Results 23,681-23,700 of 27,945 for speaker:Michael McGrath

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Black Economy Issues (26 Mar 2013)

Michael McGrath: To ask the Minister for Finance the estimated cost to the Exchequer each year of black economy activity by sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15095/13]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: National Pensions Reserve Fund (26 Mar 2013)

Michael McGrath: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will set out in tabular form the impact on the general Government balance of revenue earned and gains/losses realised by the National Pension Reserve Fund in each year since its inception; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15146/13]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Physical Education Facilities (26 Mar 2013)

Michael McGrath: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department will consider providing part funding towards the development of a new physical education hall at a primary school (details supplied) in County Cork. [14880/13]

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Code Issues (26 Mar 2013)

Michael McGrath: To ask the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 105 of 31 January 2013, the main eligibility categories included under other children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15329/13]

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Medical Card Applications (26 Mar 2013)

Michael McGrath: To ask the Minister for Health if the medical assessors who assess the medical aspect of medical card applications are qualified doctors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14947/13]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Correspondence (26 Mar 2013)

Michael McGrath: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 231 of 31 January 2013, if he will arrange for his Department to write to the person concerned as indicated in the reply. [14750/13]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Network (26 Mar 2013)

Michael McGrath: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide details of the amount of money spent by local authorities in 2011, 2012 and the expected spend in 2013 on the purchase of land to facilitate future road projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14885/13]

Other Questions: Bank Debt Restructuring (21 Mar 2013)

Michael McGrath: The essence of this question is credit. As we know, the banks are deleveraging through the sale of their portfolios of loan assets, mainly abroad, and also by not giving out new credit. Last year, the Government set targets for credit given by the pillar banks to the SME sector. The banks say, and the Credit Review Office confirms, that they gave out €8 billion of lending last year...

Other Questions: Bank Debt Restructuring (21 Mar 2013)

Michael McGrath: The problem at present is that households are trying to pay back debt, the Government is trying to reduce its overall indebtedness and the banks are trying to reduce theirs. The combination of all of that makes economic recovery much more difficult. I accept there are a number of reasons that credit is not flowing as we would like it to. Part of it is that the banks do not have an...

Other Questions: Mortgage Arrears (21 Mar 2013)

Michael McGrath: The targets that have been set are targets for the number of solutions proposed by the banks by June, September and December, respectively. It is critical that the Central Bank sets binding targets for the conclusion of agreements with borrowers. We must move into that space because the banks will be allowed to propose sustainable solutions involving interest only repayments or having...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: IBRC Liquidation (21 Mar 2013)

Michael McGrath: It is reasonable to ask why they did not transfer it out. The answer probably is that it was Government policy that there would be a gradual wind down of IBRC up to 2020. This particular tracker bond, as the Minister calls it, was due to mature over the next number of months so they had a reasonable expectation that it would be allowed to mature in full and they would realise the full value...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: IBRC Liquidation (21 Mar 2013)

Michael McGrath: To ask the Minister for Finance the action he will take to address the losses incurred by credit unions and other fixed deposit holders arising directly from the liquidation of Irish Bank Resolution Corporation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14405/13]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: IBRC Liquidation (21 Mar 2013)

Michael McGrath: I thank the Minister for the reply. This issue is one of the unforeseen consequences of the liquidation of IBRC or at least it was unforeseen on this side of the House, because Members were not aware of it in advance. While this is not a disaster for the credit union sector as a whole, it is a significant issue for the credit unions affected. The Minister has confirmed the involvement of...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Mortgage Arrears Proposals (21 Mar 2013)

Michael McGrath: Yes.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Mortgage Arrears Proposals (21 Mar 2013)

Michael McGrath: To ask the Minister for Finance the way he will ensure that the balance in power between financial institutions and distressed borrowers is not altered in favour of the financial institutions as a result of recently announced measures to deal with the mortgage arrears crisis; if he will commit to putting in place clear guidelines as to what a sustainable solution means for borrowers in terms...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Mortgage Arrears Proposals (21 Mar 2013)

Michael McGrath: I thank the Minister for his reply. My fear following last week's announcement about restructuring of mortgages is that it very much puts the banks in the driving seat. The banks will now be judge, jury and executioner when it comes to dealing with the individual mortgage account of any family in the country. When one looks at the requirement to put a sustainable solution in place, the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Mortgage Arrears Proposals (21 Mar 2013)

Michael McGrath: The Minister often refers to the independence of the Central Bank and states that an independent body oversees mortgages. This is true in that it provides the overall framework, but it does not get down to the level of individual mortgages and arbitration between mortgage holders and banks to achieve fair solutions, and ultimately this is the weakness in the strategy. I wish to ask about...

Order of Business (21 Mar 2013)

Michael McGrath: There are reports that the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Shatter, and the new head of the insolvency service will next week publish minimum income guidelines to be used in assessing people's indebtedness in an effort to formulate solutions for such people. They will apparently deal with issues such as whether people may keep a second car, go on holiday or have a Sky Sports...

Order of Business (21 Mar 2013)

Michael McGrath: That is a great contribution.

Order of Business (21 Mar 2013)

Michael McGrath: What a waste of hot air.