Written answers
Wednesday, 4 February 2015
- Department of Finance
- Corporation Tax Regime
10. To ask the Minister for Finance the position regarding the formal investigation being undertaken by the European Commission into Ireland's corporation tax arrangements with a company (details...
- Real Estate Investment Trusts
11. To ask the Minister for Finance the cost each year of tax exemptions for real estate investment trusts; and if he will report on the impact of REITs on the housing market. [4697/15]
- Home Repossession
12. To ask the Minister for Finance the measures he will bring forward to prevent banks moving to repossess family home before all other solutions have been exhausted; and if he will make a...
- European Council Meetings
13. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will report on the most recent ECOFIN meeting. [4693/15]
- Bank Restructuring
14. To ask the Minister for Finance when the European Commission will deliver its response to the restructuring proposals for Permanent TSB; when the bank will raise the capital it requires under...
- Tax Code
15. To ask the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 25 of 3 December 2014 the progress made since the beginning of 2015 on the public consultation on the introduction of a...
- Tax Exemptions
16. To ask the Minister for Finance her views on ending the artist tax exemption for artists who are already in receipt of large incomes and funding. [46868/14]
- Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland
17. To ask the Minister for Finance his views on the performance of the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4674/15]
- European Central Bank
18. To ask the Minister for Finance the way the ECB’s quantitative easing programme will be implemented by the Central Bank of Ireland and the ECB; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Fuel Laundering
19. To ask the Minister for Finance the progress made to date in investigations into petrol stretching; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4607/15]
- Tax Code
20. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will review the tax code which provides for the singling out of the self-employed for payment of a higher rate of universal social charge and its...
- Mortgage Arrears Rate
21. To ask the Minister for Finance his views on the level of mortgage arrears and on the increased rate of repossessions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4694/15]
- Credit Unions Restructuring
22. To ask the Minister for Finance if he is satisfied with the pace of restructuring in the credit union sector; his views that the lending restrictions are having a detrimental impact on the...
- Economic Growth
23. To ask the Minister for Finance if he discussed with Christine Lagarde at their recent meeting in Dublin, economic stagnation in Europe and the IMF's downgrading of growth prospects for...
- Debt Conference
24. To ask the Minister for Finance if he discussed with Christine Lagarde at their recent meeting in Dublin, the suggestion of Syriza in Greece that a debt conference should be held to discuss...
- Water Conservation Grant
26. To ask the Minister for Finance his views that the EU Commission water conservation grant amounts to an Exchequer transfer to Irish Water and the implications a similar finding from EUROSTAT...
- NAMA Assets Sale
27. To ask the Minister for Finance if he has had direct discussions with US private equity funds which have purchased circa. 90% of the assets sold by the National Asset Management Agency, with...
- Tax Code
28. To ask the Minister for Finance the way the planned tax cuts in 2016 announced by him will be in line with the expenditure benchmark and the Stability and Growth Pact. [4652/15]
- VAT Rate Application
29. To ask the Minister for Finance if in his position as a member of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council the issue of an examination and review of the VAT directives will be raised with...
- IBRC Operations
30. To ask the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 220 of 16 December 2014, if he will indicate if, notwithstanding the commercial independence of Irish Bank Resolution...
- Banking Sector
31. To ask the Minister for Finance the consultations he or his Department has had with AIB management concerning the recently announced intention to outsource jobs and other industrial relations...
- NAMA Social Housing Provision
33. To ask the Minister for Finance his views on whether the National Asset Management Agency is providing adequate support for the provision of social housing; and if he will make a statement on...
- Mortgage Repayments
34. To ask the Minister for Finance the extent to which he can influence lending institutions particularly those that have acquired loan books from original lenders to give particular...
- Bank Branch Closures
35. To ask the Minister for Finance the action he will take to offset the negative impact of Ulster Bank branch and sub-office closures on the local banking system here. [4692/15]
- Property Tax Exemptions
36. To ask the Minister for Finance the discussions he has had with the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government in relation to simplifying the criteria for the way a homeowner...
- Tax Code
37. To ask the Minister for Finance the position regarding the extension of the artist tax exemption to non-resident artists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47011/14]
- IBRC Liquidation
38. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will provide an update in relation to the special liquidation of Irish Bank Resolution Corporation; when the special liquidation process will be fully...
- Banking Sector Staff
39. To ask the Minister for Finance his views on the failure of AIB to honour an agreement on pensions with EBS staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4695/15]
- Mortgage Arrears Proposals
40. To ask the Minister for Finance the actions he will take to ensure that mortgage holders who are in distress who are proactively engaging with banks to resolve their problems receive a fair...
