Parliamentary questions

Tax Yield

Olivia Mitchell

73. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Finance the estimated total annual income tax take in 2012 from public service employees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51715/13]

School Enrolments

Olivia Mitchell

96. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a school (details supplied) in Dublin 6 will be accepting two junior infant classes in September 2014, as confirmation of places have only gone out to parents in the first stream, a fact that is causing concern to those on the waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51310/13]

Schools Building Projects Status

Olivia Mitchell

97. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Skills the feeder area for a school (details supplied) in Dublin 18 which has been granted planning permission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51348/13]

Public Sector Pensions Data

Olivia Mitchell

130. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total annual cost in 2012 of public service pensions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51758/13]

Private Security Authority Remit

Olivia Mitchell

307. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the current status of the revised alarm standard being prepared by the Private Security Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51837/13]

Adoption Services Provision

Olivia Mitchell

378. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the steps that can be taken to ensure the adoption of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 16 will be finalised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51438/13]

Pensions Levy

Olivia Mitchell

179. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Finance if he will confirm that the levy on defined contribution pensions, originally introduced to fund job creation measures, will not become a funding stream to subsidise defined benefit pensions in deficit in view of the fact that defined contribution schemes are in many cases comprised entirely of the savers' personal savings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50555/13]

Site Acquisitions

Olivia Mitchell

92. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a temporary site has been sought for the Gaelcholáiste to serve the general Ballinteer-Stepaside area that will commence operation in 2014 under the patronage of An Foras Pátrúnachta na Scoileanna Lán Ghaeilge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49745/13]

School Patronage

Olivia Mitchell

93. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Skills when he will announce his decision on the patronage of the new English medium post-primary school due to open in 2016 in Stepaside; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49746/13]

School Accommodation

Olivia Mitchell

241. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Skills following the rejection by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council of the Department's planning application for permission to construct the Ballinteer Educate Together School within the St. Tiernan's Community school site, his plans to provide a permanent site for the school within the timeframe previously envisaged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49118/13]

Freedom of Information Remit

Olivia Mitchell

76. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason Bord na Móna and Coillte are not included under the freedom of information legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48579/13]

Tobacco Smuggling

Olivia Mitchell

58. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Finance if it is possible to allocate additional resources to deal with the growing problem of the importation and sale of illegal cigarettes here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47914/13]

Tax Reliefs Availability

Olivia Mitchell

110. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Finance if the installation of a rainwater harvesting system qualifies for the home renovation incentive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48274/13]

Employee Shareholding Scheme

Olivia Mitchell

247. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if, in view of the failure of the company’s efforts to set up a grey market for company shares, he is in a position to respond to the former ESB staff requests that the State should buy back the ESOP shares or any portion of them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47905/13]

Building Regulations Amendments

Olivia Mitchell

280. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to change current building guidelines to encourage the use of rainwater harvesting in new developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48102/13]

Travel Tax

Olivia Mitchell

33. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the response of the airline industry to the abolition of the travel tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47117/13]

Public Transport Subsidies

Olivia Mitchell

53. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the financial position of Dublin Bus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47118/13]

Pensions Levy Issues

Olivia Mitchell

50. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 81 of 11 January 2012, if he has considered the way the report on Pension Charges in Ireland 2012 may be used to advance the issue of the pension industry absorbing the impact of the pension fund levy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47374/13]

Pensions Levy Issues

Olivia Mitchell

51. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Finance if the pension levy applies to defined benefit pensions; if not, the rationale for excluding them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47375/13]

Pensions Levy Issues

Olivia Mitchell

94. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Social Protection in view of the Report on Pension Charges in Ireland 2012 and the submissions received from the industry in response to the report, if further policy or regulatory action is proposed for the pension system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47364/13]

Pensions Levy Issues

Olivia Mitchell

95. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Social Protection in view of the Report on Pension Charges in Ireland 2012, if she plans to correct the considerable variation in the range of charges being imposed on consumers, especially smaller occupational pension schemes and individual pension arrangements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47365/13]

