Parliamentary questions

IBRC Mortgage Loan Book

Dan Neville

151. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Finance if the performing mortgages which were with Irish Nationwide and now with the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation will be put into the National Asset Management Agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23089/14]

Insurance Industry

Ciara Conway

152. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Finance if he will request the liquidator of Setanta Insurance to make a statement on the position of third party claimants regarding high court cases next month; if he will request the Central Bank of Ireland to also provide an update or statement in respect of the same in view of the fact that they are in regular contact with the Maltese financial authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23108/14]

Insurance Industry

Ciara Conway

153. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to reports that MIBI has not been instructed to deal with third party claims under Setanta Insurance; his views on the position of having third party claims dealt with; if he will offer advice and clarify the position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23109/14]

Tax Collection

Michael McGrath

154. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance his views regarding the impact of online sales imports on the retail sector here; if he has quantified the amount of money spent here each year on imported goods through online purchases; if he can quantify the amount of taxation forgone for the State as a result of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23117/14]

NAMA Portfolio

Maureen O'Sullivan

155. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance if he will direct the National Asset Management Agency to publish its property portfolios in its entirety in order to make vacant properties visible and possibly available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19454/14]

Property Tax Data

Bernard Durkan

156. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which an examination has been undertaken into the levels of property tax applicable throughout the eastern region with particular reference to identifying possible negative impact in certain circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19551/14]

Bank Codes of Conduct

Sandra McLellan

157. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 68 of 15 May 2014, the reason only part of the question was answered (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23150/14]

Tax Rebates

Finian McGrath

158. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding money owed to persons (details supplied) in Dublin 13 by the Revenue Commissioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23198/14]

Black Economy

Seán Fleming

159. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider extending the principles in the home renovation incentive in Finance Act (No. 2) 2013, an aim of the incentive which is to support tax compliant building contractors by introducing a similar type of measure for persons who wish to claim mortgage interest relief from the Revenue Commissioners as a way of ensuring that only persons who are tax compliant in the construction industry will have a clear advantage over those operating in the shadow economy in view of the fact that he has stated in Parliamentary Question No. 59 of 15 May 2014 that he would not ask the banks to get involved in this process but the Revenue Commissioners could have a role in relation to mortgage interest relief; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23209/14]

Banking Sector Investigations

Lucinda Creighton

160. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Finance if he will confirm whether Allied Irish Banks have adopted a joint approach for compensating all borrowers affected by a former investment manager (details supplied) who is currently on the run and subject to a Garda-Interpol investigation; if he will confirm what, if any, compensation has been provided by Allied Irish Banks to those clients affected by a former investment manager's alleged criminal acts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23210/14]

Tax Settlements

Bernard Durkan

161. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance if meaningful discussions can be entered into between the Revenue Commissioners and a person (details supplied) in County Kildare in respect of various taxation issues, most of which were not of their making, which have resulted in personal and financial difficulties of a very serious nature; if urgent arrangements will be made for discussions at senior level regarding a view to resolution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23230/14]

Mortgage Repayments

Olivia Mitchell

162. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Finance the measures that exist for those persons who were sold endowment mortgages in the 1990s and who now, on coming near the end of the mortgage term, have been advised that there will be a major shortfall in the policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23235/14]

Mortgage Repayments

Olivia Mitchell

163. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Finance if there are regulations governing endowment mortgage policies; if there is recourse for those who believe they were mis-sold such a policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23236/14]

Home Repossession Rate

Joe Higgins

164. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Finance if he has a projection from the principal banks in the State on the number of homes they will attempt to repossess in 2014 to 2015 due to mortgage distress by owner-occupied mortgage holders. [23243/14]

Homeless Accommodation Provision

Joe Higgins

165. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Finance if the National Asset Management Agency has been required to take any urgent, special steps to make suitable accommodation available to deal with the crisis of homelessness. [23244/14]

National Debt

Joe Higgins

166. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Finance the total amount of interest payments on the national debt for 2012, 2013 and projected for 2014; if he will break down the major entities in receipt of the interest by amount per entity. [23245/14]

National Debt

Joe Higgins

167. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Finance the amount of interest on the national debt that is accounted for by the bailout of the banks in 2012, 2013 and projected for 2014. [23246/14]

National Debt

Joe Higgins

168. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Finance the total of the national debt; and the amount of the total debt accounted for by loans from the troika agencies. [23247/14]

VAT Exemptions

Éamon Ó Cuív

169. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Finance if it is possible, under national legislation, to exempt from VAT the purchase of mountain rescue equipment for voluntary groups in a similar way to the exemption for water rescue equipment; if such an exemption would be a national competence or an EU competence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23255/14]

Insurance Industry

Brian Walsh

170. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding motor insurance companies and their policy holders who were involved in pending court cases in which Setanta Insurance was a defendant when the company recently collapsed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23317/14]

Mortgage Schemes

Eoghan Murphy

171. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if he has considered proposals for restructuring lending practices in the mortgage market whereby mortgage lending would be calculated in terms of the average value of a house over a fixed period, say 20 years, for which the money is being borrowed, rather than calculating the loan in terms of the present-day value of the house which may not reflect the longer-term value of the asset. [23321/14]

Disabled Drivers and Passengers Scheme

Michael Healy-Rae

172. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding a refund of VRT in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23338/14]

Tax Credits

Jack Wall

173. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Finance if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare is entitled to the one-parent tax credit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23341/14]

