Results 17,081-17,100 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Written Answers — Revenue Investigations: Revenue Investigations (9 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that they are conducting their investigation into the use by taxpayers of life assurance investment products for the purposes of tax evasion in two stages. In the first stage of these inquiries taxpayers, who invested undisclosed and undeclared funds in life assurance products were given until 23 May 2005 to advise Revenue of this. This part of the...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (9 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: A 20% tax credit applies to companies that incur incremental expenditure on research and development, R&D. An incremental tax credit is preferable to a volume based credit in that it lessens the dead-weight expenditure qualifying for the credit and encourages increases in R&D expenditure, which is the policy aim behind the incentive. The definition of R&D is based on best international...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (9 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: Capital allowances are available in respect of capital expenditure incurred on the construction of certain qualifying private hospitals. The expenditure can be written off over seven years at the rate of 15% per annum over the first six years and 10% in year seven. Capital allowances for private hospitals is one of the many reliefs currently under detailed review by my Department in...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (9 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: As I said in my press release on the day the IMF report was published, on Monday, 17 October, I am pleased that the IMF has commented favourably on the continuing impressive performance of Ireland's economy which is based on sound economic policies. The IMF has provided a good assessment of Ireland's economic policies and prospects. I note the IMF executive board's concerns about the erosion...

Written Answers — Budget Submissions: Budget Submissions (9 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: I have received a pre-budget submission from the organisation concerned and the contents will be considered in the context of the forthcoming budget and Finance Bill. As the Deputy is aware, it would not be appropriate for me to comment in advance of the budget on possible budget decisions.

Written Answers — Financial Services Regulation: Financial Services Regulation (9 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: I assume the Deputy is referring to the Commission's study into possible obstacles to cross-Border mergers and acquisitions in the financial sector, which arises from a discussion at the informal meeting of EU Economic and Finance Ministers in September 2004. I might first clarify that the Commission has no role in promoting increased cross-Border consolidation as such, as that is a matter...

Written Answers — National Development Finance Agency: National Development Finance Agency (9 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 95 put by Deputy Paul McGrath on Wednesday, 5 October 2005, wherein I stated the following: The National Development Finance Agency, NDFA, was established under the National Development Finance Agency Act 2002. Section 3 of the Act sets out its functions in regard to advising State authorities on the optimum means of funding public investment...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (9 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: Residency rules were last updated in the 1994 Finance Act by the then Government following a comprehensive review of the matter by the Revenue Commissioners and my Department. The resulting new rules set out in the 1994 Finance Act both simplified and clarified the whole area and were generally welcomed. I have no proposals to carry out the sort of analysis referred to by the Deputy. I have,...

Written Answers — Special Savings Incentive Scheme: Special Savings Incentive Scheme (9 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: The SSIA scheme opened on 1 May 2001 and entry to it closed on 30 April 2002. The accounts are due to mature between May 2006 and April 2007. A total of 1.17 million accounts were opened during the period outlined. The impact of maturing SSIA funds on the economy in 2006 and 2007 is subject to ongoing consideration within my Department. The impact on consumer demand is difficult to estimate...

Written Answers — Tax Evasion: Tax Evasion (9 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the following information is the up to date position on court prosecutions initiated for tax evasion. In 1997, there was one prosecution and one conviction. A fine of €635 was imposed with no custodial sentence. In 1998, there were six cases and eight convictions; fines totalling €42,854 were imposed. There were two custodial sentences, one...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (9 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: The provisions of section 848A of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 govern the operation of the scheme for tax relief on donations to eligible charities and other approved bodies. The administration of those provisions is the responsibility of the Revenue Commissioners. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that primary and secondary schools qualify as approved bodies under the donations...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (9 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the total tax debt outstanding at 31 March 2005, as reported in Revenue's annual report and in the recent report of the Comptroller and Auditor General was €1.2 billion, not €2.5 billion as quoted by the Deputy. As with any tax system, there will always be people who pay late, people who try to avoid paying and people who can not pay. In this...

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (9 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that figures of the total yield from various special investigations and initiatives by the Revenue Commissioners, which are available for the years 1998 to 2004 and updated to 31 October 2005, are set out in the following table. Yield from Special Investigations up to end October 2005. Heading Total yields â'¬ million DIRT Audits 225.0 ...

Written Answers — National Development Plan: National Development Plan (9 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: I am broadly satisfied with the rate of both financial and physical implementation of the national development plan, NDP. The monitoring committees for each of the national development plan's seven operational programmes, OPs, have met in recent weeks to consider progress to end June 2005 for their respective programmes. It is estimated that around €39 billion or some 88% of the profiled...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (9 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: The 80% target in An Agreed Programme for Government is given in the context of a broader economic and budgetary strategy which provides, among other things, that the public finances will be kept in a healthy condition and that personal and business taxes will be kept down in order to strengthen and maintain the competitive position of the Irish economy. Further progress in this area will be...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (9 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: From the outset both the Government and I have made it clear that participation in the decentralisation programme is voluntary. Because of the nature of the programme it is not possible at this stage to estimate the number of public servants who do not wish to relocate as individual circumstances are open to change and therefore figures can fluctuate. The picture will become clearer over the...

Written Answers — Revenue Investigations: Revenue Investigations (9 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that their Ansbacher review team has been carrying out detailed investigations since October 1999. The investigation has essentially two elements. There are Ansbacher type arrangements and there are other cases involving offshore funds and deposits. Revenue has advised that the review team has inquired into 289 cases to date and 159 of these cases...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (9 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: As the Deputy is aware, I announced in my Budget Statement that my Department and the Office of the Revenue Commissioners are undertaking a detailed review of certain tax incentive schemes and tax exemptions in 2005. Two external consultancy firms have been examining the area-based and sectoral property tax incentive schemes. The review also involves the examination by my Department and the...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (9 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that a wide range of initiatives has already been taken to inform PAYE taxpayers of their entitlements to tax credits-reliefs and so avoid potential overpayments of tax. Revenue informs me that the vast majority of PAYE workers receive their full entitlements every year. At the beginning of each year a tax credit certificate is issued to every PAYE...

Written Answers — National Development Plan: National Development Plan (9 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 139 and 218 together. The Southern and Eastern Regional Assembly presented the progress report for the southern and eastern operational programme for the period January 2000 to end June 2005 to the programme monitoring committee on 24 October 2005. Expenditure incurred under the programme from 1 January 2005 to 30 June 2005 is €284 million which represents...