Results 20,621-20,640 of 27,945 for speaker:Michael McGrath

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Overview of Banking Sector: Central Bank (26 Nov 2014)

Michael McGrath: The main criticism that could be made is that a young couple or person who is starting out and trying to take out a first mortgage to buy a home might pay €300,000, particularly in the Dublin area. At a time when that person is renting in the private market where rents are rising substantially, it is exceptionally difficult to have to save up for a deposit, let alone a 20% one of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Overview of Banking Sector: Central Bank (26 Nov 2014)

Michael McGrath: My final question in the limited time available to me is on the proposal for a mortgage indemnity guarantee or mortgage insurance. What role could it play in meeting part of the minimum deposit requirement that is being set out by the Central Bank? As soon as the Governor made his proposals public, the Government seemed to float the idea of the mortgage indemnity guarantee, perhaps as a way...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Overview of Banking Sector: Central Bank (26 Nov 2014)

Michael McGrath: I welcome the Governor, Professor Honohan, today. I thank him for his response to the detailed information sought by the committee and his ongoing co-operation. I will begin with the issue of standard variable interest rates for mortgage holders, which the Governor dealt with in the early part of his opening statement. I get the impression from what the Governor said that he believes rates...

Finance Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (26 Nov 2014)

Michael McGrath: I move amendment No. 31:In page 70, to delete lines 24 to 37, and in page 71, to delete lines 1 to 30.This amendment relates to section 42, which proposes the abolition of the double Irish in respect of corporation tax. This matter was discussed at some length on Committee Stage but I just want to reiterate my perspective on it. As the Minister of State is aware, certainty is a much sought...

Finance Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (26 Nov 2014)

Michael McGrath: As the Minister of State knows, I support this initiative. I am frustrated that it is still not up and running two years after its announcement. As I stated on Committee Stage, my city of Cork could benefit significantly from it. Our city has seen its population decline in recent years. We need the scheme up and running. The scheme is called the "living city initiative". In all cases,...

Finance Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (26 Nov 2014)

Michael McGrath: It may not sit very comfortably with us as a people but in reality the countries we compete with for inward investment use tools such as SARP. I support it on condition that it does deliver the promised employment dividend. Deputy Doherty’s amendment is quite modest because it is looking for timely information on how SARP is doing. It would save us all tabling a lot of parliamentary...

Finance Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (26 Nov 2014)

Michael McGrath: Deputy Donnelly had spoken on amendment No. 6 and the Minister was to respond but I will recap briefly. The amendment relates to the single person child care tax credit, which replaced the one parent family tax credit last year. As a result of the change in last year's budget, some parents were out of pocket to the tune of €2,500 - €1,650 by virtue of the loss of the credit...

Finance Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (26 Nov 2014)

Michael McGrath: I thank the Minister of State for his reply, which was reasonably positive and I accept it in good faith. As he will know, under the existing arrangements, it is possible in certain circumstances for the primary carer to transfer the credit in full to the secondary carer. That would arise if, for example, the primary carer does not have any employment income and has no use for the tax...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Water Charges Administration (26 Nov 2014)

Michael McGrath: 43. To ask the Minister for Social Protection whether the €100 payment in respect of water charges will be administered by means of a new scheme or an extension of an existing scheme; the annual administrative cost associated with the payment; if additional staff will be required to implement the scheme; the means by which persons will receive the payment; and if she will make a...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Proposed Legislation (26 Nov 2014)

Michael McGrath: 53. To ask the Minister for Finance when legislation will be enacted to protect mortgage holders whose loans have been bought by unregulated third parties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45487/14]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Revenue Commissioners Resources (26 Nov 2014)

Michael McGrath: 55. To ask the Minister for Finance the arrangements in place for members of the public to call into the Revenue Commissioners office in Blackpool, Cork city, and have their queries answered; if he will provide the other options that customers can have queries addressed; if there is a dedicated phone line for tax professionals to contact the Revenue Commissioners on behalf of clients; and if...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Irish Water Funding (26 Nov 2014)

Michael McGrath: 56. To ask the Minister for Finance the amount Irish Water has drawn down from its loan facility with the NPRF; the full amount of the loan facility; the period of time over which it will be repaid; the interest rate that applies to the loan; if penalty clauses apply in respect of the facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45545/14]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: IMF Loan Issues (26 Nov 2014)

Michael McGrath: 57. To ask the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the forthcoming parliamentary votes in other EU jurisdictions to facilitate Ireland in early repayment of IMF loan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45546/14]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Central Bank of Ireland Investigations (26 Nov 2014)

Michael McGrath: 58. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will provide a list of all fines greater than €100,000 imposed by the Central Bank of Ireland on financial institutions over the past six years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45548/14]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Credits (26 Nov 2014)

Michael McGrath: 59. To ask the Minister for Finance the cost of extending the home carer's tax credit to cohabiting couples with dependent children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45549/14]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Banking Sector Remuneration (26 Nov 2014)

Michael McGrath: 60. To ask the Minister for Finance the status of AIB's request to be allowed to change policy in relation to paying bonuses to staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45550/14]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Ireland Strategic Investment Fund Investments (26 Nov 2014)

Michael McGrath: 61. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will provide a list of the investments undertaken by the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund to date in 2014; the level of employment supported; the cash balance currently within the discretionary portfolio of the NPRF; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45551/14]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Mortgage Arrears Rate (26 Nov 2014)

Michael McGrath: 62. To ask the Minister for Finance if a person in mortgage arrears who has the arrears capitalised as part of an arrangement with their bank will no longer appear on the Central Bank of Ireland and his Department's statistics as being in arrears; his views that this gives a potentially misleading picture of the true nature of mortgage difficulties in the country; and if he will make a...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Commercial Rates (26 Nov 2014)

Michael McGrath: 65. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding the application of local authority rates to playschool facilities; his plans to introduce a legislation change in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45533/14]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: International Education (26 Nov 2014)

Michael McGrath: 135. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to press ahead with the regulatory reform for the international student sector in January 2015; if the impact on the sector has been assessed by her Department; the consultation that has taken place with the sector on the proposals; if her Department has estimated the number of private colleges which will close as a result of these...