- Economic Growth
41. To ask the Minister for Finance the extent to which he expects the economy in this country to be affected by a change in economic priorities in Greece or knock-on effect in other eurozone...
- Tax Code
42. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will report on the Revenue Commissioners' compliance programme regarding the transfer of pensions funds off-shore; and if an audit of overseas pension...
- NAMA Operations
43. To ask the Minister for Finance his plans for winding down the National Asset Management Agency and for making it more accountable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4703/15]
- European Council Meetings
44. To ask the Minister for Finance the position regarding the decision made at the EU Council meeting in December 2014 regarding the €500 million disbursement to Ukraine; and if he will...
- Ministerial Meetings
45. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will report on his meeting with the managing director of the IMF Christine Lagarde; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4298/15]
- Department of Social Protection
- Community Employment Schemes Data
46. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she is introducing a new community employment health care training and development programme for community employment participants in the health...
- Carer's Allowance Appeals
47. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a carer's allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the...
- Social Welfare Code
48. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding self-employed persons who wish to employ their spouse and pay the normal class A PRSI; and if she will make a statement on the...
- Domiciliary Care Allowance Payments
49. To ask the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive their domiciliary care allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5153/15]
- State Pension (Contributory) Eligibility
50. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding entitlement to payment of pro-rata contributory pensions where the applicant does not meet the full 520 contribution...
- Department of Finance
- Pensions Levy
51. To ask the Minister for Finance his views on whether the assertion of the Pensions Ombudsman to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance and Public Expenditure that the imposition of a 0.6%...
- Tax Credits
52. To ask the Minister for Finance his views regarding whether it is appropriate that the Revenue Commissioners would deduct the tax credits of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin...
- Pensions Levy Yield
53. To ask the Minister for Finance the final yield from the 0.75% pension fund levy in 2014; the way this compared to the projected yield at budget time; and if he will make a statement on the...
- NAMA Operations
55. To ask the Minister for Finance if the National Asset Management Agency has a finder's fee arrangement in place with certain debtors who are in control of retail or office units for securing...
- Tax Collection
56. To ask the Minister for Finance if an arrangement for the repayment of arrears of tax in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Laois will be continued to allow the business to...
- Economic Competitiveness
57. To ask the Minister for Finance the extent to which this economy continues to remain competitive when compared to other competing jurisdictions within the EU and without; and if he will make...
- Mortgage Arrears Rate
58. To ask the Minister for Finance the extent to which he and his Department continues to monitor the situation in regard to mortgage arrears with particular reference to the need to ensure that...
- Bank Charges
59. To ask the Minister for Finance the extent to which he and his Department continue to monitor the levels of bank charges being imposed by various banks; the basis for such charges, nationally...
- Loan Books Purchasers
60. To ask the Minister for Finance the degree to which his Department monitors the activities of unregulated purchasers of loan books; if he is satisfied that such third parties are operating in...
- Economic Growth
61. To ask the Minister for Finance the extent to which he remains satisfied that all economic indicators remain positive and if so the likely benefit arising therefrom now and in the future; and...
- House Prices
62. To ask the Minister for Finance the degree to which his Department monitors house property prices with particular reference to the need to ensure that such prices do not become a major...
- Economic Growth
63. To ask the Minister for Finance the extent to which he and his EU colleagues have evaluated the economic benefit of a drop in oil prices with particular reference to the extent to which this...
- Banks Recapitalisation
64. To ask the Minister for Finance the extent of any further relief in respect of legacy debt through the aegis of the EU-IMF or otherwise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5173/15]
- Credit Availability
65. To ask the Minister for Finance the extent to which his Department monitors credit needs throughout all aspects of the business sector without exception; if he is satisfied that these needs...
- Mortgage Lending
66. To ask the Minister for Finance if he is satisfied regarding the extent to which lending agencies are meeting the borrowing requirements of homeowners; the extent to which such loan...
- Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
- Pension Provisions
69. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if, in relation to the deadline of 30 June 2015 for the provision under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2013...
- Government Expenditure
70. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 224 of 27 January 2015, if there is a section in his Department that retains data relating to all...
- Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation
- Action Plan for Jobs
71. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of action plans for jobs launched by this Government since taking office; if he will provide details of their locations and...
- Industrial Relations
73. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the options open to a person to ensure that a decision of the Rights Commissioner under the auspices of the Labour Relations...
- Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
- Beef Data Programme
74. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding a beef data scheme 2014 in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a...
- Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments
75. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when persons (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive their agri-environment options scheme payments; the reason for the delay...
- GLAS Eligibility
76. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a decision will be made on the eligibility of agricultural qualifications for green low-carbon environment scheme planners,...
