Cowen, BrianWednesday, 5 October 2005 |
Dáil Eireann Debate
Page of 201
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Priority Questions - Tax Collection.
Was asked: his plans to deal with non-compliance with tax obligations in the construction industry.
Was asked: the action he will take arising from the widespread abuse of the relevant contracts tax system; if he will allocate additional staff to the Revenue Commissioners in order that this sector can be adequ...
I propose to take Questions Nos. 79 and 80 together. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that they fully recognise the tax compliance risks that arise in the construction industry and have carr...
The Revenue Commissioners have been very successful in inculcating a compliance in this country, as tax collection has improved greatly and tax liability is being met responsibly by those who should b...
I do not accept that such practice is prevalent. The Revenue Commissioners have responsibility for administering and operating all taxes in the construction or any other industry and ensuring that all...
No, I have not conducted such an audit. As I said, the Revenue Commissioners are charged under the law to do that. They are doing it and if there is any problems they come to me, either by way of the ...
Priority Questions - Public Finances.
Was asked: the amount of current budget surplus on revenue accounts for each year from 1998 to 2004 in accordance with Irish and European accounting procedures; and the use to which these surpluses were put.
I assume that when the Deputy mentions Irish and European accounting procedures, he is referring to the Exchequer accounts and the general Government accounts, respectively. The published finance acco...
There needs to be investment in health, education and social welfare and there also needs to be investment in housing, hospitals and roads.
Exactly. We are doing it more successfully than anybody else. The Deputy will have noted unprecedented rises in current spending on health, education and social welfare under this Administration. Thes...
It has been a great success story. If the Deputy goes to his constituency, he will note the number of schools that have been refurbished. The number has been far greater under this Administration than...
The Deputy’s policies, if applied nationally——
——would lead to an unemployment level of 20%. He knows this well.
Priority Questions - Tax Yield.
Was asked: the extra revenue generated per month for the Exchequer from the surge in energy prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The tax content on energy products may be made up of two elements, the excise content and the VAT content. Excise does not apply to all energy products although it applies to motor fuels and home heat...
I do.
I live beside the pumps.
I do.
There may be few gains to the Exchequer because additional VAT receipts on energy may be offset by reduced expenditure elsewhere. That is the basic point I make to the Deputy. The unfortunate reality ...
That is a macro-economic fact that is not being challenged by anyone I know of. Reducing excise taxes to help with the current price pressures is not the magic solution that some might think. Excise o...
My reply to the Deputy’s supplementary question was in reference to energy taxes and fuel prices. Thankfully, due to the way this economy has been managed and people being able to take advantage of th...
Deputy Boyle obviously knows more than the CSO.
I look forward to answering Deputy Boyle’s questions on energy taxes. It will be interesting to see how the three Opposition parties will figure that out in terms of the carbon tax he is calling for. ...
Priority Questions - Tax Code.
Was asked: if he has received a report from the Chairman of the Revenue Commissioners on the monitoring the Chairman had been asked to undertake of the application of the current non-residency rules for tax purp...
I have asked the Chairman of the Revenue Commissioners to monitor the application of the current non-resident rules through examination of cases handled in the Revenue large cases division and to prov...
The Deputy should be aware that the full residency rules were last updated in the Finance Act 1994 when Fianna Fáil and Labour were in Government, following a comprehensive review of the matter by the...
I think the Deputy already knows.
Of course the Deputy is. If I had the information available, I would give it to her. As I have not, I undertake to provide it if possible. She will understand from previous replies that there is no co...
The Chairman of the Revenue Commissioners never indicated to me that a coach and four is being pushed through the non-residency rules. He makes clear that this matter is being monitored carefully by R...
Other Questions - Tax Code.
Was asked: the Government’s attitude to plans of the EU tax Commissioner to deal with vehicle registration tax.
While The European Commission has published a proposal for a directive on car taxes, nothing has been decided at this stage. The Commission proposal has not yet been discussed by all member states alt...
