Parliamentary questions

Referendum Campaigns

Thomas P. Broughan

1. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Taoiseach the referenda he plans to put to the people in 2014. [45727/13]

Referendum Campaigns

Joe Higgins

2. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Taoiseach if he plans to propose any referenda in 2014. [53722/13]

Economic Management Council Meetings

Gerry Adams

3. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach if the Economic Management Council has met since the budget. [47671/13]

Economic Management Council Meetings

Micheál Martin

4. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if the Economic Management Council has met since October. [2183/14]

Economic Management Council Meetings

Micheál Martin

5. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach when is the next meeting of the Economic Management Council. [2218/14]

Economic Management Council Meetings

Richard Boyd Barrett

6. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach the date of the most recent meeting of the Economic Management Council. [4932/14]

Beef Industry

Éamon Ó Cuív

85. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he has taken to deal with the low price of young bulls for slaughter at present; the further steps he has taken to deal with the price differential between the price of beef in the factories here and in Britain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6498/14]

Single Payment Scheme Appeals

Martin Ferris

86. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of appeals that have been received by his Department against clawback of single farm payment due to land eligibility issues. [6318/14]

Departmental Investigations

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

87. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress of the investigation into allegations of weight-to-volume fraud at Coillte; if he has been updated recently by his officials on this matter; if so, the action he will take on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6501/14]

Severe Weather Events Response

Éamon Ó Cuív

88. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to set out the steps he has taken to assist farmers and fishermen who have suffered serious loss during the recent inclement weather; the assistance sought from the EU to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6499/14]

Beef Industry

Martin Ferris

89. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the action he will take to alleviate the crisis in bull beef production where farmers have a glut of quality beef in their sheds with no outlet for their slaughter due to anti-competitive practices by the beef processors. [6497/14]

Fish Farming

Martin Ferris

90. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress that has been made in the inspection of the 56 ocean bays awaiting approval in the context of the issuing of fish farming licences; and when he envisages that the surveys of these bays will be completed. [6320/14]

Aquaculture Development

Éamon Ó Cuív

91. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if Bord Iascaigh Mhara as licence holder, if granted, will be responsible for the insurance costs of the proposed fish farm in Galway Bay; if so the potential liability that would arise for the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6341/14]

Aquaculture Licence Applications

David Stanton

92. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of aquaculture licences he has received with respect to operating in Ballycotton Bay, County Cork; when an appropriate assessment of Ballycotton Bay, as required under the EU birds and habitats directives, will occur; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6333/14]

Single Payment Scheme Administration

Martin Ferris

93. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers who have received notification from his Department that they have over-claimed single farm payments since 2009. [6317/14]

Consultancy Contracts Expenditure

Thomas Pringle

94. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a breakdown of the spend by his Department on external IT consultancies and contractors; if he will list any firm or contractor that has received over €1 million in total over the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6347/14]

Rural Development Programme Funding

Éamon Ó Cuív

95. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans for Pillar 2 expenditure for the period 2014-2020; the total funding provided for this period; the funding provided for new schemes and projects during the period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6339/14]

Agriculture Scheme Administration

Éamon Ó Cuív

96. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way the rules as laid down by the European Commission on the leasing of entitlements will operate here, in particular in cases where the owner of the entitlements has not activated any entitlements in the reference year; the reference year that will be applied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6340/14]

Coillte Teoranta Harvesting Rights Sale

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

97. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he no longer plans to sell the harvesting rights of Coillte forests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6345/14]

Ministerial Newsletters

Éamon Ó Cuív

98. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he intends to issue the next ministerial newsletters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6343/14]

Harbours and Piers Funding

Mick Wallace

99. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department will consider providing funding for a short extension to the pier at Courtown, County Wexford, which continues to deteriorate, in order to deal with ongoing silting problems at the harbour and the difficulties this creates for fishermen and other boat users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6314/14]

Common Agricultural Policy Reform

Charlie McConalogue

100. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans under the Common Agricultural Policy reform proposals to assist and support young farmers who have been farming for more than five years to build a viable farming enterprise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6310/14]

Severe Weather Events Response

Mick Wallace

101. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department will provide any assistance to lobster and crab fishermen in County Wexford who lost their equipment or found it damaged beyond repair following the recent storms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6313/14]

