Results 321-340 of 9,948 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr in 'Written Answers'

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (15 Dec 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: This is a matter for the Revenue Commissioners and I do not consider it appropriate that I would intervene directly in this matter. I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the initiation of enforcement action is not something undertaken lightly and that once it is underway it is only in very exceptional circumstances that there would be any cessation or deferral of such action. The...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (15 Dec 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Payment Services Directive (Directive 2007/64/EC) was transposed into Irish law through the European Communities (Payment Services) Regulations 2009 (S.I. 383 of 2009), made on 25 September 2009. The Directive does not regulate charges for the use of direct debit or other payment instruments. Article 52(3) of the Directive prohibits payment service providers from preventing merchants...

Written Answers — Civil Service Staff: Civil Service Staff (15 Dec 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Individuals who availed of the Incentivised Scheme of Early Retirement are not de-barred from re-entering the labour market generally; however, they are not eligible for re-employment in the same part of the public service from which they retired. They may take up employment in other areas of the public service, in which case their pension may be abated. I have no plans to change this position.

Written Answers — State Assets: State Assets (15 Dec 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I presume that the Deputy is referring to the Review Group on State Assets and Liabilities which I established in July 2010 under the Chairmanship of Mr. Colm McCarthy. I understand that the Review Group will report in early 2011.

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (15 Dec 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that this is a complex case which is on-going and they will contact the person concerned shortly in relation to his tax affairs.

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (15 Dec 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: It is intended that the necessary changes to tax legislation arising from the Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010 will be included in the forthcoming Finance Bill. The provisions will provide for the same tax treatment for registered civil partners as for married couples and will have effect for the year of assessment 2011. It should be noted that...

Written Answers — Tax Reliefs: Tax Reliefs (15 Dec 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Tax relief for Energy Efficiency Measures (REEM) was announced in the Budget and will be introduced in the forthcoming Finance Bill. It is intended that the relief will encourage individuals to invest in making their homes more energy efficient. The incentive will complement the grant aid that is available through various schemes currently operated by the Sustainable Energy Authority of...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (15 Dec 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: It is intended that the forthcoming Finance Bill will provide for the same tax treatment for registered civil partners as for married couples and will have effect for the year of assessment 2011. These changes are as a result of the passing of the Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (15 Dec 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Budget 2011 provides for a major reform of the charge to Stamp Duty on transactions of residential property. The change involves a simplification of the system by lowering the rates of Stamp Duty and abolishing a number of exemptions and reliefs. The new Stamp Duty rates – 1% where the consideration does not exceed €1 million and 2% on the excess of the consideration over €1 million...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (15 Dec 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: It is assumed that the Deputy is referring to a couple aged over 66 but younger than 80 and that one of the individuals is in receipt of an occupational pension of approximately €5,200 per annum and in receipt of a contributory State pension of €22,703 which includes an increase for a qualified adult. On that basis, the indicative calculations for Income Tax, PRSI, Income Levy, Health...

Written Answers — Parking Levy: Parking Levy (14 Dec 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The introduction of the car parking levy has been the subject of a considerable degree of work undertaken by officials in my Department, the Revenue Commissioners and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.The necessary preparatory work has now been completed and I am currently considering a date for the commencement of the levy. An employee will be liable to the...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (14 Dec 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I draw to the Deputy's attention that this is a matter for the Revenue Commissioners. However, I am advised by Revenue that the number of cases in Waterford city and county prosecuted for non-filing of value added tax returns in each of the past five years and to date in 2010 is as follows. Year Number of Cases 2005 0 2006 1 2007 1 2008 2 2009 1 2010 (to date) 5 In this context it...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (14 Dec 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Refreshments for meetings or functions which I hold in my office are normally purchased from the Department's canteen or local shops. The total spent in 2008, 2009 and 2010 for this is listed in the table below. The details of the breakdown requested by the Deputy are not readily available as these are not generally recorded electronically. Year Amount Spent 2008 €254.89 2009...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (14 Dec 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The tax exemption for patent income has been in place for over 30 years and has applied to income received by an individual or company from a qualifying patent subject, since 2008, to an annual limit of €5 million. A tax exemption has also applied, subject to certain conditions, to distributions paid by companies from exempt patent income. These exemptions have been abolished with effect...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (14 Dec 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I can inform the Deputy that Section 45 of Finance Act 2008 introduced new tax provisions in relation to profits derived from petroleum exploration and production activities. A new tax called a "profit resource rent tax" will apply at rates of 5%, 10% or 15% in addition to the corporation tax rate of 25% that currently applies to profits from petroleum activities. It will apply when profits...

Written Answers — Fiscal Policy: Fiscal Policy (14 Dec 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As I indicated in my Budget address last week, economic activity in Ireland has stabilised and recovery in the real economy is beginning to take shape. Building on progress already made, the purpose of the National Recovery Plan 2011-2014 is to plot a course to sound, sustainable growth for the economy. Budget 2011 represents the first instalment of that Plan. The approach being taken by the...

Written Answers — Departmental Appointments: Departmental Appointments (14 Dec 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: There have been no appointments to the boards or bodies under the aegis of my Departmemt since 22 Novermber 2010.

Written Answers — Departmental Appointments: Departmental Appointments (14 Dec 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Independent Mediation Officer for the Civil Service Grievance Procedure is due to be appointed for a further year from the 1 January 2011. This appointment is sent to the Staff Panel for their agreement and then it is forwarded to the Minister for Finance for approval. The term of office of the current Board of the Public Appointments Service is due to finish on 20th February 2011. A...

Written Answers — Personal Debt: Personal Debt (14 Dec 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I would not accept that reliance on false assumptions about income, long term economic productivity and consumer behaviour were the sole reasons for the difficulties faced by the banking sector although they could all be classed as playing their part. Other factors included loan impairments, particularly in the property sector, falling asset prices, bank lending policies and bank remuneration...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (14 Dec 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I understand that the levy referred to by the Deputy is the pension related deduction legislated for in the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2009 (as amended). This deduction is to be made from the remuneration of each public servant in accordance with the Tables in Section 2 of that Act (as amended by Section 13 of the Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2009). The...