Results 17,861-17,880 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (14 Jun 2005)

Brian Cowen: I assume that what the Deputy has in mind is a band structure where: the value of the married one-earner band would be €58,800; the value of the married two-earner band would also be €58,800, with no restriction on transferability between spouses; the value of the single band would be €29,400; and the value of the lone or widowed parent band would be €33,400. I am informed by the...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (14 Jun 2005)

Brian Cowen: There are no proposals to introduce tax incentives with particular reference to thatched premises in the tourism sector. Funding is, however, available through a grants scheme operated by my colleague, Deputy Roche, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, whereby assistance is available in respect of the cost of preserving and restoring thatched roofing. I am...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (14 Jun 2005)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the VAT annual return of trading details is not specifically related to the year commencing 6 April. In the case of a sole trader, the taxpayer decides on the 12-month period to be covered by the return, and the Revenue Commissioners issue the relevant form for completion accordingly. In the case of a company, the period for the return of trading...

Written Answers — National Development Plan: National Development Plan (14 Jun 2005)

Brian Cowen: The national development plan, NDP, provides an indicative expenditure profile for each of the seven operational programmes, for the Border, midlands and western, BMW, and southern and eastern regions for each year from 2000 to 2006. Those profiles were set in 2000 when the operational programmes were prepared. The levels of resources allocated annually are determined by public expenditure...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (14 Jun 2005)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that PAYE balancing statements for the years 2002, 2003 and 2004, granting all tax credits due to the taxpayer, will issue in the coming days.

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (14 Jun 2005)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that figures for the estimated corporation tax paid in the years 2000 to 2004, inclusive, by banks, their Irish subsidiaries, banking activities in the IFSC, insurance companies and building societies are shown in the following table. Year Estimated corporation tax yield from the financial services sector â'¬m 2000 965 2001...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (14 Jun 2005)

Brian Cowen: In accordance with the Government's decentralisation programme, the Revenue Commissioners will decentralise 50 posts to Newcastle West. The decentralisation implementation group, DIG, which was established to drive forward the implementation of the programme requested all decentralising organisations to prepare and submit implementation plans. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that...

Written Answers — National Development Plan: National Development Plan (14 Jun 2005)

Brian Cowen: I will be putting proposals to Government shortly on the issue of a successor to the current national development plan, NDP, which will run until the end of 2006. As the Deputy is probably aware, previous NDPs have been a requirement of the European Commission to enable Ireland to draw down its allocation of Structural and Cohesion Funds. Unlike previous occasions, there is no requirement...

Written Answers — National Minimum Wage: National Minimum Wage (14 Jun 2005)

Brian Cowen: Since the Government introduced the minimum wage in April 2000, it has increased in value by almost 37%, taking account the latest increase on 1 May 2005. We now have one of the highest minimum wages in Europe. On an annualised basis, it stands at €15,515, based on a 39-hour week. The present entry point to income tax is €14,250 per annum for a single person aged under 65. The Revenue...

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (2 Jun 2005)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 128 to 130, inclusive, together. I have been informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the tax records of micro-enterprises and small and medium sized enterprises cannot be identified in a manner that enables the precise information requested by the Deputy to be provided. Relevant information is available in respect of companies liable to corporation tax...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (2 Jun 2005)

Brian Cowen: The only expenditure from the Vote of the Department of Finance that was spent on commissions, inquiries and tribunals in the years in question was spent on the Commission on Financial Management and Control Systems in the Health Service and the Commission on Public Service Pensions. The Commission on Financial Management and Control Systems in the Health Service was established in April 2002...

Written Answers — Freedom of Information: Freedom of Information (2 Jun 2005)

Brian Cowen: I expect that consideration of the public bodies to be brought under the aegis of freedom of information legislation in 2005 will be finalised in the coming weeks. Pending publication of the details of the extension, I do not propose to make any further statements about individual bodies in this regard.

Written Answers — Public Service Recruitment: Public Service Recruitment (2 Jun 2005)

Brian Cowen: Section 23 of the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004, which relates to codes of practice, requires the establishment of an appeals process. The code of practice issued by the Commission for Public Service Appointments provides guidelines on how the appeals process should work, including timescales for the submission of appeals and complaints, the issuing of...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (2 Jun 2005)

Brian Cowen: Capital allowances are available in respect of capital expenditure incurred on the construction of certain qualifying private hospitals. The Health Service Executive, in consultation with the Department of Health and Children, must certify that a hospital that wishes to qualify contains minimum facilities, meets capacity requirements and makes available not less than 20% of its capacity for...

Order of Business. (2 Jun 2005)

Brian Cowen: The matters referred to will be dealt with in the House. Arrangements have been made for this year's session to be longer than last year's. Arrangements have been in place for some time in the House to use the week of the June bank holiday for the purposes of ensuring that the Dáil does not meet in plenary session on that day, but all the issues raised by the party leaders this morning will...

Order of Business. (2 Jun 2005)

Brian Cowen: Regarding the Morris tribunal report, initial statements will be made by party leaders and the matter will be debated in full in the House.

Order of Business. (2 Jun 2005)

Brian Cowen: The second report of the Morris tribunal reveals a very disturbing and shocking catalogue of events in the Donegal division of the Garda Síochána some eight years ago. In short, the report finds that there was a rush to judgment on the part of the Garda Síochána, but that there were also elements within the Garda who set out to frame Frank McBrearty junior and Mark McConnell for murder....

Order of Business. (2 Jun 2005)

Brian Cowen: Let me be clear, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Government accept the findings of the report and will act on them. Last year, following the publication of the first report of the Morris tribunal, the Government dismissed a Garda superintendent. Another superintendent and a chief superintendent retired. The Garda Commissioner dismissed a number of members of garda...

Order of Business. (2 Jun 2005)

Brian Cowen: I understand no legislation is promised in that area.

Order of Business. (2 Jun 2005)

Brian Cowen: I am not aware of this issue, although I heard some breaking news on the 10 a.m. news bulletin. The HSE is meeting this afternoon. We must await the outcome of the meeting before we can make further comment.