Parliamentary questions

Banks Recapitalisation

Gerry Adams

242. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 132 of 6 March 2012, if he will detail the total amount of interest paid on the subordinated bonds held by Fir Tree Capital Funds from Anglo Irish Bank, now Irish Bank Resolution Corporation, for their €200 million of subordinated notes in Anglo Irish Bank since the 29 of December 2010 to date; if he will detail if he continues to refuse to interfere with IBRC’s contractual obligation to pay interest and principal on these notes; if he will confirm if he has directed IBRC or invited Fir Tree Capital Funds directly to agree to take voluntary losses on the principal amount to be paid as was the case with all other Anglo Irish Bank subordinated bondholders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49808/12]

Tax Reliefs Cost

Gerry Adams

243. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 268 of 6 November 2012, if he will outline the ongoing costs on the Exchequer in terms of tax foregone as a result of legacy property reliefs in 2011 and 2012. [49979/12]

State Banking Sector

Gerry Adams

244. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 51 of 24 October 2012, if he will provide a breakdown in tabular form of fees paid to each of the public interest directors in each of the covered institutions since the bank bailout in 2008. [49980/12]

Motor Tax Exemptions

Joe McHugh

245. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Finance with reference to the Treaty of Rome, Chapter 1, The Customs Union Article 25 (ex Article 12), his views on the Vehicle Registration Tax (Permanent Reliefs) Regulations 1993 and section 134(1) of the Finance Act 1992; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50034/12]

Illicit Trade in Tobacco

Joe McHugh

246. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Finance the work being carried out by the Revenue Commissioners to combat the sale of illicit cigarettes here; if he will compare the quantities of seizures of cigarettes for 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012; if he will outline with reference to the 2009 Revenue and Office of Tobacco Control estimate, the up to date estimate proportion of cigarettes consumed here which are illicit; the communication between his Department and the Revenue Commissioners regarding enhancing pursuit of illicit trading; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50042/12]

Universal Social Charge Payments

Brendan Ryan

247. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Finance in the Budget 2013, if he plans any changes to the Universal Social Charge for Deeds of Covenant as it relates to permanently incapacitated minors, in order to remove them from liability to pay the charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50075/12]

Universal Social Charge Payments

Brendan Ryan

248. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Finance the amount of money that was collected from the Universal Social Charge from Deeds of Covenant in respect of permanently incapacitated minors in 2011 and to date 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50076/12]

Universal Social Charge Payments

Brendan Ryan

249. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Finance if he will itemise the way the money collected from the universal social charge is used; if it entitles persons to specific benefits and entitlements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50077/12]

Social Insurance Refunds

Patrick Nulty

250. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 58 of 6 June 2012 and No. 234 of 18 September 2012 when a PRSI refund will be paid to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; when the person's refund will be granted; the reason the person has still not been contacted as promised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50078/12]

Mortgage Arrears Proposals

Brendan Griffin

251. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance the number of mortgage holders that are repaying mortgages across all of the banks operating here at more than 35% of their net income; and the total value of these mortgages. [50115/12]

Public Sector Staff Issues

Seán Kyne

252. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Finance if he will outline the opportunities that persons in lower grades of the public service have been afforded in contributing to the reforms of the public service as sought in the public service agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50642/12]

Pension Provisions

Terence Flanagan

253. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance how well funded all semi-State company pension schemes are; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50655/12]

FÁS Training Programmes

Peadar Tóibín

254. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide in detail the number, type, location and spaces available on FÁS courses in County Meath available to the unemployed. [49779/12]

FÁS Training Programmes

Bernard Durkan

255. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the total number of training places created in the past two years; the extent to which such schemes can be augmented in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50146/12]

Pension Provisions

Dan Neville

256. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an application for payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49399/12]

Teacher Training Provision

Jack Wall

257. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views regarding a submission (details supplied); if this matter will be reviewed in view of the proposal in the submission that the school in conjunction with university can confidently deliver the vision of the report; if so, the mechanism to be used and the period involved regarding such a review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49473/12]

Student Grant Scheme Applications

Barry Cowen

258. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a student grant in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; and when they may expect a decision. [49510/12]

Schools Amalgamation

Michael Colreavy

259. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans regarding the amalgamation of schools (details supplied) in County Sligo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49558/12]

Public Sector Staff Retirements

Charlie McConalogue

260. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on media reports that there has been a miscalculation within his Department's budget regarding the cost of retirements and the impact that this will have on cuts to the education budget in Budget 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49562/12]

Public Sector Staff Retirements

Charlie McConalogue

261. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amount by which his Department has miscalculated the cost of recent retirements within his Department; if he will clarify any other costs which were miscalculated and which will impact upon cuts to education in Budget 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49563/12]

Third Level Funding

Charlie McConalogue

262. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide a breakdown of postgraduate fees being charged in each university in 2012 and the details of fees in 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49564/12]

Third Level Funding

Charlie McConalogue

263. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on whether the 2% cut in core funding for the higher education sector implemented as part of Budget 2012 has been passed on to students in the form of increased postgraduate fees this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49565/12]

Third Level Funding

Charlie McConalogue

264. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if there has been an increase in postgraduate fees this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49566/12]

Higher Education Courses Applications

Charlie McConalogue

265. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of students who began a postgraduate course for 2012/2013; the number that commenced a postgraduate course in 2011/2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49567/12]

