Written answers
Thursday, 5 July 2012
- Department of Finance
- Bank IT Systems
Question 11: To ask the Minister for Finance his views on the disruption to the economy and consumers from the IT problems in Ulster Bank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32686/12]
- Consumer Spending
Question 12: To ask the Minister for Finance his views on the trend in retail sales which have declined by both value and volume in each of the past three months; and if he will make a statement...
- National Asset Management Agency
Question 13: To ask the Minister for Finance his views on whether the National Assets Management Agency will engage in demolition of part built housing schemes; and if he will make a statement...
- National Pensions Reserve Fund
Question 14: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will provide an update on funds held by the National Pension Reserve Fund; the full amount remaining in the discretionary portfolio of the...
- Tax Yield
Question 15: To ask the Minister for Finance if his Department has ever produced an estimate of the potential revenue yield to the State from the introduction of a wealth tax; if so, if he will...
- European Banking Sector
Question 16: To ask the Minister for Finance his views on a single deposit insurance scheme to cover all Eurozone countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32699/12]
- General Government Debt
Question 17: To ask the Minister for Finance in view of the announcements emanating from the recent EU meetings on the European banking crisis, the relief Irish citizens may expect in terms of...
- European Banking Sector
Question 18: To ask the Minister for Finance his views on the potential benefits to Ireland of common bank supervision across the Eurozone; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32701/12]
- Banks Recapitalisation
Question 19: To ask the Minister for Finance if he has secured a commitment from the European Council that any agreement on ESM funds being used to directly recapitalise banks would be applied...
- Credit Availability
Question 20: To ask the Minister for Finance the extent to which he has achieved an understanding with the lending institutions here with particular reference to the need to ensure the...
- Tax Yield
Question 21: To ask the Minister for Finance based on the most up to date revenue figures, the total earnings of the top 10% of income earners and the amount of tax this group is paying in...
- National Asset Management Agency
Question 23: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will consider establishing an independent person similar to the Taxing Master to value land assets under the control of the National Assets...
- Banking Sector Staff
Question 24: To ask the Minister for Finance his views on the conclusion by the Central Bank of Ireland of the fitness and probity test of senior bank directors; and if he will make a statement...
- Financial Institutions Support Scheme
Question 25: To ask the Minister for Finance his views on whether the project timetable of 2018 for senior bondholders in financial institutions to be eligible for burden sharing is too long;...
- Bank Debt Restructuring
Question 26: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will report on the latest developments in the negotiations regarding a deal on Ireland's banking debt. [28061/12]
- Mortgage Interest Rates
Question 27: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will request the covered banks to pass on any further ECB interest rate reductions to customers without delay; and if he will make a statement...
- Credit Unions Regulation
Question 28: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will provide an update on the application of lending restrictions on Credit Unions by the Financial Regulator; and if he will make a statement...
- Credit Unions Regulation
Question 29: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will provide an update on the forthcoming legislation on the regulation of credit unions; when he expects the legislation to be brought before...
- Departmental Staff
Question 30: To ask the Minister for Finance the extent to which his Department and Revenue have re-hired staff who retired prior to 29 February 2012; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Fuel Prices
Question 31: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will prioritise the problem of fuel costs and if he will give consideration for road hauliers to be rebated on their fuel costs as practiced in...
- Banking Sector Staff
Question 32: To ask the Minister for Finance the discussions he has had with the banking sector in relation to planned redundancies; the way the employment prospects for the affected staff can...
- Mortgage Arrears
Question 33: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will provide an update on the implementation of the Keane Report on the mortgage crisis; the recommendations from the report that have been...
- Promissory Notes
Question 34: To ask the Minister for Finance when the idea of a technical paper on the promissory note was first mooted with the Troika; the person who proposed same; the present status of the...
- Bank Debt Restructuring
Question 35: To ask the Minister for Finance the progress that has been made in seeking to warehouse tracker mortgages in a manner that reduces the funding pressure on banks; and if he will make...
- Promissory Notes
Question 36: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will report on the current status of the negotiations to restructure the Anglo promissory notes; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
- Credit Unions Regulation
Question 37: To ask the Minister for Finance the discussions he has had with the Irish League of Credit Unions in relation to the re-structuring of the sector; and if he will make a statement on...
- Fiscal Policy
Question 40: To ask the Minister for Finance with regard to the recent EU meeting on the European banking crisis, the relief Irish citizens may expect in terms of an end to and reversal of cuts...
- Tax Code
Question 43: To ask the Minister for Finance his plans for reform of the betting tax model; the tax structures that are being considered; the progress that it is being made regarding same; and...
