Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

NAMA Portfolio

Michael McGrath

93. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the amount of office space currently controlled by the National Asset Management Agency; the way this is expected to increase arising from its recently announced investment programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10897/13]

NAMA Operations

Michael McGrath

94. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the number of applications the National Asset Management Agency has made to date to change the zoning of land under its control; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10898/13]

Capital Expenditure Programme

Michael McGrath

12. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the progress he expects to be made in 2013 on the implementation of the stimulus plan announced in July 2012; the number of jobs that will be created under the plan in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10399/13]

Sale of State Assets

Michael McGrath

90. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the steps taken to engage with as wide a range of potential purchasers as possible prior to the sale of Irish Life to Great West Lifeco to ensure the maximum return to the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10637/13]

NAMA Operations

Michael McGrath

91. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he intends to increase or in any other way supplement the membership and resources of the National Asset Management Agency advisory board to reflect the impending increase in assets under the control of NAMA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10640/13]

IBRC Liquidation

Michael McGrath

92. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the reason all the fixed term deposits related to investment products sold by Anglo Irish Bank were not transferred to AIB at the time of the sale of its deposit book; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10641/13]

House Purchase Schemes

Michael McGrath

93. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance his views on whether banks are responding adequately to the demand for credit from first-time house buyers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10642/13]

Health Insurance Regulation

Michael McGrath

263. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health his plans to make a capital injection into the VHI this year to comply with the ruling of the EU Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10638/13]

Social Media Regulation

Michael McGrath

116. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the action he and his Department can take to help the estimated one in four pupils here, aged nine to sixteen years, who have experienced cyberbullying; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10067/13]

Proposed Legislation

Michael McGrath

173. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the reason he is proposing in the Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) Bill 2013 that persons who own more than one residential property must pay and file the tax online; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9549/13]

Property Taxation Exemptions

Michael McGrath

179. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the reason he is proposing in the Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) Bill 2013 that the exemption for certain incapacitated persons would be framed so narrowly and would exclude, for example, persons who are disabled for other reasons, for example, congenital defects, many of whom need similar adaptations to their homes to accommodate wheelchairs, showering and other necessary equipment in order to live with any reasonable degree of independence. [9557/13]

Financial Services Regulation

Michael McGrath

181. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will set out in tabular form the balance held at year end for each year from 2007 to 2012 in the deposit protection account at the Central Bank of Ireland which will be used to fund any deposit guarantee scheme pay-out; the number of occasions on which payments have been made from this account since its inception to compensate savers; the amount involved; his plans to review the operation of the account following the liquidation of Irish Bank Resolution Corporation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9589/13]

Government Bonds

Michael McGrath

182. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance his views of what constitutes conditions of financial stability in respect of the timetable for the sale by the Central Bank of Ireland of Irish Government bonds it has acquired as a result of the revised promissory note; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9590/13]

State Banking Sector

Michael McGrath

227. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the number of retired executives of AIB including EBS who have been written to by the bank asking that they consider voluntarily forgoing a portion of their pension; the number who responded positively, negatively, or not at all; the number of the retired executives who have since actually foregone some of their pension entitlement and the overall value of the pensions entitlements that have been foregone by retired executives of the bank. [10296/13]

State Banking Sector

Michael McGrath

228. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the number of retired executives of Bank of Ireland, if any that have been written to by the bank asking that they consider voluntarily foregoing a portion of their pension; the number that responded positively, negatively, or not at all; the number of the retired executives have since actually foregone some of their pension entitlement; and the overall value of the pensions entitlements that have been foregone by retired executives of the bank. [10297/13]

State Banking Sector

Michael McGrath

229. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the number of retired executives of Permanent TSB, if any that have been written to by the bank asking that they consider voluntarily foregoing a portion of their pension;the number that responded positively, negatively, or not at all; the number of retired executives that have since actually foregone some of their pension entitlement and the overall value of the pensions entitlements that have been foregone by retired executives of the bank. [10298/13]

IBRC Staff

Michael McGrath

230. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the number of retired executives of Irish Bank Resolution Corporation in special liquidation, if any that had been written to by the bank prior to the appointment of a special liquidator asking that they consider voluntarily foregoing a portion of their pension; the number that responded positively, negatively, or not at all; the number of the retired executives that have since actually foregone some of their pension entitlement and the overall value of the pensions entitlements that have been foregone by retired executives of the bank. [10299/13]

Student Grant Scheme Design

Michael McGrath

236. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 317 of 5 February 2013, and in the context of whether an applicant can be considered appropriate for assessment as an independent mature candidate, if the year of first entry to an approved course means the year of entry to a postgraduate course if that is the course the applicant is now pursuing following completion of an undergraduate course or if it always refers to the year of entry to the undergraduate course. [9558/13]

