Results 5,041-5,060 of 27,945 for speaker:Michael McGrath

Order of Business (3 Oct 2013)

Michael McGrath: In view of the recent publicity surrounding certain corporation tax matters relating to multinationals operating in this country, the international tax agreements Bill is particularly important in order to strengthen further the provisions on co-operation between Ireland and other countries on taxation matters. Will the Tánaiste confirm when that legislation will be brought forward? ...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Budget 2014 Issues (3 Oct 2013)

Michael McGrath: 1. To ask the Minister for Finance the approximate adjustment required to achieve a deficit of below 5.1% in 2014; his views on whether the recent GDP figures which show a continued weak domestic economy support the case for a moderation of the planned adjustment in budget 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41626/13]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Budget 2014 Issues (3 Oct 2013)

Michael McGrath: I thank the Minister for his response. There were two parts to the question I tabled, the first of which is an attempt to establish the nominal adjustment required in the budget on 15 October to deliver a deficit of 5.1%. As the Minister indicated, we are still going by the April stability programme update numbers. Given that the Minister now has the quarter 2 economic data and the end of...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Budget 2014 Issues (3 Oct 2013)

Michael McGrath: I thank the Minister. That would be very helpful in order to allow us to finalise our own proposals which we will submit to the Minister in the coming days. There are a lot of moving parts and without access to such critical information we would have to take a guess at what level of adjustment is required to achieve the different deficit levels. The Minister indicated yesterday that he...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Tax Code (3 Oct 2013)

Michael McGrath: 4. To ask the Minister for Finance his views on the operation of the 9% VAT rate; his views on whether it has been successful in supporting jobs in the domestic economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41627/13]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Tax Code (3 Oct 2013)

Michael McGrath: I thank the Minister for his reply. He referred to some of the positive impacts of the lower rate of VAT on the hospitality and tourism sector. It costs around €350 million a year, a very substantial amount of money. That is the gross cost, but I would like to know if the Department has carried out an assessment of the net cost on the Exchequer, in view of the positive impacts to...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Tax Code (3 Oct 2013)

Michael McGrath: The key question is whether the Minister is determined that the income from the pension levy and the cost of the various initiatives under the jobs initiative will total zero and even out. It is very clear, based on the figures provided by the Department, that it is not the case so far, unless a policy decision is taken in another direction. The gap has increased because of the additional...

Other Questions: Budget 2014 Issues (3 Oct 2013)

Michael McGrath: I wish the Minister well in the next week or ten days because we are being told completely different things by senior Members of the Government. The Tánaiste has been playing a very high-stakes game in recent months, saying there should not be a cent more than is required to get us to a deficit of 5.1%. The Minister has given a different opinion today. That is all in the nature of...

Other Questions: NAMA Staff Qualifications (3 Oct 2013)

Michael McGrath: I thank the Minister for his response. We all have a vested interest in NAMA succeeding and performing its functions well. The staff turnover rates in NAMA are very high. I suspect they are disproportionately high at a senior level. Staff appear to feel they can, and they do, attract higher salaries when they leave the agency. I find that remarkable but it seems to be the case. It must...

Other Questions: NAMA Staff Qualifications (3 Oct 2013)

Michael McGrath: My concern is whether NAMA is being used as a training ground for people who then move to the other side of the fence. The Minister has outlined some of the changes that have been identified. Has NAMA implemented those changes and is the Minister satisfied that they are adequate to address the concerns that have been raised?

Other Questions: Bank Debt Restructuring (3 Oct 2013)

Michael McGrath: Permanent TSB is an important bank and I hope it plays a significant role on the banking landscape in Ireland for a long time to come. I would like to see the European Commission finalise its consideration of the restructuring plan as quickly as possible. The bank is potentially a very good asset for the State. It has brand recognition, a branch network, a customer base and can provide...

Other Questions: Bank Debt Restructuring (3 Oct 2013)

Michael McGrath: In terms of where Permanent TSB fits into the overall banking strategy, is it the intention of the Minister that Permanent TSB remain within State ownership in the long term or is it intended that the bank will return to profitability and private ownership once much of the work has been done? I am not sure he has stated a preference in that regard, but we know that AIB is readying itself for...

Other Questions: Insurance Compensation Fund (3 Oct 2013)

Michael McGrath: As the Minister indicated, every person with a home, motor or commercial insurance policy pays the 2% levy to make up for the losses incurred at Quinn Insurance, which at one stage the joint administrators stated in a worst-case scenario could be up to €1.6 billion. If the final figure comes anywhere close to this the Central Bank reviews will conclude for quite a number of years that...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: EU-IMF Programme of Support Issues (3 Oct 2013)

Michael McGrath: 30. To ask the Minister for Finance the impact on homeowners seeking to negotiate a sustainable solution with their lender of the agreement between the Government and the troika to accelerate property repossessions as outlined in the most recent update to the memorandum of understanding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41440/13]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Revenue Commissioners Investigations (3 Oct 2013)

Michael McGrath: 78. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will provide in tabular form the number of revenue audits carried out each year from 2008 to 2013; the revenue raised from such audits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41643/13]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Reliefs Cost (3 Oct 2013)

Michael McGrath: 79. To ask the Minister for Finance the yield that would be generated from standard rating the tax relief for expenses allowable to employees under Schedule E; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41644/13]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: National Treasury Management Agency Deposits (3 Oct 2013)

Michael McGrath: 81. To ask the Minister for Finance the current average interest rate earned by the National Treasury Management Agency on its cash balance; the actual average interest earned by the NTMA on its cash balance in 2012; the current average interest rate on the general Government debt; the current average interest rate on the State's Exchequer debt; and if he will make a statement on the matter....

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Services Provision (3 Oct 2013)

Michael McGrath: 99. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide details of grant support available in respect of special needs children of pre-school age attending early intervention units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41572/13]

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Invalidity Pension Appeals (3 Oct 2013)

Michael McGrath: 143. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an invalidity pension appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [41691/13]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Bullying in Schools (8 Oct 2013)

Michael McGrath: 104. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide detail of the anti-bullying initiative he announced last month; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42242/13]