Agri-Environment Options Scheme Eligibility

Seán Kyne

102. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the terms and conditions of the new green low-carbon agri-environment scheme will be available; when the scheme will be open to applications; the way entry to the scheme will be decided; and if limitations will be placed on access. [6330/14]

Land Parcel Identification System

Éamon Ó Cuív

103. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers who have had a review carried out on their eligible hectares in the past year; the number who have had their eligible hectares reduced; the number who have been notified of penalties as a result; the number of these farming 20 ha or less; the number where retrospective disallowances and penalties have been applied; the total hectarage disallowed under this review to date; the percentage of the total eligible land involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6342/14]

Farm Assist Scheme Eligibility

Thomas Pringle

104. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department was consulted in relation to the changes in the means testing of eligibility for the farm assist scheme in budget 2013 by the Department of Social Protection; his views on the impact the changes have made to farm income; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6346/14]

Industrial Disputes

Denis Naughten

105. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current status of talks regarding industrial action by agricultural officers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6230/14]

Farm Inspections

Denis Naughten

106. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will establish an independent review of the on-farm inspection regime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6229/14]

Fish Landings

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

107. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the volume of fish stocks that have been caught in Irish territorial waters by Irish-registered fishing boats and non-Irish-registered boats; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6344/14]

Beef Industry

Charlie McConalogue

108. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the engagement he has had with beef processors to push for a fair price for beef farmers in view of the current bull beef crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6312/14]

Forestry Sector

Clare Daly

109. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will explain the connection between Coillte and the Irish Forestry Unit Trust; and the steps he has taken to examine the trust deed of the IForUT committing Coillte to providing liquidity to the fund if needed and selling forests to the IForUT without these forests being put out to tender. [6324/14]

Public Trusts

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

110. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the new terms and conditions which have been imposed on Castlerea Town Trust to ensure a more open and transparent operation of the trust; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6335/14]

Food Labelling

Bernard Durkan

111. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he remains satisfied regarding the adequacy, efficacy, accuracy and authenticity of food labelling, with particular reference to ensuring the consumer is satisfied in respect of product quality, production standards, national and regional origin and health safety; if imports to the EU and this country are subject to such standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6285/14]

Aquaculture Licence Application Numbers

Martin Ferris

112. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of fish farming licences that have been applied for; and the number of fish farming licences that have been issued in 2013. [6319/14]

Aquaculture Development

David Stanton

113. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the potential of the aquaculture industry here; the actions his Department is taking to promote the development of aquaculture businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6332/14]

Public Trusts

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

114. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he replied to the correspondence he received from more than 1,400 persons in Castlerea on the issue of the Castlerea Town Trust; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6334/14]

Fishery Harbour Centres

Thomas P. Broughan

115. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a decision has been reached on the proposal to introduce paid parking at Howth Harbour, Howth, Dublin 13. [6195/14]

Animal Welfare

Clare Daly

116. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extra resources he has targeted to deal with the increasing levels of animal cruelty and abandonment; and if he will ensure that those responsible face very considerable penalties. [6323/14]

Agrifood Sector

Bernard Durkan

117. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine having regard to the recently compiled document entitled Farm Income Review 2013, submitted by the Irish Farmers Association, the extent to which he expects to use the document as a template for further development in the agrifood sector, with particular reference to building on the success of 2013 and keeping in mind the losses experienced by the farming community in 2012 and other years; if he can visualise a means whereby producers in this country are remunerated in line with UK and other European producers; if he has identified a means of ensuring that any benefits accruing are passed on to producers as opposed to multinational supermarket chains; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6284/14]

Coillte Teoranta Governance

Richard Boyd Barrett

118. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is satisfied that there is a sufficient degree of transparency and accountability in the policies, management and operation of Coillte; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6350/14]

Afforestation Programme

Richard Boyd Barrett

119. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the specific measures he proposes to increase the level of afforestation here in view of the failure in recent years to meet afforestation targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6351/14]

Oireachtas Staff

Patrick Nulty

120. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Taoiseach the contacts he has had in relation to the appointment of a new Clerk of Dáil Éireann; if a procedure has been agreed to process the appointment; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6162/14]

Dáil Reform

Terence Flanagan

121. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Taoiseach his plans for Dáil reform; the number of meetings regarding Dáil reform that have taken place since 2011, and the reports produced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6166/14]

Departmental Contracts Data

Billy Kelleher

122. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Taoiseach if he will name each company awarded a contract for the provision of professional services by his Department and agencies under his aegis since May 2011; the value and purpose of the contract; if a competitive tendering process was undertaken in line with public procurement best practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6462/14]

