Parliamentary questions

Cabinet Committee Meetings

Gerry Adams

1. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach the number of meetings of the Cabinet committee on economic infrastructure that have been held in the past three months. [8950/14]

Cabinet Committee Meetings

Joe Higgins

2. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Taoiseach the number of times the Cabinet committee on economic infrastructure has met since the winter recess. [14916/14]

Ministerial Meetings

Gerry Adams

3. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach the discussions he has had with church leaders. [8951/14]

Ministerial Meetings

Joe Higgins

4. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Taoiseach if he will report on meetings he has had with church leaders. [14917/14]

Cabinet Committee Meetings

Gerry Adams

5. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on Irish and the Gaeltacht last met. [8953/14]

Cabinet Committee Meetings

Gerry Adams

6. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on Irish and the Gaeltacht will next meet. [8954/14]

Cabinet Committee Meetings

Gerry Adams

7. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach the number of meetings of the Irish and Gaeltacht Cabinet committee that have taken place since Christmas. [12763/14]

Cabinet Committee Meetings

Joe Higgins

8. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on Irish and the Gaeltacht last met; and the date on which the next meeting is scheduled. [14918/14]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Robert Troy

61. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when he will formally establish the commission of investigation into mother and baby homes and publish the terms of reference for same; if he has secured additional resources for his Department's budget to fund the work of the proposed commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28269/14]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

62. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will outline the proposed model for the commission of investigation for mother and baby homes; its terms of reference and scheduled programme of work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28268/14]

Child Care Services Funding

Finian McGrath

63. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will support a child care service (details supplied) and protect this vital community service from closure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28129/14]

Child Care Services Regulation

Robert Troy

64. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his views on the fact that a year on from the "Prime Time" investigation into crèches, a new registration process has still not been enacted; that new child care services continue to use the old notification model; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28270/14]

Child Poverty

Finian McGrath

65. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will actively support the 375,000 children experiencing deprivation in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28130/14]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Maureen O'Sullivan

66. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will include Magdalen laundries in the Government inquiry into mother and baby homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27896/14]

Early Childhood Care Education

Robert Troy

67. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide a rationale for including only a portion of early years staff as eligible for FETAC level 6 training subsidies through the learner fund as a means of enhancing quality standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28010/14]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Billy Kelleher

68. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide an update on his plans to set up a commission of investigation into mother and baby homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28014/14]

Bullying of Children

Bernard Durkan

69. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which his Department is in a position to respond to concerns arising from cyber or other forms of bullying inside or outside the school environment; if he is satisfied regarding the extent to which victims can have access to support services at an early stage; if child psychiatric services are readily accessible or available in such circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27993/14]

Child Care Services Funding

Ruth Coppinger

70. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his plans to reinstate the 2009 cuts to the early childcare supplement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28006/14]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Joan Collins

71. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the Magdalen laundries and Bethany homes including Ovoca House, Westbank Orphanage and the Church of Ireland Magdalen home, Leeson Street will be included in the terms of reference of the statutory inquiry into mother and babies homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27897/14]

Child Death Review Group Report

Mick Wallace

72. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the outstanding measures that are to be implemented in view of the publication of the child death review. [27991/14]

Child Care Services Provision

Joe Higgins

73. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will guarantee that a child care service (details supplied) in Dublin will remain open and fully funded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27989/14]

Child Care Services Provision

Thomas P. Broughan

74. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 580 of 21 January 2014, if he will provide a progress update report on the plans to increase special care provision in Ireland to 34 beds by 2016; and the budget allocation for the capital development programme to increase special care provision in the years 2014, 2015 and 2016. [27946/14]

Adoption Legislation

Robert Troy

75. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the issues he views as the constitutional impediments to bringing forward comprehensive tracing and information legislation in the area of adoption; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28009/14]

Adoption Legislation

Colm Keaveney

76. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when he will bring forward adoption information and tracing legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28013/14]

Inter-Country Adoptions

Patrick O'Donovan

77. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide details of his priorities to advance further opportunities for inter-country adoptions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27904/14]

Adoption Records Provision

Patrick O'Donovan

78. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his plans to allow adopted persons to gain access to information held by the State, and other organisations who acted on behalf of the State, on their natural parents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27903/14]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Robert Troy

79. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when he expects the commission of investigation into mother and baby homes to be established; if he will be securing a supplementary estimate to fund the commission’s work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28007/14]

