Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Property Taxation Exemptions

Richard Boyd Barrett

79. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance in view of the exemption from the local property tax for residential properties owned by a charity or a public body and used to provide accommodation and support for persons who have a particular need in addition to a general housing need to enable them to live in the community such as sheltered accommodation for the elderly or the disabled, the reason it is that a disabled person living alone in a specially adapted house that she inherited would not be eligible for an exemption. [28264/13]

Felling Licences Conditions

Richard Boyd Barrett

192. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans for re-planting trees in the Dublin and Wicklow mountains, to prevent soil erosion, in view of the amount of tree-felling currently underway. [28188/13]

International Summits

Richard Boyd Barrett

5. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he has received a detailed agenda for the G8 Summit in June 2013; if he will report on that agenda; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25469/13]

International Summits

Richard Boyd Barrett

6. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach the issues he intends to raise at the G8 Summit in June 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25470/13]

Energy Regulation

Richard Boyd Barrett

56. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will outline all the processes and conditions surrounding the establishment and management of windfarms, both on and offshore, including required permissions, environmental stipulations, licensing, taxes, royalties and other benefits to the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27898/13]

Renewable Energy Incentives

Richard Boyd Barrett

79. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide details of any subsidies or grants available to private companies seeking to establish wind farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27876/13]

Coillte Teoranta Harvesting Rights Sale

Richard Boyd Barrett

90. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will explain his recent comment that the sale of Coillte harvesting rights is unlikely; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27875/13]

Renewable Energy Generation Targets

Richard Boyd Barrett

500. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide a report on any and all plans to reach the EU targets set for increasing renewable energy here. [26651/13]

Renewable Energy Generation Issues

Richard Boyd Barrett

506. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will set out in detail the tax, royalty and licencing regime in place for the development of wind energy and other renewable energy sources. [26647/13]

Renewable Energy Incentives

Richard Boyd Barrett

507. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide details of the subsidies or grants available to private companies seeking to establish wind farms. [26648/13]

Wind Energy Guidelines

Richard Boyd Barrett

508. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will set out in detail the process through which a company such as Saorgas would establish an offshore wind farm as is currently proposed for the Kish Bank, including all the licensing, leasing, environmental requirements and also detailing the different areas of responsibility covered by his Department and other Government Departments. [26649/13]

Renewable Energy Generation

Richard Boyd Barrett

509. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has considered using the ESB to develop our wind resources. [26650/13]

Wind Energy Guidelines

Richard Boyd Barrett

567. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will set out in detail the process through which a company such as Saorgus would establish an offshore wind farm in the foreshore as is currently proposed for the Kish Bank, including all the licencing, leasing, environmental requirements and also detailing the different areas of responsibility covered by his Department and other Government Departments. [26652/13]

Wind Energy Guidelines

Richard Boyd Barrett

568. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide details of the foreshore licence that Saorgus currently holds in the area of the Kish Bank; when it was granted; and the nature of the public consultation process surrounding that grant. [26653/13]

Proposed Legislation

Richard Boyd Barrett

644. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will report on the public consultation regarding the proposed new Foreshore Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28081/13]

Coillte Teoranta Harvesting Rights Sale

Richard Boyd Barrett

32. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he has had any input into the proposed sale of Coillte harvesting rights in view of the importance of forests to our national heritage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26282/13]

Coillte Teoranta Harvesting Rights Sale

Richard Boyd Barrett

37. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he and the National Parks and Wildlife Service have concerns regarding the impact on biodiversity in our forests should the proposed sale of Coillte harvesting rights go ahead; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26283/13]

Property Tax Collection

Richard Boyd Barrett

21. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection in the event of money being deducted from social welfare payments for the local property tax, as provided for in the Act, the maximum amount that could be deducted from each of the social welfare payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25867/13]

EU Presidency Engagements

Richard Boyd Barrett

14. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if corporate tax was discussed at the EU Council meeting on 22 May 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25466/13]

EU Presidency Engagements

Richard Boyd Barrett

15. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if the tax regime for oil and gas here was discussed during the talks on energy efficiency at the EU Council meeting on 22 May 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25467/13]

EU Presidency Engagements

Richard Boyd Barrett

16. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his meeting with the German finance Minister, Mr. Wolfgang Schäuble; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25468/13]

Pupil-Teacher Ratio

Richard Boyd Barrett

61. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will release the statement sent to him by the City of Dublin VEC on the effect the change in the pupil-teacher ratio will have on colleges in the further education sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25472/13]

School Enrolments

Richard Boyd Barrett

261. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will outline the impact that the proposed new enrolment legislation might have on enrolment policies in Gaelscoileanna. [25555/13]

School Curriculum

Richard Boyd Barrett

262. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans for the restructuring of the NCCA; and the impact that this will hve on An Chomhairle Gaeltachta agus Gaelscoileanna. [25556/13]

Sale of State Assets

Richard Boyd Barrett

19. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide a progress report on the consideration of State asset disposals such as Coillte and other State assets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24624/13]

