Parliamentary questions

Promissory Note Negotiations

Patrick Nulty

11. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Finance if Ireland will pay the promissory note payment due in relation to the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation, formerly Anglo Irish Bank, on 31 March 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2386/13]

Mortgage Resolution Processes

Mary Lou McDonald

12. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Finance his plans to tackle the one in four in mortgage distress here above and beyond what has already been announced. [10565/13]

Public Interest Directors Responsibilities

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

13. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Finance his views on the role that the public interest directors in the pillar banks serve; and if so the purpose they serve. [10579/13]

IBRC Liquidation

Barry Cowen

15. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Finance his views regarding the implications of the liquidation of the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation for local suppliers of goods and services to the firm; the timetable he envisages for resolution of claims for payment by these firms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10600/13]

Mortgage Resolution Processes

Martin Ferris

16. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Finance if has considered the impact of Irish Banking Federation’s protocol of 31 January 2013 on the credit union movement. [10569/13]

NAMA Property Sales

John McGuinness

17. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Finance the plans the National Asset Management Agency has to accelerate the roll-out of its 80:20 deferred payment initiative; if NAMA believes it will suffer a loss in respect of the sales undertaken to date as part of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10614/13]

Banks Recapitalisation

Willie O'Dea

18. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Finance if he is satisfied that the projected worst case scenario of losses in PCAR 2011 for the covered banks of €9 billion on their mortgage books over the period 2011-13 will not arise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10620/13]

NAMA Debtors

Michael Colreavy

19. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Finance his views on the treatment of developers at the National Asset Management Agency, following reports that certain developers with substantial loans in NAMA continue to enjoy lavish lifestyles; and his views on the €200,000 NAMA allowance certain developers enjoy. [10571/13]

State Banking Sector Regulation

Mick Wallace

20. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Finance his views on news reports that Independent News and Media may have some of its debts written down by State-supported banks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10626/13]

Stock Markets Regulation

Denis Naughten

21. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Finance the steps being taken to regulate food securities trading on the stock market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10491/13]

Budget 2014

Billy Kelleher

22. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Finance when, in view of the revised arrangements in respect of the promissory notes, he expects to be in a position to update the planned budgetary adjustment in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10606/13]

Public Interest Directors Issues

John Browne

23. Deputy John Browne asked the Minister for Finance if he has had discussions with the public interest directors in Bank of Ireland in relation to the action that is needed to close the deficit on the company's pension fund; if he will insist that this is done in a way that protects the State's investment in Bank of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10595/13]

European Stability Programmes

Seamus Kirk

24. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Finance the implications for the budgetary process here following the agreement between the EU's Council of Ministers and the European Parliament in respect of the two pack regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10609/13]

Credit Availability

Timmy Dooley

25. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Finance his views that there is a lack of competition in the banking sector here in the context of lending to small and medium enterprises; his further views on the way this can be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10602/13]

Mortgage Arrears Rate

Jonathan O'Brien

26. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Finance if he considers there is a need for a review of the code of conduct on mortgage arrears. [10582/13]

Public Sector Staff

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

27. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Finance when the programme for Government’s commitment to introduce a two-year cooling-off period for workers leaving the Civil Service to join the private sector will be implemented; and if National Treasury Management Agency staff will be included in any such period. [10585/13]

Insurance Industry

Niall Collins

28. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Finance his views regarding the competition implications in the life and pensions sector of the sale of Irish Life to Great-West Lifeco; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10598/13]

Government Bonds

Brendan Smith

29. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance if EUROSTAT has indicated that it is considering including bonds issued by the National Asset Management Agency in the calculation of Ireland’s general Government debt; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10622/13]

Sale of State Assets

Dara Calleary

30. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Finance if he has sought assurances that employment levels at Irish Life will be protected following its sale to Great-West Lifeco; if an understanding has been reached that there will not be any compulsory redundancies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10596/13]

Economic Growth Rate

Bernard Durkan

31. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which he can foresee an improvement in economic growth over the next two years with particular reference to the need to use such growth as a means of reducing debt to GDP ratios and keeping in mind the need for continued reduction in the current budget deficit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10590/13]