- Economic Policy
Question 44: To ask the Minister for Finance the extent of his discussions with his EU counterparts with particular reference to addressing the ongoing fiscal and economic issues affecting the...
- Fuel Prices
Question 45: To ask the Minister for Finance if his Department will provide some relief on the cost of fuel for commercial use to combat the fuel laundering that is prevalent throughout the...
- Fuel Prices
Question 46: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will report on his engagement with the Irish Road Haulage Association; the position regarding the working groups submission; and if he will...
- Fuel Prices
Question 47: To ask the Minister for Finance the impact the current cost of fuel is having on the road haulage industry. [32107/12]
- Job Creation
Question 48: To ask the Minister for Finance the way Ireland can benefit from the Compact for Growth as discussed at the recent EU summit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32463/12]
- Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
- Human Rights Issues
Question 49: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the Human Rights Watch detailed investigation of the forced movement of rural populations from pastoral...
- Departmental Staff
Question 50: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of staff by grade in the Irish Embassy in Sofia, Nicosia, Copenhagen, Helsinki and Mexico for 2010, 2011...
- Family Law Cases
Question 51: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will clarify the position whereby the Irish father of a child born here, whose mother holds a passport from...
- Department of Finance
- Mortgage Arrears
Question 52: To ask the Minister for Finance the action he will take regarding families experiencing difficulties in repaying mortgages to certain banks (details supplied) should proceed, [32825/12]
- Sovereign Debt
Question 53: To ask the Minister for Finance if he has carried out an assessment of the debt redemption pact which was proposed by the German Council of Economic Experts on 10 of November 2011;...
- Tax Credits
Question 54: To ask the Minister for Finance if the Revenue Commissioners will issue a letter regarding amended tax credits in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [32850/12]
- Financial Services Ombudsman
Question 55: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will support the case of a person (details supplied); and if there is a scheme to help this person.. [32863/12]
- Bank Debt Restructuring
Question 56: To ask the Minister for Finance the extent to which he can quantify the benefits for this country of recent discussions at EU level in respect of banking and economic strategy; and...
- Tax Code
Question 60: To ask the Minister for Finance the position regarding the new steps (details supplied) that contractors must now comply with; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32905/12]
- Tax Collection
Question 61: To ask the Minister for Finance the level of revenue generated for the Exchequer from residential stamp duty in each of the past ten years in tabular form; the number of individual...
- Tax Collection
Question 63: To ask the Minister for Finance the approximate level of VAT generated for the Exchequer from the sale of new residential housing in each of the past ten years in tabular form; the...
- Budget Targets
Question 64: To ask the Minister for Finance if he has satisfied himself that all targets set in the current years budget are achievable; the possible exemptions if any; and if he will make a...
- Financial Services Regulation
Question 65: To ask the Minister for Finance the procedure followed to record the level of default or refusal by insurers to honour mortgage protection contracts in both the domestic and...
- Economic Competitiveness
Question 66: To ask the Minister for Finance the extent to which this country's competitiveness has improved in each of the past five years and to date in 2012; and if he will make a statement...
- Tax Collection
Question 67: To ask the Minister for Finance the level to which he expects tax revenue returns under various headings to meet targets in the current year; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Economic Growth
Question 72: To ask the Minister for Finance the extent to which the economic fundamentals have changed in the course of the past eight years with particular reference to the need to achieving...
- National Asset Management Agency
Question 73: To ask the Minister for Finance the degree to which the National Assets Management Agency owned properties are expected to realise by way of sale or other methodology a price above...
- Department of Education and Skills
- School Transport
Question 75: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will reconsider an application to access the school transport service (details supplied); if he will consider the difficulties the...
- School Staffing
Question 76: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 93 of 28 June 2012, if this school (details supplied) in County Donegal will be able to retain...
- School Management
Question 77: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he is satisfied that every school has a board of management set up as required under legislation; the details of each school that...
- Higher Education Courses
Question 78: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider reviewing the assessment process for a third level course application in respect of a person (details supplied) in...
- FÁS Training Programmes
Question 79: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which a person (details supplied) in County Kildare who holds a spousal work permit qualifies for back to work, FÁS...
- Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
- Tree Remediation
Question 80: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to save the plane tree in Leinster House on the extreme right of the Kildare Street entrance as it appears to be in a...
- Pension Provisions
Question 81: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the plans he has to reduce the levels of pension paid to former politician and Ministers; and if he will make a statement on...
- Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation
- Departmental Agencies
Question 82: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his views on the current orientation of Science Foundation of Ireland which is focusing more on research that will lead to a...
- State Agencies
Question 83: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if any concern has been raised with him in relation to the commercial interests or former interests of a person (details...
