Results 18,341-18,360 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Written Answers — National Development Plan: National Development Plan (27 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: The national development plan, NDP, was subjected to a wide ranging, in-depth and independent mid-term evaluation by the ESRI in 2003. The evaluation found that the NDP has made significant progress towards its objectives of promoting continuing sustainable national economic and employment growth and of consolidating and improving Ireland's economic competitiveness. It stated that the NDP...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (27 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: I will outline shortly to the European Commission the Government's position on the matter and a reply was sent to it on 14 April 2005 to that effect. As explained on previous occasions, there is no official estimate of the tax cost of the exemption until those availing of it make the returns required of them from next October.

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (27 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: I accept that the number of applications to the central applications facility, CAF, from the Civil Service is much better than those from the State agencies. Unlike the State agencies, the Civil Service has considerable previous experience of decentralisation and has a long tradition of interdepartmental transfers. The decentralisation implementation group, DIG, asked that all organisations...

Written Answers — Special Savings Incentive Scheme: Special Savings Incentive Scheme (27 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: The matter is subject to ongoing consideration within my Department. The impact of maturing SSIA funds on consumer demand in 2006 and 2007 is difficult to estimate and will depend on how the accumulated savings are spent or saved, how that portion of an individual's income that was previously saved in SSIAs is used and the extent to which savings are rolled over into other investment...

Written Answers — Budgetary Procedures: Budgetary Procedures (27 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: I am currently examining proposals for change which could be implemented in the short and medium term. Any changes to current practices would need to meet best practice, improve both the quality of debate and the data available to the House on the budget, meet our obligations to the EU and be capable of being delivered within the existing budget timetable. I will discuss the possibilities for...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (27 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 85, 92, 98 and 116 together. As I outlined to the House in my replies to similar questions on 3 March 2005, promotion and recruitment are key elements of the Government's decentralisation programme and I refer the Deputies to my earlier reply which set out the general position on this matter. In accordance with the recommendations of the decentralisation...

Written Answers — International Bodies: International Bodies (27 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: The outgoing president of the World Bank, James D. Wolfensohn, has played a significant role in raising the external profile of the bank and has been an excellent advocate for the entire development agenda. The issue of debt relief has been high on that agenda, particularly in recent years. No doubt, he would like to see a continued focus on debt relief and a conclusion brought to initiatives...

Written Answers — Stability and Growth Pact: Stability and Growth Pact (27 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: The extent to which the repayment may disimprove Ireland's general government deficit is not possible to say at this stage. It depends on many factors, including the out-turn for tax receipts and other spending during the years in question.

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (27 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: The question of the funding situation in pension schemes in the commercial State sector is primarily a matter for the board of each organisation directly concerned and I would expect that any relevant issues will be brought to the attention of the Ministers directly concerned as and when appropriate. The question of the funding situation in pension schemes in the non-commercial State sector...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (27 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: Restoring and enhancing national competitiveness is a key priority for this Government. The Government is keenly aware of the importance of Ireland's exporting sectors to investment and jobs and, in turn, of the importance of competitiveness for these sectors. It must be remembered that we cannot control our exchange rate. In this context, we must seek to control those key determinants of our...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (27 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: The stallion stud fee exemption was introduced in Finance Act 1969 and applied to nominations on all stallions whether standing at stud in Ireland or abroad. The relief was amended in Finance Act 1985 so as to confine the tax exemption on stallion fees to income earned from stallions at stud in the State. Income arising to a part owner of a foreign based stallion continued to be exempted...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (27 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 91, 97 and 129 together. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that while PAYE taxpayers are experiencing some delays during the current peak period, the backlog in this area should be substantially reduced within the next few weeks. I am also informed that there are no significant delays at present in areas other than PAYE and that queries and...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (27 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: There are particular issues that arise in dealing with the State agencies. The correct approach is to tease out the issues and develop good long-term solutions in consultation with all of the parties involved. This is the approach being adopted by the decentralisation implementation group. In its November 2004 report, the decentralisation implementation group listed a total of seven State...

Written Answers — Job Losses: Job Losses (27 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: I appreciate the serious concerns of Bank of Ireland staff regarding the implications of the restructuring programme. It is important to recognise, however, that the decision to introduce this plan was made by the management of the Bank of Ireland, in what it judged to be the long-term interests of the organisation. It would not be appropriate for me, in my role as Minister for Finance, to...

Written Answers — Financial Services: Financial Services (27 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: I assume the Deputy is referring to the draft capital requirements directive which is currently being considered by the European Parliament and is planned to be adopted by Council and Parliament before the end of this year. As far as the assessment of the potential impact of this directive is concerned, in response to a request from the European Council, the European Commission commissioned...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (27 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: The vehicle registration tax, VRT, rates for the different categories of vehicles, excluding motorcycles, are as set out in the table. Classification Rate Private Cars (Category A) Cars up to 1,400 ccs 22.5% of Open Market Selling Price, OMSP Cars 1,401 to 1,900 ccs 25% of OMSP Cars 1,901 and over 30% of OMSP Small Vans, Small Crew Cabs and some Jeeps (Category B) 13.3% of...

Written Answers — Benchmarking Awards: Benchmarking Awards (27 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: In the first public service pay agreement under Sustaining Progress, the parties agreed that the benchmarking process was the appropriate way to determine public service pay rates. They committed themselves to engage in consultation about the terms of reference, modus operandi, establishment and timescale of a further benchmarking exercise. In the pay agreement reached in June 2004 under the...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (27 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: The Government programme, An Agreed Programme for Government, states that "over the next five years our priorities . . . will be . . . to ensure that 80% of all earners pay tax only at the standard rate". The five year period mentioned commenced three years ago when the Government was elected to office. However, the commitment is given in the context of a broader economic and budgetary...

Written Answers — Special Savings Incentive Scheme: Special Savings Incentive Scheme (27 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: The budget estimate of the cost of the SSIA scheme to the Exchequer in 2005 was €560 million. Any increase in payments into SSIAs has been small and there is no reason at present to expect a substantially higher outturn. Our latest estimate, based on the average tax credit payout in the first three months of 2005, is €572 million. As indicated in replies to previous questions, it is not...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (27 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: In my 2005 Budget Statement, I announced that my Department and the Office of the Revenue Commissioners are to undertake a detailed review of certain tax incentive schemes and tax exemptions in 2005. This review will evaluate their impact and operation, including their economic and social benefits for the different locations and sectors involved and to the wider community. In addition, the...