Results 4,121-4,140 of 27,945 for speaker:Michael McGrath

Written Answers — Department of Finance: State Banking Sector (5 Mar 2013)

Michael McGrath: To ask the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 227 of 26 February 2013 and in view of the fact that the Parliamentary Question did not seek the identity of any of the pensioners concerned but instead sought aggregate information on the number of persons Allied Irish Bank including EBS wrote to asking that they consider voluntary forgoing a portion of their pension, the...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Banking Sector Regulation (5 Mar 2013)

Michael McGrath: To ask the Minister for Finance the steps the Central Bank of Ireland is taking to address the Ulster Bank error which resulted in more than 1,000 mortgage customers underpaying their mortgage for a number of years; the follow-up steps the Central Bank of Ireland has taken following last year's IT systems collapse at Ulster Bank which resulted in weeks of disruption for customers; and if he...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (5 Mar 2013)

Michael McGrath: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will ensure that a child (details supplied) in County Cork will receive the appropriate level of assistance and supervision, through resource hours and the support of a special needs assistant, while attending primary school. [11493/13]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (5 Mar 2013)

Michael McGrath: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will ensure that a child (details supplied) in County Cork will receive the appropriate level of assistance and supervision, through resource hours and the support of a special needs assistant, while attending primary school. [11493/13]

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Pension Provisions (5 Mar 2013)

Michael McGrath: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if employees who, subject to the existing legislation, are currently subject to the pension levy and who pay pension contributions have an option of withdrawing from the relevant pension scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11353/13]

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Domiciliary Care Allowance Appeals (5 Mar 2013)

Michael McGrath: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding domiciliary care allowance appeal in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Cork. [11118/13]

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Reserve Training (5 Mar 2013)

Michael McGrath: To ask the Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 585 of 29 January 2013, when he expects to receive the information sought from the military authorities and the dates on which training resumed for Reserve Defence Force by unit in the First Southern Brigade. [11216/13]

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Reserve Strength (5 Mar 2013)

Michael McGrath: To ask the Minister for Defence when the authority to recruit and maintain the new strength for the Reserve Defence Force will be delegated; if he is concerned at the effects of claimed delays for security clearance from An Garda Síochána which has an adverse impact in previous years and inhibited timely replacements. [11217/13]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Policing Plans (6 Mar 2013)

Michael McGrath: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will detail the implementation plan for new smart policing mechanisms to replace closed Garda stations; the timeframe for the implementation of same; if a plan has been published; the budget that has been set aside for its implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11681/13]

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Finance Bill 2013: Committee Stage (6 Mar 2013)

Michael McGrath: The ruling was made by the Ceann Comhairle's office and I must accept it. However, in my view there is an inconsistency here. Amendment No. 1 seeks that the Minister shall, within one month of the passing of this Act, prepare and lay before Dáil Éireann a report on the options available for the introduction of a rate of universal social charge of 10% on individuals’ income...

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Finance Bill 2013: Committee Stage (6 Mar 2013)

Michael McGrath: That is not a Fianna Fáil proposal but a Sinn Féin one. We called for the USC to be raised by 3%.

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Finance Bill 2013: Committee Stage (6 Mar 2013)

Michael McGrath: The Minister correctly quoted the study of the European Commission in his remarks on annexe F. It relates to the period to 2011 and confirms the progressiveness of the measures until then. However, the ESRI found budget 2012 and budget 2013 to be regressive. I accept the Minister's point to the effect that overall the cumulative impact of the adjustments since 2008 have unquestionably been...

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Finance Bill 2013: Committee Stage (6 Mar 2013)

Michael McGrath: It is the totality.

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Finance Bill 2013: Committee Stage (6 Mar 2013)

Michael McGrath: I wish to address the universal social charge issue which is relevant to section 3. I agree that there is a limit which the Government can reach in respect of income tax and the universal social charge. Certainly, it should not be the balancing figure whereby when the Government is preparing the figures whatever is left to be achieved is done by hiking up income tax. That is not our view....

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Finance Bill 2013: Committee Stage (6 Mar 2013)

Michael McGrath: What about €300 million in PRSI?

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Finance Bill 2013: Committee Stage (6 Mar 2013)

Michael McGrath: I raised the issue of the impact of the €60,000 cut-off point. I accept that these issues can arise when a change of rate beyond a certain level of income is being imposed. As a result of this change, a person earning just over €60,000 will pay an additional universal social charge of approximately €1,300, which is quite severe, while a person on €100 less -...

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Finance Bill 2013: Committee Stage (6 Mar 2013)

Michael McGrath: Much of this work is already being done and it is a question of formalising it and agreeing on the methodology to be used. For example, on budget day the Department published a list of illustrative examples showing the impact of the budget in different circumstances. The ESRI produced its own reports. The Minister might take issue with what it includes or does not include or the...

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Finance Bill 2013: Committee Stage (6 Mar 2013)

Michael McGrath: It gives examples in respect of six couples.

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Finance Bill 2013: Committee Stage (6 Mar 2013)

Michael McGrath: Section 8 proposes to extend taxation to maternity, adoptive and health and safety benefits. I wish to raise a key issue for women who are on maternity leave and whose employer does not pay them a salary during their maternity leave. We all know that, in many instances, if a woman's husband or partner in work uses the tax bands and credits then her maternity benefit could be reduced...

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Finance Bill 2013: Committee Stage (6 Mar 2013)

Michael McGrath: This is a tax on pregnancy and it will cost many women €107 per week. These are not just women who continue to be paid during their pregnancy by their employers but also women who are no longer paid any salary during their pregnancy but will have to pay based on their salaries and those of their husbands during the year or remainder of the year. It is a severe hit. The Minister is...