Pensions Levy Issues

Olivia Mitchell

96. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Social Protection in view of the recommendation of the Report on Pension Charges in Ireland 2012, if approaches are being developed to improve consumer, employer and trustee awareness and knowledge of pension charges; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47366/13]

Pensions Reform

Olivia Mitchell

97. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Social Protection in view of the recommendation of the Report on Pension Charges in Ireland 2012 and the OECD Review of the Irish Pension System, if she plans to put in place a universal pension scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47367/13]

Road Traffic Legislation

Olivia Mitchell

205. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in view of the six-month backlog to have the trailer adjustment work undertaken, if he will extend the implementation date by six months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47337/13]

Tax Reliefs Availability

Olivia Mitchell

169. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Finance the percentage of policy holders who will be affected by the capping of tax relief on private health insurance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46020/13]

Pensions Levy Issues

Olivia Mitchell

173. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Finance the way it is anticipated that the levy on individual private pension funds will convince the pensions industry to deliver on agreements made with him by the industry in view of the fact that the contributors have neither control over nor leverage with fund managers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46105/13]

Home Tuition Scheme Provision

Olivia Mitchell

295. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will reconsider the decision to restrict the home tuition grant to tuition provided by teachers registered with the Teaching Council of Ireland, specifically where intervention is required for preschool children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46144/13]

Schools Amalgamation

Olivia Mitchell

331. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he could clarify his Department's intentions regarding the new local area plan for Ballycullen, Oldcourt, Dublin 24 which recommends a particular site in Ballycullen be assigned for the construction of the new Educate Together and Gaescoil in Firhouse; if his Department supports this site as being suitable for the co-location of the two proposed new schools; the timeframe for the construction works in the event that the project should proceed in this location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46690/13]

Public Sector Staff Remuneration

Olivia Mitchell

367. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the way tax relief on pension contributions applies to post and pre-1995 public servants, listing the names of each pension contribution, the respective rates at which they apply, the way in which tax relief applies to those pension contributions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45909/13]

Public Sector Staff Remuneration

Olivia Mitchell

373. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide in tabular form the pension contributions a pre-1995 executive officer at the final point of the increment scale must make towards their pension every year; if he will explain the way in which tax relief on pension contributions applies to their pension contributions and the way in which gross pay is affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46489/13]

Public Sector Staff Remuneration

Olivia Mitchell

374. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide in tabular form the pension contributions a post-1995 executive officer at the final point of the increment scale must make towards their pension every year; if he will explain the way in which tax relief on pension contributions applies to their pension contributions and the way in which gross pay is affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46490/13]

Property Taxation Collection

Olivia Mitchell

691. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total revenue in 2013 to local authorities from the non-principal private residence tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46653/13]

Medical Card Eligibility

Olivia Mitchell

1092. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Health the circumstances and their relative weighting, other than income, which are taken into consideration in awarding a medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46104/13]

Tobacco Control Measures

Olivia Mitchell

1093. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Health his views on the proposed restriction of e-cigarettes as medical products which could result in them being more costly and less accessible than traditional tobacco cigarettes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46107/13]

Tourism Projects Funding

Olivia Mitchell

1303. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on progress on Luas cross city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47140/13]

Property Taxation Yield

Olivia Mitchell

77. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Finance the total take from property tax in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45513/13]

Property Taxation Yield

Olivia Mitchell

78. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Finance the total anticipated tax take from property tax in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45514/13]

Tax Yield

Olivia Mitchell

174. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total anticipated value in 2013 of the local government fund and of the motor tax fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45512/13]

Property Taxation Yield

Olivia Mitchell

175. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the 80% of the property tax take ring-fenced for local authorities refers to each local authority where tax was collected, or if the total collected will be ring-fenced for all local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45515/13]

IBRC Mortgage Loan Book

Olivia Mitchell

130. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Finance if any protections, in terms of future rates and conditions, will be offered to residential mortgage holders with the former Irish Bank Resolution Corporation when the mortgage loan book is sold on by the liquidator; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44136/13]

