Parliamentary questions

Commemorative Plaques

Kevin Humphreys

8. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her Department has a registry or list of the many local monuments, plaques and statues in counties and towns across Ireland that commemorate specific events and people associated with the 1916 Rising; if not, her plans to compile one in advance of the centenary commemorations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31146/14]

Commemorative Plaques

Kevin Humphreys

16. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if a system of once-off grants will be made available to local communities, local authorities and resident committees to ensure that the many local monuments, plaques and statues in counties and towns across Ireland that commemorate events and people associated with the 1916 Rising are renovated, restored, cleaned or improved in appearance in advance of the centenary commemorations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31147/14]

Schools Building Projects Status

Kevin Humphreys

72. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to develop a permanent school building at a location (details supplied) in Dublin 2; if it is a temporary site to accommodate another school during redevelopment works; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31712/14]

Tax Reliefs Cost

Kevin Humphreys

199. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Finance to outline the cost of the foreign earnings deduction in each year since its introduction; if he will provide a breakdown of the deduction by country visited and the number of persons that have claimed this relief in each year; to outline his plans to reform, restrict or extend the FED; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31158/14]

Tax Reliefs Application

Kevin Humphreys

200. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Finance to outline the yield in each year since 2011 following the changes to the tax treatment of gains arising from various types of share schemes; if he will provide a breakdown by tax type yield; the taxes that apply; the types of schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31159/14]

Tax Reliefs Cost

Kevin Humphreys

201. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Finance to outline the projected costs to the Exchequer on an annual basis since 2011 of the tax exemption on approved profit-sharing schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31160/14]

Property Tax Rate

Kevin Humphreys

264. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider introducing a higher rate of property tax for residential units that are left vacant for more than six months as an incentive to ensure properties are either leased or sold; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31521/14]

Schools Building Projects Status

Kevin Humphreys

284. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on the plans for a new school building for a school (details supplied); when will it move off site; if a temporary location been found while construction takes place; when the project is expected to be finished; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30994/14]

Social Insurance Yield

Kevin Humphreys

375. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the yield from the extension of PRSI to unearned income for first six months of 2014; the projected outturn for this period and for the year as a whole; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31032/14]

JobsPlus Scheme

Kevin Humphreys

376. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the success of JobsPlus to date; the amount of funding available; the number of positions it covers; her plans to extend or increase the funding available to increase the number of places; if she will consider reducing the eligibility requirements to less than 12 months but with less of a subsidy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31033/14]

Dormant Accounts Fund Administration

Kevin Humphreys

467. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the person who was responsible for deciding which projects received funding under the dormant accounts action plan 2014; if there was an application procedure for interested bodies; if the application process was advertised; if projects were selected by civil servants; if so, under what criteria; if he will provide those criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30766/14]

Departmental Funding

Kevin Humphreys

819. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will confirm that the funding commitment of €1.2 million for the docklands and north east inner city consortium ABC programme is still available; the reason for the delay in progressing this vital programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31045/14]

Departmental Funding

Kevin Humphreys

820. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he is concerned that CES and Pobal appear to be continuously changing the criteria for the ABC programme, which is causing considerable uncertainty in the communities this initiative is intended to serve; if he will intervene to ensure these projects are expedited as quickly as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31046/14]

Residential Property Prices Register

Kevin Humphreys

37. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Finance if there are any penalties for providing incorrect information in relation to the property price register (details supplied); if he will consider implementing some; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30431/14]

Departmental Staff Recruitment

Kevin Humphreys

40. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Finance the reason the position of Secretary General of his Department was not advertised to external applicants; if this is the standard practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30438/14]

Office of Public Works Properties

Kevin Humphreys

128. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Defence if his Department is responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the Magazine Fort in the Phoenix Park; his plans to restore this building; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30407/14]

Naval Service Vessels

Kevin Humphreys

129. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Defence if the €54 million price for a new ship, as recently announced, is included in his Department's capital budget up to 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30408/14]

Naval Service Vessels

Kevin Humphreys

130. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Defence if his Department has investigated the use of unmanned aerial vehicles for patrolling Irish territorial waters rather than capital and labour intensive ships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30409/14]

Residential Property Prices Register

Kevin Humphreys

143. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her views on recent reports regarding inaccuracies in the property price register (details supplied); the action she is taking to ensure details submitted are correct; her plans to improve and increase the number of details submitted such as area of the property, number of rooms or other relevant details to purchasers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30431/14]

Tax Yield

Kevin Humphreys

66. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Finance with respect to the June 2014 target and outturn for corporation tax receipts to the Exchequer, the reason for the €297 million shortfall; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30215/14]

Excise Duties

Kevin Humphreys

67. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Finance as excise is €149 million ahead of profile for the year so far, and €58 million in June alone, he will outline where this buoyancy arises; and if he will provide a breakdown of where the increased excises are accruing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30216/14]

Tax Yield

Kevin Humphreys

68. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Finance as stamp duty is €51 million ahead of profile for the year so far, and €17 million in June alone, if he will outline where this buoyancy arises; and if he will provide a breakdown of where the increased stamp duty is accruing to the Exchequer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30217/14]

GDP-GNP Levels

Kevin Humphreys

69. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Finance the Central Statistics Office revision to Irish GDP growth figures for 2013 and the nominal increase in total GDP for 2013 and the half yearly Exchequer return the projected outturn on the deficit to GDP for 2014; the figures required to meet a deficit target of 3% of GDP in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30218/14]

Home Renovation Incentive Scheme Eligibility

Kevin Humphreys

70. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider extending the home renovation tax incentive to the private rented sector for landlords who commit to accepting rent supplement or housing assistance payment tenants for a period of time; the tax incentive being only available if tenants are retained for a specific period of time; if he will discuss this matter with the Departments of Social Protection and the Environment, Community and Local Government, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30219/14]

