Results 16,661-16,680 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Order of Business (Resumed). (25 Jan 2006)

Brian Cowen: We are concerned that an obsession is developing on that side.

Personal Explanation by Minister. (25 Jan 2006)

Brian Cowen: Deputies will recall that the Appropriation Act, which was enacted before Christmas, contains provisions relating to the carryover of €345.7 million capital spending from 2005 to 2006. The Seanad is due to hear statements on this Act tomorrow, in accordance with an agreement that a discussion would take place after the recess. As the Dáil has the primary role in financial matters and as I...

Personal Explanation by Minister. (25 Jan 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am giving the up-to-date information, as provided to me and as I would normally do. As the Appropriation Act will be discussed in the Seanad tomorrow and as I will refer to this matter there, I wished to put it on the record in the House this evening as the money-raising powers of the Oireachtas are vested in the Dáil. Second, the matter can be referred to in regard to the Revised...

Personal Explanation by Minister. (25 Jan 2006)

Brian Cowen: The third point is that I am addressing the House on this matter because the Appropriation Act shows a figure of €56.4 million which, as I was informed on Tuesday last by the Department of Health and Children, will not now be available. That is my role in regard to ensuring that the Appropriation Act reference is made and that the fullest amount of information will be available for the...

Personal Explanation by Minister. (25 Jan 2006)

Brian Cowen: On current purposes.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (15 Dec 2005)

Brian Cowen: In my recent budget speech I announced that certain existing capital gains tax, CAT, capital acquisitions tax, CGT, and stamp duty reliefs are being extended to cover the EU single farm payment entitlement. This entitlement will be recognised as a qualifying agricultural asset for the purposes of the CAT agricultural relief qualification test in relation to gifts and inheritances. For CGT...

Written Answers — Air Services: Air Services (15 Dec 2005)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that Weston Aerodrome is approved by them in respect of flights to or from other member states of the European Union. Flights to and from EU destinations are permitted provided no third country non-EU goods are carried on board; no stores are carried on board; no passengers who have originated in a non-EU country and who have not been cleared at...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (15 Dec 2005)

Brian Cowen: The following examples show the tax credits and bands available in 2006 in the cases outlined by the Deputy. The examples refer to earners in the PAYE sector and are based on the assumption in each case that the married couple is jointly assessed for tax purposes. Example 1 Single Person Gross Income €26,000 Band Available €32,000 Band Utilised €26,000 Tax€26,000...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (15 Dec 2005)

Brian Cowen: I refer the Deputy to Question No. 66 of Tuesday last relating to the target of reducing public service employment. No embargo is in place. The Government has followed a policy of reducing public service employment since December 2002 under which the growth in public sector employment has slowed substantially overall and has been reversed in several areas. The Government will continue to...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (15 Dec 2005)

Brian Cowen: Following on my recent budget some 740,000 workers in Ireland will not have to pay income tax on their earnings in 2006. The threshold for entry into the income tax net will be €15,600 per annum for a single person, €27,600 for a married one-income family with two children and €31,200 for a married two income family with two children. The new child-minding relief I announced in my...

Written Answers — Financial Services Regulation: Financial Services Regulation (15 Dec 2005)

Brian Cowen: Section 32 of the Criminal Justice Act 1994 requires financial institutions to take reasonable measures to identify their customers. Recommended procedures for the implementation of this provision are set out in guidance notes issued under the aegis of the money laundering steering committee, which is chaired by the Department of Finance and includes representatives of financial services...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (15 Dec 2005)

Brian Cowen: I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the correct date of cessation has been updated on the taxpayer's record and a letter issued to the taxpayer on 13 December 2005 confirming this. As all other information on the P45 was correct, it is not necessary for the person's previous employer to issue an amended P45.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (15 Dec 2005)

Brian Cowen: I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that there has not been a refusal to refund DIRT in this case. They have confirmed to me that on 18 May 1999 a refund of DIRT of €104.59 was made for the tax year 1998-99. In April 2005, a further claim for a refund was submitted for that year for an additional amount of €103.47. They accordingly advised the taxpayer that a refund was to...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (15 Dec 2005)

Brian Cowen: The administration and payment of the early child care supplement, which I announced in budget 2006, will be carried out on an agency basis by the Department of Social and Family Affairs. The first payment, covering the second quarter of 2006, will be made in mid-2006. In order to bring greater coherence to the sector, the Government has decided to establish an office of the Minister for...

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (15 Dec 2005)

Brian Cowen: The aim of this unique EU programme is to promote reconciliation and help to build a more peaceful and stable society in Northern Ireland and the six southern Border counties: Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan, Monaghan and Louth. Because of the valuable role the Peace II programme is playing in this region, the Irish and British Governments successfully sought an extension to the programme...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (15 Dec 2005)

Brian Cowen: The threshold for inheritance tax between brothers and sisters is the group B threshold, which was €46,673 for the year 2005. The group thresholds are indexed annually by reference to the consumer price index. Any other gifts-inheritances received by the beneficiary from within the same group B threshold — that is, from uncles, aunts, brothers, sisters or grandparents — since 5 December...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (15 Dec 2005)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that a married couple living together is deemed to have elected for joint assessment commencing with the year following the year of marriage. However, notwithstanding this, either spouse may elect to be taxed either: (a) as if the marriage had not taken place — i.e. to be taxed as single individuals); or (b) under separate assessment — that is,...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (15 Dec 2005)

Brian Cowen: The tax liability in the scenarios outlined by the Deputy will be as follows: Scenario 1 — Tax liability for 2006 of a married couple, the main earner having PAYE income of €41,000, and the spouse with non-PAYE income of €10,000 and a further €10,000 from minding three children in the couple's own home.1 Total joint income of couple€61,000 Less exempt childminding income€10,000...

Order of Business. (15 Dec 2005)

Brian Cowen: He is ringing Mr. Richter.

Written Answers — Public Service Staff: Public Service Staff (14 Dec 2005)

Brian Cowen: Information on the main Civil Service rates of pay is contained in Department of Finance Circular 34/2005, which is published on the Department's website www.finance.gov.ie under "Civil-Public Service Information — Circulars". Details of other individual grades are available on request. Information on the rates of pay of staff of specific non-commercial State-sponsored bodies or North-South...