Parliamentary questions

Rental Accommodation Scheme Payments

Kevin Humphreys

1108. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government if he will provide in tabular form, by local authority area, the number of housing units in the rental accommodation scheme that are in arrears on 1 September 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38921/12]

Courts Service Issues

Kevin Humphreys

1197. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if any consideration has been given to implementing section 45 of the Civil Liability and Courts Act 2004 to extend the jurisdiction of the Circuit Court acting in land law matters from land with a ratable valuation of €200 to land with a market value of €3,000,000 and if he has given any consideration to the way this may help home owners faced with mortgage litigation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37787/12]

Courts Service Issues

Kevin Humphreys

1198. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when sections 13 and 14 of the Courts and Courts Officers Act 2002 will be commenced to extend the civil limits to €100,000 at the Circuit Court and €20,000 at the District Court; if he will consider implementing this legislation; if not his reasons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37788/12]

Proposed Legislation

Kevin Humphreys

1228. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Justice and Equality in view of the fact that the Casino Regulation Committee report was published in July 2008 and Options for Regulating Gambling was published in December 2010, when the heads of the gambling control Bill will be published; if he intends to have a further consultation period before bringing forward such a Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38214/12]

Pig Quality Assurance Scheme

Kevin Humphreys

1404. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine when the Bord Bia pig technical advisory committee will agree on a definition of free-range/outdoor production for the inclusion in the pig quality assurance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38205/12]

National Substance Misuse Strategy

Kevin Humphreys

1719. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Health the status of the action plan on alcohol; when action will be taken to implement the proposals contained therein; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38204/12]

Health Services Staff Issues

Kevin Humphreys

1720. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Health if the income for new-entrant general practitioner training has been cut by 20%, even though such trainees are not entitled to specialist registrar status or salary; if the out-of-hours allowance for general practitioners in their registry year has been abolished; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38210/12]

Substance Misuse

Kevin Humphreys

1729. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Health if the recommendation by the national substance misuse strategy steering group that drinks industry sponsorship of sport and other large public events should be phased out through legislation by 2016 applies to events created by the alcohol industry such as Arthur’s Day; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38281/12]

Sovereign Debt

Kevin Humphreys

69 Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the amount of Irish sovereign debt purchased in the secondary markets that is held by the European Central Bank; if Ireland has requested a write-down of these bonds to cost paid by the ECB; the estimated savings to Ireland if this was to occur; his views on whether any profits the ECB makes from holding Irish sovereign bonds should be redirected to the central banks of other euro countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[36082/12]

Sovereign Debt

Kevin Humphreys

70 Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Finance the analysis within his Department, the National Treasury Management Agency or Central Bank that has been carried out on European Central Bank holdings of Irish sovereign bonds purchased under the securities markets programme; the savings that would accrue to our national debt, if any, if Ireland was to receive the same deal on these holdings as Greece received; the analysis that has been carried by the NTMA, him or the Central Bank on the agreement between Greece and the ECB when Greece's debt was restructured; the way it might apply to Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[36083/12]

Tax Reliefs

Kevin Humphreys

77 Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Finance the estimated saving that would accrue to the Exchequer in a full year if tax relief on charitable donations as restricted to the standard rate instead of the marginal rate; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[36124/12]

Tax Reliefs

Kevin Humphreys

78 Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Finance the estimated savings that would accrue to the Exchequer if educational institutions or bodies including primary, second level or third level, were no longer eligible for the scheme of tax relief for donations to eligible charities; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[36127/12]

Tax Reliefs

Kevin Humphreys

79 Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a breakdown, by amount, of the registered eligible charitable institutions that claimed back tax relief on donations in 2010 and 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[36128/12]

Tax Reliefs

Kevin Humphreys

80 Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Finance the annual cost from 2006 to 2011 of providing tax relief on charitable donations by PAYE workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[36129/12]