- Rural Environment Protection Scheme Payments
77. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive their rural environment protection scheme payment. [5087/15]
- Single Payment Scheme Appeals
78. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) has not been paid their single payment scheme moneys for 2012, 2013 and 2014; the basis it is...
- Agri-Environment Options Scheme Appeals
79. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the relevant file in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway will be sent by his Department to the agricultural...
- Department of Defence
- Overseas Missions
80. To ask the Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a Spanish soldier on UN peacekeeping duty was killed during Israeli shelling of southern Lebanon; if Irish...
- Defence Forces Recruitment
81. To ask the Minister for Defence his plans to have a recruitment drive for the Army. [5152/15]
- Department of Justice and Equality
- Garda Vetting Applications
82. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding Garda vetting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5041/15]
- Commissions of Inquiry
83. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the proposed commission of inquiry into the death of a person (details supplied) in 1976 as recommended by the Joint...
- Magdalen Laundries
84. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of women who have received the maximum amount of compensation afforded under the restorative justice scheme for the survivors of the...
- Alcohol Sales
92. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the sale of alcohol on Good Friday; the reasons for the continued prohibition of the sale of alcohol on this day; her plans...
- Probation and Welfare Service
93. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality , under the provisions of the employment control framework, the specific minimum and maximum numbers of positions in each grade for the Probation...
- Garda Operations
94. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will report on Garda operation Acer; the number of persons arrested and charged to date under this operation; the number of successful...
- Garda Deployment
95. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide in tabular form the number of gardaí allocated to the Garda traffic corps in the years 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and to date...
- Garda Transport Data
96. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide in tabular form the number of marked and unmarked Garda cars, marked and unmarked vans, and marked motorcycles that were...
- Ministerial Correspondence
97. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding a murder case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5160/15]
- Department of Children and Youth Affairs
- Adoption Authority of Ireland
98. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the accountability and reporting obligations of the Adoption Authority of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5143/15]
- Child Protection
99. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will arrange for a detailed response to be issued by the Health Service Executive to a letter sent to child protection services by a...
- School Completion Programme
100. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if funding for school completion programmes will be ring-fenced for 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5072/15]
- Child and Family Agency
103. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when the Child and Family Agency will publish its 2015 business plan; the reason the 2015 business plan has not been published yet; and if...
- School Completion Programme
104. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when the review of the school completion programme will be published; the progress of the review to date; and if he will make a statement...
- Department of Health
- Magdalen Laundries
105. To ask the Minister for Health the progress that has been made to date on the mechanism to deal with health care for survivors of the Magdalene Laundries who live overseas, as referred to by...
- HSE Reports
106. To ask the Minister for Health if the breaches outlined in the Health Service Executive internal audit of the Positive Action group were attributed to expenses incurred under the HAA cards...
- Grant Payments
117. To ask the Minister for Health his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding a grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5025/15]
- Mental Health Services Provision
118. To ask the Minister for Health the facilities available in counties Carlow and Wicklow for persons under 18 years of age who may be suffering from mental health difficulties; the way to...
- Cancer Screening Programmes
119. To ask the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding mammography; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5039/15]
- Hospital Waiting Lists
120. To ask the Minister for Health when a medical operation will take place in respect of a person (details supplied) from County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5045/15]
- Departmental Functions
121. To ask the Minister for Health if there is assistance for medical card holders who have experienced a chimney fire to help with fire brigade charges; and if he will make a statement on the...
- Orthodontic Service Waiting Lists
122. To ask the Minister for Health if he will ensure a person (details supplied) receives an appointment for orthodontic care without further delay as that person has been waiting for over two...
- Hospital Waiting Lists
123. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding a hospital appointment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5063/15]
- Audiology Services Provision
124. To ask the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Offaly who has been on an audiology waiting list for over a year will be called for treatment; and if he will make a...
- Nursing Home Services
125. To ask the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding nursing homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5093/15]
- HSE Reports
126. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 705 of 4 November 2014, if the Health Service Executive have provided him with a report on this matter as requested; and...
- Health Services
127. To ask the Minister for Health if he will ensure that interim support is provided in respect of a child (details supplied) in Dublin 11 who was referred to the early intervention team in...
- Services for People with Disabilities
129. To ask the Minister for Health the amount of funding that was provided for Network First Domiciliary Service (details supplied) in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014; and if he will make a statement...
- Medical Card Applications
130. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card in respect of a perosn (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5124/15]
- Hospice Services
131. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the provision of a hospice in County Wicklow; the status of the application; if it has received approval; the location of same; and if...
- Hospital Waiting Lists
132. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular form, the details of patients on waiting lists in Waterford University Hospital, for outpatient appointments, inpatient...
- Nursing Homes Support Scheme Review
133. To ask the Minister for Health the reason for the ongoing delay in publishing the review of the nursing home support scheme; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that those making...
