Results 16,601-16,620 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (26 Jan 2006)

Brian Cowen: I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the taxpayer may claim one parent family allowance. The relevant claim form OP1 has issued to the taxpayer and should be submitted with his annual tax return.

Written Answers — Insurance Policies: Insurance Policies (26 Jan 2006)

Brian Cowen: The protection or cover afforded to a consumer by an insurance policy will be determined by the terms and conditions of that policy and I would strongly encourage every consumer to read the terms and conditions of all insurance policies. The terms and conditions of a particular insurance policy in respect of credit card usage will determine whether or not the age of the cardholder is relevant...

Seanad: Appropriation Act 2005: Statements. (26 Jan 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am pleased to be here today to resume discussions on the Appropriation Act 2005. As the House is aware, the Bill was enacted in December 2005, giving statutory effect to voted expenditure for 2005. At the outset, I would like to brief the House in similar terms to those which I briefed the Dáil yesterday in respect of the issue of capital carryover from 2005 to 2006 for the Vote of the...

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (25 Jan 2006)

Brian Cowen: I assume the Deputy is referring to the primary medical certificate required for qualifying for the various tax concessions available under the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations 1994. A claim under the above regulations can only be considered by the Revenue Commissioners if made by a person who has qualified for a primary medical certificate which is...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (25 Jan 2006)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 496 and 514 together. EU Directive 2004/18/EC co-ordinating procedures for the award of public works contracts, public supply contracts and public service contracts and EU Directive 2004/17/EC co-ordinating the procurement procedures of entities operating in the water, energy, transport and postal services sectors are required to be transposed by 31 January...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (25 Jan 2006)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 498, 533 535, 537, 538 and 547 together. The childminding relief I introduced in budget 2006 allows an individual to mind up to three children in the minder's own home without paying tax, PRSI or levies on the childminding earnings received, provided the amount is not more than €10,000 per annum. If childminding income exceeds €10,000, the total amount...

Written Answers — Retirement Age: Retirement Age (25 Jan 2006)

Brian Cowen: The Government has introduced legislation to allow certain civil servants work beyond the existing retirement age if they choose to do so. The Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 and the Civil Service Regulation (Amendment) Act 2005 introduced a number of important changes in relation to the retirement age of civil servants. These changes mean that there is no...

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (25 Jan 2006)

Brian Cowen: The disabled drivers medical board of appeal, which determines appeals from a refusal of a primary medical certificate under the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme, is independent in the execution of its functions. Queries regarding particular appeals can be made to the secretary to the board, c/o National Rehabilitation Hospital, Rochestown Avenue, Dún...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (25 Jan 2006)

Brian Cowen: In January 1993, following a protracted period of illness by the person referred to in the question, the chief medical officer, CMO, sought an independent expert opinion. To facilitate this process, my Department prepared a career history setting out the key developments in the career of the person in question between 10 November 1975 and 21 January 1993. This document was sent to the CMO who...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (25 Jan 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that they will be in a position to decentralise 50 posts to Listowel following the fit-out of the building, which the Office of Public Works advise will be provided by the end of 2006.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (25 Jan 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that where a principal contractor engages a subcontractor and that subcontractor holds a C2 or a certificate of authorisation issued by Revenue, the principal contractor can apply to the tax office for a relevant payments card for that subcontractor. The payments card authorises the principal to make payments to that subcontractor without deduction of...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (25 Jan 2006)

Brian Cowen: I presume the Deputy is referring to marked gas oil, MGO, more commonly known as green diesel. MGO is a very different product from kerosene, for example, MGO is used in particular, in agricultural tractors, dumpers and mobile cranes. There is also the problem that it can be used illegally, for example, in motor vehicles and trucks. The Revenue Commissioners have a constant fight on their...

Written Answers — Drug Seizures: Drug Seizures (25 Jan 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the details of seizures made by Revenue's customs service in 2005 are as follows: Drug Type Number of Seizures Quantity Kg/No. Approx. Value (€) Herbal Cannabis 715 179.981 360,000 Cannabis Resin 362 3,783.941 28,087,000 Ecstasy (MDMA) 16 236,545* 2,365,000 Heroin 2 0.009 1,700 Cocaine 46 63.34...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (25 Jan 2006)

Brian Cowen: The Civil Service offices transferring to Drogheda are the headquarters of Department of Social and Family Affairs, including REACH and a section of the Department of Transport, which has recently transferred from the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources. The Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Deputy Brennan, is responsible for the decentralisation to Drogheda of...

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (25 Jan 2006)

Brian Cowen: I presume the Deputy is referring to the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme that provides relief from VAT and VRT on the purchase of a car adapted for the transport of a person with certain disabilities, as well as relief from excise on the fuel used in the car up to a certain limit. The disability criteria for eligibility for the tax concessions under this...

Written Answers — Departmental Investigations: Departmental Investigations (25 Jan 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners to state that they have a number of programmes and activities aimed at ensuring that entities are registered for all relevant taxes and duties and everyone complies with their tax and customs responsibilities. One of the activities undertaken is a street survey. These surveys are undertaken from time to time to ensure that all entities in a particular...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (25 Jan 2006)

Brian Cowen: I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that in the period since the budget announcement, the Revenue Commissioners in the Border-midlands-west, BMW, region have dealt with significant numbers of telephone enquiries, both on the lo-call 1890 number for PAYE customers and on the general telephone lines for other customers. Since 5 December 2005, the operation of the 1890 service has...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (25 Jan 2006)

Brian Cowen: EU Directive 2005/19/EC contains amendments to the Directive 90/434/EEC on the common system of taxation applicable to mergers, divisions, transfers of assets and exchanges of shares concerning companies of different Member States. The purpose of that directive is to provide that such transactions can be carried out on a tax neutral basis while protecting the interests of the member states....

Written Answers — Mortgage Loans: Mortgage Loans (25 Jan 2006)

Brian Cowen: My Department is not aware of any practice by financial institutions with regard to the calculation of interest charges on mortgage loans, other than those already investigated by the financial regulator, that has given rise to instances of over-charging of customers. However, where a borrower has a concern with regard to the calculation of interest or other matters relating to a mortgage...

Written Answers — Departmental Appointments: Departmental Appointments (25 Jan 2006)

Brian Cowen: Since June 1997 my Department has made some 303 appointments and reappointments, excluding ex-officio appointments, to various State boards under the aegis of my Department.