Corporation Tax

Richard Boyd Barrett

32. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance if, given EUROSTAT figures that put Ireland's implicit tax rate at 6.8%, he will consider establishing a minimum effective corporation tax rate of 12.5% on the full amount of corporation pre-tax profits; if he will provide figures or projections on what such a minimum effective rate would yield in extra revenue to the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10628/13]

Tax Collection

Catherine Murphy

33. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance the number of persons who paid the domicile levy in 2012; the sum collected under the levy in the same period; the number of persons who are declared non-resident for tax purposes; the number of these who would qualify for the domicile levy in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10496/13]

EU Directives

Charlie McConalogue

34. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Finance his views on the implications for Ireland of the imposition of a financial transaction tax in 12 EU countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10612/13]

Mortgage Interest Relief Extension

Patrick O'Donovan

35. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider reviewing the recent decision on mortgage interest relief in the budget and allow persons to claim the relief on the whole of their mortgage, as long as they started drawing down the mortgage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10514/13]

Mortgage Resolution Processes

John Halligan

36. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Finance the further measures, if any, he proposes to take to force banks in which the Government owns shares to restructure or write down distressed mortgages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10632/13]

NAMA Operations

Sean Fleming

37. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Finance if the National Asset Management Agency has adequate resources to support its efforts to gain security over assets controlled by its debtors that were not secured at the time when loans were transferred to the agency from the banks and where these assets were subsequently transferred to family members of the debtor; the amount of the €750 million secured by reversal of asset transfers has been achieved by voluntary agreement with developers; his views on whether legislative change is needed in this area to secure the interests of the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10604/13]

Mortgage Interest Rates

Michael McGrath

38. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if, in view of the State support afforded to Allied Irish Bank to date, the spiralling mortgage arrears crisis and the link between high mortgage rates and the level of arrears, he will engage with AIB regarding its intention of increasing its standard variable rate for residential mortgage customers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10593/13]

Property Taxation Application

Sandra McLellan

39. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Finance if he has carried out an impact assessment on the potential effect on the numbers in mortgage distress if local property tax is introduced. [10566/13]

IBRC Staff

Pearse Doherty

40. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the number of staff at Irish Bank Resolution Corporation that have been re-hired and the number of those re-hired who earn less than €100,000, between €100,000 and €200,000, between €200,000 and €300,000, between €300,000 and €400,000 and those who earn more than €400,000. [10561/13]

IBRC Liquidation

Pearse Doherty

41. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he has carried out any assessment on the economic impact of the sale of the bonds which replaced the promissory notes by the Central Bank at an earlier date than predicted by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10560/13]

Property Taxation Application

John Halligan

42. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Finance if he has done any analysis on the projected impact on consumer spending and the current mortgage crisis of his plans to introduce the local property tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10633/13]

Budget 2014

Joan Collins

43. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Finance if, following the recent Irish Bank Resolution Corporation-promissory note deal, it is his intention to pass on the benefit of the claimed €1 billion in savings in the form of a less severe budget adjustment in budget 2014; if so, if he will quantify the amount of any such new adjustment target; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10631/13]

Corporation Tax

Joan Collins

44. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Finance if, given EUROSTAT figures that put Ireland's implicit tax rate at 6.8%, he will consider establishing a minimum effective corporation tax rate of 12.5% on the full amount of corporation pre-tax profits; if he will provide figures or projections on what such a minimum effective rate would yield in extra revenue to the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10629/13]

IBRC Liquidation

Colm Keaveney

45. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Finance in view of the fact that Irish Bank Resolution Corporation Act 2013 grants him the power to direct the special liquidator in the carrying out of his or her duties, the way he proposes that the issue of the mortgages and loans owing by the former employees of IBRC be addressed, noting that these loans are not being transferred to National Asset Management Agency but are remaining with the liquidator; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10495/13]

Economic Policy

Mick Wallace

46. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Finance his views on the estimates by the Nevin Economic Research Institute that Budget 2013 will reduce GDP by 2.1%, cost between 25,000 and 35,000 jobs and lower private consumption by 4%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10627/13]