- Employment Appeals Tribunal
Question 84: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation further to Parliamentary Question No. 55 of 14 June 2012, the mechanism a person (details supplied) in County Kildare needs...
- Department of Social Protection
- Jobseeker's Allowance
Question 85: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare in regard to their jobseeker's allowance...
- Jobseeker's Allowance
Question 86: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a job-seeker's benefit appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Wexford; when a decision will be...
- Rent Supplement Scheme
Question 87: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if there are instances when a Department official will grant rent allowance even if the applicant is not a qualified applicant on the...
- Domiciliary Care Allowance
Question 88: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will include a member of a group (details supplied) as one of the three NGO representatives reserved for the review of the...
- Proposed Legislation
Question 89: To ask the Minister for Social Protection her views regarding a submission (details supplied); her plans to address the issues and concerns raised; if she has had any meetings with...
- Invalidity Pension
Question 90: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if a decision on an appeal for disablement pension in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly is available; and if she will...
- Rent Supplement Scheme
Question 91: To ask the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 89 of 20 June 2012, if a case for rent allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County...
- FÁS Training Programmes
Question 92: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the extent a person (details supplied) in County Kildare who holds a spousal work permit qualifies for back to work, FÁS training or a...
- Rent Supplement Scheme
Question 93: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when arrears of rent supplement are likely to issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare whose rent support was...
- Jobseeker's Benefit
Question 94: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the extent of any entitlement to jobseeker's allowance or family income supplement in the case of a person (details supplied) in County...
- Carer's Allowance
Question 95: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will review, approve or refer to appeal the application for carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County...
- Rent Supplement Scheme
Question 96: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; if a full investigation will be undertaken; if their current...
- Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
- Public Service Obligation Levy
Question 97: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will recommend an ending of the price support regime provided to assist the production of electricity from...
- Inland Fisheries
Question 98: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide this Deputy with the outline graph of the electro fishing audit of the tributarys rivers of...
- Renewable Energy
Question 100: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress he has made in the recent negotiations with the Minister of Energy in the UK with regard to the...
- Department of Environment, Community and Local Government
- Urban Renewal Schemes
Question 101: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has been contacted regarding an arrangement brokered by the Impact Trade Union, whereby four persons...
- Waste Disposal
Question 102: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the current rate of the landfill levy; his proposals to change this rate; and if he will make a statement on...
- Waste Management
Question 104: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding proposals to put in place a national household waste collection waiver system; and if...
- Recycling Policy
Question 105: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has any role in the development of recycling facilities in towns; if he had any contact with Meath...
- Non-Principal Private Residence Charge
Question 106: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on the 2 km rule on the non principal private resident charge (details supplied); and if he will...
- Social and Affordable Housing
Question 107: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has issued any guidelines to local authorities in respect of local authority tenants who are married,...
- Building Regulations
Question 108: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if architectural technologies will be deemed suitably qualified to sign certificates of compliance with...
- National Housing Survey
Question 109: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when it is hoped that the national housing survey will be completed; if this involves visiting every housing...
- Household Charge
Question 110: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when he intends to make further regulations under the Local Government (Household Charge) Regulations...
- Unfinished Housing Developments
Question 111: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if it is intended to introduce legislation to force the developers or owners including receivers and...
- Burial Grounds
Question 112: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on whether all local authorities in the country should be directed to install and provide toilets...
- Departmental Funding
Question 113: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when he will expect to permit Pobal to enter into a contract with an organisation (details supplied) in...
- Department of Justice, Equality and Defence
- Legislative Briefings
Question 114: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will list all organisations and individuals who were briefed on the Personal Insolvency Bill between the Cabinet meeting on 26...
- Garda Reserve
Question 115: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans and the Garda management plans to increase the strength of the Garda reserve in the absence of recruitment to An Garda...
- Garda Deployment
Question 116: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of an Garda Síochána serving in non-policing duties including clerical, communications and management by division; his...
- Garda Reserve
Question 117: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on a situation in which retired or retiring members of an Garda Síochána become eligible to be members of the Garda...
- Departmental Staff
Question 118: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No 436 of the 26 June 2012, if personnel records in his Department are computerised; if a date of...
- Citizenship Ceremonies
Question 119: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the fees payable by each of the 4000 new Irish citizens in respect of the swearing in ceremony at the National Convention Centre,...
- Anti-Social Behaviour
Question 120: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the action he will to take to tackle anti-social behaviour problems, including an increase in physical violence, on our streets; and if...
- Subsidiary Protection
Question 121: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will support the case of a person (details supplied). [32837/12]
- Citizenship Applications
Question 122: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding an application for citizenship in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3 [32852/12]
- Residency Permits
Question 123: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding an application for Stamp 4 status in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will...