Patent Legislation

Olivia Mitchell

216. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation when it is envisaged that the referendum to ratify the EU agreement setting up the Unified Patent Court will be held; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44099/13]

Haddington Road Agreement Implementation

Olivia Mitchell

81. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider treating non-union teachers who are willing to accept the terms of the HRA in the same way as members of the TUI; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43909/13]

Education Grants

Olivia Mitchell

26. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Skills when the devolved grant to a school (details supplied) in Dublin 14 will be anticipated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43855/13]

Unified Patent Court

Olivia Mitchell

33. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if it is his intention that Ireland would host a local division of the Unified Patent Court; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43796/13]

Departmental Offices

Olivia Mitchell

112. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Social Protection when she expects the move of the social welfare office from Rockfield medical campus, Balally, to the redeveloped social welfare office at Nutgrove shopping centre, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14, to be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42869/13]

Site Acquisitions

Olivia Mitchell

75. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding negotiations between his Department and a school (details supplied) in Dublin 14 regarding the donation of a site beside the school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42632/13]

Pensions Levy Issues

Olivia Mitchell

138. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Finance if additional voluntary contributions, AVCs, are subject to the private pension levy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41845/13]

Pensions Levy Yield

Olivia Mitchell

139. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Finance the total income to the State from the private pension levy in each year of operation to date, including the estimated value for the current year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41846/13]

School Accommodation

Olivia Mitchell

240. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the negotiations to conclude the acquisition of a site for the 1,000-pupil secondary school planned to serve the wider Stepaside-Leopardstown area, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42293/13]

Crime Investigation

Olivia Mitchell

439. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice and Equality in view of concerns surrounding the recent discovery of a body in the Dublin mountains, if he will reassure the public that in missing persons cases where the person concerned has suffered from depression or mental illness no less rigour or fewer resources are devoted to the search by the Garda and that this would include checks of online and telephone activity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41997/13]

Teaching Council of Ireland

Olivia Mitchell

157. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the pay of a person (details supplied) whose membership of the Teaching Council lapsed over the summer due to a change of address, will be restored to include payment from the start of the teaching year after Garda vetting is processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41380/13]

Public Transport Issues

Olivia Mitchell

77. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the current financial position within the CIE transport companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40787/13]

Public Transport Issues

Olivia Mitchell

102. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the proposals for the tendering out of public service obligation bus services as proposed by the National Transport Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40786/13]

Garda Vetting Applications

Olivia Mitchell

155. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to introduce an e-vetting system; the speed with which it will cut the waiting times for persons on a community employment scheme awaiting Garda clearance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40072/13]

Proposed Legislation

Olivia Mitchell

346. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of draft legislation regarding the international education mark; if this legislation will cover third party study abroad providers including those that do not provide English language courses or grant degrees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38005/13]

Proposed Legislation

Olivia Mitchell

347. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the proposed legislation regarding the international education mark will allow study abroad providers tied to non-Irish universities to obtain the international education mark; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38006/13]

Proposed Legislation

Olivia Mitchell

348. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Skills the cost of registering for the international education mark; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38007/13]

Special Educational Needs Staffing

Olivia Mitchell

229. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider extending membership of the supplementary assignment panel for special needs assistants, SNAs, to those who were made redundant prior to 1 May 2013 and SNAs involved in service in 2012-2013 in a suitable capacity as the panel militates unfairly against such SNAs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33403/13]

Money Laundering

Olivia Mitchell

357. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on representations from the Irish Postmasters' Union seeking an increase in the threshold where anti-money laundering identification is needed in order to facilitate the sale of low value prize bonds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33101/13]

Light Rail Projects Status

Olivia Mitchell

569. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of new trams that will be purchased to serve on the Luas cross-city service and their expected date of delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33145/13]

Hospital Charges

Olivia Mitchell

229. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Health if he will clarify if, under the proposed legislation, patients holding private health insurance admitted to hospital through accident and emergency, occupying a public bed and in receipt of public hospital services, are liable to pay the full economic cost of the bed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31005/13]

Overseas Development Issues

Olivia Mitchell

124. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the outcome of the EU Council meeting to determine an agreed EU position for a development framework post 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27696/13]

