Parliamentary questions

State Banking Sector Regulation

Michael McGrath

94. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance his plans for the State's holding in Permanent TSB; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9519/13]

Pension Provisions

Michael McGrath

95. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance his views on whether there should be equality of treatment for beneficiaries of the TSB bank pension scheme when compared with actions undertaken at other covered banks to address their pension scheme deficits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9520/13]

Pension Provisions

Michael McGrath

96. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if protocols exist between his Department and the covered banks for to addressing a deficit on their employee pension schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9521/13]

IBRC Liquidation

Michael McGrath

97. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the implications for the credit standing of mortgage customers of IBRC arising from recent problems in respect of deduction of mortgage payments; the actions that have been taken to rectify the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9522/13]

IBRC Liquidation

Michael McGrath

98. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will take into consideration the impact on mortgage customers and the variable rate charged on their loans of a sale of the IBRC mortgage book; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9523/13]

Promissory Note Negotiations

Michael McGrath

99. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance his views on the comments by German Bundesbank President Jens Weidmann regarding the revised arrangements in respect of the promissory notes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9524/13]

IBRC Staff

Michael McGrath

100. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the total redundancy payments made to employees of IBRC under schemes offered by the firm; the number of employees concerned; the terms offered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9525/13]

IBRC Liquidation

Michael McGrath

101. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if consideration had been given prior to the decision to liquidate IBRC for the company to pay a dividend to the State from the annual interest it received under the promissory note arrangement as a means of reducing the annual cost associated with it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9526/13]

IBRC Liquidation

Michael McGrath

102. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider applying to clients of Irish Bank Resolution Corporation the same criteria for applications for rent abatements as is currently applied by National Asset Management Agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9527/13]

Departmental Staff Rehiring

Seamus Healy

103. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Finance in view of the recent resignation of a senior official (details supplied) who was head of shareholder management unit in his Department to take up a senior position at Bank of Ireland and his possession of vital up-to-date information which might be of advantage to the now privately owned Bank of Ireland and its North American investor, the fact that the current Government had agreed to the sale of over 35% of BOI to North American investors for €1.1 billion though the State had invested circa €5 billion in BOI and now holds a mere 15% share of ownership, less than half that owned by the North American investor, the possession by the senior official of knowledge of the affairs of competitors of BOI, including the State-owned Allied Irish Bank and Permanent TSB which may be of advantage to BOI, the prohibition on senior civil servants taking up employment in private sector for 12 months after resignation from the public service to avoid such conflicts of interest, the fact that the senior official in question was employed by the National Treasury Management Agency and seconded to his Department, if he will state if the senior official concerned and-or the section of his Department of which he was head was involved in any way in the process that led to the sale of 35% of BOI to the North American investor in Summer 2011 whether by advice or otherwise; if he will extend the 12-month stay on senior public servants taking up employment in private sector employments to those on secondment in order to preclude conflicts of interest; and if he will further extend the same 12 month stay to senior employees of the National Treasury Management Agency. [9532/13]

Technological Universities

John Deasy

104. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will expedite new technological universities in view of the fact that our intake of skilled ICT workers from overseas will increase from 700 to 1,900 in 2013. [9413/13]

Student Grant Scheme Applications

Terence Flanagan

105. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he is taking to ensure that Student Universal Support Ireland applications are being processed as efficiently as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9323/13]

Student Grant Scheme Applications

Bernard Durkan

106. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review the application for a higher education grant in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9438/13]

Teacher Recruitment

Michael Healy-Rae

107. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason he continues to hire retired teachers on paid contracts when so many young persons who want a career in teaching are finding it difficult to get work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9493/13]

Student Grant Scheme Eligibility

Seán Kyne

108. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason Student Universal Support Ireland insists on obtaining financial accounts to accompany student grant applications from farms which are in receipt of the farm assist scheme, a payment which is only made to those families working on small low-income farms; if he will clarify the reason a statement from the Department of Social Protection detailing farm assist payment is not sufficient to enable the processing of the initial student grant application. [9501/13]

Teachers' Remuneration

Mattie McGrath

109. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 156 of 6 June 2012 his views on whether the position adopted by his predecessor and outlined in that letter was varied in the case of six individuals mentioned in the reply to Question No. 156; if he will provide the names of those six persons and the name of the person who authorised the deviation from the former Minister's position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9528/13]

Estimates Process

Éamon Ó Cuív

110. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when he will publish the Revised Estimates volume; the reason for the delay in publishing same; if it will deviate significantly financially from the abridged volume published with the Estimates; if it will provide more detailed information or breakdown of the Estimates compared with 2012 and as provided in previous years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9390/13]

Rights of Way Provision

Anthony Lawlor

111. Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide details regarding the fencing project at Castletown House, Celbridge, County Kildare; the overall cost of such a project; the intentions of his Department with regard to the right of way in the estate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9306/13]

Coastal Erosion

Tom Fleming

112. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will consider introducing a scheme to assist home owners in protecting their properties against coastal erosion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9333/13]

Flood Risk Assessments

Seán Kyne

113. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the Office of Public Works flood maps in respect of Clifden town, County Galway were prepared; whether they were the result of a desktop study or based on flood history analysis; and if he will outline the process under which these maps may be reviewed. [9498/13]