Disabled Drivers and Passengers Scheme

Seán Kyne

174. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Finance if he will in the context of the European Court of Justice ruling of April 2013 which will see an end to the excise relief on the fuel element of the disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme in December of this year, provide an update on the work to establish a new grant scheme for drivers or passengers with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23347/14]

Disabled Drivers and Passengers Scheme

Seán Kyne

175. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Finance if consideration will be given to increasing the maximum rebate allowance, currently at €9,500, to assist persons with mobility issues, such as wheelchair users, with the purchase of vehicles, particularly as the rebate has not been increased for a significant number of years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23351/14]

Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland

Seán Kyne

176. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Finance if it is envisaged that the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland will be available to local authorities and other regional organisations to assist in leveraging finance for small to medium-scale infrastructure projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23356/14]

Economic Competitiveness

Bernard Durkan

177. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which this economy continues to remain competitive when compared with other competing jurisdictions within the EU and without; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23404/14]

Credit Availability

Bernard Durkan

178. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which he continues to receive indications from the banking sector regarding the availability of credit throughout the domestic market; if any particular issues have arisen which might indicate a lack of interest in lending by some institutions; the steps required to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23405/14]

Economic Data

Bernard Durkan

179. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the degree to which he and his Department continue to monitor the performance of all Government Departments and State or semi-State agencies with a view to maximisation of their contribution toward economic recovery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23406/14]

Bank Charges

Bernard Durkan

180. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which bank charges in this country are comparable with those that exist in other EU jurisdictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23407/14]

Government Bonds

Bernard Durkan

181. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance if, in view of the ongoing need to retain expenditure within the guidelines set down by the troika, in view of the existence of serious infrastructural deficits in terms of housing and other critical infrastructure, it is possible to launch a Government bond competitively priced to attract savings from the private sector thereby generating employment, economic activity and meeting critical infrastructural deficits without jeopardising expenditure guidelines; if any consideration will be given to such a proposal in the short term context; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23409/14]

House Prices

Bernard Durkan

182. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which he and his Department have noted house price inflation; if such a trend is likely to cause economic disruption; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23410/14]

Economic Data

Bernard Durkan

183. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance his views regarding the performance of all aspects of the economy in the post bailout period; if he has in mind any corrective measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23411/14]

Mortgage Arrears Report Implementation

Bernard Durkan

184. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which he and his Department continue to monitor the situation regarding mortgage arrears with particular reference to the need to ensure that home owners who have fallen into arrears through no fault of their own are not unfairly treated and that cognisance is taken of the facts of each individual case, particularly where loss of income or loss of employment has resulted in arrears; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23412/14]

Credit Availability

Bernard Durkan

185. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the degree to which Government policy towards assisting small and medium-sized enterprises by way of enhanced lending for working capital or other purposes has been successful to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23413/14]

Financial Services Regulation

Bernard Durkan

186. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the procedure applicable to banking and insurance corporations or similar entities exiting the Irish market with particular reference to the extent to which they might be expected to comply with their contractual obligations or duty of care; if any provision is made for losses accruing to their customers in this jurisdiction in the wake of their exit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23414/14]

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Michael McGrath

187. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 95 of 7 May 2014, if he will consider introducing an exemption from maths for children with the rare diagnosis of dyscalculia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22385/14]

FÁS Training Programmes Provision

Dara Calleary

188. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a two year FÁS course (details supplied) has ceased after one year. [22388/14]

Autism Support Services

Mary Lou McDonald

189. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education and Skills the full cost to the State of the provision of ABA support to a child with severe autism for ten hours per week for a 12-month period. [23062/14]

Health and Safety

Michael McCarthy

190. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider the introduction of a one-day asbestos awareness safety programme aimed at general construction workers, craft workers and on-site personnel in the construction industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22129/14]

Schools Property

Jerry Buttimer

191. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans for the site and premises of a school (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22138/14]

Student Grant Scheme Eligibility

Billy Timmins

192. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding Student Universal Support Ireland grants where the student is in receipt of a grant and back to education allowance, their spouse is on a disability payment and they are above the threshold to receive full fees, if consideration will be given where there are dependent children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22142/14]

School Staffing

Dara Calleary

193. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a school (details supplied) in County Mayo which faces the prospect of losing a teacher from September 2014; the options that may be available to the school management; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22148/14]

Departmental Staff Remuneration

Charlie McConalogue

194. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 59 of 8 May 2014, when his Department will communicate his decision to the person (details supplied) as they have not received any correspondence from his Department as of today; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22155/14]

Departmental Strategies

Jonathan O'Brien

195. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the names of the strategy documents his Department is currently implementing. [22171/14]

Summer Works Scheme Applications

Robert Troy

196. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a school (details supplied) in County Westmeath will be included on the summer works programme list. [22197/14]

School Staffing

Mattie McGrath

197. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of small schools countrywide that are in a similar position to a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary which lost a teacher because it was one pupil short of the required number of 86 needed for next September; the financial benefit of this to the Exchequer; if there was a freeze on the pupil-teacher ratio for the 2014-2015 year, what it would cost the Exchequer; the maximum pupil-teacher ratio for small schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22198/14]

School Curriculum

Dara Calleary

198. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to incorporate Chinese into the leaving certificate curriculum; the timeframe for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22201/14]

Schools Building Projects Status

Joe Carey

199. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a school project (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22211/14]

Teacher Redeployment

Brendan Griffin

200. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kerry did not qualify for the supplementary panel for 2014-2015; if his Department will provide details of their shortcoming; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22235/14]