I can be reasonable at an early stage in discussions.
I hate taking the long-term view of looking to the third tenure of this Administration in case it upsets the Deputy opposite. In this regard, I can look to the longer term.
Is the Deputy involved as well? I did not realise that.
The point to be made in this regard is that this proposal is at an early stage. The Commission has an idea and, as Deputy Bruton knows from his ministerial experience, many a proposal has been put for...
We also have a few of those vehicles in our part of the country. Now that we are operating in a higher energy environment, the question of energy efficiency, the use of alternative fuels and securing ...
It is a discretionary tax in that respect. We are all open to environmental initiatives. If someone can think up a way whereby €1 billion euro can be discarded, just like that, it would be interesting...
Other Questions - Decentralisation Programme.
Was asked: the list of properties which have been purchased, leased or where contracts to purchase or lease have been entered into arising from the Government’s planned decentralisation programme; the amount spe...
Was asked: his estimate of the cost of the property commitments in the early mover decentralisation locations and the number of locations within the decentralisation programme which will have buildings available...
Other Questions - Economic Growth.
Was asked: if he will make a statement on his Department’s recently published economic review and outlook for 2005.
As is usual my Department published the annual economic review and outlook, ERO, in mid-August. The economic forecasts for 2005 contained in the ERO were based on data to the end of July. The ERO fore...
As the Deputy states, there are more downside factors coming into the equation on the international economic scene than would have been the case six months ago. The energy issue is certainly one of wh...
In reply to Deputy Bruton, the components of the growth are changing all the time. We have an issue with manufacturing industry about which we must be mindful, both in terms of international mobile in...
Report of Comptroller and Auditor General: Motion (Resumed).
Amendment put.
Voted Yes
Question put: “That the motion, as amended, be agreed to.”
Voted Yes
Written Answers - Departmental Expenditure.
Was asked: if he is satisfied that the systems used for public procurement of computer systems are robust; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Public procurement of computer systems operates within a policy defined by European and domestic procurement law. Up to date guidelines for public procurement, including information technology solutio...
Written Answers - Tax Code.
Was asked: the way in which he will present to the Dáil the detailed reports emerging from the present review of various aspects of the tax code.
As the Deputy is aware, I announced in my Budget Statement that my Department and the Office of the Revenue Commissioners are undertaking a detailed review of certain tax incentive schemes and tax exe...
Was asked: the action taken over recent months in relation to the EU’s challenge to tax relief on stud fees.
The stallion stud fee exemption was introduced in the Finance Act 1969 and amended in 1985. The stallion relief was included as part of annual reports on aid granted in Ireland to the agriculture sect...
Written Answers - Revenue Commissioners Audits.
Was asked: the reason no random audits were carried out on the Revenue Commissioners during 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the matter of random audits, including the purpose and methodology, has been the subject of discussion at the Committee of Public Accounts committee fol...
Written Answers - Tax Yield.
Was asked: the level of VAT receipts received this year to date; the way in which this compares to the same period in 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
VAT receipts paid to the Exchequer in the year to end-September 2005 amounted to €9,578 million. This compares to a figure of €8,504 million in the same period last year, a year-on-year increase of 12...
Written Answers - Tribunals of Inquiry.
Was asked: the status of his proposals to reduce the fees payable at tribunals.
The Deputy will be aware that in July last year, the Government approved, on the initiative of the then Minister for Finance, reduced fees for all legal representation including that of third parties ...
Written Answers - Decentralisation Programme.
Was asked: if his attention has been drawn to the serious problems being created in the decentralisation programme by the lack of clarity around the status of employees who do not wish to relocate; and if he wil...
From the outset both the Government and I have made it clear that participation in the decentralisation programme is voluntary. Those public and civil servants who do not wish to relocate outside Dubl...
Written Answers - Departmental Agencies.
Was asked: the targets he has set for the National Development Finance Agency and the way in which it is performing against target.
