Parliamentary questions

Tax Agreements

Joan Burton

291. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance the status of the work of the technical delegation from his Department to Brazil regarding the decision by the Brazilian authorities to add the Republic of Ireland to its taxation blacklist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1666/17]

Motor Insurance

Joan Burton

292. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance if he and the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport have received initial recommendations following a review of rising motor insurance compensation; the status of the review of policy in the insurance sector, which his Department is currently undertaking in consultation with the Central Bank; the reforms he is considering to tackle the problem of motor insurance premiums that are rising at an annual rate of as much as 35%; if he will urgently update the book of quantum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1667/17]

Financial Services Regulation

Joan Burton

293. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance the proposals he is currently considering to ensure mortgage holders, tenants and SMEs that have loans or credit from non-bank lenders or vulture funds are fully protected; if he is considering extending the provisions of the Consumer Protection (Regulation of Credit Servicing Firms) Act 2015 in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1668/17]

Social and Affordable Housing Funding

Joan Burton

294. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance the amount of funding which has been made available through the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund for social and affordable housing provision; if he has satisfied himself with the current rates of interest being charged to borrowers through the fund; if he is reviewing the operation of the mechanisms through which credit is accessed from the fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1669/17]

Fiscal Policy

Joan Burton

295. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance his views on the recently expressed view by the Dutch Minister for Finance and the chairman of the eurozone finance ministers, Mr. Jeroen Dijsselbloem, that European Union finance ministers are worried that the European Commission is not applying budget laws in the same way to large and small countries and is undermining confidence in the rules; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1670/17]

Fiscal Compact Treaty

Joan Burton

296. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance the way in which he is addressing the concern raised by his officials in a briefing note prepared by his Department on his re-appointment to the finance portfolio that Ireland is at risk of breaching EU rules which constrain the rate at which spending can increase in 2017; the impact of the recent revised Estimates for health and justice on this potential breach; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1671/17]

Stamp Duty

Joan Burton

297. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a full report on the way in which the annual €150 million banking levy will be calculated as it extends to 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1672/17]

Mortgage Lending

Joan Burton

298. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance the status of the ongoing review of the Central Bank mortgage lending limits as specified in the programme for Government; the role of his Department in the review process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1673/17]

State Banking Sector

Joan Burton

299. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance if the State will still move to sell off all or part of a bank (details supplied); the estimated timeframe for this; the expected yield to the Exchequer; if this yield will be ring-fenced for a particular purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1674/17]

Tax Code

Joan Burton

300. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance his proposed plans for reforming the current tax arrangements for the self-employed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1675/17]

Fiscal Data

Joan Burton

301. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance the status of the proposed development of alternative models for forecasting medium-term potential growth, as has been suggested by the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council as an additional safeguard for detecting overheating in the economy. [1676/17]

Banking Sector

Joan Burton

302. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance if he has asked the Central Bank to procure an independent assessment of the arrears and negative equity loan books of the banks, as per the recent programme for Government commitment; when this process will begin and conclude; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1677/17]

Public Interest Directors

Joan Burton

303. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance if he has ceased appointing new public interest directors to the banks; the reform of the procedures for the appointment of bank directors by the State currently being considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1678/17]

Fuel Laundering

Joan Burton

304. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance his plans to increase enforcement and sanctions for fuel laundering, in view of the programme for Government commitment and the estimates in the British Irish Parliamentary Assembly report on cross-Border crime of the loss to the Exchequer by fuel fraud to be in the range of €140 to €260 million per year; if he has met his Northern Irish counterpart on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1679/17]

Tax Code

Joan Burton

305. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance when he expects a new tax on sugar drinks will be introduced; the estimated annual yield from such a tax; the rate at which he expects the new tax should be set and the types of drinks included within its scope; the preparation currently being undertaken by his Department in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1680/17]

Central Bank of Ireland

Joan Burton

306. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance his views on the recent comments by the Governor of the Central Bank, Professor Philip Lane, that technological innovation may alter the role of central banks in managing the money supply and acting as a lender of last resort in the context of widespread adoption of private sector digital currencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1681/17]

Banking Sector

Joan Burton

307. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance if he has reviewed the most recent quarterly bank watch study from ISME on the ability of small and medium firms to get loan approval and access to credit; his views on the refusal rate of 35% for requests for credit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1682/17]

Corporation Tax Regime

Joan Burton

308. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance when he expects the European Commission to make a final report on the tax affairs of a company (details supplied) here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1683/17]

Banking Sector

Joan Burton

309. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance the status of his Department’s work with the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs in the investigation of the establishment of a public banking system here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1684/17]

State Aid

Joan Burton

311. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance the contact he has had with the EU Competition Commissioner, Ms Margrethe Vestager. [39938/16]

European Central Bank

Joan Burton

312. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide an update on the publication by the European Central Bank, ECB, of its December 2016 purchase of Irish Government debt revealing a decline in its bond purchases month on month and the expected tapering of ECB bond purchases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1650/17]

Tax Collection

Joan Burton

313. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance the details of his Department's work in examining the taxation regime pertaining to the rent of properties under a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1651/17]

VAT Rate Application

Joan Burton

320. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance when the 23% VAT on the national car test was introduced; his plans to review it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1843/17]

Departmental Staff Remuneration

Joan Burton

740. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department paid any of the special advisers, personal assistants or personal secretaries and other unestablished civil servants, whose contracts of employment ceased on 6 May 2016 on the election of a new Government, two weeks pay in lieu of notice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1623/17]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Joan Burton