Foster Care Policy

Michael McGrath

603. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if grandparents generally have any right to have some level of access to their grandchildren who are in foster care arrangements in circumstances where the children's parent is deceased; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10152/13]

Primary Care Centre Provision

Michael McGrath

635. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1052 of 16 January 2013, if he will confirm the exact date in June 2012 that the development of a primary care centre at Deanrock, Togher, Cork City, was added to the public private partnership list and to confirm the person who made this decision. [9624/13]

Medical Card Eligibility

Michael McGrath

640. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health when he plans to provide medical cards to persons on the long term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9663/13]

Hospital Services

Michael McGrath

737. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health when he expects the new epilepsy monitoring unit at Cork University Hospital to be opened; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10289/13]

Retail Sector

Michael McGrath

33. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if, in view of the difficulties of retailers across the country, he will examine the problems facing the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9077/13]

Business Regulation

Michael McGrath

45. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the measures that have been taken to reduce the number of licences required by businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9089/13]

IBRC Liquidation

Michael McGrath

75. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance his plans to amend the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation Act 2013 to remove the stay on legal actions against the bank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9475/13]

IBRC Liquidation

Michael McGrath

76. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the date on which his Department first communicated with KPMG regarding the possibility of its being appointed as special liquidator of the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation; the procurement procedures that applied; the estimated value of the contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9476/13]

Promissory Note Negotiations

Michael McGrath

77. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if it is his intention, provided all other economic indicators remain in line with the projections made in Budget 2013, to use the circa €1 billion improvement in the general Government balance as a result of the deal on the promissory notes to reduce the planned €3.1 billion adjustment in budget 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9477/13]

Revenue Commissioners Investigations

Michael McGrath

78. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide details of the actions taken by the Revenue sheriff in 2012 including the number and value of goods and property seized; the number and value of attachment orders issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9478/13]

Revenue Commissioners Investigations

Michael McGrath

79. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a detailed breakdown of the number, type and value of goods and property seized by county sheriffs and County Registrars in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9479/13]

Government Bonds

Michael McGrath

80. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance in the context of the deal on the promissory notes reached with the European Central Bank, if the ECB can instruct the Central Bank of Ireland to dispose of the Government bonds at an accelerated pace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9480/13]

IBRC Liquidation

Michael McGrath

81. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance his views on whether the sale of the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation loan book by the special liquidator may have unintended consequences for some of the debtors concerned who required the support of the former bank to remain as a going concern to businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9481/13]

IBRC Staff

Michael McGrath

82. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance his plans to improve the redundancy terms available to the employees of the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation, in special liquidation, in view of the fact that other staff members recently left the bank on significantly better redundancy terms and some of those who remained did so on the basis they would receive the same terms on the eventual wind down of the bank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9484/13]

Mortgage Arrears Report Implementation

Michael McGrath

85. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a detailed statement on the respective role of the Central Bank of Ireland and his Department in tackling the mortgage arrears problem; if he will specify the mortgage arrears resolution options that the banks have now been asked to implement by the Central Bank and if he will further specify the reporting arrangements that apply between the banks and the Central Bank on this matter. [9496/13]

Central Bank of Ireland

Michael McGrath

92. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the actions that will be required should the Central Bank of Ireland make a loss on disposal of the bonds it currently holds in its investment portfolio resulting from the revised arrangements in respect of the promissory notes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9517/13]

National Debt

Michael McGrath

93. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he expects discussions to take place in the near future at European level on extending the maturity of loans drawn down by Ireland from the EFSF and EFSM; if he has discussed the situation with his Portuguese counterpart; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9518/13]

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]

Northern Ireland Issues

Michael McGrath

42. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the discussions he proposes to hold with the Northern Ireland Secretary of State to advance the Bill of Rights as proposed in the Good Friday Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8947/13]

Alcohol Advertising

Michael McGrath

156. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views that a ban on sponsorship by alcohol companies would be detrimental to sport in this country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8550/13]

Tourism Promotion

Michael McGrath

164. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the action he will take to reverse the decline in visitor numbers from Britain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8545/13]

Tax Collection

Michael McGrath

242. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if the Revenue intend carrying out a revised income tax assessment for a person (details supplied) in County Galway in respect of years prior to 2012 on foot of the data sharing between Revenue and the Department of Social Protection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8097/13]

IBRC Liquidation

Michael McGrath

249. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will respond to a matter raised in correspondence in the context of the appointment of a Special Liquidator at Irish Bank Resolution Corporation (details supplied). [8207/13]

Bank Guarantee Scheme Administration

Michael McGrath

250. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if deposits taken by Anglo Irish Bank under a scheme designed specifically for credit unions (details supplied) will be fully covered by the deposit guarantee scheme and eligible liabilities guarantee; the reason deposits were not moved to AIB when the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation deposit book was sold; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8210/13]