Parliamentary questions

NAMA Portfolio Value

Michael McGrath

83. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide details of all items of art that have come under the control of National Asset Management Agency since the agency's establishment including details of the number of such items; the estimated aggregate value and the number of NAMA debtors involved; the full details including proceeds of any sales of art that have been executed so far showing separately sales by NAMA and sales arranged by NAMA debtors with the agency's consent; if he will provide details of the sales arrangements that have applied including tendering procedures and the name of any selling agents appointed by NAMA and by NAMA debtors with the consent of NAMA; and if he will provide details of any further plans the agency has for the disposal of any items of art under its control. [42509/12]

NAMA Court Cases

Michael McGrath

84. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the number of court cases that the National Assets Management Agency has taken or plans to take to secure reversal of asset transfers by NAMA debtors which the agency believes were designed to put assets beyond the reach of the agency; if he will provide a statement of value and a breakdown of the type of assets which been returned to the agency thus far including cash, property and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42511/12]

NAMA Portfolio Value

Michael McGrath

85. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the number of properties that have been sold that is legally binding contracts in place by the National Assets Management Agency or by agents acting on behalf of NAMA or by agents appointed by NAMA controlled debtors and, of this number, if he will confirm for each category the number and total value of such properties which were up for sale on the open market and publicly advertised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42512/12]

Public Procurement Regulations

Michael McGrath

106. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if there are any safeguards in place to ensure that principal building contractors working under a contract with a public body pay their sub contractors for work carried out under the relevant State contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42502/12]

Special Educational Needs Staffing

Michael McGrath

222. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health in view of the fact that the information contained on the website www.hseland.ie, progressing children's disability services, does not specify the way providing therapy intervention through community access would impact of children attending special needs primary schools, if he will state, within the context of the proposed changes and specifically in relation to special needs schools, the model of community based therapy intervention that is envisaged as one which would work successfully in promoting the children's educational and development progression in order to ensure that they achieve a solid basis for future independent living. [42404/12]

National Museum

Michael McGrath

7. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht the progress that has been made in the appointment of a new director of the National Museum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41806/12]

Tax Credits

Michael McGrath

57. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he has given any consideration to the introduction of a tax credit for persons who are deaf similar to the blind person's tax credit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42238/12]

NAMA Staff Unauthorised Disclosures

Michael McGrath

133. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance apart from the recent case which has been referred to An Garda Síochána, if National Asset Management Agency has since its inception identified any other possible breaches of confidentiality whereby commercial agency belonging to the agency has been used or removed in an unauthorised fashion by an employee of the agency and, if so, if he will provide details of the number of such cases and if he will make a comprehensive statement of the action taken in each case. [41627/12]

NAMA Staff Transactions

Michael McGrath

134. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if the National Asset Management Agency has, since its inception, approved the sale of any property in the agency's portfolio to an employee or a direct family member of an employee of the agency; if so, if he will provide details of the number of such transactions which it has approved; if such properties were for sale on the open market and if he will provide details of the nature of the transactions concerned. [41628/12]

NAMA Staff Transactions

Michael McGrath

135. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance altogether apart from the recent case which has been referred to An Garda Síochána, if the National Assets Management Agency has since its inception identified any other unapproved purchases of properties in the agency's portfolio by a serving or former employee of the agency; if so, if he will provide details of the number of such cases; and if he will make a statement on the action taken in each case. [41690/12]

Defence Forces Personnel

Michael McGrath

443. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Defence with reference to his direction to the military authorities in September 2011, if he will arrange for promotions of Reserve Defence Forces Officers; the number promoted to date; the date of each promotion and the appointment filled and the number remaining to be filled arising from the interviews held. [41567/12]

Defence Forces Reserve Funding

Michael McGrath

444. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Defence if his approval was sought by the military authorities to issue instructions to cancel Reserve Defence Forces training with effect from 1 November 2012; the action he has directed to ensure that timely information is conveyed to RDF unit commanders and reservists arising from the reorganisation of the Permanent Defence Forces. [41568/12]

Hospital Staff Issues

Michael McGrath

36. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of consultants posts that were advertised over the past year; the average length of time it took to fill these posts; the number of positions that were unable to be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40978/12]

Hospital Consultants Remuneration

Michael McGrath

40. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the amount the €200 million in savings expected from the agreement reached with the hospital consultants will contribute towards bridging the deficit in the health budget this year; when he expects to see the savings from this agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40965/12]

General Government Debt

Michael McGrath

78. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide in tabular form the primary general Government deficit, both gross and net of measures relating to the banking sector for the period 2007 to 2011; his projection of the primary deficit for 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41214/12]

IDA Site Visits

Michael McGrath

92. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation the number of Industrial Development Agency sponsored site visits to Dublin on an annual basis since 2008 and of those that visited Dublin, the number that also visited Cork. [41116/12]

Tenant Purchase Scheme Applications

Michael McGrath

136. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government his plans to reintroduce the additional discount of up to 15% under the tenant purchase scheme for persons who have been tenants of their home for over 10 years and his plans for the tenant purchase scheme in 2013 and beyond. [41217/12]

Tenant Purchase Scheme Applications

Michael McGrath

138. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government if he will provide details of the way the clawback provisions apply in the case of a person who purchases a house from a local authority under the tenant purchase scheme and where the property is subsequently sold. [41219/12]

Child Protection Services

Michael McGrath

14. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she has received the outline for a national model for an integrated out of hours social care service for young persons from the Special Rapporteur on Child Protection; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40683/12]

Mortgage Interest Relief Application

Michael McGrath

47. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding the application by all the banks of the additional mortgage interest relief for a certain category of homeowners as provided for in Finance Act 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40805/12]