1057. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Health the number of children currently on the waiting list for operations in relation to scoliosis in Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin; the number of these procedures that took place in 2016; if he will provide a timeframe for a person (details supplied) who is waiting for this procedure to be carried out in Our Lady's Children's Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41773/16]

DEIS Scheme

Joan Burton

153. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the review and expansion of the DEIS programme to additional schools; the criteria based on which schools will be added to the programme; the methods by which a school can apply to be considered in the programme; when details of the review and expansion of DEIS will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40524/16]

Schools Building Projects Status

Joan Burton

154. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department has received the fully costed brief change from the design team in relation to a school (details supplied); if his Department has received same, if it has been reviewed and cleared by his Department; if the tender report has been submitted to enable the tender process to commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40537/16]

Schools Building Projects Status

Joan Burton

155. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of tenders received by the closing date of 10 December 2016, for a project (details supplied); when it is anticipated that the design team will submit the tender report to his Department; when he envisages construction will commence on site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40538/16]

Schools Building Projects Status

Joan Burton

156. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the design team for a school (details supplied) has submitted its assessment of the changes that are required to the tender documents for the project arising from changes introduced in public works contracts; if the report has been reviewed; when tenders will be invited for the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40539/16]

Schools Building Projects

Joan Burton

157. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will confirm the commitment to the opening of a gaelcholáiste for north Kildare in Maynooth in 2019, as indicated in the school building programme 2016 to 2021 announced on 17 November 2015 by his predecessor; the steps being taken to secure a site for the gaelcholáiste in view of the fact that the gaelcholáiste is to open in 2019; when a design team will be appointed to seek planning permission for the gaelcholáiste; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40543/16]

Positive Ageing Strategy Implementation

Joan Burton

342. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Health when he will publish his implementation proposals on the national positive ageing strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40540/16]

Primary Care Centres

Joan Burton

343. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Health the expected opening date for the Celbridge primary care centre, Celbridge, County Kildare; the services which will be available to the public at the primary care centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40541/16]

European Council Meetings

Joan Burton

3. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Taoiseach the contact he has had with the Italian Prime Minister, Mr. Renzi, since he announced his intention to resign on 4 December 2016. [39708/16]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Joan Burton

15. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent visit to the United States of America; and the discussions he had regarding a tax case (details supplied). [39937/16]

Tax Agreements

Joan Burton

177. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance when EU Directive 2011/16/EU as regards mandatory automatic exchange of information in the field of taxation will be transposed into law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40045/16]

Tax Code

Joan Burton

178. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance the number of tax determinations that have been made by the Revenue Commissioners since 1991 to date in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40046/16]

Tax Code

Joan Burton

179. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance the reform recently agreed by Government in respect of tax opinions, determinations and letters of comfort; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40047/16]

Employment Data

Joan Burton

180. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance when the results of the consultation process into the impact of bogus self-employment arrangements will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40048/16]

Tax Code

Joan Burton

181. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance the discussions he has had with his ECOFIN colleagues in view of the recent developments in respect of the common consolidated tax base; the steps he has taken in the interests of protecting Ireland's tax sovereignty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40049/16]

School Meals Programme

Joan Burton

295. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Social Protection if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the school canteen is closed in a school (details supplied) and that hot meals are no longer being served to the children after 40 years of unbroken service; the steps he will take to ensure that the hot meal service is resumed as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39595/16]

Common Security and Defence Policy

Joan Burton

356. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the discussions he has had with the Foreign Minister of Germany and Foreign Minister of France regarding defence co-operation between EU member states. [38304/16]

Services for People with Disabilities

Joan Burton

432. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that an organisation (details supplied) applied to the HSE for a part-time service co-ordinator more than 12 months ago to facilitate independent living for their members; if he will ensure that there is no further delay in expediting this request; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39593/16]

Taxi Data

Joan Burton

611. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of wheelchair accessible taxis in each county; the number of wheelchair accessible taxis which became available under the new grant system set up in 2014; the number of grants which were given to individual drivers; the number and size of the grants given to multi plate holders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39596/16]

Taxi Regulations

Joan Burton

612. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of vacancies on the Taxi Advisory Council; the time each vacancy has been left unfilled; when he proposes to fill the vacancies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39597/16]

Refugee Resettlement Programme

Joan Burton

41. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Syrian refugees resettled here in 2016; the anticipated number to be settled here during the first quarter of 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39289/16]

Garda Deployment

Joan Burton

59. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí allocated to the Blanchardstown Garda division; the number of community gardaí assigned to that district; the number of new recruits assigned to Dublin 15; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39287/16]

Schools Building Projects Status

Joan Burton

88. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress of the rebuild of a school (details supplied); the stage at which it is at; the timetable of construction; when groundworks will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39279/16]

Schools Building Projects Status

Joan Burton

89. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress of the rebuild of a school (details supplied); the stage at which it is at; the timetable of construction; when groundworks will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39280/16]

Schools Building Projects Status

Joan Burton

90. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department has had discussion with Fingal County Council regarding the location of the new second level school for the Carpenterstown and Castleknock school planning area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39285/16]

Primary Care Centres Data

Joan Burton

189. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Health the services that are now operating in the new Corduff primary care centre in Dublin 15; the number of staff located there; the number of staff yet to be transferred there; when the child and adult mental health services are to be relocated there from Cherry Orchard Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39281/16]