Student Grant Scheme Applications

Charlie McConalogue

266. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on whether students who have yet to receive their student grant approval are having difficulty accessing important student services as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49568/12]

School Patronage

Charlie McConalogue

267. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the response rate to date to the survey of parents in Whitehall, Trim, Tramore, Castlebar and Arklow as part of the survey on primary school patronage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49569/12]

Bullying in Schools

Charlie McConalogue

268. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress made to date of the Working Group on Bullying; when he expects this group to complete its work and publish new recommendations regarding tackling bullying; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49570/12]

Student Grant Scheme Applications

Joe McHugh

269. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the efficacy of an agency (details supplied) of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49602/12]

Services for People with Disabilities

Billy Timmins

270. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding scooter user access for students who need to use scooters to get into lecture halls at a university (details supplied) but are finding it almost impossible to access their lecture theatres on their scooters; the steps that have been taken by the university to ensure that all students can attend the university regardless of disability and the plans they have to enable scooter users to access their lecture theatres without the present difficulties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49642/12]

Services for People with Disabilities

Billy Timmins

271. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding scooter user access for students who need to use scooters to get into the student accommodation at a university (details supplied) but are finding it almost impossible to access the student accommodation on their scooters; the steps that have been taken by the university to ensure that all students can access the student accommodation at the university regardless of disability and the plans they have to enable scooter users to access their accommodation without the present difficulties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49643/12]

Consultancy Contracts Issues

Billy Kelleher

272. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide in tabular form the amount currently being spent on, or budgeted for by State agencies under his remit for spending, on the areas of communication, public relations, consultancy, advertising and human resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49650/12]

Student Grant Scheme Applications

Robert Troy

273. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will expedite grant applications in respect of persons (details supplied). [49672/12]

Schools Building Projects Status

Michael Creed

274. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update regarding the progress at design stage for a new school (details provided) in County Cork; when he expects to be in a position to move this project to planning application stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49681/12]

Schools Building Projects Status

Michael Creed

275. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide details of the building contractor appointed in respect of the new school constructions announced in County Cork recently; when he expects construction to commence on these schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49696/12]

Schools Building Projects Status

Michael Creed

276. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will confirm receipt of an application for additional accommodation/prefabricated classroom replacement from a school (details supplied) in County Cork; when a decision on this request will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49697/12]

Third Level Courses Availability

Dominic Hannigan

277. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans for a travel allowance for springboard participants who have to travel long distances from their homes to their places of study; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49705/12]

Student Grant Scheme Applications

Barry Cowen

278. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a person (details supplied) in County Offaly may expect a decision on an application for a student grant. [49727/12]

School Transport Provision

Charlie McConalogue

279. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if junior and senior infant children who have a school day which is one hour shorter than the length of the normal school day and who avail of concessionary school transport entitled to remain on school premises if the board of management policy is that all children in junior and senior infants must be collected an hour earlier than the other classes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49739/12]

School Transport Provision

Charlie McConalogue

280. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if junior and senior infant children who have a school day which is one hour shorter than the length of the normal school day and who are eligible for school transport entitled to remain on school premises if the board of management policy is that all children in junior and senior infants must be collected an hour earlier than the other classes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49740/12]

Schools Building Projects Status

Robert Troy

281. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the provision of a second level school in an area (details supplied) in County Westmeath. [49757/12]

Schools Building Projects Status

Robert Troy

282. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has met with the board of management of a school (details supplied) and the outcome of same. [49758/12]

Schools Building Projects Applications

Pearse Doherty

283. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reasons a school (details supplied) in County Donegal has not been considered eligible for funding under the current school building programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49788/12]

Teacher Training Provision

Michael Healy-Rae

284. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider the retention of home economics teaching education at a campus (details supplied) in County Sligo; if he will provide this campus and NUI Galway an opportunity to demonstrate their capacity to fulfil the vision of the Initial Teacher Education report in the most cost effective manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49792/12]

Student Grant Scheme Applications

Michelle Mulherin

285. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an application for Student Universal Support Ireland in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; when a decision will be made; and if the application will be expedited. [49867/12]

State Examinations Issues

Simon Harris

286. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will outline the criteria in place for a student to avail of a smaller exam centre in a State exam and also for a student to have a person read the exam questions during the junior or leaving certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49868/12]

Student Grant Scheme Applications

Seamus Healy

287. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will intervene with the third level colleges to ensure that students are not denied access to the colleges IT services due to the fact that they cannot be permanently registered because of the delays in approving grant applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49933/12]

Adult Education

Richard Boyd Barrett

288. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Skills the percentage of the Adult Refugee Programme's annual budget spent on language teachers' salaries for the direct delivery of the service. [49938/12]

Adult Education

Richard Boyd Barrett

289. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Skills the percentage of the Adult Refugee Programme's annual budget spent on administration costs by the lead vocational education committee, County Dublin [49939/12]

Adult Education

Richard Boyd Barrett

290. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will outline the reason that the Adult Refugee Programme in Ringsend College and Ballsbridge College, Dublin, is being earmarked for closure while other courses and agencies, for example, ALCES, BTEI, DALC continue to be funded. [49940/12]

Departmental Funding

John O'Mahony

291. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a primary school (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a minor works grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49949/12]