- Hospital Waiting Lists
134. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular form, the number of persons currently on the waiting list to see a consultant cardiologist at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9; the...
- Hospital Appointment Status
135. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular form, the number of patients who failed to turn up for appointments, or alert hospitals of their inability to attend in public...
- Medicinal Products Availability
136. To ask the Minister for Health if he will confirm that Sativex has been sanctioned for use on the Irish market; the date it will become available on the medical card; and if he will make a...
- Hospital Procedures
137. To ask the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Waterford will receive treatment for Dupuytren's contracture, having waited four and a half years for assessment;...
- Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
- UN Conventions
138. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when Ireland will ratify the optional protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights; and if he will make a...
- Visa Applications
139. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding visa requirements for residents in the Dominican Republic who wish to enter Ireland for holiday purposes; the Irish...
- Department of Education and Skills
- School Staffing
140. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when a decision will issue on an appeal in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Waterford to have its concessionary post retained;...
- Student Grant Scheme Eligibility
141. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a Student Universal Support Ireland grant was refused in respect of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on...
- Third Level Institutions
143. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 797 of 14 January 2015 if, now that the study into pay scales at the Tyndall Institute in University...
- Special Educational Needs Service Provision
144. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department will support the creation of an autism spectrum disorder unit in a school (details supplied) in County Meath; and if she will...
- School Closures
145. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide in tabular form the number of school closures in County Cork since 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5064/15]
- Primary Online Database
146. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will address concerns regarding the new primary online database in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5; and if she will...
- Third Level Fees
153. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if Irish students who moved outside of the European Union for a number of years and completed their primary and secondary education abroad will...
- Special Educational Needs Service Provision
155. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a child (details supplied) in County Kildare cannot be facilitated in an appropriate second level school closer than 50 km from that...
- Schools Building Projects Expenditure
156. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the amount of capital invested in the construction of new school facilities at Bandon town, County Cork, for each of the past four years; and if...
- Child Safety
157. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to any schools using prone restraints on pupils who have autism and other complex needs; if her attention has...
- Schools Building Projects Status
158. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans for a new building in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Galway; when planning was granted for the building; the schedule...
- Special Educational Needs Service Provision
159. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the substantial concerns from teachers regarding the implementation of a new system for the allocation of...
- Departmental Expenditure
160. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the amount of funding spent on the Reading Recovery programme in primary schools for each year from 2010 to 2014; the amount of funding available...
- Department of Environment, Community and Local Government
- Litter Pollution
161. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will support a matter (details supplied) regarding dog fouling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5159/15]
- Water Conservation Grant
162. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the arrangements to be put in place for the administration and the payment of the new conservation grant; the timeframe...
- Social and Affordable Housing Provision
163. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide information on plans by his Department to initiate a social housing building programme in County Louth...
- Building Regulations
164. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government in relation to the building of a domestic extension for a family member and two small children who were made homeless and...
- Development Contributions
165. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if local authority development contribution schemes for residential extensions should make provision, that is exemption,...
- Housing Adaptation Grant Funding
166. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide details of funding to Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council for the adaptation of council homes...
- Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
- Broadband Service Provision
167. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding broadband. [5060/15]
- Wind Energy Guidelines
169. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when the revised guidelines on wind farms will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5138/15]
- Wind Energy Generation
170. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in view of the established technologies now associated with the generation of electricity from wind energy, his views on...
- Energy Prices
171. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has had discussions with his EU colleagues regarding the need for the reduced cost of oil on world markets to be...
- Telecommunications Services Provision
172. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which his Department monitors the efficacy of the telecommunications sector in its entirety in ensuring...
- Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport
- State Bodies Code of Practice
173. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will confirm that the revised Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies 2009 was adhered to when the Government agency...
- National Car Test
174. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding persons who booked their national car test well in advance on its renewal date but were unable to secure an...
- Ports Development
175. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 1129 of 4 November, 2014 details of the further spending made by the Drogheda Port Company on the...
- Penalty Points System
177. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to amend the penalty point regulations to make the traffic offence of breach of weight restrictions traffic management an...
- Road Projects
178. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will include the M20 Cork to Limerick motorway scheme in the statutory planning approval process, as his attention has been drawn...
- Taxi Regulations
179. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the 547 submissions made to the National Transport Authority as part of the public consultation on the taxi fare increase, known as...
- Cycling Facilities Funding
180. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has received an application for funding from a group (details supplied) for €100,000 for a cycle path; and if he will make a...
- Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht
- Waterways Issues
181. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her attention has been drawn to concerns regarding the lack of dredging on the lateral canals of the River Barrow and overgrown...
