his discretion whether or not to accept jurisdiction on a complaint. Each...