Results 21,701-21,720 of 27,945 for speaker:Michael McGrath

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Aids and Appliances Applications (15 May 2014)

Michael McGrath: 227. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding an application for glasses in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [21903/14]

Establishment of Joint Committee of Inquiry into the Banking Crisis: Motion (14 May 2014)

Michael McGrath: I am pleased to have an opportunity to contribute to the debate on the motion establishing a joint committee to hold an inquiry into the banking crisis. Although I very much support the holding of such an inquiry, this is not the type of inquiry I would have established. It has one hand tied behind its back before it starts because it will be, by definition, a political inquiry conducted by...

Establishment of Joint Committee of Inquiry into the Banking Crisis: Motion (14 May 2014)

Michael McGrath: They must be brought before the inquiry and asked the hard questions by the members of the team as to why they radically departed from the traditional banking model in the years leading up to the crisis. What were the credit committees doing? Why was there no proper assessment of risk in those institutions? Why were they relying on cheap money on the inter-bank markets and lending it out...

Establishment of Joint Committee of Inquiry into the Banking Crisis: Motion (14 May 2014)

Michael McGrath: The former president of the ECB does not seem inclined to come before the inquiry. While there is national responsibility and all the parties must be held to account, there is also international responsibility, particularly regarding the role of the ECB. As a Fianna Fáil representative on the inquiry team, I am not going to protect anybody. When former members of the previous...

Other Questions: Health Insurance Regulation (14 May 2014)

Michael McGrath: 8. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on Government plans for the VHI; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21256/14]

Other Questions: Health Insurance Regulation (14 May 2014)

Michael McGrath: This question is to ask the Minister for Health to provide an update on the Government's plans for the VHI. Essentially, the Minister should advise the House on whether the VHI has yet applied for Central Bank authorisation and if not, when that is expected to happen and whether direct Exchequer support will be required as part of the process.

Other Questions: Health Insurance Regulation (14 May 2014)

Michael McGrath: I thank the Minister for his reply and I welcome that the VHI's application for Central Bank authorisation is to be lodged at the end of this week, as well as the indication that no additional Exchequer support will be required. The question also concerned the broader future of the VHI and obviously, with universal health insurance looming on the horizon, what impact does the Minister...

Other Questions: Health Insurance Regulation (14 May 2014)

Michael McGrath: In response, I make the point that the policyholders have not been protected. They have not been protected by the Government, which slashed the tax relief people had enjoyed on their health insurance premia. Many people, particularly elderly people, have seen significant hikes in their health insurance premia directly because of Government decisions. While it is fine to blame it all on the...

Other Questions: Health Insurance Regulation (14 May 2014)

Michael McGrath: The problem is the pressure is on the policyholders.

Other Questions: Medical Card Eligibility (14 May 2014)

Michael McGrath: A cruel system.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Universal Health Insurance Provision (14 May 2014)

Michael McGrath: 37. To ask the Minister for Health the budget he has in place to facilitate the introduction of universal health insurance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21257/14]

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Care Services Inspections (14 May 2014)

Michael McGrath: 224. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason a private preschool in County Cork is being asked for Garda clearance for an employee who is employed for the last year and a half in the preschool. [21801/14]

Order of Business (13 May 2014)

Michael McGrath: The recent collapse of Setanta Insurance left approximately 75,000 policyholders out of pocket. It subsequently transpired that the company is regulated in Malta, rather than Ireland. This is the third serious case involving an insurance company in recent years. Royal Sun Alliance was found to have under-provided for future claims and an issue also arose with regard to Quinn Insurance....

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Reliefs Cost (13 May 2014)

Michael McGrath: 183. To ask the Minister for Finance the number of persons who received tax relief on pension contributions in 2012 and 2013; the total tax expenditure associated with pension tax relief in each year; the average level of relief received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21111/14]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Universal Social Charge Exemptions (13 May 2014)

Michael McGrath: 184. To ask the Minister for Finance the cost in 2015 of retaining the exemption which is due to expire on 1 January 2015 from the 7% rate of universal social charge for those on medical cards who have an aggregate income below €60,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21112/14]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Universal Social Charge Exemptions (13 May 2014)

Michael McGrath: 203. To ask the Minister for Finance the yield that would be realised from retaining in 2015 the 10% rate of USC for self employed persons earning more than €100,000 per annum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21220/14]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Financial Transactions Tax (13 May 2014)

Michael McGrath: 185. To ask the Minister for Finance the current status of plans for a financial transactions tax under the EU's enhanced co-operation mechanism; the Government's view on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21113/14]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Rebates (13 May 2014)

Michael McGrath: 190. To ask the Minister for Finance if a tax refund is due in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin. [21159/14]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Banks Recapitalisation (13 May 2014)

Michael McGrath: 200. To ask the Minister for Finance the implications of the European Commission's approval of the AIB restructuring plan for the Government's efforts to achieve a deal on retrospective recapitalisation of the banks including AIB; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21216/14]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Small and Medium Enterprises Debt (13 May 2014)

Michael McGrath: 201. To ask the Minister for Finance the percentage of restructured small and medium enterprise loans which are adhering to the terms of their restructuring; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21217/14]