Departmental Advertising Expenditure

Damien English

123. Deputy Damien English asked the Taoiseach the total amount spent on advertising by his Department and each agency under his aegis in 2013; if he will provide a breakdown on the amount spent on each of TV, radio, print, outdoor, Internet and social media platform advertising; the amount spent on advertising agencies; if he will provide the information in tabular-readable form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6589/14]

Social Media Monitoring

Damien English

124. Deputy Damien English asked the Taoiseach if his Department currently engages in real-time reporting of online conversations on issues relating to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6605/14]

Official Engagements

Éamon Ó Cuív

125. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Taoiseach if he will provide details of all official engagements by him or the Ministers of State in his Department that have taken place in Northern Ireland since he took office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6825/14]

Departmental Contracts Data

Billy Kelleher

126. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will name each company awarded a contract for the provision of professional services by his Department and agencies under his aegis since May 2011; the value and purpose of the contract; if a competitive tendering process was undertaken in line with public procurement best practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6456/14]

Departmental Advertising Expenditure

Damien English

127. Deputy Damien English asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the total amount spent on advertising by his Department and each agency under his aegis in 2013; if he will provide a breakdown of the amount spent on each of TV, radio, print, outdoor, Internet and social media platform advertising; the amount spent on advertising agencies; if he will provide the information in tabular-readable form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6583/14]

Social Media Regulation

Damien English

128. Deputy Damien English asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department currently engages in real-time reporting of online conversations on issues relating to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6599/14]

Passport Services

John O'Mahony

129. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has requested a report on whether it is possible for the Passport Office to alert persons by e-mail or text alert that their passport is due for renewal with a minimum eight weeks notice; the cost involved in doing same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6724/14]

Official Engagements

Éamon Ó Cuív

130. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide details of all official engagements by him or the Ministers of State in his Department that have taken place in Northern Ireland since he took office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6819/14]

Good Friday Agreement

Éamon Ó Cuív

131. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the progress made to date on the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, with particular reference to the North-South, east–west and internal Northern Ireland dimensions of the Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6888/14]

Election Monitoring Missions

Eoghan Murphy

132. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 153 of 4 February 2014, the reason the four criteria carried equal weighting when one criterion, for example, experience, is vastly more important than language skills as such supports are generally provided in-country. [6904/14]

Property Tax Data

Stephen Donnelly

133. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Finance notwithstanding the decision not to make allocations from the local government fund at a municipal district level, if for the purposes of transparency and to further strengthen democracy at a local level, he will provide a breakdown of local property tax revenues on a municipal council level for 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6367/14]

Tax Exemptions

Eoghan Murphy

134. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if he has considered extending the principles of the cycle to work scheme to other activity areas, for example, gym membership, to promote healthier lifestyles among the general population. [6547/14]

Credit Review Office Appeals

Pearse Doherty

135. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the number of times the Credit Review Office has given an opinion to the banks; the number of times its opinion differed from a bank; the number of times a bank accepted that opinion and reversed its decision; and if he will provide a breakdown of these figures by bank. [6623/14]

Government Bonds

Kevin Humphreys

136. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Finance the plans by the National Treasury Management Agency to issue Sharia-compliant Sukuk, also known as Islamic bonds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6177/14]

Stock Exchange

Kevin Humphreys

137. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Finance the measures in place to encourage Islamic finance here; the number of such funds that are listed on the Irish Stock Exchange; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6178/14]

Mortgage Arrears Proposals

Brendan Griffin

138. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance the assistance available to home owners who are under threat of repossession from banking institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6207/14]

Fuel Rebate Scheme

Patrick O'Donovan

139. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding a person (details supplied) in County Wexford in respect of the Revenue Commissioners' CG diesel rebate scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6214/14]

Tax Reliefs Cost

Michael McGrath

140. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the amount of income tax forgone by the State in each year from 2010 to 2013 in respect of charitable donations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6247/14]

Mortgage Data

Lucinda Creighton

141. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Finance if the Central Bank of Ireland will provide a reason for the methodology used for acquiring data produced in published residential mortgage arrears and repossessions statistics; if the banks are subjected to fines or penalties for providing the Central Bank of Ireland with misleading data in these statistics; if the banks in providing this data undergo an independent audit by the Central Bank of Ireland to certify the validity of the data; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6280/14]