The National Development Finance Agency, NDFA, was established under the National Development Finance Agency Act 2002. Section 3 of the Act sets out its functions in regard to advising State authoriti...
Written Answers - Tax Code.
Was asked: his proposals to introduce tax measures to encourage the production of ethanol from sugar beet; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Section 50 of Finance Act 2004 provided for the introduction of a limited scheme for excise tax relief for biofuels. The purpose of the provision was to allow qualified and conditional relief from exc...
Was asked: the procedures in place to monitor whether or not those who claim to be non-resident for tax purposes are actually resident out of the country for the required period; his plans to improve monitoring ...
I have asked the chairman of the Revenue Commissioners to monitor the application of the current non-resident rules, through examination of cases handled in the Revenue large cases division, and to pr...
Was asked: if he will reconsider the introduction of carbon tax in view of the fact that the ESRI have shown that lowering labour taxes and VAT on the back of revenue raised from carbon tax will leave the econom...
The Government decision on carbon tax was made in September 2004 following a thorough examination of the issues involved, including how a carbon tax would be implemented and the associated environment...
Written Answers - Decentralisation Programme.
Was asked: the position regarding decentralisation; the number of civil or public servants who have agreed to relocate from each Government Department or body; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The central applications facility received over 9,000 applications for decentralisation up to the closing date for priority applications which was 7 September 2004. Since that date a steady stream of ...
Written Answers - National Development Plan.
Was asked: if a new national development plan will be introduced when the current one expires; if any preparatory work has begun on this process; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Was asked: if he will confirm that there will be a new national development plan; when consultation is envisaged to commence with interested parties on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 100 and 102 together. The Government announced last August that it has agreed to the preparation of a successor to the current national development plan which runs to ...
Written Answers - Special Savings Incentive Scheme.
Was asked: if he has carried out any assessment of the impact of the maturing of special savings investment accounts on the economy, almost half of which will occur in 2006; the way in which this is being factor...
The SSIA scheme opened on 1 May 2001 and entry to it closed on 30 April 2002. The accounts are due to mature between May 2006 and April 2007. A total of 1.17 million accounts were opened during the pe...
Written Answers - Tax Code.
Was asked: if he has received the report of the consultants commissioned to look at a range of tax breaks and shelters available to high earners; if not, when he will receive the report; if he will amend financi...
As the Deputy is aware, in my 2005 Budget Statement, I announced that my Department and the Office of the Revenue Commissioners would undertake a detailed review of certain tax incentive schemes and t...
Written Answers - Decentralisation Programme.
Was asked: when a section of the Revenue Commissioners will be decentralised to Listowel, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
As part of the decentralisation programme it is intended that 50 posts of the Revenue Commissioners will be decentralised to Listowel, County Kerry. I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the ...
Written Answers - Tax Evasion.
Was asked: the number of court prosecutions initiated as a result of tax evasion in respect of each year since 1997; the number of cases in which convictions were secured; the number of cases in which prison sen...
I am advised by Revenue Commissioners that the following information provides the up to date position on court prosecutions initiated for tax evasion: In 1997, there was one prosecution initiated for ...
Written Answers - Tax Code.
Was asked: the position regarding his contacts with the EU Commission in relation to its preliminary opinion that the stallion tax exemption scheme would seem to constitute an aid that was not compatible with th...
Was asked: his position regarding the stallion tax exemption scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 106 and 114 together. As I have already outlined to the House, the stallion stud fee exemption was introduced in Finance Act 1969 and amended in 1985. The stallion rel...
Was asked: when the Government will honour the commitment given in An Agreed Programme for Government that 80% of all earners will pay tax only at the standard rate in view of the fact that the proportion of tax...
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”. ...
Written Answers -
Was asked: if he will consider capping the application of the 2% motor insurance levy on policies up to €500; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The 2% stamp duty, levied on non-life insurance premia, is part of the stamp duty system and applies to most categories of non-life insurance business, including motor insurance. It was introduced in ...
