Written answers

Wednesday, 1 April 2015

  • Department of Finance
    • Mortgage Arrears Report Implementation
      9. To ask the Minister for Finance his views on the latest Central Bank of Ireland release "Residential Mortgage Arrears and Repossessions Statistics: Quarter 2014" (details supplied) which shows...
    • Tax Compliance
      12. To ask the Minister for Finance in view of the scale of tax evasion revealed at HSBC Bank in Geneva by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, the reason Dáil...
    • Economic Growth Rate
      13. To ask the Minister for Finance the extent to which the economic fundamentals remain positive and on target; if he expects economic growth to continue; the anticipated economic benefit that...
    • Property Tax Exemptions
      14. To ask the Minister for Finance the reason residents are being contacted by the Revenue Commissioners in a very curt and inappropriate manner (details supplied) while trying to access their...
    • Betting Legislation
      15. To ask the Minister for Finance his views that gambling addiction is a very serious issue affecting a broad range of persons, including persons under 18 years of age who are betting...
    • Eurozone Crisis
      16. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will report on his discussions with other European Union Ministers for Finance regarding Greek debt and related agreements between Greece and the...
    • Credit Availability
      17. To ask the Minister for Finance his views on the European Commission staff working document (2015, 27 final) - Country Report Ireland 2015, which states that lending to Irish businesses...
    • Credit Unions Services
      18. To ask the Minister for Finance the potential he believes exists for the credit union movement to offer competition in areas traditionally dominated by banks such as mortgage lending. [13099/15]
    • Property Tax Exemptions
      19. To ask the Minister for Finance in view of the fact that homeowners who have been accepted onto the Government's pyrite remediation scheme cannot access legitimate entitlement to an exemption...
    • Mortgage Arrears Proposals
      20. To ask the Minister for Finance his plans to tackle the deteriorating situation in relation to sub-prime mortgages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13052/15]
    • Tax Code
      21. To ask the Minister for Finance his views on recent moves at European level towards the introduction of a common consolidated corporate tax base; and if he will make a statement on the...
    • European Fund for Strategic Investment
      23. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will provide a list of Irish projects which the Government has identified for drawing down funding from the European Commission’s €315...
    • Mortgage Arrears Report Implementation
      24. To ask the Minister for Finance his views on a revision of the code of conduct for mortgage arrears to prohibit the eviction from family homes and eviction of sitting tenants; and if he will...
    • Property Tax Data
      26. To ask the Minister for Finance the number of persons the Revenue Commissioners have taken legal action against over non-payment of the local property tax or household charge; and if he will...
    • IBRC Bond Issues
      27. To ask the Minister for Finance the position regarding the possible payment to junior bondholders at Irish bank Resolution Corporation. [12989/15]
    • IBRC Operations
      28. To ask the Minister for Finance in respect of the departmental review of the sale of Siteserv to Millington by the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation, the process that resulted in him being...
    • Knowledge Development Box
      29. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will report on the status of the knowledge development box initiative, as announced in budget 2015; the work to date on the initiative; and when it is...
    • Tax Code
      30. To ask the Minister for Finance if Ireland is making progress in efforts to combat illicit financial flows from low and middle-income countries; the steps he will take to place equitable tax...
    • IBRC Operations
      31. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will provide a detailed account of the dialogue which took place between his Department and the former Irish Bank Resolution Corporation in advance of,...
    • Tax Code
      32. To ask the Minister for Finance his views on the new proposals from the European Union on introducing a consolidated common corporation tax framework, in view of the potential impact of such...
    • Stability and Growth Pact
      33. To ask the Minister for Finance his views on the need for flexibility in the application of budgetary rules under the fiscal compact and the two pack; the flexibility he is seeking to...
    • Departmental Offices
      34. To ask the Minister for Finance his plans for the establishment of an office of budget statistics which would assist in costing proposals from Oireachtas Members and other interested parties;...
    • European Council Meetings
      35. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will report on the most recent meeting of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council, ECOFIN, with particular reference to the agreement between the...