Mortgage Arrears Proposals

Lucinda Creighton

142. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Finance if the Central Bank of Ireland has considered amending the code of conduct on mortgage arrears to address those borrowers where the lenders, through the mortgage arrears resolution process, have commenced legal proceedings but the financial situation of the borrower has improved in the meantime; if the Central Bank of Ireland could amend the code of conduct to put greater obligations on the lender to recommence the MARP process in such a scenario, thus reducing the lender's attempts to seek possession of the property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6282/14]

Pension Provisions

Bernard Durkan

143. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance if he will clarify the definition of the €12,700 guaranteed income required in situations where life assurance policies are capitalised and where the maximum immediate capitalisation is sought by the contributor; if such guaranteed income is required to originate from a State pension or private income; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6290/14]

Tax Credits

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

144. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Finance the reason changes in tax credit and tax cut-off rates have been made in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6295/14]

Tax Code

Jerry Buttimer

145. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Finance if expenditure on maintenance and improvement of a property can be taken into account when determining the amount of capital gains tax due; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6306/14]

Property Tax Assessments

Jerry Buttimer

146. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Finance if the liability for local property tax in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be reviewed taking into account that they do not own some of the properties which the Revenue Commissioners have stated for part of their LPT liability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6311/14]

Tax Code

Jack Wall

147. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Finance if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare is being deducted the correct amount of tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6370/14]

Tax Credits

Kevin Humphreys

148. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Finance if he will arrange for the incapacitated child tax credit to be granted to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12 in view of the fact that the updated medical information shows a disability, and they qualify for domiciliary care allowance and other State supports; if the incapacitated child tax credit has been granted to parents of children with dyspraxia; if so, the number that currently receive same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6375/14]

Pensions Levy

Clare Daly

149. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Finance if he will abolish the pension levy on pension scheme assets. [6419/14]

Revenue Commissioners Investigations

Michael McGrath

150. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the total amount paid by the Revenue Commissioners in each year from 2010 to 2014 as reward for information received from whisteblowers or other information received; the number of cases involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6424/14]

Departmental Contracts Data

Billy Kelleher

151. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Finance if he will name each company awarded a contract for the provision of professional services by his Department and agencies under his aegis since May 2011; the value and purpose of the contract; if a competitive tendering process was undertaken in line with public procurement best practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6455/14]

VAT Rebates

Gerald Nash

152. Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider providing opportunities for the coach travel sector to reclaim VAT on fuel on the purchase of second-hand coaches and parts and tyres essential to the operation of the sector's business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6535/14]

Property Tax Data

Joe Higgins

153. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Finance the number of home owners who have paid the 2014 property tax in full; and the number who have agreed payment arrangements with the Revenue Commissioners. [6538/14]

Property Tax Data

Joe Higgins

154. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Finance the number of home owners who have their property tax bills deducted without their consent from their wages, social welfare payments or other income. [6539/14]

Credit Availability

Michael McGrath

155. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the lending targets that apply to AIB and Bank of Ireland for 2014; the way the banks performed in respect of the 2013 targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6546/14]

Excise Duties Yield

Eoghan Murphy

156. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a breakdown of excise returns by category and by month from January 2012 to January 2014. [6552/14]

Tobacco Seizures

Eoghan Murphy

157. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide an update on the number of cigarette and tobacco seizures in each month since January 2013; the amount of cigarettes and tobacco seized in each month since January 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6553/14]

Tax Credits

Derek Nolan

158. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Finance if there is a proposed amendment in place to the single person child carer credit to allow the secondary claimant parent, who cares for the child less often than the primary claimant, access to credit in this regard or if there is any possibility of establishing a split credit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6554/14]

Departmental Advertising Expenditure

Damien English

159. Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Finance the total amount spent on advertising by his Department and each agency under his aegis in 2013; if he will provide a breakdown on the amount spent on each of TV, radio, print, outdoor, Internet and social media platform advertising; the amount spent on advertising agencies; if he will provide the information in tabular-readable form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6582/14]

Information and Communications Technology

Damien English

160. Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Finance if his Department currently engages in real-time reporting of online conversations on issues relating to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6598/14]

Insurance Industry

Joan Collins

161. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a number of Permanent TSB customers who topped up their mortgages with Permanent TSB were issued second home and life insurance policies; his views on whether PTSB has a duty of care to check all remortgaged policies on its books to verify and pay back moneys paid into these policies; and his views on this practice of issuing second policies. [6609/14]