- Garda Deployment
Question 124: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí by rank that were on duty for the three recent concerts at Croke Park, Dublin 3 in June 2012; and if he will make...
- Garda Equipment
Question 125: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of spare intoxilyser machines available to gardaí in case one machine is unable to work; and if he will make a statement on...
- Garda Strength
Question 126: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí that are based in Clonmel Garda Station, County Tipperary; the number of gardaí that have been based in Clonmel...
- Family Law Cases
Question 127: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will clarify the position whereby the Irish father of a child born here, whose mother holds a passport from another jurisdiction,...
- Residency Permits
Question 128: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the basis on which it was determined that a person (details supplied) in County Dublin is not eligible by reason of duration of...
- Naturalisation Applications
Question 129: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No 514 of 19 June 2012, if as requested in the question, he will consider the possibility of updating...
- Residency Permits
Question 130: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the correct procedure to be followed whereby a minor currently living outside the EU but under the legal joint guardianship of Irish...
- Visa Applications
Question 131: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will authorise by way of update of Stamp 4 or other visa or travel requirements in the case of a person (details supplied) in...
- Residency Permits
Question 132: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if Stamp 4 will be updated while awaiting a decision in respect of their residency case and prevention of refoulement in the case of a...
- Work Permits
Question 133: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will update Stamp 4 in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare who has identified suitable employment which...
- Residency Permits
Question 134: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Department of Agriculture, Marine and Food
- Agri-Environment Options Scheme
Question 135: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when an appeal hearing in relation to a rural environment protection scheme penalty imposed in respect of a person (details...
- Grant Aid
Question 136: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the financial grant assistance that is available in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement...
- Single Payment Scheme
Question 137: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the single farm payment scheme 2011 in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will...
- EU Funding
Question 138: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the budget which may be left over from the rural broadband scheme totalling some €17million could be reallocated to...
- Beef Imports
Question 139: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the quantity of beef imported to Ireland over each of the past five years; the country or countries of origin; and if he...
- Department of Health
- Health Service Staff
Question 140: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of social work team leaders post filled with acting team leaders; the number of principal worker posts filled with...
- Health Promotion
Question 141: To ask the Minister for Health if he will include an organisation (details supplied) for the consultation process for the new Public Health Bill; and if he will make a statement on...
- Health Service Executive Properties
Question 142: To ask the Minister for Health the reason for the delays in opening the Blanchardstown Hospice, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32855/12]
- Professional Qualifications
Question 143: To ask the Minister for Health the procedures that are in place to give the appropriate recognition to persons who have qualified as physiotherapists in other EU countries; and if...
- Medical Cards
Question 144: To ask the Minister for Health when a decision will be made on a medical card appeal in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter....
- Health Service Staff
Question 145: To ask the Minister for Health if he will set out the manner in which the public service recruitment embargo is applied in the Health Service Executive; if he recognises, for...
- Alcohol Pricing
Question 146: To ask the Minister for Health when legislation will be introduced to facilitate the introduction of minimum alcohol pricing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32878/12]
- Alcohol Pricing
Question 147: To ask the Minister for Health if his preferred policy instrument in terms of combatting the misuse of alcohol especially by teenagers and young persons is for minimum alcohol...
- National Substance Misuse Strategy
Question 148: To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the recommendations of the National Substance Misuse Strategy Steering Group's report on alcohol; if and when he will...
- General Practitioner Services
Question 149: To ask the Minister for Health the number of calls received from the D-Doc Services for 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012; the number of these calls resulted in a house visit; the...
- Hospital Services
Question 150: To ask the Minister for Health the impact of the Special Delivery Unit in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32892/12]
- Medicinal Products
Question 151: To ask the Minister for Health his views on setting up an independent scientific enquiry to review the side effects caused by the drug Roaccutane; if he will interview users and...
- Long-Term Illness Scheme
Question 152: To ask the Minister for Health his plans to extend the automatic entitlement to a general practitioner visit card to persons on the long term illness scheme; and if he will make a...
- Medical Cards
Question 153: To ask the Minister for Health if notwithstanding recent response a further review of entitlement to a medical card will be remained in the case of a person (details supplied) in...
- Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport
- Air Services
Question 154: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding Ryanair's bid for Aer Lingus; when a decision on the offer will be made; and if he will make a statement...
- Tourism Promotion
Question 155: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the expenditure in 2011 and to date in 2012 in tourism marketing and promotional campaigns in Australia, China, India, Brazil,...
- Road Improvement Schemes
Question 156: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will support the call from Kerry County Council that a section of the R569, from Careys Cottage to Rosacroo Bridge, will...
