Results 17,361-17,380 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Written Answers — Coroners Service: Coroners Service (19 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 205 and 206 together. The State has invested some €80 million in building and equipping new world class laboratory facilities for the State Laboratory at Backweston. With the completion of the move the State Laboratory is now better placed to deliver an enhanced analytical service for its clients. Inevitably, during the period of the actual move there was...

Written Answers — State Airports: State Airports (19 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that there is no obligation on any foreign military aircraft, aircraft used in military service or foreign chartered civilian aircraft to report, or make a declaration, to customs while the aircraft is in transit and not loading or unloading goods at any airport or aerodrome in the State. This includes Dublin Airport, Knock Airport and Casement...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (19 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: For the purpose of capital acquisitions tax, CAT, the relationship between the person who provided a gift or inheritance, the disponer, and the person who received a gift or inheritance, the beneficiary, determines the maximum tax free threshold, known as the group threshold. There are three group thresholds based on the relationship of the beneficiary to the disponer and these thresholds are...

Written Answers — Budget Submissions: Budget Submissions (19 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: I have received a pre-budget submission from the organisation concerned and I have met with it as part of the community and voluntary pillar, one of a series of meetings held in advance of the budget. The contents of the pre-budget submission will be considered in the context of the forthcoming budget and finance Bill. Where appropriate, my Department will liaise with other Departments as...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (18 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: I assume that what the Deputy requires is the yield to the Exchequer if child benefit payments were included as income for tax purposes. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the full year yield from taxation of child benefit at each taxpayer's marginal tax rate is tentatively estimated at €377 million in 2005 terms. This figure is provisional and likely to be revised....

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (18 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: I understand that the person concerned has applied for the tax concessions under the disabled drivers and disabled passengers, tax concessions, scheme and that she was unsuccessful at first instance and has appealed to the medical board of appeal for the scheme. I have no direct responsibility for the day-to-day operation of the medical board of appeal for the disabled drivers and disabled...

Written Answers — Vehicle Registration Offices: Vehicle Registration Offices (18 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 365 and 375 together. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the opening hours of the vehicle registration tax office at Furry Park Industrial Estate, Santry, Dublin 9, are 9 a.m. to 12.45 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday. On the day in question the office closed at 12.30 p.m. in order to allow the four staff on duty time to clear a queue of...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (18 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: Generally speaking, the tax system treats members of cohabiting couples as separate and unconnected individuals. Each partner is a separate entity for tax purposes and credits, and bands and reliefs cannot be transferred from one partner to the other. There are no special favourable tax arrangements for cohabiting couples with dependent children. The working group examining the treatment of...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (18 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: There are no age related stamp duty exemptions for any category of persons for purchasing a home and I have no plans to introduce such an exemption.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (18 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the available information as to the cost to the Exchequer of the exemption of certain earnings of writers, composers and artists is in respect of claimants who made income tax returns for the five income tax years 1998-99 to 2002, the latest year for which it is available. The information is as follows: 1998-99, €24.5 million; 1999-2000,...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (18 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: In the 2005 budget, I announced a comprehensive programme of reviews of a broad range of tax incentive schemes and tax exemptions. Many of these schemes are being reviewed internally within the Department of Finance and the Office of the Revenue Commissioners. In addition, following a competitive tendering process, two external consultancy firms were retained to conduct reviews of the range...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (18 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: The reasons for the engagement of consultants were set out in some detail in the last budget. The consultants appointed have worked in close co-operation with special in-house project management teams set up for this purpose as required under the contracts. As indicated already in reply to other questions on this issue, my Department and Revenue are also carrying out an examination on a...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (18 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: The consultants appointed by me have received full co-operation from the Revenue Commissioners and my Department. This involvement has largely covered provision of support data and overall project management. The work carried out by my Department and Revenue in this case can be regarded as within the normal range of duties and functions carried out by them in discharging their...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (18 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: I assume the Deputy is referring to the cost for 2002 of all income tax allowances, reliefs, exemptions and tax credits which are included annually in table IT 6 of the statistical report of the Revenue Commissioners. I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the estimated cost in 2002 of these tax concessions is estimated to be in the region of €10.8 billion. This figure includes the...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (18 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that, in the case referred to by the Deputy, due to a breakdown in communication between two of its offices, it was incorrectly stated in the reply to a parliamentary question on 28 September 2005 that no response was received from the solicitor's office to their letter of 27 May 2004. The Revenue Commissioners very much regret any inconvenience...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (18 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: The Commissioners of Public Works, following consultations with the Garda authorities on their requirements, estimated that the refurbishment costs would be in the region of €350,000.00. As a result of the tendering process, a contract was placed on 6 May 2003 in the sum of €392,000. The final account figure is not to hand as there is one element of the works to be finalised. The ESB is...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (18 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: A site for a new Garda divisional headquarters in the Roxborough area of Wexford town is currently under consideration. An access issue in relation to the site has arisen which requires to be resolved before the legal formalities can be finalised. The final decision on the selection of the site for the new Garda headquarters in Wexford is a matter for the Department of Justice, Equality and...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (18 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 388 and 389 together. The staffing of my Department's press office consists of a press officer, a higher executive officer, an executive officer and a clerical officer. With the exception of the press officer, each of the other staff members is entitled to claim overtime at standard Civil Service rates in respect of additional attendance outside normal office...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (18 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: In accordance with established procedures in Civil Service employment, my Department permits time off in lieu to grades which are entitled to paid overtime, generally staff up to the level of higher executive officer. This permits staff to avail of extra time off rather than pay for extra attendance. Such agreements are agreed in advance and must be consistent with the work demands. This is...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (18 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: The holding and use of personal information is governed by the Data Protection Act 1988 and the Data Protection (Amendment) Act 2003. On commencing employment with the Department, all staff are informed of these requirements and sign confirming knowledge and acceptance of these requirements. In addition, staff with access to personnel files are briefed on the confidential nature of their...