Tax Code

Kevin Humphreys

97 Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Finance if he is concerned at the residence and issuance principles contained within the European Commission proposal for a financial transaction tax which are not considered in the Central Bank-ESRI assessment; if it will affect financial transactions carried out in Ireland on securities that are issued in another EU country that decides to participate in an FTT through enhanced co-operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[36181/12]

Enterprise Support Services

Kevin Humphreys

323 Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if the €329,234,000 earned from the proceeds of sales of companies in which Enterprise Ireland invested between 2000 and end of 2011 is inclusive of the original investment; the total sum of investments made by Enterprise Ireland in that period; if he will provide a breakdown of amount invested by year; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[36874/12]

Diplomatic Representation

Kevin Humphreys

55 Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the discussions that have taken place between him and the Russian Embassy to recover costs totalling €155,166.04 related to the Admiral Kuznetsov incident in February 2009; when contact was last made with the Russian Embassy regarding same; the further efforts that will be made to recover the outstanding moneys; his views on the lack of action on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[35713/12]

Currency Exchange

Kevin Humphreys

62 Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Finance if he is concerned at the large daily exchanges of punts to euros that are occurring at the Central Bank of Ireland as documented in a spreadsheet (details supplied); if he can indicate if the Garda Síochána or anti-money laundering compliance unit have investigated this practice at any time since 2002; if he is concerned that the monetary proceeds of criminality or money laundering from before the introduction of the euro could be slowly filtered through this exchange process; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[35598/12]

Currency Exchange

Kevin Humphreys

67 Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Finance if the Revenue Commissioners have investigated the practice of the large daily exchanges of punts to euros that are occurring at the Central Bank of Ireland as documented in a spreadsheet (details supplied) at any time since 2002; if he is concerned that the monetary proceeds of criminality or money laundering or undeclared income from before the introduction of the euro could be slowly filtered through this exchange process; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[35599/12]

Currency Exchange

Kevin Humphreys

68 Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Finance if persons exchanging sums of punts into euros at the Central Bank of Ireland are provided with euro currency in the form of cash or in a cheque; if the Central Bank of Ireland has considered issuing exchanged euros in the form of drafts or cheques; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[35635/12]

Currency Exchange

Kevin Humphreys

69 Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Finance if there is a daily limit on the amount of punts that be exchanged by a person at the Central Bank; if a person’s identity is recorded when they make a transaction at the Central Bank; if he will describe the controls in place at the Central Bank to ensure punts being exchanged for euros are not the proceeds of money laundering or criminal activity; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[35660/12]

Currency Exchange

Kevin Humphreys

71 Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Finance the reason the Central Bank does not provide a breakdown of the list of individual transactions of exchanges of punts to euros on a daily basis; if the sums involved in each transaction are recorded by employees of the Central Bank of Ireland when they occur; if each transaction is recorded, if he will provide the list of individual transactions that occurred in 2011, and to date in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[35692/12]

Rent Supplement Scheme

Kevin Humphreys

49 Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to allow for more flexibility in the setting of upper rent limits on the rent supplement scheme to take into account the large variation in the cost of renting particularly in urban areas such as Dublin; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that recent reforms are creating difficulties for participants in securing accommodation in the area where they currently reside; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[34329/12]

Rent Supplement Scheme

Kevin Humphreys

56 Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Social Protection her long term plans to reform the rent supplement scheme in view of the current issues that are arising due to recent changes in the upper rent limits and if it will be transferred to local authorities; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[34330/12]

Climate Change Policy

Kevin Humphreys

498 Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the heads of the climate change Bill will be published in 2012 as outlined in the roadmap; if he expects the drafted legislation to then be published in early 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[35291/12]

Public Transport

Kevin Humphreys

884 Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress that has been made on introducing a student Leap card; if it will be available for the forthcoming academic year 2012 to 2013; if a launch date has been identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[34387/12]

