Results 17,481-17,500 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (5 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: The programme of decentralisation will be implemented through the transfer of staff on a voluntary basis. There will be no redundancies and, as on previous occasions, the payment of removal or relocation expenses will not arise. Consultations are being held with the public service unions on an ongoing basis to address the concerns of all staff affected by the programme.

Written Answers — Public Contracts: Public Contracts (5 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 150, 212 and 213 together. The primary responsibility for the procurement, management and implementation of capital projects rests with individual Departments and public bodies under their aegis subject to compliance with general conditions of sanction and accountability. It is important to ensure a much closer alignment between the agreed tender price and the...

Written Answers — Special Savings Incentive Scheme: Special Savings Incentive Scheme (5 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that, based on the analysis of the 2004 SSIA annual returns furnished by all qualifying savings managers, the total number of active accounts at 31 December 2004 was 1,094,294 and the average monthly subscription at that date was €175. As indicated in replies to previous parliamentary questions, it is not possible to give a definitive answer as to...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (5 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: As previously advised to the Deputy in replies to parliamentary questions on 30 November 2004, 28 June 2005 and 28 September 2005, capital gains tax is a tax on a capital gain arising on the disposal of assets. A 20% rate of CGT applies on the gains arising on the disposal of assets, including land which is the subject of a compulsory purchase order. It was announced in the 2003 budget that...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (5 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: Following representations from CAP trade interests Revenue introduced an electronic system in July 2004 enabling them to submit their export declarations and refund claims on-line. The development of this facility was consistent with the commitment given in the Revenue Statement of Strategy 2003-05 to increase the options available to do business on-line thereby providing a faster and more...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (5 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that they can only allow tax credits or reliefs on the basis of the information that is known to them. If the information on the tax credit certificate is incorrect or if there is a change in circumstances in the middle of the tax year then taxpayers are encouraged to notify Revenue and relief is given immediately through the PAYE system. Where...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (5 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: It would appear that the Deputy's question relates to stamp duty and I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that there is an exemption from stamp duty in the case of the transfer of land to a person who is under the age of 35 years, who is the holder of specified educational qualifications together with the completion of a 180 hours Teagasc approved training programme where required and...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (5 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: As part of the decentralisation programme it is intended that 250 posts of the Revenue Commissioners will be decentralised to Athy, County Kildare. I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the timing of the movement of staff to Athy is dependent on suitable accommodation being available. The Office of Public Works is currently examining a number of proposals in relation to a suitable...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (5 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: As part of the decentralisation programme it is intended that 34 posts of my Department and 379 posts of the Office of the Revenue Commissioners will be decentralised to Kildare town. The timing of the movement of staff to Kildare is dependent on suitable accommodation being available. I am advised by the Office of Public Works that it is currently examining a number of proposals in relation...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (5 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: I regret to say that it is not possible under EU VAT law, with which Irish VAT law must comply, to do as the Deputy proposes.

Written Answers — Price Inflation: Price Inflation (5 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 210 and 211 together. The director general of the Central Statistics Office, CSO, has sole responsibility for and is independent in deciding the statistical methodology and professional standards to be used in compiling the consumer price index, CPI. The CPI is designed to measure the change in the average level of the prices paid by consumers for goods and...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (5 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: Drogheda has attracted the highest number of applications on the central applications facility. Over 1,000 civil and public servants have expressed a first preference on the CAF for that location.

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (5 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: I expect that the target of relocating over 10,000 civil and public servants will be achieved. There is significant interest in the programme and to date there have been 10,500 applications. As the Deputy knows responsibility for implementation within each Department lies with the relevant Ministers and I know my Cabinet colleagues are fully committed to the programme. The decentralisation...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (5 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: The Decentralisation Implementation Group was appointed to drive forward the overall implementation of the decentralisation programme. The two reports of the implementation group dated 31 March 2004 and 30 July 2004 provided detailed recommendations in implementing the programme. In addition, the implementation group prepared two further reports in November 2004 and one in June 2005 which...

Written Answers — Money Laundering: Money Laundering (5 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 218 and 221 together. Irish legislation on money laundering is set out in the Criminal Justice Act 1994, as amended. Primary responsibility for legislation in the area of money laundering rests with the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. Enforcement of the legislation is primarily a matter for the Garda Síochána. In regard to regulation of the...

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (5 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: A special interdepartmental review group carried out a review of the operation of the disabled drivers scheme. The terms of reference of the group were to examine the operation of the existing scheme, including the difficulties experienced by the various groups and individuals involved with it, both on an administrative and user level, and to consider the feasibility of alternative schemes,...

Written Answers — Unemployment Levels: Unemployment Levels (5 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: The rural renewal scheme, under which tax incentives have been in operation in certain areas of the upper Shannon basin since June 1998, is currently being reviewed in the context of the overall process of reviews of tax reliefs that has been underway over the past year. I have no plans to introduce any further tax incentive schemes of this nature in advance of the completion of this review....

Seanad: Tax Evasion: Motion. (5 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: Another factor that influences the process of criminal investigations is the level of the powers available to the investigators. Revenue officers, in the course of their work in this area, may identify deficiencies that curtail their capacity to assemble the best evidence in some cases and, as a result of these experiences, suggest matters for inclusion in Finance Bills. As the Seanad is...

Seanad: Tax Evasion: Motion. (5 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: That is a caricature.

Seanad: Tax Evasion: Motion. (5 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: I appreciate the opportunity to address this motion and to speak in support of the amendment put down by the Government which points to the very significant and increasing successes of the Revenue Commissioners in recent years in protecting the State's revenues and tackling tax evasion. The Labour Party motion contains a wholly unsupported and outrageous allegation that there is a policy in...