    • Mortgage Debt
      36. To ask the Minister for Finance his views that the banking sector is acting with sufficient haste and concern to address the rising levels of mortgage debt; and if he will make a statement on...
    • Income Data
      37. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will provide the most up-to-date figures on the total earnings of the top 1%, 10% and 20% income categories, indicating for each category the number of...
    • Mortgage Interest Rates
      38. To ask the Minister for Finance the action he will take to make sure Irish mortgage holders are not paying uncompetitive and unfairly high interest rates on their mortgages. [13098/15]
    • NAMA Portfolio Value
      39. To ask the Minister for Finance the value of the National Asset Management Agency cash reserves; his plans for expenditure; the role he has in deciding how cash reserves are spent; and if he...
    • Mortgage Arrears Rate
      40. To ask the Minister for Finance his views on the reason the number of persons in long-term mortgage arrears over two years continues to rise; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
    • European Central Bank
      41. To ask the Minister for Finance the effect he believes quantitative easing will have on the Irish economy; and if he foresees Irish banks lending more to the real economy as a result. [13100/15]
    • Tax Compliance
      42. To ask the Minister for Finance the actions he and the Minister for Justice and Equality are taking in relation to any advice provided by Irish professionals and financial institutions in...
  • Department of Social Protection
    • Carer's Allowance Appeals
      43. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal for carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; when that person will receive a...
    • Pensions Legislation
      44. To ask the Minister for Social Protection when legislation will be brought forward in relation to the changes to the contributory State pension planned under the national pensions...
    • Rent Supplement Scheme Appeals
      45. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite consideration of an appeal for a rent supplement in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make...
  • Department of Finance
    • Fuel Laundering
      46. To ask the Minister for Finance if a system is in place to highlight to citizens the garages which have been involved in and prosecuted for selling laundered diesel, and the penalties imposed...
    • VAT Rate Application
      47. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will clarify the practice whereby some utilities offer credit or vouchers off a utility bill yet charge value added tax on the full pre-reduction price;...
    • Debt Restructuring
      48. To ask the Minister for Finance his views that an independent appeals process should be available to borrowers who are working with lenders to restructure their debts; if so, the way and when...
    • NAMA Property Leases
      49. To ask the Minister for Finance the number of the 370 applications received by the National Asset Management Agency under the rent abatement scheme that were received from debtors and from...
    • Mortgage Arrears Report Implementation
      52. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will formally request from Ulster Bank the details of its procedures for dealing with shortfall unsecured debt, consequent to the proceeds from the sale...
    • House Prices
      53. To ask the Minister for Finance the extent to which provision will be made to ensure that first time house buyers, or those currently without a family home, are not priced out of the market...
    • Economic Competitiveness
      54. To ask the Minister for Finance the extent to which this economy remains competitive in the context of all others throughout the European Union, both within and outside the eurozone; and if...
    • Economic Growth
      55. To ask the Minister for Finance the extent to which current economic indicators remain in line with best practice; the extent to which this is likely to generate positive economic activity...
    • Home Repossession
      56. To ask the Minister for Finance the steps required to prevent large scale repossessions of family homes where the borrowers are willing to make or continue to make payments within their means...
    • Tax Code
      57. To ask the Minister for Finance if he is satisfied that discussions in respect of a common consolidated corporate tax base at European level will not damage this country’s position as...
    • Economic Growth
      58. To ask the Minister for Finance the extent to which this country’s economic performance remains in line with best practice and expectations throughout the eurozone and the wider...
    • EU Membership
      59. To ask the Minister for Finance the extent to which his Department continues to monitor the ongoing situation which may lead the United Kingdom to exit the European Union; if he expects the...
    • Mortgage Arrears Rate
      60. To ask the Minister for Finance the extent to which his Department continues to monitor the situation in regard to mortgage arrears, with particular reference to family homes; and if he will...
    • Economic Policy
      61. To ask the Minister for Finance the extent to which any sector of the economy tends to overheat, having regard to previous experience; if corrective action is required on an ongoing basis;...
