Results 19,201-19,220 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (23 Nov 2004)

Brian Cowen: Promotion and recruitment are key elements of the Government's decentralisation programme. In the implementation phase, they are important in supporting the efficient movement of Departments and offices to their new locations. In a decentralised service, acceptance of a post, whether as a result of promotion or open recruitment, will have to be conditional on agreement to work in a particular...

Written Answers — Revenue Powers Group: Revenue Powers Group (23 Nov 2004)

Brian Cowen: As the Deputy will know, my predecessor established the Revenue Powers Group, under the chairmanship of Mr. Justice Frank Murphy, to examine Revenue's main statutory powers and report on changes needed. The group's report was published on 4 February 2004 and the Minister indicated at that time that he wished to allow a period for debate and public reflection on the many and varied issues...

Written Answers — Currency Fluctuations: Currency Fluctuations (23 Nov 2004)

Brian Cowen: Any sharp appreciation of the euro vis-À-vis the dollar is always a challenge to the economy. This arises because a strong euro reduces the competitiveness of the exporting sector. Indeed, Ireland is more affected than most within the euro area, given our deeper trade exposure to the US than many of our European partners. In this regard, it is important that businesses take necessary...

Written Answers — Tax Amnesty: Tax Amnesty (23 Nov 2004)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that there are two ways in which a taxpayer may have been in breach of the amnesty, first, in making a false declaration or, second, in not making a declaration. I am informed that Revenue does not have figures for the number of detected breaches of the amnesty. Because of the confidentiality conditions built into the 1993 amnesty legislation, such...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (23 Nov 2004)

Brian Cowen: The Government has more than doubled total spending on public services between 1997 and 2004 to over €41 billion. As provided for in the Abridged Estimates Volume published last week, the Government will be adding a further €2.5 billion to this in 2005 on a pre-budget basis to fund day-to-day spending on public services. Priority has been given to expenditure on social welfare, health,...

Written Answers — State Laboratory: State Laboratory (23 Nov 2004)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the State chemist that the new laboratory in Backweston will be ready for occupation by the end of November, so no transfer could take place earlier. The project team will have the new location and equipment ready for each of the nine sections of the laboratory, which will move in turn over a period of two to three months. Disruption to testing and other laboratory procedures...

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (23 Nov 2004)

Brian Cowen: There has been no delay in publishing the summary public capital programme, PCP. In accordance with normal practice, the 2005 summary PCP was published as part of the Abridged Estimates Volume, AEV, and presented to the Dáil on 18 November. As I indicated when publishing the AEV and summary PCP, I will be announcing a revised multi-annual capital envelope for 2005-09 on budget day. The full...

Written Answers — Capital Projects: Capital Projects (23 Nov 2004)

Brian Cowen: Capital projects are procured primarily by the traditional means of Exchequer capital or by public private partnership, PPP. In both cases, projects are subject to appraisal for value for money in accordance with the relevant guidelines laid down by my Department. It is a matter for the sponsoring Department or agency, with the approval of the relevant sanctioning Department, to determine...

Written Answers — Departmental Investigations: Departmental Investigations (23 Nov 2004)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that they had commenced an investigation in January 1998 when information indicating serious tax evasion on the part of customers of the financial institution in question had been made known to them. As a result of the subsequent investigation they had become aware of the magnitude of the investments made by individuals through the financial...

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (23 Nov 2004)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 96 and 243 together. I am not in a position to provide figures of the anticipated outturn for 2004 of taxation specifically derived from the motor industry. The latest estimated figures for 2004 to end October 2004, as advised by the Revenue Commissioners, in respect of the yield from VAT, excise and VRT for various commodities associated with motoring, are...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (23 Nov 2004)

Brian Cowen: All major tax incentives-expenditures are kept under review by this Government, especially in the context of the annual budget and Finance Bill process. It is widely acknowledged that there are legitimate and reasonable reasons for tax reliefs as a general principle and few would argue that these tax relief provisions have not made a significant contribution to the economic life of the...

Written Answers — National Minimum Wage: National Minimum Wage (23 Nov 2004)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 98 and 118 together. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the full year cost of removing the minimum wage entirely from the scope of income tax in 2005 would be €350 million, if achieved through an increase in the employee PAYE credit. It would be €525 million in a full year if the necessary increase was applied solely to the personal credit. If...

Written Answers — Housing Market: Housing Market (23 Nov 2004)

Brian Cowen: Recent years have seen a rapid increase in output in the residential construction sector. In 2003, housing construction accounted for just over 10% of GNP. While I would expect a normal easing back of housing output in the coming years construction sector demand should be assisted by a continuation of a strong public capital programme and a pick up in other investment. Most commentators...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (23 Nov 2004)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 100 and 109 together. There are many reasons a person would have a nil liability. This can arise from the cumulation of tax relief for pension contributions, trading losses carried forward, capital allowances and various tax incentives. It must be accepted that, of their nature, tax reliefs, even where they can be justified for good public policy purposes,...

Written Answers — Ansbacher Accounts: Ansbacher Accounts (23 Nov 2004)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that their Ansbacher review team has inquired into 289 cases to date and 92 of these cases have concluded settlements with Revenue. The 289 cases, taking account of spouses and connected companies, consist of 300 names. The 289 cases are made up of 179 cases listed on the High Court inspectors' report and 110 similar cases discovered by Revenue or...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (23 Nov 2004)

Brian Cowen: I have received no report from the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General or the Committee of Public Accounts specifically on proposed changes in spending arrangements. If there is a particular report the Deputy has in mind, I am happy to consider this matter further on the basis of more detailed information.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (23 Nov 2004)

Brian Cowen: It is not possible to examine the take up of tax relief for all pension contributions across different income categories. This is because the relevant information is not available to the Revenue Commissioners as the tax relief for pension contributions for employees is normally given at source, that is, the taxable income is the income net of pension contributions by employees.

Written Answers — Claims Against the State: Claims Against the State (23 Nov 2004)

Brian Cowen: The State Claims Agency is handling two cases of alleging personal injury following exposure to a toxic mould. The State Claims Agency, as part of its risk management programme, commissioned a survey of a number of Government-owned buildings located countrywide to ascertain the situation in relation to toxic mould. The buildings selected were of varying age and building types. The report did...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (23 Nov 2004)

Brian Cowen: The two reports of the decentralisation implementation group, DIG, dated 31 March 2004 and 30 July 2004, provide detailed accounts of the progress made in implementing the decentralisation programme announced last December. An analysis of the applications registered with the central applications facility by 7 September 2004 has also been published. I refer the Deputy also to the presentations...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (23 Nov 2004)

Brian Cowen: As previously advised to the Deputy in a reply to a parliamentary question on 14 October 2004, stamp duty is a tax on property and property rights. As ownership of property is positively correlated with income, the incidence of this tax will tend to fall more on those on higher incomes. The equity of this depends on one's viewpoint but such a tax is generally regarded as progressive from the...