Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

If the Deputy wants, he can send me a note. There are different thresholds, as he knows, and I do not profess to knowing the exact ins and outs of the scheme, but I know it is something that is done and we support it. I imagine there are some sort of thresholds. The Deputy may want these set out in detail or in writing. We can certainly examine whether we get rid of the thresholds altogether or whether we raise them.

Deputy Tóibín asked about the jaw-dropping settlement that has made the newspapers. I am reluctant to talk about any individual's personal finances, whether they are famous or not. If the committee is inviting the banks in, it could certainly explore the wider policy approach banks follow in writing down debts. I imagine it is linked to how much the person is able to pay back rather than who they are, but that needs to be looked at. I cannot say how many have had write downs of more than 90%. The Department of Finance may have those figures; I do not have them personally. There is a relationship framework according to which the Department engages with banks based on ensuring it is commercial and at arm's length.

Deputy Bacik asked about communications in relation to Ukraine and migration. The communications sub-group of Cabinet committee on Ukraine is developing an improved approach to communications. It has to be on two levels: on the ground, talking to and engaging with people individually and something wider, more public through the media. I met with the Lord Mayor of Dublin last week and she represents the Ballymun area. She spoke about how effective it was to do the communications on the ground and talk to people individually, listen to their concerns and explain to them what is going. It is resource and person intensive, but I think it is something we need to do. I know the Minister is trying to develop a team around him to do that. We will need a wider campaign as well to ensure people know the facts and know what is and is not going on.

The Government does not propose to bring in a €9 per month public transport ticket. That was done in Germany and was abandoned for various reasons. It is not something we would be inclined to repeat here given the fact it did not work in Germany.

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