    • Bank Charges
      62. 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...
    • Credit Availability
      63. To ask the Minister for Finance the degree to which Government policy towards assisting small and medium sized enterprises, by way of enhanced lending for working capital or other purposes,...
  • Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
    • Public Procurement Contracts
      64. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if cross-Border procurement has increased; and if so, the amount by which it has increased since the Office of Government Procurement...
    • Flood Relief Schemes Applications
      65. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department will soon be in a position to approve the application by Wicklow County Council for remedial coastal protection works...
  • Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation
    • IDA Supports
      66. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation further to Parliamentary Question No. 315 of 24 March 2015, the way the Industrial Development Agency’s digital marketing...
  • Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
    • Fishing Industry Development
      67. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to provide additional supports for the fishing industry, following the reductions in the haddock quota by 12% and the cod...
    • Harbours and Piers Maintenance
      68. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will have the condition of the erosion damaged pier at Maharecs in Castlegregory in County Kerry investigated, as it is...
    • Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments
      69. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Limerick will be issued a payment under the agri-environment options scheme; and if he will...
    • Agriculture Schemes Payments
      71. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payments due to a person (details supplied) in County Galway in respect of 2014 will issue from his Department; and if he will...
    • Agriculture Schemes Administration
      72. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will establish a category of specific disadvantage under the national reserve for young farmers who established their holding...
    • Animal Welfare
      73. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to prevent a person (details supplied) in County Galway, who has recently been convicted of animal cruelty,...
    • Forestry Premium Payments
      74. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a payment under the forestry premium scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick has not issued;...
    • Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments
      75. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding a payment for 2014 under the disadvantaged areas scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County...
    • Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership
      76. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the reduction or elimination of import tariffs through an increase in a tariff rate quota under...
    • Agriculture Schemes Payments
      80. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payments will issue under the single payment scheme and the agri-environment options scheme for 2012, 2013 and 2014 in respect of...
    • Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments
      81. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment will issue under the 2014 disadvantaged areas scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; the...
  • Department of Defence
    • Naval Service Vessels
      82. To ask the Minister for Defence if he has examined the feasibility of selling the decommissioned naval vessel, LE Aoife; if he will report on the discussions with the Maltese authorities...
    • Defence Forces Operations
      83. To ask the Minister for Defence if there are any military personnel being trained here by the Defence Forces; if so, the states they come from; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
  • Department of Justice and Equality
    • Firearms and Ammunition Security
      84. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality further to the Garda Síochána report that some 1,710 firearms were reported stolen in the years 2010 to 2014, the number that were...
    • Prison Education Service
      88. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide the value for money audit report on National College of Art and Design courses that were available to prisoners until 2011;...
    • Immigration Status
      89. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the current residency status of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13521/15]
    • Residency Permits
      90. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the current and/or expected residency status of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter....
    • Proposed Legislation
      91. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality in relation to her statements that the person selling the sexual service will not be subject to an offence under the Criminal Law (Sexual...
    • Crime Data
      92. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if the issues in relation to crime recording and classification highlighted by the Garda Inspectorate in the report published on 11 November 2014...
    • Student Visas Numbers
      93. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of current student visas granted, by country of origin. [13568/15]
    • Registration of Title
      96. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will support a matter (details supplied) regarding a land registry query; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13573/15]
  • Department of Children and Youth Affairs
    • Domestic Violence Refuges
      97. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will report on any recent discussions held between his Department and organisations providing accommodation for victims of violence in...
    • Children in Care
      98. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the annual running cost of Crannóg Nua in Portrane in County Dublin; and the reason no residents are living there, and yet staff...
    • Foster Care Supports
      99. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if there is provision within the budget of Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, to provide a payment (details supplied); and if he will make...
  • Department of Health
    • Medical Card Applications
      100. To ask the Minister for Health if he will examine and expedite an application for a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on...
    • Speech and Language Therapy
      101. To ask the Minister for Health the reason a school (details supplied) in County Waterford has been without a speech and language therapist since November 2014; his views that this is...