Written Answers - Export Performance.
Was asked: his views on the sluggish performance of Irish exports and the sustained decline in manufacturing employment and the threat which this poses to Ireland’s continuing strong economic performance.
Preliminary data indicate that the volume of exports of goods and services declined by 0.6% year-on-year in the first half of 2005. This follows a relatively solid expansion of 7% in exports in 2004. ...
Written Answers - Non-Resident Accounts.
Was asked: the number of High Court orders sought to date by the Revenue Commissioners under the Finance Act 1999 to require financial institutions to supply names, addresses and other relevant information regar...
Authorised Revenue officers are empowered to make an application to a judge of the High Court seeking an order requiring financial institutions to supply names, addresses and other relevant informatio...
Written Answers - Tax Amnesty.
Was asked: the number of breaches detected of the Waiver of Certain Tax, Interest and Penalties Act 1993 in respect of each year since 1994; the number of prosecutions initiated and convictions secured arising f...
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 declarati...
Written Answers - Decentralisation Programme.
Was asked: the number of civil servants and other public servants who will have been decentralised from Dublin to other locations by the original deadline for the completion of the plan of December 2006; if, in ...
The response to the decentralisation programme has been excellent. The central applications facility received over 9,000 applications for decentralisation up to the closing date for priority applicati...
Written Answers - Pension Provisions.
Was asked: the amount in the funds of the National Pensions Reserve Fund at the latest date for which figures are available; the amount invested outside of Ireland; the amount held in cash balances; and if he wi...
The 2004 annual report and financial statement of the National Pensions Reserve Fund Commission shows that at 31 December 2004 the market value of the fund was €11,689 million. This included cash depo...
Written Answers - Energy Resources.
Was asked: his views on the observations of the Office of Public Works in relation to the sanction of increases in gas prices.
Was asked: the estimated additional costs likely to arise for the Office of Public Works (details supplied) as a result of the recent rise in gas prices approved by the Commission for Energy Regulation; if the O...
Written Answers - Capital Expenditure.
Was asked: the reason for the shortfall in projected capital spending to date in 2005.
At end September 2005 voted capital expenditure, including carryover from 2004, was €370 million behind profile as compared with the profile published in January last. I have set out below the factors...
Written Answers - Departmental Agencies.
Was asked: the reporting and accountability procedures which have been put in place by his Department to oversee the National Development Finance Agency’s new role of managing the procurement of PPP projects and...
The National Development Finance Agency Act 2002, No. 29 of 2002, provides for accountability and reporting arrangements for the National Development Finance Agency, NDFA, in regard to its functions. ...
Written Answers - Tax Collection.
Was asked: with regard to the almost €2.5 billion remaining outstanding in uncollected taxes, his views on the proportion of this the Revenue Commissioners expect to recover; if new measures are planned to assis...
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the total tax debt outstanding at 31 March 2005, as reported in Revenue’s annual report and in the recent report of the Comptroller and Auditor General, ...
Written Answers - Tax Code.
Was asked: if he is committed to keeping those on the national minimum wage out of the tax net; the number of persons on the national minimum wage who have been brought back into the tax net as result of the inc...
The Government is committed to having the minimum wage exempt from tax. However, we are also committed to sustaining economic growth and keeping the public finances in a healthy condition. The questio...
Written Answers - Tax Collection.
Was asked: the number of claims made by taxpayers for refunds of overpaid tax in each of the past five years and to date in 2005; the amount being claimed in applications currently before the Revenue Commissione...
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the number of reviews of tax liability sought by PAYE taxpayers in the past five years which resulted in refunds are as follows: It is not possible to ...
Written Answers - Tax Yield.
Was asked: the estimated additional revenue likely to accrue to the Exchequer in terms of excise duties and VAT over and above the estimates at the budget, arising from the increase in the price of petrol and ot...
