Parliamentary questions

Social Welfare Appeals Status

Michael Ring

114. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the decisions made on appeals in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo, following a recent oral hearing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14818/15]

Carer's Allowance Appeals

Michael Healy-Rae

115. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal of a decision under the carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14827/15]

Back to Work Family Dividend Scheme Administration

Clare Daly

117. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the reason for the delay in passing legislation to give effect to the back-to-work family dividend; her plans to alleviate the situation for those families who are awaiting the payment and expecting it to be delivered in April 2015. [14842/15]

Respite Care Grant Applications

Willie O'Dea

118. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the reason for the refusal of a respite care grant for 2014 in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14859/15]

Jobseeker's Allowance Applications

Michelle Mulherin

119. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the reason for a refusal of a jobseeker's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14864/15]

One-Parent Family Payment Payments

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

120. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the cuts made to the one-parent family payment from 2008 to 2015; and if she will provide a breakdown identifying the budget measure giving rise to each. [14876/15]

Domiciliary Care Allowance Data

Thomas P. Broughan

121. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of applications for domiciliary care allowance received by her Department in 2013, 2014 and to date in 2015; the number, in tabular form, that were approved, refused and are pending. [14885/15]

Semi-State Bodies

Billy Timmins

122. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will provide a list of the semi-State commercial companies under her control; the policy of a dividend payment to the Exchequer from each company; the dividend paid by each company to the Exchequer for each year from 2000 to 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14970/15]

Disabled Drivers and Passengers Scheme

Timmy Dooley

123. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Finance if he will review the disabled drivers value added tax and vehicle registration tax refund scheme to ensure it reflects the real cost involved in changing a car, on the grounds that the scheme has not been reviewed for many years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13991/15]

Tax Code

Patrick O'Donovan

124. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Finance the tax position in relation to farmers who add their son or daughter to their herd number; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14510/15]

International Bodies Membership

Pearse Doherty

125. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance his plans for Ireland to join the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13889/15]

Tax Code

Brendan Griffin

126. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance if operators of the new local area hackney service are obliged to pay income tax on their earnings from the hackney service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13893/15]

Tax Data

Paul Murphy

127. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Finance the way in which C2 subcontractors were registered in the construction, meat processing and forestry sectors, per year, between 2000 and 2014; and the amount of tax each sector paid in each year. [13900/15]

Tax Data

Paul Murphy

128. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Finance the number of workers in the construction, meat processing and forestry sectors registered C45 RTC/1, per year, between 2000 and 2014; and the amount of tax that was paid by these workers, from each of the sectors, in each of the years in question. [13901/15]

Tax Data

Paul Murphy

129. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Finance the number of workers in the construction, meat processing and forestry sectors who were employed on a pay as you earn basis, per year, between 2000 and 2014; and the amount of tax that was paid by these workers, from each of the sectors, in each of the years in question. [13902/15]

Tax Collection

Paul Murphy

130. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if the national C2 monitoring group is still operational; and if not, the way in which the Revenue Commissioners monitor subcontractors who were formerly C2 registered, following the cancellation of C2 registration in January 2012. [13903/15]

Universal Social Charge Application

Thomas P. Broughan

131. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Finance the number of workers who would be removed if the universal social charge entry point was increased from €12,012 to €14,875. [13921/15]

Disabled Drivers and Passengers Scheme

Dan Neville

132. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Finance if an application for tax relief for vehicles purchased for use by persons with disabilities will be reviewed in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [13928/15]

Insurance Coverage

Bernard Durkan

133. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the options available to consumers in respect of insurance companies who refuse to offer insurance against flood damage, despite no flooding having occurred for a number of years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13942/15]

Central Bank of Ireland

Pearse Doherty

134. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide an update on the establishment of the credit register; the number of companies that applied to manage the register; and of these, the number that were Irish companies. [13957/15]

Central Bank of Ireland

Pearse Doherty

135. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if the company chosen to run the credit register will have access to the personal public service numbers of citizens; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13958/15]

VAT Payments

Tom Barry

136. Deputy Tom Barry asked the Minister for Finance the value in monetary terms of value added tax being paid back to the United Kingdom because companies have succeeded in tendering for public procurement, in cases under the €41,000 threshold. [13971/15]

VAT Payments

Tom Barry

137. Deputy Tom Barry asked the Minister for Finance the value in monetary terms of value added tax being paid to European Union countries other than the United Kingdom because companies have succeeded in tendering for public procurement, in cases under the €41,000 threshold. [13972/15]

VAT Payments

Tom Barry

138. Deputy Tom Barry asked the Minister for Finance the value in monetary terms of value added tax being paid to non-European Union countries because companies have succeeded in tendering for public procurement, in cases under the €41,000 threshold. [13973/15]

NAMA Social Housing Provision

Derek Nolan

139. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Finance the number of social houses that were made available by the National Asset Management Agency for County Galway; his plans to allocate more; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13992/15]

IBRC Loans

Michael McGrath

140. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a list, in order of ranking, of the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation's creditor categories; if he will confirm which category of creditors includes credit unions; when interim and final payments are likely to be made by the special liquidator to creditors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14002/15]

Property Tax Administration

Pearse Doherty

141. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the issues he is referring to in the terms of references of the local property tax when he states that a number of issues have arisen in relation to its efficient and effective administration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14021/15]

VAT Rate Application

Sandra McLellan

142. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Finance the reason a utility company (details supplied) which offers a discount can apply the value added tax before it deducts the discount; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14058/15]