Preschool Services

Seán Kyne

80. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children in each of the past three years who have participated in the free preschool year of the early childhood care and education scheme; the number and locations by county of the child care providers participating; if a second preschool year will be added; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27974/14]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Colm Keaveney

81. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when he expects to formally establish a commission of investigation into mother and baby homes; the budget he will be providing for the Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28012/14]

Child Care Programmes Implementation Platform

Seán Kyne

82. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the anticipated timeline for the further development and introduction of the recently-introduced programmes implementation platform; the lead agency or agencies for the PIP; his plans to introduce the system on a county basis; if so, the counties that will pilot or trial the system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27973/14]

Child Protection Guidelines

Bernard Durkan

83. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he is satisfied in regard to the adequacy of child protection legislation; if identification, reporting and follow up continues to be adequate to meet their modern challenges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27992/14]

Early Years Strategy Implementation

Robert Troy

84. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the provision that is being made within the forthcoming early years strategy for pre-school children with additional needs in terms of additional resources and supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28011/14]

Child Care Services Funding

Ruth Coppinger

85. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will ensure that a child care service (details supplied) will remain open and fully funded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28005/14]

Child Care Services Regulation

Robert Troy

86. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his views that one year on from the "Prime Time" investigation into crèches, a new registration process has still not been enacted, new child care services continue to use the old notification model; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28008/14]

Adoption Services Provision

Billy Kelleher

87. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the measures he will be putting in place relating to information and tracing in adoption; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28015/14]

Detention Centres Provision

Thomas P. Broughan

88. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 120 of 13 May 2014, if he will provide a report on the work of the working group comprising representatives from his Department, the Department of Justice and Equality, the Irish Prison Service, the Children Detentions Schools, the Child and Family Agency and the Probation Service regarding its work on issues arising from the transfer of responsibility for the detention of 17 year old males from the prison system to Oberstown House; and if he will provide an update on the working group’s consideration of a solution to the position of 17 year olds on remand in St. Patrick's Institution. [27947/14]

Departmental Funding

Clare Daly

89. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will agree in principle to establishing a funding mechanism to provide for memorials for all the mother and baby homes angels plots as a sign of good faith to the victims of these institutions. [27938/14]

Child Death Review Group Report

Mick Wallace

90. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his views on the findings of the child death review. [27990/14]

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Finian McGrath

91. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will support a full and proper inquiry into all former mother and baby homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27898/14]

Child Death Review Group Report

Clare Daly

92. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his views regarding the fact that the numbers of deaths of children in State care, after care or known to the Health Service Executive has not significantly declined since the publication of the child death review; and the action he will take regarding same. [27939/14]

European Council Meetings

Micheál Martin

93. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if the situation in Iraq was discussed at the EU Council meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26990/14]

European Council Meetings

Micheál Martin

94. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if the EU Council made any decision regarding further sanctions on Syria at its recent meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26991/14]

Tax Settlements

Micheál Martin

95. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach the position regarding his Department's recent tax settlement with the Revenue Commissioners over taxis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27813/14]

International Agreements

Clare Daly

96. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when the optional protocol of the ICESCR will be ratified. [27878/14]

Honorary Titles

Alan Farrell

97. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade subject to article 40.2.2 of the Constitution, if a title of nobility or honour which has been awarded to an Irish citizen has ever been approved by a Government of this State. [28144/14]

Human Rights Issues

Maureen O'Sullivan

98. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in view of the recent World Refugee Week, if his attention has been drawn to the UNHCR estimates that more than 86,000 persons have left Burma on boats since June 2012, the majority of which are of the Rohingya Community risking injury or death as a result of fleeing; the representations that have been made in respect of the UNHCR's call for temporary arrangements to be made for the Rohingya until the situation stabilises including the call for acquiring the documented right to remain in the host country for the designated period, protection against arbitrary detention, respect for family unity, guarantees of shelter as well as access to service and lawful work opportunities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27846/14]

Military Aircraft Landings

Clare Daly

99. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the country of origin of all military aircraft which landed in Shannon in the past 12 months. [27879/14]

Diplomatic Representation

Maureen O'Sullivan

100. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he acknowledges the potential that large sporting events such as the World Cup have in benefiting the marginalised in other countries if they are taken into consideration from the beginning of its organisation; if he has made representations to officials in Brazil this year asking them to take into consideration local community needs, the need to bridge cultural and ethnic divides still pervasive in Brazilian society and to design the World Cup events with the rights of affected communities central to the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27965/14]