IBRC Liquidation

Thomas P. Broughan

47. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Finance if he will report on the status of the mortgages in the now liquidated Irish Bank Resolution Corporation and Irish Nationwide banks; if he will clarify if these mortgages will be sold on to other financial institutions; if family household mortgage holders are being treated differently from companies with commercial loans from IBRC; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10558/13]

Fuel Rebate Scheme

Michelle Mulherin

48. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Finance if he will extend in the forthcoming Finance Bill 2013 the excise rebate scheme for road hauliers announced in budget 2013 to benefit passenger transport operators; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10493/13]

Mortgage Resolution Processes

Martin Ferris

49. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Finance if he has had contact with the Governor of the Central Bank on the issue of the Irish Banking Federation’s protocol of 31January 2013; and his views on whether the protocol will contribute to the ending of the mortgage crisis. [10568/13]

IBRC Legal Cases

Catherine Murphy

50. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if he will list the legal actions that were underway against Irish Bank Resolution Corporation at the time of its entering into special liquidation; the total amount spent by Irish Bank Resolution Corporation on legal fees defending against such actions; the projected cost to the State of resolving such action; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10497/13]

IBRC Staff

Brian Stanley

51. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Finance the number of Irish Bank Resolution Corporation staff in the North of Ireland and other jurisdictions who have been made redundant, by region, and the numbers re-hired, by region. [10580/13]

Living City Initiative

Seán Crowe

52. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Finance the lobbies or approaches by individuals or bodies, including other Departments, that were made to him in advance of the Finance Bill 2013 being drafted in relation to the Living City initiative; the status of the EU state aid review of the potential scheme now it has been written into legislation; the other cities he has identified for this scheme following on from the pilot scheme; and if he will outline the number of Georgian houses in Limerick and Waterford versus Dublin or other counties. [10575/13]

Corporation Tax

Robert Troy

53. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Finance if he has altered his view on the common consolidated corporate tax base; the current status of talks in relation to the CCTB; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10625/13]

Tax Reliefs Abolition

Colm Keaveney

54. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Finance the number of persons that have claimed relief under section 14 of the Finance Act 2012; the cost of providing the relief; the estimate he would place on the increased investment and the increased employment opportunities that have been generated by the special assignee relief programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10494/13]

IBRC Liquidation

Jonathan O'Brien

55. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Finance his views on the decision to provide a €1 billion credit facility from the National Asset Management Agency for the use of the special liquidator of IBRC; when the decision was made; the credit facility that is intended to be used for; the way €1 billion, if used, will be repaid to NAMA; if he had to seek permission to use NAMA for such a credit facility from another entity such as the ECB; if the funding of the credit facility comes from cash assets at NAMA; and if NAMA can still meet its bond repayments due at the end of 2013. [10583/13]

Banking Sector Regulation

Micheál Martin

56. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Finance if negotiations are ongoing with the EU and ECB in respect of dealing with loss making tracker mortgages held by the covered banks; his views on the way the issue can be dealt with in a way that supports the viability of the banking sector here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10610/13]

Sale of State Assets

Michael Colreavy

57. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Finance the effects on the Exchequer and Central Fund of the sale of Irish Life. [10570/13]

Credit Unions

Michael Moynihan

58. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Finance if he has engaged with the credit union sector regarding the implications for fixed deposit investment products held by its members arising from the liquidation of the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation; the role of the regulator in protecting the interests of credit unions in the liquidation process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10617/13]

Budget 2014

Richard Boyd Barrett

59. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance if, following the recent Irish Bank Resolution Corporation-promissory note deal, it is his intention to pass on the benefit of the claims that €1 billion in savings in the form of a less severe budget adjustment in budget 2014; if so, if he will quantify the amount of any such new adjustment target; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10630/13]

IBRC Investigations

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

60. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Finance his views on the delayed investigation by CARB into the role of Ernst and Young's auditing of Anglo Irish Bank's books, which awaits the completion of other investigations by the Director of Public Prosecutions; and his views on whether Ernst and Young should continue operating as normal when such a serious investigation is pending. [10572/13]

Credit Unions

Dessie Ellis

61. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Finance the total volume of Irish Credit Union deposits or bonds in the former Irish Bank Resolution Corporation and if he will outline the impact of the liquidation of IBRC on credit unions. [10576/13]

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]