VAT Rate Application

Brian Stanley

143. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Finance if consideration will be given to the provision of grant aid to voluntary groups who install defibrillators for community use; and that the grant would be equivalent to the 23% value added tax that is charged on the purchase price of defibrillators. [14117/15]

Insurance Industry Regulation

Thomas P. Broughan

144. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Finance if he will report on the regulation of companies providing life insurance cover; the number of companies providing such cover in the years 2012 to 2014, and in 2015 to date; the number of complaints made to the Financial Services Ombudsman regarding life insurance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14131/15]

Financial Services Regulation

Mattie McGrath

145. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 279 of 31 March 2015, if he will provide the documentation requested (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14151/15]

Tax Rebates

Jack Wall

146. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding a refund of tax in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14203/15]

Financial Services Regulation

Michael Creed

147. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Finance the number of distressed mortgages on family homes which are held by financial institutions not regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland, but which may be subject to regulation in the United Kingdom; which may have held mortgage protection insurance that has not been activated; which are held by retired persons on pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14273/15]

Mortgage Interest Rates

Arthur Spring

148. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Finance the level of oversight and input his Department and the Central Bank of Ireland have in retail banks setting interest rates. [14280/15]

Tax Rebates

Jack Wall

149. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Finance if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare has entitlements to a tax rebate in regard to all of taxes paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14330/15]

Credit Card Interest Rates

Pearse Doherty

150. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Questions No. 53 of 25 March 2015 and No. 283 of 31 March 2015, if he will explain the apparent contradiction in his replies regarding the question of whether credit card companies have to notify the Central Bank of Ireland of a decision to raise their interest rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14348/15]

Mortgage Lending

Pearse Doherty

151. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the number of first-time buyers who have purchased mortgages from the companies that the ICS distribution platform was sold to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14364/15]

Mortgage Lending

Pearse Doherty

152. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance his views that the sale of the ICS distribution platform has in any way contributed to greater competition for those seeking a mortgage on principal dwelling homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14365/15]

National Treasury Management Agency

Clare Daly

153. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 277 of 24 March 2015, the level of contact between the Irish Financial Services Centre Clearing House Group and the entity which was referred to in his reply, in view of the fact that in October 2014, it agreed to pay further compensation in the amount of €852,000 to the National Treasury Management Agency, in the spirit of goodwill, and with the intention to compensate the fund for any costs incurred in resolving a matter identified by the Financial Conduct Authority; and if he will provide his policy on the application of technology to financial services, FINTECH. [14369/15]

Tax Reliefs Eligibility

Fergus O'Dowd

154. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding a tax issue (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14418/15]

Tax Exemptions

Pearse Doherty

155. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the tax shelters and tax exemptions, that allow the better-off to avoid paying their fair share of taxes, that have been eliminated or restricted since March 2011. [14421/15]

Ministerial Meetings

Pearse Doherty

156. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a report on his meeting with Governor Honohan on 2 April 2015, listing all issues discussed, decisions taken and commitments made. [14423/15]

VAT Rebates

Terence Flanagan

157. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance if money will be reimbursed to an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14451/15]

Mortgage Interest Rates

Anne Ferris

158. Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Finance his plans to empower the Central Bank of Ireland to cap or otherwise control, within a sustainable range, homeowner mortgage interest rates in view of the significantly high rates here compared with elsewhere in Europe, and the effect this is having on household budgets, new lending, the property market, consumer confidence and competitiveness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14530/15]

Tax Code

Anne Ferris

159. Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Finance if the scheme of tax incentives for child care facilities promoted in the Finance Act 1999 left any obligation on crèche owners, who rent out the operation of the crèche, to ensure the continued use of the premises as a crèche and-or the non-application of prohibitively high rents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14533/15]

Mortgage Arrears Proposals

Anne Ferris

160. Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Finance if the Central Bank of Ireland has reviewed the split-mortgage proposals offered by Allied Irish Banks and Bank of Ireland to struggling mortgage holders in arrears; if so, his views that this forces Bank of Ireland mortgage holders to enter split-mortgage agreements where the warehoused portion is accruing interest at 2.5% with no write-down whatsoever, while Allied Irish Banks offers a more realistic solution for dealing with the unrealistic debt burden; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14535/15]

Mortgage Lending

Éamon Ó Cuív

161. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Finance in relation to the new limits for mortgages for residential dwelling units, if he will outline the limits for new mortgages for first-time buyers and for those trading up; if he will indicate the rationale for two categories; the exceptions which are allowed for those who previously had a mortgage but wish to be classified as a first-time buyer; if owner-occupiers who purchased homes at a location (details supplied) in Dublin 13 and lost their savings and-or deposits in that development have been refused the classification of first-time buyer as regards higher mortgages; in view of the difficulties experienced in this case, if he will instruct that previous owners of homes at the location be treated as first-time buyers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14537/15]

Budget Targets

Pearse Doherty

162. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the maximum permissible budgetary adjustment possible in budget 2016, based on the latest available statistics, following negotiations with the European Union regarding Ireland's expenditure benchmark; and the way this figure is arrived at. [14544/15]

Irish Water Funding

Pearse Doherty

163. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the effect and-or cost of the current situation where Irish Water is placed on the books on the deficit-surplus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14545/15]

Pension Levy

Ruth Coppinger

164. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Finance following the end of the levy on pension funds, the steps he will take to remedy the reduction in the pension funds caused by this levy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14547/15]