Overseas Development Aid Expenditure

Robert Troy

101. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the percentage of foreign aid supplied by Ireland to beneficiary countries reserved for spending on Irish produce; if he will explore the possibility of benefiting countries spending a certain percentage of the foreign aid from Ireland on Irish produce. [28088/14]

Foreign Conflicts

Brendan Smith

102. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will outline the most recent discussions at the European Union Foreign Affairs Council with regard to the Ukrainian crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28230/14]

Commemorative Events

Mick Wallace

103. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the potential participation of the British royal family in the centenary commemoration of the 1916 Easter Rising; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24465/14]

Middle East Peace Process

Brendan Smith

104. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the proposals, if any, he has outlined at the EU Foreign Affairs Council meetings regarding the urgent need for the European Union to play a more active role to assist in confronting the obstacles impeding a negotiated, two-state solution in relation to Israel-Palestine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28452/14]

Passport Application Refusals

John McGuinness

105. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the reason a passport has not been issued to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny in view of the fact that the person has a certificate of naturalisation dated 2012; the reason documents accepted by the Department of Justice and Equality are now being questioned by the passport section. [28464/14]

Middle East Peace Process

Brendan Smith

106. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the proposals he has outlined at EU Foreign Affairs Council meetings regarding the need for an adequate programme of labelling of products due to Israel's continued expansion of settlements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28477/14]

Middle East Peace Process

Brendan Smith

107. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if there have been discussions at EU Foreign Affairs Council meetings regarding the need for Israel to desist from its continued expansion of settlements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28478/14]

Middle East Peace Process

Brendan Smith

108. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will raise at the forthcoming EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting the urgent need for an early resumption of negotiations pertaining to the Middle East peace process in view of the deteriorating situation in that region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28480/14]

Banks Recapitalisation

Stephen Donnelly

109. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Finance on the two-year anniversary of the Eurogroup summit which resulted in a communiqué which promised the Eurogroup would examine the situation of the Irish financial sector with the view of further improving the sustainability of the well performing adjustment programme and which prompted An Tánaiste to claim a game changing benefit to Ireland's bank debt burden; if he will outline the role Europe has played in delivering tangible achievements in the past two years in reducing Ireland's bank debt burden; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28074/14]

Tax Credits

Catherine Murphy

110. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance the way disputes over who a primary care giver and which parent is awarded the single parent child carer tax credit are determined; if policy is being refined in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28283/14]

Tax Credits

Catherine Murphy

111. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if she has undertaken any impact analysis of the change from one-parent family tax credit with a single parent child carer tax credit; if she will commit to examining the possibility of a joint parenting agreement to allow both parents to adequately support their children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28284/14]

Credit Availability

Seán Kyne

112. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Finance if consideration will be given to creating a scheme to provide bridging loans to persons, such as persons with grown up children, who no longer require houses of larger sizes and who would like to trade down but face difficulties to secure the necessary finance due to financial institutions' reluctance to lend to this age group, and in consideration of how such a scheme could improve the housing stock available. [28507/14]

Financial Services Ombudsman Data

Damien English

113. Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Finance the number of appeals to the Financial Services Ombudsman in the past three years relating to lenders not complying fully or partially with the various statutory codes regarding borrowing by private and business persons; the number of such appeals that were either successful or unsuccessful; the number of such appeals currently awaiting a decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27815/14]

Banking Operations

Noel Grealish

114. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 117 of 30 April 2014, if he has received the additional information regarding indemnity bonds which the State supported banks were asked to provide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27816/14]

Disabled Drivers and Passengers Scheme

Michael McGrath

115. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the reason persons appealing a refusal under the disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme have to travel to Dún Laoghaire; if he will review the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27855/14]

Tax Data

Finian McGrath

116. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the number of persons making tax returns based on being taxi drivers; the number of taxi drivers paying tax and making a living solely on this profession; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27861/14]

EU Directives

Pearse Doherty

117. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance his plans to establish a national register of the beneficial owners of companies, trusts and foundations here, that will require the names, dates of birth, nationality or jurisdiction of incorporation, contact details, number of shares, categories of shares including the nature of the associated voting rights and proportion of shareholding or control, if applicable, of the beneficial owners of companies; and his plans that such information be publicly available at no cost, and in what format. [27917/14]

EU Directives

Pearse Doherty

118. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will progress a register of the beneficial owners of companies, trusts and foundations here, that will require the names, dates of birth, nationality or jurisdiction of incorporation, contact details, number of shares, categories of shares including the nature of the associated voting rights and proportion of shareholding or control before the EU acts by consensus to do so. [27918/14]

