Parliamentary questions

EU-IMF Programme of Support

Thomas P. Broughan

62. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Finance the remaining obligations, if any, Ireland has to the troika for budget 2014 under the terms of the 2010 bailout; if the backstop supports from the eurozone agencies, he recently referred to from January 2014, would come with further commitments to cut public services and raise taxes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10559/13]

IBRC Staff

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

63. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Finance the safeguards that are in place with regard to staff at Irish Bank Resolution Corporation who have been re-employed by the special liquidator to prevent privileged information being passed to potential purchasers of IBRC assets during the liquidation period. [10578/13]

Credit Review Office Appeal Numbers

Mary Lou McDonald

64. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Finance if he is satisfied with the take-up from small and medium sized enterprises in using the Credit Review Office; and if he will outline the way he implemented the recommendations in the review of the office. [10564/13]

IBRC Liquidation

Seán Crowe

65. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Finance if he or his Department has exchanged correspondence or had direct communication with the ECB or European Commission following the decision to use a further €16 billion of National Asset Management Agency's unallocated bonds in the purchasing of Irish Bank Resolution Corporation's assets following liquidation. [10574/13]

Property Taxation Application

Joe Higgins

66. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Finance if he has conducted a poverty impact study on the effect of the property tax on homeowners dependent on payments from his Department. [4104/13]

Banking Sector Remuneration

Gerry Adams

67. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Finance if he will explain the delay in the publication of the Mercer report on bankers’ salaries; the total cost to date of the report; and the estimated final cost. [10562/13]

Credit Availability

Bernard Durkan

68. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which he has had discussions with the lending agencies here with a view to ensuring the ready availability of adequate working capital to the industrial, commercial and retail sectors with particular reference to the need to ensure that overdraft and-or working capital facilities are made available in a way to retain and expand various components of the sectors thereby contributing to national economic recovery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10591/13]

IBRC Staff

Dessie Ellis

69. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Finance the terms under which the senior executives of Irish Bank Resolution Corporation are being rehired on short contracts to assist the special liquidator; if the executives are receiving the same monetary terms as their old contracts; and the number being rehired. [10577/13]

Sale of State Assets

Sean Fleming

70. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Finance the number of external consultants currently engaged by his Department providing advice in respect of the proposed sale of State assets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10404/13]

Sale of State Assets

Willie O'Dea

71. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Finance the amount of expenditure incurred in 2012 in respect of advice and preparatory work connected with the sale of State assets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10406/13]

Diplomatic Passports

Catherine Murphy

72. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the change in criteria regarding the issuing and holding of diplomatic passports; the number and names of former officer-holders and others for whom holding such passports are no longer allowed; the circumstances in which passports were issued until the change in criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10746/13]

International Agreements

Seán Crowe

73. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 8 of 20 February 2013, in relation to outstanding ratification of international agreements, the Department that is leading on identifying the legislative or administrative measures necessary for the State to ratify the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10757/13]

International Agreements

Seán Crowe

74. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 8 of 20 February 2013, in relation to outstanding ratification of international agreements, his views on the legislative or administrative measures identified by his Department as necessary for the State to ratify the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10758/13]

Departmental Bodies

Kevin Humphreys

75. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide a list of the members or former members of the Judiciary who, during the past five years, have acted as chairperson or member of any body in or under his Department, or as chairperson or member of any inquiry, or have performed functions including arbitration, mediation, conciliation, patronage, advisory or law reform functions or any other role in or in any body under his Department or in any body wholly or partly funded by him, specifying in each case the name of the judge; if he or she is serving or retired; the court of which he or she is or was a member; the role or function performed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10881/13]

Passport Applications

Bernard Durkan

76. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has received confirmation from the Department of Justice and Equality regarding entitlement to an Irish passport in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10905/13]

Tax Code

Billy Timmins

77. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding double taxation, that is, household property tax and non principal private residence tax on rental properties (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10759/13]

Property Valuations

Éamon Ó Cuív

78. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Finance if in assessing the valuation of a property for the property tax, the existence of an enurement clause on a planning which restricts the sale of a house and therefore its valuation will be taken into account when the value of a house is being assessed for the tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10765/13]

NAMA Property Leases

Peadar Tóibín

79. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Finance if he has directed, or will consider requesting, National Asset Management Agency to adjust relevant lease terms to reflect current market values for properties in which Departments or State agencies are leasees. [10777/13]

NAMA Property Leases

Peadar Tóibín

80. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Finance if he has directed or will consider requesting the National Asset Management Agency to remove upward only rent review clauses from relevant leases in which Departments or State agencies are leasees. [10778/13]

NAMA Property Leases

Peadar Tóibín

81. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Finance if consideration has been given to transfer from the National Asset Management Agency to the State properties in which Departments or State agencies are leasees. [10779/13]

NAMA Property Sales

Peadar Tóibín

82. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider, or believe it appropriate, to request the National Asset Management Agency to sell or transfer the current Harcourt Street Garda Station, Dublin, to the ownership of the State. [10780/13]

Disabled Drivers Grant Eligibility

Joe Carey

83. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Finance the reason whereby vehicle registration tax is established for refund subsequent to the sale of an adapted vehicle to a qualifying disabled driver or passenger; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10840/13]

Tax Code

Robert Dowds

84. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Finance if VAT is charged on the purchase of a second-hand touring coach where the coach has previously been registered here. [10844/13]

Tax Code

Robert Dowds

85. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Finance the reason the operators of coach touring companies here cannot register for VAT, and therefore cannot apply to reclaim VAT in the normal way. [10845/13]