    • Mental Health Services Provision
      102. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the creation of a Jigsaw hub in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13469/15]
    • Nursing Home Accommodation
      103. To ask the Minister for Health the progress to date in constructing a proposed nursing home on the Maynooth Road in Maynooth, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
    • Primary Care Centre Provision
      104. To ask the Minister for Health his plans for the primary health care facility which was recently refused planning permission in the Finglas area in Dublin 11; if he has issued instructions...
    • Ambulance Service Provision
      105. To ask the Minister for Health if he will re-assess the ambulance allocation for County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13454/15]
    • Medicinal Products Availability
      108. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the assessment process concerning Sativex; when it is anticipated that the process will be complete and a decision made on the...
    • Health Insurance Prices
      109. To ask the Minister for Health the reason for the 24 April 2015 deadline for those over 34 years of age to take out private health insurance before a higher premium is applied; the way this...
    • Disability Support Services
      110. To ask the Minister for Health the relationship between the Health Service Executive and St. Michael's House in Dublin 9, from the point of view that if somebody has a complaint in relation...
    • Patient Safety Agency Establishment
      111. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to introduce an independent patient safety authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13534/15]
    • Maternity Services
      112. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 724 of 24 March 2015, if either the Rotunda Hospital or the Coombe Hospital in Dublin will be relocating to the Mater or...
    • Health Services
      113. To ask the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) in County Kildare will be assessed for that child's needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13559/15]
    • Medical Qualifications
      114. To ask the Minister for Health if there is a system of recognition of Cuban medical qualifications in Ireland; his plans for such recognition; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
    • Drug Treatment Programmes
      115. To ask the Minister for Health the number of addiction counsellors who were employed by the Health Service Executive drug treatment services for each year from 2006 to 2015. [13575/15]
    • Health Services Staff Recruitment
      121. To ask the Minister for Health if he will confirm the status on the current embargo on new recruitment and the replacement of exiting addiction counsellors employed by the Health Service...
    • Health Services Staff Data
      122. To ask the Minister for Health the number of addiction counsellors allocated to deal with alcohol. [13582/15]
    • Medicinal Products Availability
      127. To ask the Minister for Health when a reply will issue to correspondence (details supplied) regarding the drug Fampra; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13588/15]
    • Medical Card Eligibility
      128. To ask the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding income thresholds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13604/15]
  • Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
    • Northern Ireland Issues
      129. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when the historical investigations unit is expected to be established and operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13461/15]
    • Human Rights Issues
      130. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the progress to date in protecting the Baha'i community in Iran; his plans in this regard in conjunction with his European Union colleagues;...
  • Department of Education and Skills
    • School Transport Applications
      131. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a school bus ticket in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the...
    • Emergency Works Scheme Applications
      132. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding grant aid assistance in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the...
    • Teacher Data
      133. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of teachers who are qualified to teach Spanish; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13443/15]
    • School Patronage
      139. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of schools that are under church patronage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13449/15]
    • Special Educational Needs Service Provision
      140. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps her Department is taking to help families with the early intervention for children with autism; and if she will make a statement on the...
    • Literacy Levels
      141. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps her Department is taking to improve the standard of numeracy and literacy here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13451/15]
    • Site Acquisitions
      142. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on efforts to secure a permanent site in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will...
    • School Accommodation
      143. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans for meeting the accommodation requirements of a school (details supplied) in County Cork for the school year 2015-16; and if she will...
    • School Transport Eligibility
      144. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if discretion will be applied in the case of a child (details supplied) in County Galway in respect of the school transport scheme; and if she...
    • Third Level Data
      145. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of students registered as attending the National College of Art and Design during each year since 2006, in tabular form, showing...
    • Third Level Staff Data
      147. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of staff employed by the National College of Art and Design during each year since 2006, in tabular form, showing full-time and...
    • Third Level Institutions
      148. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she is aware of the current governance issues in the National College of Art and Design; that there is no board in place; her plans to ensure...