The taxation of motor fuel and other oil products is made up of two elements, mineral oil excise and VAT. The amount of mineral oil excise collected is based on the volume of motor fuel sold, in this ...
Written Answers - State Property.
Was asked: the position regarding the planned sale of State property announced; the list of property sold to date and the amount raised; the way in which the money used has been raised; the properties it is plan...
Written Answers - Tax Evasion.
Was asked: if his attention has been drawn to the call made by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions for the introduction of stricter rules for tax advisers to prevent abusive tax planning; his response to the call...
I understand that the general secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions has called for stricter penalties and sanctions to be introduced where tax advisers are involved in tax abuse. As Minister...
Written Answers - Tax Collection.
Was asked: in regard to the Revenue Commissioners investigation into undisclosed funds invested in life assurance products, the number of persons who made personal declarations prior to the deadline on 23 May 2...
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that about 10,000 notices of intention to make a disclosure were received from taxpayers, or agents on their behalf, by the 23 May deadline. In some instances...
Written Answers - Money Laundering.
Was asked: the discussions he has had with his EU colleagues with a view to improving banking or financial transaction systems in order to prevent money laundering; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Was asked: if he has had any discussions with his EU colleagues with a view to the introduction of legislation for the prevention of money laundering through various financial transactions; and if he will make a...
Was asked: if he has had any discussions with his EU colleagues with a view to updating regulations for the prevention of money laundering through financial services; and if he will make a statement on the matte...
I propose to take Questions Nos. 125, 219 and 220 together. There is strong co-ordination of measures to deter money laundering in the financial system at EU level. A third money laundering directive ...
Written Answers - Banking Sector.
Was asked: if his attention has been drawn to the recent report of the Competition Authority showing that Irish consumers were continuing to pay over the odds for bank services; the steps he will take to ensure ...
Was asked: if he has endorsed the recommendations of the Competition Authority which fall to be implemented by him in respect of competition in the banking sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 126 and 143 together. The publication of the Competition Authority’s final report on competition in the non-investment banking sector on 22 September 2005 is welcome. ...
Written Answers - Oil Prices.
Was asked: if, in his analysis, oil prices will continue to rise; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
My Department does not forecast oil prices. However, the World Economic Outlook published by the IMF in September projected that oil prices would average $61.75 next year, compared to an average of $5...
Written Answers - Infrastructural Development.
Was asked: if the target level of infrastructural output for the southern and eastern regional programme under the current national development plan will be met by 2006; and if he will make a statement on the ma...
I understand that the Deputy is referring to the output gained under the local infrastructure priority of the regional programme. For the period January 2000 to December 2004, some €1.63 billion was s...
Written Answers - Decentralisation Programme.
Was asked: the number of persons who have applied for decentralised positions since the Government introduced the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The central applications facility received over 9,000 applications for decentralisation up to the closing date for priority applications which was 7 September 2004. Since that date, a steady stream of...
Written Answers - Tax Code.
Was asked: if he has received any fresh analysis of the tax relief availed of by top earners as revealed by the revenue study of the 400 highest earners; and if he will indicate the findings.
The Revenue Commissioners’ study, Effective tax rates of the Top 400 earners: Report for the Tax Year 2001, was published by my Department in March of this year. I am informed by the Revenue Commissio...
Written Answers - Decentralisation Programme.
Was asked: the position regarding the decentralisation of Ordnance Survey Ireland to Dungarvan, County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
As part of the decentralisation programme it is intended that 210 posts of Ordnance Survey Ireland, OSI, will decentralise to Dungarvan, County Waterford. Initial data from the central applications fa...
Written Answers - National Development Plan.
Was asked: the steps he is taking to ensure that the national development plan is fully implemented in the Border, midlands and western region; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Was asked: the steps he is taking to implement objective one in transition in the Border, midlands and western region; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 132 and 152 together. The responsibility of my Department is to ensure that resources are made available to meet the Government’s priorities and to secure full drawdow...
Written Answers - Oil Prices.