School Patronage

Olivia Mitchell

225. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the planned post primary school in the Stepaside area in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27177/13]

Pupil-Teacher Ratio

Olivia Mitchell

230. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Skills in the interest of fairness and to ensure access to the school of choice, if fee paying schools from a minority faith background could be exempt from any further increases in the pupil-teacher ratio; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27241/13]

Public Sector Pensions Issues

Olivia Mitchell

336. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the portion of pension resulting from the payment of AVCs will be subject to the proposed public sector pension reduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27255/13]

Property Taxation Administration

Olivia Mitchell

544. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will confirm that 80% of the local property tax collected in any one local authority area will be retained towards the cost of services provided in that area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27247/13]

Local Government Fund

Olivia Mitchell

545. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if it is envisaged that the proceeds of the local property tax in a full year will be sufficient to replace the current Local Government Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27251/13]

Property Taxation Administration

Olivia Mitchell

564. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the formula that will be used to allocate the remaining 20% of the proceeds of the local property tax not retained by the local authorities in cases where the 80% is insufficient to cover their costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27250/13]

Property Taxation Administration

Olivia Mitchell

565. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of counties in which it is envisaged that the full amount collected in the local property tax will compensate for the loss of the amounts allocated in the current year from the local government fund and collected from the non-priniciple private residence charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27254/13]

Jobseeker's Allowance Eligibility

Olivia Mitchell

376. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Social Protection if graduate nurses who have not applied for the two year contract jobs offered by the Health Service Executive will continue to qualify for jobseeker's allowance in view of the requirement that qualification requires that they be genuinely seeking work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25344/13]

Mobility Allowance Decision

Olivia Mitchell

670. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Health if he has received an interim report from the group reviewing the mobility allowance and motorised transport grant as payments under both of these heads terminate in June; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25661/13]

Assisted Human Reproduction

Olivia Mitchell

244. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Health in view of the recent breakthrough in stem cell research, when legislation can be expected governing such research, in view of the fact that the current lack of legislation may put patients at unnecessary risk and expense, deters investment and expertise and causes confusion among the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24541/13]

Government-Church Dialogue

Olivia Mitchell

137. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will be represented at the conference on 1-2 July reviewing the ICPD programme of action for our region of Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23854/13]

Public Sector Pensions Legislation

Olivia Mitchell

104. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if in the proposed public sector pensions reduction legislation a specific amendment will be included to exclude pension benefits resulting from contributions made on a purely commercial basis as for instance in the case where a former worker moves from the private sector to the public sector and transfers the private fund to the public one; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22104/13]

Generic Drugs Substitution

Olivia Mitchell

385. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Health f direction can be given to pharmacists or doctors to preclude substitution of the anti-epileptic drugs under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Bill 2012 when it is enacted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21197/13]

Public Sector Pensions Issues

Olivia Mitchell

125. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the portion of pension resulting from the payment of AVCs will be subject to the proposed public sector pension reduction;; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20681/13]

Public Sector Pensions Issues

Olivia Mitchell

126. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if, in the proposed pension reduction legislation, a pension above the threshold, that is, €33,000, will be subject to the reduction on all of the pension or just on the portion in excess of the threshold €32,500; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20682/13]

Drugs Payment Scheme Administration

Olivia Mitchell

207. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm that persons (details supplied) in County Dublin will receive the refund owed to them by the Health Service Executive due to an overpayment of the monthly €120 prescribed by the drug payment scheme over the periods from March to December 2011 and January to August 2012, in view of the fact that at that time the guidelines for the drug payment scheme clearly stated that a person or family only had to pay €120 each month for approved prescribed drugs, medicines and certain appliances for use by that person or their family in that month; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19517/13]

Medicinal Products Expenditure

Olivia Mitchell

212. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Health the annual cost per patient for the supply of Kalydeco, the cystic fibrosis drug; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19529/13]

Pupil-Teacher Ratio

Olivia Mitchell

91. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a decision has been taken to continue to increase the pupil teacher ratio in fee paying schools until it reaches 28:1 being the option included in the McCarthy report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19346/13]