Coillte Teoranta Harvesting Rights Sale

Richard Boyd Barrett

23. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will report on his deliberations on the proposed sale of the harvesting rights of Coillte; the recommendation he will be making in relation to this proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24626/13]

Employment Rights

Richard Boyd Barrett

8. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation when he will reply to two direct representations (details supplied), representing four former employees of Connolly Shoes in Dún Laoghaire, who are now in their fourth year of a dispute; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24468/13]

Official Travel

Richard Boyd Barrett

22. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he discussed the ongoing Syrian crisis and escalating regional tensions in the Middle East at his meeting with US President Obama in March; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22631/13]

Official Travel

Richard Boyd Barrett

23. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he discussed the humanitarian crisis as a result of the ongoing blockade of Gaza at his meeting with US President Obama in March; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22632/13]

Official Travel

Richard Boyd Barrett

24. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he discussed the US President's priorities for the forthcoming G8 summit in Fermanagh at their recent meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22633/13]

Official Travel

Richard Boyd Barrett

25. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he discussed the closure of the US prison in Guantanamo and the release of prisoners at his meeting with US President Obama in March; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22634/13]

Shadow Banking Sector

Richard Boyd Barrett

67. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance if the issue of shadow banking here was discussed at the meeting of EU Finance and Economic Ministers that he attended last week; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23986/13]

Property Tax Administration

Richard Boyd Barrett

116. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide the details of the contract with Abtran to run the local property tax help line; the cost of a call to this help line when calling from a mobile phone; his views on whether the outsourcing of this service is appropriate in view of the revelations with regards to an employee abusing credit card details; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23982/13]

Tax Code

Richard Boyd Barrett

183. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance with regards to the planned Dublin Array project, the tax that will apply if the project goes ahead; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20200/13]

EU-IMF Programme of Support

Richard Boyd Barrett

184. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance the discussions, if any, he held on Ireland's exit from the IMF programme with Christine Lagarde; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18601/13]

Eurozone Crisis

Richard Boyd Barrett

185. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance if he has had any discussions with his Cypriot counterparts; if those discussions included implications for Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15568/13]

Harbour Authorities Staff

Richard Boyd Barrett

39. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to problems with the pension fund of the Dun Laoghaire Harbour company in view of the fact that the workforce have raised concerns regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22944/13]

Northern Ireland Issues

Richard Boyd Barrett

30. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he raised the issue of Britain's membership of the EU and the proposed referendum in Britain on that issue during his recent meeting with Prime Minister Cameron; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22139/13]

Northern Ireland Issues

Richard Boyd Barrett

31. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach his participation in events around the 15th anniversary of the Good Friday agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22141/13]

Hospital Services

Richard Boyd Barrett

88. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if he will outline in detail the plan for health services in South County Dublin with regards to the new configuration of services at Loughlinstown, St Michael's and St Vincent's Hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22625/13]

Departmental Records

Richard Boyd Barrett

468. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the steps he is taking to ensure that officials keep accurate visa statistics regarding the number of tourist visas being issued in the Beijing office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22418/13]

Visa Applications

Richard Boyd Barrett

469. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice and Equality under the MEI pilot programme, the number of visas that were issued to non-MEI schools; the exact number of visas issued and the number refused under the MEI pilot programme. [22419/13]

Tourism Ireland Funding

Richard Boyd Barrett

732. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of the Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland budget for promoting English language schools in Ireland for 2013; the way marketing targets are agreed with the EFL industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22420/13]

Tourism Ireland Funding

Richard Boyd Barrett

733. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if Failte Ireland will fund the MEI workshop in 2013; and the number of meetings that have taken place with Enterprise Ireland to discuss the marketing of Ireland as a centre of excellence in international education. [22421/13]

Youth Services

Richard Boyd Barrett

3. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will consider reversing the recent cuts to the City of Dublin Youth Services Board; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22121/13]

Coillte Teoranta Harvesting Rights Sale

Richard Boyd Barrett

101. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his attention has been drawn to the possible legal difficulties or obstacles to the sale of the harvesting rights of Coillte; in particular, if such a sale might breach articles in the Aarhus Convention in relation to public participation and environmental issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21992/13]

Coillte Teoranta Harvesting Rights Sale

Richard Boyd Barrett

195. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has studied the international experience of privatisation of public forests, particularly in New Zealand and the brief experiment in Sweden, in his consideration of the sale of the harvesting rights of Coillte; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21882/13]

Coillte Teoranta Harvesting Rights Sale

Richard Boyd Barrett

197. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether the sale of the harvesting rights of Coillte is unlikely; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21884/13]

European Council Meetings

Richard Boyd Barrett

14. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his attendance at the European Council meetings on 14 and 15 March 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18600/13]

Property Taxation Application

Richard Boyd Barrett

147. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance if he will explain the way a joint owner of a house who has no communication at all with the other owner of the house should complete the local property tax form, when they are not in a position to follow the instructions in the booklet that read, if you are not the sole owner of the property, you should agree with the other owner(s) who is to complete and submit the return and pay the tax due. [21389/13]