VAT Rate Application

Finian McGrath

162. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding VAT in respect of dog grooming (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6610/14]

Mortgage Schemes

Michael McGrath

163. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if EBS customers will be eligible for participation in the scheme announced by AIB which includes an element of debt write-off for mortgage customers eligible for a new split mortgage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6612/14]

Mortgage Schemes

Michael McGrath

164. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if AIB customers who are currently subject to an existing split mortgage will be eligible for the recently announced initiative which includes an element of debt write-off for customers who adhere to a split mortgage arrangement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6613/14]

State Claims Agency

Dara Calleary

165. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Finance the total amount of money spent by the State Claims Agency on legal fees in 2012 and in 2013; if he will provide, in tabular form, the firms paid in each year; the amount paid to each firm; the average settlement period for claims concluded in 2012 and in 2013; his views on the average length of time to settle a case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6631/14]

State Claims Agency

Dara Calleary

166. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Finance the number of solicitors and barristers directly employed by the State Claims Agency; and his views on the legal staffing of the agency. [6632/14]

Tax Credits

Kevin Humphreys

167. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Finance if the incapacitated child tax credit has been granted to parents of children with dyspraxia; if so, the number that currently receive same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6659/14]

Central Bank of Ireland

Terence Flanagan

168. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance the action a person (details supplied) in Dublin 13 can take regarding their savings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6666/14]

Fuel Laundering

John O'Mahony

169. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Finance the steps being taken to address the laundering of fuel; the total capacity of laundering plants seized in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013; the potential loss to the Exchequer of same; the estimated total annual cost of fuel laundering to the economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6723/14]

Pensions Legislation

Simon Harris

170. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Finance the reason pension retirement bonds are not allowed by the Revenue Commissioners to qualify for the approved retirement fund; if such bonds resulted from a pension scheme which did not allow the approved retirement fund option; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6728/14]

Property Tax Administration

John Browne

171. Deputy John Browne asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 175 of 4 February 2014, if he will provide an answer to the question raised, as his answer on that occasion does not address the issue raised; the reason the non-deductibility of local property tax from private rental income is being excused on the basis that it would reduce the tax base when it is an expense wholly and necessarily incurred in the business of letting private rental property; his views on whether a business cost is a business cost regardless of its impact elsewhere as otherwise it could be argued that anything that reduces exposure to taxation reduces the tax base, whether that be income tax, corporation tax, VAT refunds, personal reliefs and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6730/14]

Universal Social Charge Exemptions

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy

172. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Finance the reason a person (details supplied) in County Offaly had to pay universal social charge on a forestry grant which was paid directly to the company that carried out the forestry work; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that they had been advised in writing by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine that USC should not be charged on the forestry grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6740/14]

Property Tax Application

Pat Deering

173. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Finance the reason it is possible for the Revenue Commissioners to deduct local property tax liabilities from jobseeker's payments as with other welfare payments. [6769/14]

Mortgage Data

Michael McGrath

174. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide in tabular form the total provisions taken by AIB, EBS, Bank of Ireland, Irish Bank Resolution Corporation and Permanent TSB in respect of residential and buy to let mortgages in each year from 2010 to 2013. [6789/14]

Mortgage Data

Michael McGrath

175. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide in tabular form the total write-off of mortgages taken by AIB, EBS, Bank of Ireland, Irish Bank Resolution Corporation and Permanent TSB in respect of residential and buy to let mortgages in each year from 2010 to 2013. [6790/14]

Official Engagements

Éamon Ó Cuív

176. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide details of all official engagements by him or the Ministers of State in his Department that have taken place in Northern Ireland since he took office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6818/14]

Tax Credits

Michael McGrath

177. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance in the context of the single person child carer credit, if a secondary claimant who meets all the qualifying criteria may be entitled to the credit in circumstances where the primary claimant is now cohabiting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6830/14]

EU-IMF Programme of Support

Michael McGrath

178. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 214 of 28 January 2014, from where the requirement for mandatory proportional early repayments to the EFSF, EFSM, United Kingdom, Sweden and Denmark arises, should Ireland decide to repay IMF loans prior to their maturity date; if the provision is included in the memorandum of understanding for the EU-IMF programme; if he has considered requesting Ireland to be excused from this provision and, in so doing, allow it to take advantage of current lower bond yields; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6839/14]