Departmental Funding

Kevin Humphreys

129. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Taoiseach the amount of funding his Department provides for library services for persons with a visual impairment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29583/14]

Departmental Correspondence

Kevin Humphreys

195. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Finance if his Department, agencies under his control or any staff received requests, proposals or submissions on the need for a mortgage indemnity scheme in particular for first-time buyers from any regulated financial institutions here; if so, from whom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29629/14]

Currency Exchange

Kevin Humphreys

196. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide, in a spreadsheet format, the value in euro and punt of each individual transaction of punt to euro exchange at the Cental Bank of Ireland in 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014 respectively; total amounts for each of those years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29630/14]

Currency Exchange

Kevin Humphreys

197. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Finance the losses the Central Bank of Ireland has made on the exchange of punts to euro since 2002 taking into account the original provision of €60 million in 2002 for future transactions; the total exchange of punt notes and coins, respectively, since that provision was made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29631/14]

Tax Credits

Kevin Humphreys

198. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Finance when the advisory group on tax and social welfare will publish its report on increasing the incentives for persons to return to work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29632/14]

Tax Credits

Kevin Humphreys

199. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Finance if the Revenue Commissioners have undertaken any estimate of the projected cost to the Exchequer of establishing the necessary administrative system to facilitate the refund of tax credits; if the Revenue Commissioners or his Department have carried out a study of the amount a refundable tax credit system for low paid workers would cost assuming a suitable qualification period of work; if not, if he will carry out such a study; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29633/14]

Tax Code

Kevin Humphreys

200. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a list for each year since 1997 the applicable stamp duty rate on non-residential property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29634/14]

Budget 2014

Kevin Humphreys

201. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Finance if he will confirm that on current projections Ireland will have a primary budget surplus this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29635/14]

Budget 2014

Kevin Humphreys

202. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Finance the cost of servicing the national debt as projected in budget 2014; the outturn for the year to date; the savings that have been made; where have they arisen; the total projected saving on the budgeted amount of debt interest for 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29636/14]

Structural Budget Balance

Kevin Humphreys

203. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the ESRI Bergin and Fitzgerald note on the structural balance for Ireland; the definition his Department uses for defining our structural balance; if his Department accepts the conclusion that the EU approach is inappropriate for calculating Ireland's structural balance; the action he is taking on same; if Ireland will reach structural balance next year as the paper argues; the implications this will have for Ireland and our EU treaty and commission commitments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29637/14]

Central Bank of Ireland

Kevin Humphreys

204. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Finance his plans to regulate pay-day lenders here; if companies (details supplied) were to begin to offer such loans here, the regulations by which they would be covered; his plans to introduce regulations and law similar to those in some Australian states where there is a cap of a 48% APR maximum loan rate, including fees and brokerage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29638/14]

European Stability Programmes

Kevin Humphreys

205. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Finance if the EU Commission will be carrying out an alert mechanism report under macroeconomic imbalances procedure now that Ireland has exited the bailout programme; the date on which this will take place; the expected publication date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29640/14]

Securities and Exchange Commission

Kevin Humphreys

206. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Finance if dark pool trading, private forums for trading securities that is not openly available to the public, regulated here; and if so by whom; the number of operations that are based here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29641/14]

Departmental Funding

Kevin Humphreys

267. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amount of funding his Department provides for library services for persons with a visual impairment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29574/14]

Budget Measures

Kevin Humphreys

309. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on developing an economic model to measure the impact and who loses or gains most from public service spending cuts or tax increases as the UK Treasury has; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29639/14]

Capital Expenditure Programme

Kevin Humphreys

324. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide, in tabular form, the amount of capital investment spending in each year since 2000; the percentage of GDP this was in each year; the EU average currently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29585/14]

Capital Expenditure Programme

Kevin Humphreys

325. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform with regard to the Infrastructure and Capital Investment 2012-16: Medium Term Exchequer Framework, the deviations that have occurred from that plan since its publication; the Departments that have seen increases or decreases on an annual basis since; if he will provide the amounts for 2013 and 2014, respectively, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29586/14]

Departmental Expenditure

Kevin Humphreys

326. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a new round of a comprehensive review of expenditure is under way; the work that has been done to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29587/14]

Departmental Funding

Kevin Humphreys

405. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the amount of funding her Department provides for library services for persons with a visual impairment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29582/14]

Departmental Funding

Kevin Humphreys

478. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the amount of funding his Department provides for library services for persons with a visual impairment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29572/14]

Local Authority Housing Mortgages

Kevin Humphreys

522. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the application procedure for a local authority mortgage; if each local authority advertises the service to citizens; the number of local authority mortgages that were issued in each year since 2007 and the total value per year; if he will provide a breakdown of the number for 2012 and 2013 by local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29450/14]

Library Services Funding

Kevin Humphreys

535. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of funding, if any, his Department provides for library services for persons with a visual impairment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29575/14]

Departmental Funding

Kevin Humphreys

597. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the funding, if any, his Department provides for library services for persons with a visual impairment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29569/14]

Garda Station Refurbishment

Kevin Humphreys

631. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide an update on the building plans for a headquarters (details supplied); when she expects progress to be made; if the project has gone to tender; the expected cost of the project; the stage at which the PPP process is at; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29200/14]

HSE Investigations

Kevin Humphreys

666. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Health if there are current investigations ongoing into abuse of patients in the psychiatric services; if so, the number of same; the number of investigations into such allegations that are closed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29243/14]

HSE Complaints Procedures

Kevin Humphreys

707. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Health to set out the number of complaints received in respect of the psychiatric services on physical abuse, sexual abuse, mental abuse and over-medication; the number of these that relate to Grangegorman Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29240/14]