Tax Yield

Pearse Doherty

119. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the capital gains tax payable here by Wilbur Ross following his selling of shares at Bank of Ireland. [27981/14]

VAT Rate Application

Micheál Martin

120. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Finance the rules in place relating to VAT on charitable donations made by text message (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28039/14]

NAMA Accounts

Stephen Donnelly

121. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Finance further to the recent publication by the National Asset Management Agency of its management accounts for the fourth quarter of 2013, if he will provide an explanation for the €2.9 million expenses incurred in Q4 2013, dubbed other income or expense without further explanation in the accounts, at the NAMA subsidiary National Asset Sarasota LLC. [28066/14]

NAMA Loans Sale

Stephen Donnelly

122. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Finance further to the recent announcement by the National Asset Management Agency that it had concluded the sale of the Project Eagle portfolio of assets linked to Northern Irish borrowers, if the sale price was agreed in sterling or euro, and if in sterling, if NAMA hedged the euro equivalent of the sterling price that was agreed at the end of March 2014-start of April 2014. [28067/14]

NAMA Bonds

Stephen Donnelly

123. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 44 of 4 March 2014, when he stated the cost of capital at the National Asset Management Agency was 2%, if he will confirm the annual cost of NAMA hedging the interest rate on its senior bonds; if he will confirm if this cost is approximately €200 million greater than the actual interest rate attached to NAMA's senior bonds; if he will identify the person providing treasury and hedging advice to NAMA; and if he is concerned by the hedging premium incurred at NAMA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28068/14]

Mortgage Applications Numbers

Stephen Donnelly

124. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 201 of 17 June 2014 when he stated the banks are highlighting the lack of supply of houses in particular urban areas as a contributing factor in the lack of drawdown of approved mortgage facilities, if this statement has been tested by his Department; if so, how; and if he believes fresh intervention and new measures are required directly with the banks to help restore mortgage lending to normal levels. [28069/14]

Banks Recapitalisation

Stephen Donnelly

125. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Finance further to the summit of European leaders in Brussels on 28 June 2012 which concluded with a summit communiqué which included a statement the Eurogroup would examine the situation of the Irish financial sector with the view of further improving the sustainability of the well performing adjustment programme and further to An Tánaiste's characterisation of that summit’s conclusions as game changing, the concessions made by his colleagues in Europe in the past two years which have reduced the burden of national debt incurred by the State in saving its banks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28070/14]

European Stability Mechanism

Stephen Donnelly

126. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Finance further to the summit of European leaders in Brussels on 28 June 2012 which concluded with a summit communiqué which included a statement the Eurogroup will examine the situation of the Irish financial sector with the view of further improving the sustainability of the well-performing adjustment programme, if he will confirm the total amount contributed by Ireland to the European Stability Mechanism since that summit in 2012; if he will confirm that these contributions to the ESM have added to the State’s national debt. [28071/14]

NAMA Operations

Stephen Donnelly

127. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Finance further to the publication by the IMF on 18 June 2014 of its staff report into the Irish economy, and its identification of non-performing commercial real estate loans at Irish banks to be an impediment to economic recovery, if he believes his decision in March 2011 to increase the threshold for eligible loans being acquired by the National Asset Management Agency from Bank of Ireland and Allied Irish Banks, from €5 million to €20 million was, in retrospect, the correct decision; if he has any plans to revisit that decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28072/14]

Banking Sector

Stephen Donnelly

128. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Finance if his Department has had discussions with representatives of Royal Bank of Scotland and Ulster Bank to consider the future of that bank in the Republic of Ireland; if such discussions have included a consideration of a merger with Permanent TSB or swapping of assets controlled by his Department as a shareholder in Irish banks and the National Asset Management Agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28073/14]

VAT Rate Application

John McGuinness

129. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Finance the reason for the delay by the Revenue Commissioners in deciding a VAT liability issue between two parties (details supplied); and if he will expedite the decision. [28079/14]

Mortgage Interest Relief Eligibility

Timmy Dooley

130. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Finance the reason a couple were refused mortgage interest relief for portions of a loan drawn down in the qualifying period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28100/14]

NAMA Property Sales

Pearse Doherty

131. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the price at which an estate (details supplied) in County Tipperary in which the National Asset Management Agency has an interest was sold. [28127/14]