Banking Sector Remuneration

Pearse Doherty

86. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the total of the gross salaries of the top ten earners in each of Allied Irish Bank, Bank of Ireland, Irish Bank Resolution Corporation and Permanent TSB/Irish Life in 2011 and 2012. [10852/13]

Tax Code

Dara Calleary

87. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Finance if he will clarify if credit union special share dividends are exempt from DIRT tax for persons over 65 years of age. [10861/13]

IBRC Staff

Olivia Mitchell

88. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Finance if he will clarify the situation surrounding the pensions of the former Irish Bank Resolution Corporation employees and the extent to which the fund is impacted, and if any clarity can be given to employees at this stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10867/13]

Departmental Bodies

Kevin Humphreys

89. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a list of the members or former members of the Judiciary who, during the past five years, have acted as chairperson or member of any body in or under his Department, or as chairperson or member of any inquiry, or have performed functions including arbitration, mediation, conciliation, patronage, advisory or law reform functions or any other role in or in any body under his Department or in any body wholly or partly funded by him, specifying in each case the name of the judge; if he or she is serving or retired; the court of which he or she is or was a member; the role or function performed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10880/13]

Government Bonds

Michael McGrath

90. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance based on recent information made public by the ECB, the amount of interest that will be paid by Ireland to the ECB in 2013 on its holdings of Irish Government bonds purchased through its securities markets programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10894/13]

Credit Unions Regulation

Michael McGrath

91. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the number of credit unions currently subject to restrictions on their lending activities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10895/13]

Unfinished Housing Developments

Michael McGrath

92. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the plans the National Asset Management Agency has to demolish category 4 unfinished estates; the timetable envisaged for such actions; the cost incurred to date in the demolition of unfinished estates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10896/13]

NAMA Portfolio

Michael McGrath

93. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the amount of office space currently controlled by the National Asset Management Agency; the way this is expected to increase arising from its recently announced investment programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10897/13]

NAMA Operations

Michael McGrath

94. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the number of applications the National Asset Management Agency has made to date to change the zoning of land under its control; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10898/13]

Economic Growth Rate

Bernard Durkan

95. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which he expects economic growth projections to be improved in the wake of the agreement in respect of the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation promissory notes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10920/13]

Economic Competitiveness

Bernard Durkan

96. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which the competitiveness of the economy has improved when compared with other EU economies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10921/13]

Economic Competitiveness

Bernard Durkan

97. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which the competitiveness of the Irish economy continues to maintain its position with our major trading partners with particular reference to the effect of currency fluctuation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10922/13]

Credit Availability

Bernard Durkan

98. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which the various lending agencies have increased their lending in line with growth projection requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10923/13]

Credit Availability

Bernard Durkan

99. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which any initiative has been taken by the banking sector with a view to meeting the ongoing credit requirements in the business, retail and commercial sectors; if lending in these areas is in line with economic requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10924/13]

Credit Availability

Bernard Durkan

100. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which he receives regular communication from the banking sector with regard to the responsibility of the lending institutions to meet the credit requirements of business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10925/13]

Credit Availability

Bernard Durkan

101. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which individual banks within the banking sector are making an effort to meet the credit requirements of business with the objective of encouraging economic growth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10926/13]

House Repossessions

Bernard Durkan

102. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the total number of family homes repossessed, on an annual basis, over the past five years to date; the number of such homes in negative equity at the time of repossession; if such properties were disposed of to individual purchasers such as first-time home buyers or to investors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10927/13]

House Repossessions

Bernard Durkan

103. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which foreclosures by lending institutions have taken place over the past five years, in respect of properties which were insured against bad debt by the lender and honoured by the insurers or the subject of mortgage protection insurance by the borrower; the extent to which insurance cover has been honoured by the insurers in both instances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10928/13]

Economic Growth Rate

Bernard Durkan

104. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent, if any, to which growth and competitiveness are affected by the agreement in respect of the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation promissory notes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10929/13]

Departmental Properties

Ray Butler

105. Deputy Ray Butler asked the Minister for Education and Skills if in the context of the restructuring of FÁS to SOLAS, consideration has been given to the sale of the FÁS head office on 27-33 Upper Baggot Street, Dublin; if he will confirm the date on which the lease on this building expires and the annual rent on this lease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10741/13]

School Staffing

Billy Timmins

106. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a resource teacher in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10742/13]

School Staffing

Pat Deering

107. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of primary schools that will be adversely affected by the decision to suppress base posts in schools with two hours or more of surplus capacity which have not been utilised for resource hours approved by the National Council for Special Education on or before 31 December 2012, page 8 circular 13/2013; the reason this decision was not indicated to schools prior to the circular being published; the appeals procedure in place for schools who have the required hours for the school year 2013/14; and if he will ensure that base posts are restored swiftly in such cases. [10753/13]

Vocational Education Committees Staff

Stephen Donnelly

108. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Education and Skills in view of the non-implementation of the February 2009 Labour Court recommendation in relation to the directors of vocational education committee outdoor education centres, the stated reason for which was the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Act, if he will consider a referral back to the Labour Court for a binding decision in relation to this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10764/13]

Traveller Community

Finian McGrath

109. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update on the participation of Travellers and the reason so many are leaving post-primary education. [10836/13]

School Accommodation

Martin Ferris

110. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has yet replied to correspondence from a school (details supplied) in County Kerry in relation to the withdrawal of a prefab grant and if not, when a reply will issue. [10846/13]

Student Grant Scheme Eligibility

Dara Calleary

111. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will clarify that students who have previously completed a postgraduate course and who are now returning to college to undertake an undergraduate course (details supplied) in a new discipline are eligible for higher education grant funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10863/13]