Action Plan for Jobs

Dara Calleary

114. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if the next action plan on jobs will include specific regional measures in view of the geographical disparity in unemployment rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9432/13]

Work Permit Applications

Thomas P. Broughan

115. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of existing work visas for workers from non-EEA countries that were renewed in 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; if he will indicate the number that were in the retail and distribution and hospitality trades; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9300/13]

Work Permit Applications

Thomas P. Broughan

116. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of new work visas for workers from non-EEA countries that were approved in 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; if he will indicate the number that were in the retail and distribution and hospitality trades; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9301/13]

Job Creation Targets

Charlie McConalogue

117. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the progress the Industrial Development Agency has made in achieving the aims of the Horizon 2020 strategy; the efforts being made to achieve those aims; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9355/13]

Industrial Property Portfolio

Brendan Griffin

118. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the plans the Industrial Development Agency and Enterprise Ireland have for a vacant unit (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9358/13]

Industrial Property Portfolio

Brendan Griffin

119. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the plans the Industrial Development Agency and Enterprise Ireland have for a vacant unit (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9359/13]

Ports Development

John Deasy

120. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the input, if any, his Department has had into the review of Irish ports with a view to ensuring better regional balance within our €124 billion export sector. [9415/13]

Economic Competitiveness

Bernard Durkan

121. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which the competitiveness of the Irish economy remains competitive in the context of comparison with other EU member states including those within the eurozone and without; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9440/13]

Economic Competitiveness

Bernard Durkan

122. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which he and or his Department have identified any issues impeding competitiveness in the economy; the extent to which such elements have been addressed to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9441/13]

Job Creation

Bernard Durkan

123. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which he and or his Department has evaluated the prospects for job creation in this economy over the next three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9442/13]

Job Creation

Bernard Durkan

124. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which he foresees job creation prospects in this economy in both manufacturing and the service sectors in each of the next four years; if any specific issues have emerged which might be likely to impede progress in these areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9443/13]

Job Creation Data

Bernard Durkan

125. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of enterprises that have received approval in each of the past four years to date in both the manufacturing an/or service sectors which have encompassed the use of innovation and technology; the number of jobs created in the course thereof; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9445/13]

Job Creation Data

Bernard Durkan

126. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of jobs created in each of the past five years to date that have qualified for EU support under heading of science, technology and innovation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9446/13]

Job Creation

Bernard Durkan

127. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will set out the most commonly quoted obstacles to investment and job creation here; the extent to which reference is made to job losses in each of the past five years to date in order to assess the best methodology to address such issues in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9447/13]

Work Permit Applications

Bernard Durkan

128. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which applications for work permits continue to be made; the numbers granted and-or refused in each of the past four years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9448/13]

Retail Sector

Bernard Durkan

129. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which upward only rent reviews continue to be a serious inhibitor in the commercial or retail sectors; the extent to which the closure of specific enterprises has been attributed to the issue in each of the past four years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9449/13]

Job Creation Data

Bernard Durkan

130. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of jobs lost and created in each of the past four years to date under the headings of traditional and or indigenous enterprises and foreign direct investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9450/13]

Job Creation

Bernard Durkan

131. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the most commonly presented reasons for job losses in the economy in the indigenous or foreign investment sectors in each of the past five years to date; the action taken or proposed to address any such issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9451/13]

Rent Supplement Scheme Eligibility

Bernard Durkan

132. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the outstanding documentation required in respect of an application for rent allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9352/13]

Carer's Allowance Appeals

Bernard Durkan

133. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for refusal of an application for carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; the minimum hours of care required to warrant payment of carer's allowance where the caree falls within the remit of the entitlement on health grounds and dependency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9360/13]

Domiciliary Care Allowance Applications

Patrick Nulty

134. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for domiciliary care allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9374/13]

Respite Care Services

Brendan Griffin

135. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider measures to assist those who will be adversely affected by the reduction in the carer's respite grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9376/13]

Job Initiatives

Éamon Ó Cuív

136. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to make any changes to the jobs initiative programme; if she has decided to phase this programme out over the coming months and to cease the programme by the end of the year; if she will provide long term participants on the scheme with alternative employment; if she has discussed the consequences of such a decision with her Cabinet colleagues; the steps she has taken to replace the services provided by the job initiative scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9394/13]

Tax and Social Welfare Codes

Michael Healy-Rae

137. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the way she proposes to protect middle income families, who will be hardest hit, if the Government goes ahead with the taxing of child benefit as outlined in the Mangan Report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9403/13]

Domiciliary Care Allowance Eligibility

Michael Healy-Rae

138. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding domiciliary care allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9421/13]

Jobseeker's Allowance Eligibility

Bernard Durkan

139. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which mortgage, mortgage arrears, outstanding income tax liability and or penalties has been taken into account in the determination of means in respect of an application for jobseeker's allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9452/13]

Rent Supplement Scheme Applications

Bernard Durkan

140. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if and when rent support will be approved in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9453/13]

Exceptional Needs Payment Applications

Bernard Durkan

141. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare qualifies for an exceptional needs payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9454/13]

Rent Supplement Scheme Payments

Bernard Durkan

142. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the restricted entitlement to rent support in the case of persons (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9455/13]

Rent Supplement Scheme Payments

Bernard Durkan

143. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if rent support will be adjusted upwards in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9456/13]