    • Student Unions Funding
      153. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the policies on funding of student unions for third level institutes. [13501/15]
    • Third Level Institutions
      154. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the names of persons who have served as members of the board of the National College of Art and Design, at any time since 2006. [13502/15]
    • Third Level Facilities
      156. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views on an agreement between the National College of Art and Design and Diageo which would allow students the use of buildings owned by...
    • Third Level Staff Remuneration
      158. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of persons employed in third level educational institutions who are paid in excess of €100,000, €150,000,...
    • Appointments to State Boards
      159. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide details of all State appointments, open to direct choice by her, since her appointment. [13507/15]
    • Educational Disadvantage
      160. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will review the decision of her Department to suppress a concessionary post in respect of a school (details supplied) in County...
    • School Transport Administration
      161. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will ensure that students in County Donegal do not have to travel over a mountain road to get to their nearest school, that common sense...
    • Student Grant Scheme Eligibility
      162. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will examine an anomaly in the higher education grants scheme whereby an applicant who is fostered will be assessed on that person's own...
    • English Language Training Organisations
      164. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of English language colleges operating in each of the last ten years and currently in 2015, by county; and the current number of...
    • School Enrolments
      166. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding school places (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13602/15]
  • Department of Environment, Community and Local Government
    • Motor Tax Rates
      167. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will clarify the correct motor tax amount for a vehicle registered after 2008 (details supplied); and if he will...
    • Building Regulations
      168. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to address the serious issue of the presence of mica in building blocks used in housing construction; if a...
    • Social and Affordable Housing Provision
      169. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the number of dwellings he plans to deliver for housing in 2015; and if he will provide a breakdown of numbers, size and...
    • Social and Affordable Housing Expenditure
      170. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on housing spending for 2015; the amount of this that comes from the €3.8 billion...
    • Housing Provision
      171. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the way he expects to deliver 5,000 new housing units under the rental accommodation scheme, the social housing leasing...
    • Social and Affordable Housing Expenditure
      172. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a figure for the total capital spend on housing for the years 2008 to 2014; and the number of social...
    • Scheme to Support National Organisations
      173. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his views on the review by Pobal and the review by his Department into the funding of the neurological charities under the...
    • Water and Sewerage Schemes Funding
      174. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his Department's long-term strategy in relation to the provision of group sewage schemes; and if he will make a statement...
    • Seniors Alert Scheme
      176. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he is aware of the consequences Pobal's senior alert proposal will have on volunteer groups such as Neighbourhood...
    • Departmental Funding
      177. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his views on the funding to the Irish Senior Citizens Parliament (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on...
    • Irish Water Funding
      183. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a list of payments made by his Department and by the local government fund to Irish Water in 2014 and...
    • Irish Water Administration
      184. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the date he expects to sign an order for the transfer of 250 treatment plants from local authorities to Irish Water; and...
    • Water Leakage
      188. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government in view of the approximate 49% of current leakage rate in water services, if he will provide an estimate of the present...
    • Election Management System
      189. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding voting rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
    • Irish Water Appointments
      190. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide details of the non-executive members of the board of Irish Water who are not executives of Ervia/Irish...
    • Constitutional Amendments
      192. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his plans for a referendum on allowing the diaspora to vote in presidential elections; and if he will make a statement on...
    • Leader Programmes Funding
      193. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government when a payment under the Leader programme will issue in respect of an organisation (details supplied) in County Mayo; and...
  • Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport
    • Taxi Regulations
      194. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the current embargo on the issuing of public service vehicles and taxi licences will end; and if he will make a statement on the...
    • Road Traffic Legislation
      196. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number and proliferation of rickshaws that have been plying for hire in Dublin and other cities over the past number of years, in...
  • Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht
    • National Monuments
      197. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide assistance and endeavour to have the refurbished Killarney House and gardens in County Kerry open to the public...
    • Deer Hunting
      199. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the action she proposes to take in view of recent evidence that the Ward Union Hunt continues to engage in stag hunting. [12668/15]