Results 24,341-24,360 of 27,945 for speaker:Michael McGrath

Written Answers — Department of Finance: National Treasury Management Agency (20 Nov 2012)

Michael McGrath: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will provide details of the employees of the National Treasury Management Agency including the National Asset Management Agency who have taken a voluntary pay reduction and to show their official salary, their reduced salary; if he will confirm which is their pensionable salary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51530/12]

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Voluntary Redundancies (20 Nov 2012)

Michael McGrath: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if it is his objective to seek uniformity in the redundancy terms offered across the public service and the commercial semi-State sector; if he will provide any guidelines that have been issued to commercial State companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51497/12]

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Universal Social Charge (20 Nov 2012)

Michael McGrath: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide details of the health levy element of the PRSI paid by employees in respect of 2009 and 2010 and, if she will explain, in view of the fact that the health levy was replaced in 2011 with the universal social charge, the element of an employee's PRSI and universal social charge in 2011 and 2012 that relates to health; and if she will...

Other Questions: European Banking Sector (15 Nov 2012)

Michael McGrath: What about the ESM?

Other Questions: Tax Yield (15 Nov 2012)

Michael McGrath: This is a critical month in terms of the Exchequer returns both for income tax and corporation tax. Overall, the figures are on target, which is to be welcomed. The corporation tax receipts in October were a concern and, while Revenue pointed out it was not unexpected, that is not the same as saying it is going to reverse over the coming months. I know from talking to many small business...

Other Questions: Tax Yield (15 Nov 2012)

Michael McGrath: I have one further question and if the Minister does not have the answer to hand, he can revert to me on it. The carry-forward effect into next year was estimated to be approximately €300 million but it has now reduced to some €220 million in a medium-term statement. Is there a particular reason for that €80 million drop-off?

Other Questions: European Banking Sector (15 Nov 2012)

Michael McGrath: The establishment of a banking union is an important development in itself. It is something we welcome. The key issue for Ireland is that the establishment of the single supervisory mechanism is a prerequisite for any direct recapitalisation of banks. It is a precondition of any deal on Ireland's investment in the main banks here. The Minister recently had a bilateral meeting in Dublin...

Other Questions: European Banking Sector (15 Nov 2012)

Michael McGrath: I ask the Minister, who is involved in the detailed discussions on the roll-out of the banking union, to give his best estimate of the date when it will be up and running and deemed to be effective. It will open the door to the possible use of the ESM to provide a deal for Ireland on banking debt. Will the Minister give us his view on when the necessary conditions for that to happen are...

Other Questions: NewERA Project (15 Nov 2012)

Michael McGrath: As the Minister is aware, it was promised that some 100,000 jobs would be delivered during a five year period as part of the NewERA project. He poured some cold water on that promise, describing it as a PR add-on when the plan was launched. The establishment of NewERA was announced 14 months ago, but it has still not been placed on a statutory basis. The more important question, however,...

Other Questions: NewERA Project (15 Nov 2012)

Michael McGrath: The key question is when will we see investments being rolled out through the strategic investment fund? Late last year a commitment of €250 million was made through the NPRF to the new investment fund. We were advised at the time that it was seeking up to €1 billion from institutional investors. Will the Minister update the House on the success NewERA has had so far? When...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Banking Sector Remuneration (15 Nov 2012)

Michael McGrath: To ask the Minister for Finance the steps he will take to bring the pay and pension entitlements of current and retired senior bank executives at the covered institutions to more realistic levels in order to reflect the level of State support for those institutions and the state of the economy at the present time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50718/12]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Banking Sector Remuneration (15 Nov 2012)

Michael McGrath: I do not want to get into the blame game. The Minister is aware that some of the current arrangements were put in place before the State intervened. Other arrangements were approved by the previous Government but this Government has also approved arrangements-----

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Banking Sector Remuneration (15 Nov 2012)

Michael McGrath: -----as was revealed last week in respect of the chief risk officer of IBRC-----

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Banking Sector Remuneration (15 Nov 2012)

Michael McGrath: -----who has a package of over €500,000. People want to know what we are going to do collectively to deal with the issue. The Minister cited legal and constitutional impediments. People are rightly angry at the level of pay and pensions paid to retired and serving bank executives. He has not given an indication on what he intends to do about the issue, other than a general statement...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Banking Sector Remuneration (15 Nov 2012)

Michael McGrath: I am asking what he is going to do about it.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Banking Sector Remuneration (15 Nov 2012)

Michael McGrath: It is clear that the bankers have an entirely different expectation of the review. When IBRC appeared before the Committee on Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform, it expressed the hope that the review would lead to pay increases because it finds it difficult at present to attract and retain the right staff. Will the Minister agree to taking legal advice on the aforementioned...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Budget Targets (15 Nov 2012)

Michael McGrath: To ask the Minister for Finance in view of the latest fiscal and macro-economic projections available, if an adjustment of €3.5 billion in Budget 2013 is still deemed the most appropriate and sufficient for the State to come within the deficit limits for 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50717/12]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Budget Targets (15 Nov 2012)

Michael McGrath: I thank the Minister for his response. The announcement yesterday that the projected adjustment in the budget will be no greater than €3.5 billion despite the reduction in the growth forecasts for next year and 2014 was a small crumb of comfort to people. The most disappointing aspect of yesterday's document was the recognition or acceptance that we will have unemployment of...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Budget Targets (15 Nov 2012)

Michael McGrath: It is to be welcomed overall that the deficit reduction programme is on target, but I imagine the Minister will accept that most people measure the strength of the economy by the number of jobs being created and the amount of disposable income in their pockets. I do not expect the Minister to reveal important elements of the budget today. People will seek reassurance and it is reasonable for...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: State Banking Sector (15 Nov 2012)

Michael McGrath: To ask the Minister for Finance the discussions he has had with banks to address the comments of the Central Bank Director of Credit Institutions and Insurance Supervision that the banks lacked the appropriate culture and skill set to deal with the mortgage crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50481/12]