Was asked: if, in his analysis, oil prices will continue to rise, the way in which they have affected GDP, GNP, inflation and other indicators of economic development in the first ten months of 2005; and if he w...
My Department does not forecast oil prices. However, the World Economic Outlook published by the IMF in September projected that oil prices would average $61.75 next year, compared to an average of $5...
Written Answers - Tax Collection.
Was asked: the number of individuals, companies and trusts being investigated by the Revenue Commissioners arising from the Clerical Medical Insurance-National Irish Bank inquiry at the latest date for which fig...
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that arising from the Clerical Medical Insurance-NIB inquiry, 465 cases have been targeted for investigation. To date, 302 cases have been settled on paymen...
Was asked: the number of individuals, companies and trusts being investigated by the Revenue Commissioners arising from the Ansbacher accounts at the latest date for which figures are available; the number of ca...
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that their Ansbacher review team has been carrying out detailed investigations since October 1999. The investigation has essentially two elements. There are A...
Written Answers - Special Savings Incentive Scheme.
Was asked: if he is considering a new product to encourage people to continue saving after the special savings incentive accounts begin to mature in 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The SSIA scheme opened on 1 May 2001 and entry to it closed on 30 April 2002. The accounts are due to mature between May 2006 and April 2007 at the end of the five year period. A total of 1.17 million...
Written Answers - Tax Collection.
Was asked: the progress made to date in regard to the second phase of its investigation into the use of life assurance products for tax evasion, which commenced on 23 May 2005; and if he will make a statement on...
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that they are conducting their investigation into the use by taxpayers of life assurance investment products for the purposes of tax evasion in two stages. In...
Written Answers - Tax Code.
Was asked: his views on the opinion expressed by a person (details supplied) that second homes should be subjected to a specific tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I have no plans to introduce a tax on second homes. If any such proposal were to be made it would be necessary to consider the possible impact not only on the demand for such houses but also on the su...
Written Answers - EU Summits.
Was asked: if he attended the informal ECOFIN meeting in Manchester on 9 and 10 September 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I attended the informal ECOFIN Council meeting in Manchester on 9 and 10 September. This meeting was attended by ministers for finance and governors of central banks of all 25 EU member states and of ...
Written Answers - Decentralisation Programme.
Was asked: the anticipated costs, in terms of acquiring and equipping premises and other related costs at the latest date for which figures are available of the original decentralisation programme announced in b...
Written Answers - Oil Prices.
Was asked: if his attention has been drawn to the impact of the increase in diesel prices on the cost of freight for Irish producers; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I can assure the Deputy that I am aware of the impact of higher diesel prices on freight costs for Irish producers. Fuel prices are driven by a number of factors, including the price of oil on interna...
Written Answers - EU Directives.
Was asked: the number of EU directives for which his Department has responsibility that are yet to be implemented; the numbers in respect of which the deadline has passed; and if he will make a statement on the ...
There are currently four EU directives for which my Department has responsibility which have to be implemented before their relevant deadlines. In addition, there are a further three EU directives whi...
Written Answers - Decentralisation Programme.
Was asked: the latest information available from the central applications facility in respect of applications from civil servants and other public servants currently located in Dublin who wish to transfer to new...
The latest figures from the central applications facility show there is very substantial interest in the programme. During the period for priority applications up to 7 September 2004, approximately 9,...
Was asked: if any estimate has been undertaken of the number of civil or public servants, who do not wish to relocate, who will be surplus to requirements as a result of their jobs being transferred to other loc...
From the outset both the Government and I have made it clear that participation in the decentralisation programme is voluntary. Because of the nature of the programme it is not possible at this stage ...
Written Answers - Tax Code.
Was asked: his plans to review the operation of the tonnage tax under which certain shipping operators can opt to pay a notional tax based on tonnage rather than standard corporation tax; the number of vessels t...
Tonnage tax was introduced here in the 2002 Finance Act to help the Irish shipping sector. Tonnage tax now applies in most maritime EU member states and it is encouraged by the EU Commission as a mean...