NAMA Property Sales

Pearse Doherty

132. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the way complaints about the sales process by unsuccessful bidders on properties in which the National Asset Management Agency has an interest are dealt with and the independent scrutiny of such complaints that exists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28128/14]

Central Bank of Ireland Investigations

Stephen Donnelly

133. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Finance if he Central Bank of Ireland have undertaken any form of investigation into Bloxham stockbrokers since 2007; if so if there is a timeline for the completion and or publication of this investigation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28136/14]

Health Insurance Cover

Michael Healy-Rae

134. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Finance that private health insurance payments be fully income tax deductible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28164/14]

Universal Social Charge Application

Michael Healy-Rae

135. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Finance that there will be a reduction of Universal Social Charge for retired persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28166/14]

Property Tax Administration

Michael McGrath

136. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will address a specific issue raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied) in County Cork regarding the local property tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28174/14]

Mortgage Interest Rates

Jim Daly

137. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Finance the number of mortgage holders of each financial institution operating here whose repayment schedule and interest rate was either aligned to at the time or due to be converted to an ECB tracker rate at a point in the future who have since converted to a variable rate, waived entitlement to a tracker rate for the period of 2008 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28250/14]

Pension Provisions

Robert Dowds

138. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider allowing a person to close their private pension account and use it to pay the outstanding balance on a mortgage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28263/14]

Corporate Tax Compliance

John Halligan

139. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Finance the amount of corporation tax a company (details supplied) in County Waterford has paid to the State in the past five years; the percentage of its overall profit this represents; if he will provide a full year-by-year breakdown; his views on whether corporation tax has been paid at the correct level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28273/14]

One-Parent Family Payment Expenditure

Catherine Murphy

140. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance the amount that was paid out under the one-parent family tax credit in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013; the amount that has been paid out to date under the single parent child carer tax credit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28282/14]

Motor Tax Exemptions

Simon Harris

141. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Finance whether there is any relief available on vehicle registration tax for wheelchair-adapted vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28297/14]

Tax Credits

Jack Wall

142. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider a matter in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare regarding tax credits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28299/14]

Tax Collection

Colm Keaveney

143. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Finance to set out the number of attachment orders on persons which were granted to the Revenue Commissioners in each year from 2011 to 2013, inclusive; the amount of revenue that was gathered in each year by these means; the number that are currently active; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28312/14]

Mortgage Interest Relief Eligibility

Robert Troy

144. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Finance whether any assistance or tax incentives are available to first-time buyers who purchased their homes in February 2014 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28319/14]

Mortgage Arrears Proposals

Róisín Shortall

145. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance with regard to the monthly limit on unsolicited communications if the consumer protection code 2012 and the Code of Conduct on Mortgage arrears are applicable to those in arrears who have reached a repayment agreement with their bank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28320/14]

Departmental Staff Recruitment

Catherine Murphy

146. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide an update on the appointment of a new Secretary General in his Department; if he will list the outlets where the position has been advertised; whether it is essential that reforms within his Department would be best executed and overseen by the recruitment of a person from outside his Department or the Central Bank of Ireland; the timetable by which the new appointment will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28362/14]

Central Bank of Ireland Properties

Pearse Doherty

147. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if the Central Bank of Ireland has considered any plans to review the operation of the mint in Sandyford. [28482/14]

Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland Establishment

Seán Kyne

148. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Finance if, in the context of the strategic banking corporation Ireland and alongside the work on the legislation, work is progressing on the structures of the bank, including personnel, internal procedures, processes, operations and other activities associated with an undertaking of this type; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28504/14]

Tax Yield

Richard Boyd Barrett

149. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance if he will calculate the extra revenue that would be created by introducing the following changes in income tax rates: a 50% band rate on earnings between €100,000 and €140,000; a 55% rate on earnings between €140,000 and €180,000; a 60% rate on earnings between €180,000 and €250,000; and a 65% rate on earnings over €250,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28557/14]

Financial Transactions Tax

Richard Boyd Barrett

150. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance if he will calculate the additional revenue that would be raised by introducing the EU Commission's proposed financial transaction tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28558/14]

Corporation Tax Regime

Richard Boyd Barrett

151. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance if he will calculate the extra revenue raised by imposing a 12.5% minimum effective corporate tax rate on gross trading profits before deductions and allowances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28559/14]

SOLAS Training and Education Programmes Places

Pearse Doherty

152. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills the role of SOLAS in ensuring that employers who take on apprentices under the supervision of SOLAS are compliant with employment law in respect of the rights and entitlements of the apprentices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27866/14]