Schools Building Projects Status

Olivia Mitchell

92. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update on the permanent school building in respect of a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19347/13]

Personal Insolvency Act

Olivia Mitchell

498. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if it is possible, under the Personal Insolvency Act, to include other professions such as financial brokers to act as personal insolvency practitioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18756/13]

Tax Code

Olivia Mitchell

225. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Finance if he will clarify the impact the tax change on maternity benefit will have on the maternity benefit of women who receive no top-up from the employer and are dependent solely on statutory maternity benefit. [16167/13]

Budget Timetable

Olivia Mitchell

331. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Finance if, in view of the new implications of the two-pack regulations, he will indicate the date in September or October on which the draft budget will be published; if this draft budget will be debated and/or voted on by the Oireachtas; if the final budget and Finance Bill will pass through the Houses of the Oireachtas in early December 2013 and February 2014 respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17316/13]

International Agreements

Olivia Mitchell

8. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if it is envisaged that Ireland may soon agree a double taxation agreement with Taiwan in view of the fact that many of our trading partners from both the EU and elsewhere have already done so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15421/13]

International Agreements

Olivia Mitchell

9. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will respond positively to the invitation from the new EU ambassador to Taiwan to afford occasional space to the Irish ambassador to Tokyo in the EU offices in Taiwan to facilitate Irish attendance at the regular trade meetings held there by countries which have trade and diplomatic missions in the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15422/13]

Forestry Sector

Olivia Mitchell

477. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to publish the report on the consultation on the strategy plan on forestry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15066/13]

Tobacco Control Measures

Olivia Mitchell

550. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Health the percentage of the 2000 plus respondents to the consultation on a proposal for an EU Directive on the Tobacco Products Directive that were for or against the changes proposed by the EU Directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14946/13]

Hospital Acquired Infections

Olivia Mitchell

153. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Health the measures that have been taken to tackle MRSA in Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore, County Offaly; the impact of these measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14291/13]

Property Taxation Application

Olivia Mitchell

185. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Finance the reason persons who adapted a home for use by a disabled person prior to 2001 are excluded from the relief offered to those by section 6 of the Finance (Local Property Tax) Bill 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14153/13]

Property Taxation Application

Olivia Mitchell

54. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Finance if refunds will be paid to homeowners where it comes to light that an overpayment of property tax was paid in any year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13236/13]

Property Taxation Collection

Olivia Mitchell

55. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Finance if the date on which the property tax for 2014 becomes payable is January 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13237/13]

IBRC Liquidation

Olivia Mitchell

57. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Finance if he will ensure the Irish bank Resolution Corporation liquidator meets with staff to discuss their issues as repeated cancellations of such meetings is causing real concern; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13300/13]

Public Sector Pensions

Olivia Mitchell

86. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Skills if college lecturers retiring when the teaching year ends in June but for whom official retirement is the start of the new term in September will be exempt from the loss of pension and lump sum in view of the fact that they are technically finished work before the Croke Park II measures come into effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11743/13]

Alternative Energy Projects

Olivia Mitchell

144. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to put the REFIT scheme in place in time for the 2013 harvest, due shortly and without which the large personal investment by farmers would be lost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12006/13]

IBRC Staff

Olivia Mitchell

88. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Finance if he will clarify the situation surrounding the pensions of the former Irish Bank Resolution Corporation employees and the extent to which the fund is impacted, and if any clarity can be given to employees at this stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10867/13]

National Museum

Olivia Mitchell

162. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the date on which he received sanction for the post of director of the National Museum from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform; the date on which he conveyed that sanction to the chair of the National Museum; the date on which the post was advertised by the National Museum and the date from which the post is to be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9202/13]

The Gathering Initiatives

Olivia Mitchell

174. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the Gathering 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8397/13]

Sale of State Assets

Olivia Mitchell

181. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the implications of a takeover of Aer Lingus by Ryanair; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8396/13]

Passport Applications

Olivia Mitchell

213. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will consider issuing a new passport to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 18; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8797/13]