Written Answers - Tax Yield.
Was asked: if he will make a statement on the Exchequer returns for the first nine months of 2005.
As the Deputy may be aware, I have issued a press statement regarding the end-September Exchequer returns, which is available on my Department’s website. The results to the end of the third quarter in...
Written Answers - Decentralisation Programme.
Was asked: if the Government’s decentralisation plan will be carried out on a totally voluntary basis and that staff will either be offered inducements to transfer or subject to penalties if they decide not to m...
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 relocat...
Written Answers - Public Contracts.
Was asked: if he has issued directives on fixed price contracts on capital projects; and if he has sought information from Departments on the extent to which contracts issued in 2005 have been of this nature.
Was asked: the public contracts or procurements which have exceeded the contract price in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Was asked: his plans to monitor public contracts or procurements with a view to protection against costly overruns; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
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 publ...
Written Answers - Special Savings Incentive Scheme.
Was asked: the number of special savings investment accounts opened at the latest date for which figures are available; the average amount of savings per investor per month; if, on the basis of any such figures,...
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 2...
Written Answers - Tax Code.
Was asked: the position regarding the introduction of roll-over relief on capital gains tax for farmers who have had their lands purchased for road construction or wish to consolidate their farms; and if he will...
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 ...
Written Answers - Tax Collection.
Was asked: the progress made in developing an electronic declaration system for CAP exports; the functions of such a system; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
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 ...
Written Answers - Tax Code.
Was asked: if he is satisfied with the extent to which PAYE tax payers overpay tax through failure to get all due tax reliefs.
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 in...
Was asked: the financial conditions that are imposed by Revenue if a son leases land for farming from his father without having the green cert but having 180 hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
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 pers...
Written Answers - Decentralisation Programme.
Was asked: the position of the decentralisation of a section of his Department to Athy, County Kildare; the date of commencement for the change; the number of officials that have voluntarily agreed to the move; ...
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 t...
Was asked: the position regarding the decentralisation of the Department’s IT sector to Kildare town; the date of commencement of the operation; the number of officials that have agreed to move; and if he will m...
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 th...
Written Answers - Tax Code.
Was asked: if he will drop the VAT charge on defibrillators for community groups who wish to purchase them; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
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.
Was asked: his plans to identify price increases not recorded in the CPI which have contributed to increases in the cost of living; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Was asked: his plans to identify and combat price increases not recorded in the CPI which have contributed to increases in the cost of living; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
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 methodolog...
Written Answers - Decentralisation Programme.
Was asked: the location that has proved most attractive in the context of the Government’s decentralisation programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
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.
Was asked: the cost to date of the Government’s decentralisation programme, including site or building acquisition; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Was asked: when he expects the targets in respect of decentralisation to be achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
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 De...
Was asked: the progress of the Government’s decentralisation programme; the number of public servants who have agreed to transfer on a county by county basis to date; the number that have already transferred; an...
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 a...
Written Answers - Money Laundering.
Was asked: if he is satisfied regarding the adequacy of legislation affecting financial transactions with particular reference to increased incidents of money laundering; and if he will make a statement on the m...
Was asked: if he is satisfied that international banking and financial services have adequate protection to prevent money laundering; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
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...
Written Answers - Disabled Drivers.
Was asked: the progress to date with regard to implementation of the recommendations of the interdepartmental group which has reviewed the disabled drivers disabled passengers tax concession 1994 regulations; an...
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,...
Written Answers - Architectural Heritage.
Was asked: the restoration works that have been carried out on Doe Castle, Donegal; if he will sanction the extra funding to re-roof the great hall of the castle to bring the restoration programme to satisfactor...
Written Answers - Unemployment Levels.
Was asked: if, in view of the serious unemployment problem in County Donegal at present which is in excess of four times the national average, he will consider giving County Donegal a special tax incentive statu...
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 proce...
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