International Agreements

Kevin Humphreys

45 Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if Ireland has been approached about joining the Open Government Partnership; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that many of our EU partners are already members; if he will consider getting Ireland to sign up to this multilateral initiative to make governments better; if he will endeavour to make contact with the Open Government Partnership regarding joining; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[34225/12]

Tax Code

Kevin Humphreys

48 Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Finance the amount received in 2011 from the ending of the exemption from benefit-in-kind tax for employer provided child care; the amount received to date in 2012; the expected amount for 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[34118/12]

EU-IMF Agreement

Kevin Humphreys

49 Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Finance the way he expects to achieve the commitment with the EU and IMF through the memorandum of understanding to deliver full year savings of €940 million in tax relief in the broad pension tax relief area in the period to 2014; the measures that have been taken to date to achieve same; the savings that have resulted from those measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[34119/12]

Tax Reliefs

Kevin Humphreys

50 Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Finance the estimated savings that would accrue to the Exchequer from reducing the tax relief on pension contributions from the marginal rate to either 33% at the marginal rate or if relief was standardised to 20% in a full tax year; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[34123/12]

Enterprise Ireland Investments

Kevin Humphreys

96 Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide an itemised list in spreadsheet format of all current investments by Enterprise Ireland; the criteria that applies to making investments; the oversight there is of each decision; the way the investments are audited for value for the taxpayer; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[34116/12]

Enterprise Ireland Investments

Kevin Humphreys

97 Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the amount Enterprise Ireland has lost on investments since the year 2000 on an annual basis for companies that have gone into liquidation or receivership; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[34117/12]

Health Service Allowances

Kevin Humphreys

228 Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Health when he will revise the mobility allowance in order to render it compliant with the Equal Status Act, in view of the fact that those over 66 cannot currently access this allowance, when will they be able to access this mobility allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[34084/12]

Credit Unions Regulation

Kevin Humphreys

119 Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Finance further to his reply to Parliamentary Question No. 58 of 20 June 2012, when the credit union restructuring board, ReBo, will be appointed; when will it come into operation; if it will operate on an interim or administrative basis pending the passage of the draft credit union Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[33175/12]

School Patronage

Kevin Humphreys

181 Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is significant demand in the Dublin 6, 8 and 12 area for a new multidenominational school; if any plans have been drawn up in his Department towards recognising the start up group that currently exists; if there has been any consideration of any potential there may be locally for divestment of a current school to cater for this demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[33603/12]

Environmental Schemes

Kevin Humphreys

324 Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the National Economic and Social Council secretariat submitted the interim report on potential options for policies and measures to close the distance to Ireland’s greenhouse gas emission reduction target under Decision 406/2009/EC in the compliance period 2013-2020; the date he will release the interim report; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[33246/12]

Foreign Adoptions

Kevin Humphreys

430 Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the fact that an organisation (details supplied) requested an opinion from Kenya on the compatibility of laws in Kenya with Irish adoption laws on 2 March 2012; if this organisation is taking any steps to follow that opinion up; if so, the steps that will be taken, when they will expect a response; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[33251/12]

Foreign Adoptions

Kevin Humphreys

431 Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when the report by an organisation (details supplied) summarising the conclusions and recommendations of the delegation’s visit to Ethiopia will be completed; when this organisation will contact her again on the legal advice referred to in her previous replies to questions on this matter; if further information has been submitted to her regarding this legal advice; if this organisation has completed its consideration of this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[33255/12]

Thalidomide Victim Compensation

Kevin Humphreys

534 Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the programme for Government commitment to address the need for further compensation for victims of thalidomide; when he will deliver on this commitment; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[33716/12]

Social Impact Bonds

Kevin Humphreys

287 Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has held any discussions with interested bodies, either domestic or foreign, regarding the establishment of social impact bonds here; if the scoping exercise of the potential of social impact bonds has been completed; if he still on track to pilot at least one area this year; the level of investment that might be required for the pilots and the level of saving that may accrue to the Exchequer; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[31911/12]