Financial Services Sector

Michael McGrath

60. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide details for each of the years 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012, of the amount of credit extended by licensed moneylenders to consumers; the number of licensed moneylenders; the rate of levy applied by the Central Bank of Ireland and the total amount collected; the number of licensed moneylenders who have had their licence revoked by the Central Bank following an investigation; and if he will provide any other information or statistics that would give a complete picture of the licensed moneylending activity in Ireland. [40952/12]

State Banking Sector Regulation

Michael McGrath

62. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the efforts made by his Department and the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation to seek repayment of the €1 million bonus previously paid to the former head of the Irish Nationwide Building Society Mr. Michael Fingleton and also the return of a watch which was given by the building society to him by way of a gift on his retirement, including the dates of any letters issued to Mr. Fingleton dealing with these matters and confirmation of whether or not such correspondence was responded to. [41021/12]

NAMA Expenditure

Michael McGrath

63. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide full details, shown separately for the National Asset Management Agency and the National Treasury Management Agency, of all professional fees, including the identity of the service provider, incurred in the provision of public relations, media and communications services in 2011 and to date in 2012. [41024/12]

Domiciliary Care Allowance Appeals

Michael McGrath

95. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a domiciliary care allowance appeal in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Cork. [40872/12]

Social Welfare Code Review

Michael McGrath

99. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the approximate cost in 2013 of extending jobseeker's benefit to the self-employed; if this estimate is based on a voluntary opt in principle or universal coverage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40942/12]

Social Welfare Code Review

Michael McGrath

100. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the approximate cost in 2013 of extending illness benefit to the self-employed; if this estimate is based on a voluntary opt in principle or universal coverage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40943/12]

Social Welfare Code Review

Michael McGrath

101. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the approximate cost in 2013 of extending invalidity pension benefit to the self-employed, is based on a voluntary opt in principle or universal coverage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40944/12]

Social Welfare Code Review

Michael McGrath

102. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has held talks with representatives of the self -employed regarding the prospect of extending to them a range of short term benefits from the Social Insurance Fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40945/12]

Criminal Prosecutions Data

Michael McGrath

142. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of prosecutions taken and convictions secured in respect of illegal moneylending activity in recent years; the penalties that applied on those convictions, if any; the penalties available in law on conviction; and if he will confirm when the last conviction took place for such activity in an Irish Court. [40953/12]

Liquor Licensing Laws

Michael McGrath

330. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No 483 of 3 July 2012, if he will arrange for the report from the Gardaí to be forwarded to this Deputy as soon as possible. [40622/12]

Pension Provisions

Michael McGrath

515. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport the steps he is taking to address the dispute between the workers of Aer Lingus, Dublin Airport Authority and former SRT workers and the relevant employer organisations arising from the difficulties in the Irish airlines (general employees) superannuation scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40617/12]

Defence Forces Equipment

Michael McGrath

7. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Defence the capital purchases of military equipment made to date in 2012 and planned for the remainder of this year; the total cost of those purchases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39483/12]

Ministerial Appointments

Michael McGrath

167. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will arrange the issue of a certificate to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [39568/12]

Commercial Rates Valuation Process

Michael McGrath

66. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the estimated impact the 2012 Valuation Bill will have on local authority revenues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39012/12]

Economic Data

Michael McGrath

92. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Taoiseach the input-output models that are used in the calculation of the national accounts for the years these are available in tabular form; and if he will set these tables out. [36120/12]

Retail Sector Issues

Michael McGrath

251. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the number of notice of attachments issued by the Revenue in respect of the bank accounts of businesses for each year since 2008 and to date in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38244/12]

Credit Review Office Remit

Michael McGrath

252. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider extending the remit of the Credit Review Office to include Permanent TSB in view of the fact that the bank has customers engaged in business and who may wish to have credit decisions reviewed from time to time. [38250/12]

Bank Guarantee Scheme Bond Repayments

Michael McGrath

253. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will give details, for each covered institution, of the amount of secured and unsecured senior bonds outstanding at the end of September 2010 on the expiry of the bank guarantee under the credit institutions (financial support) scheme 2008. [38256/12]

Tax Reliefs Availability

Michael McGrath

254. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding self-employed persons claiming tax relief on medical expenses through the MED1 form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38273/12]

Tax Rebates

Michael McGrath

326. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will confirm, following receipt by Revenue of correspondence from a person (details supplied) in County Cork, that they are now registered as a PAYE employee since January 2011 and that the MED1 claim by the person for 2011 will be considered accordingly. [38825/12]

Tax Credits

Michael McGrath

337. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding correspondence sent by a person (details supplied) in County Cork to the Revenue Commissioners regarding an income tax matter. [38937/12]

Special Educational Needs Staffing

Michael McGrath

424. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide details of the way the teaching panel system works, including details of the eligibility criteria for teachers who wish to join the panel, whereby permanent teaching vacancies are filled from the panel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38343/12]

Social Insurance Payments

Michael McGrath

770. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will clarify the entitlement of a person genuinely employed by their spouse to pay Class A PRSI; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38391/12]

Mortgage Arrears Proposals

Michael McGrath

1116. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government the amount of funding that will be available to finance the mortgage to rent scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32691/12]

Defence Forces Recruitment

Michael McGrath

1336. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Defence the position regarding the recruitment of persons to the Army and the Army reserves; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38887/12]

Health Services Provision

Michael McGrath

1724. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, for each county, the number of children aged up to 18 years who have received a diagnosis on the autism disorder spectrum from the Health Service Executive or a recognised service provider for each year since 2000 to 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38243/12]

Drugs Payment Scheme Administration

Michael McGrath

1752. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the rationale behind the decision that gluten free products are to be no longer reimbursed under the drugs payment scheme and general medical scheme; the alternative arrangements he advises such patients should put in place if the cost of buying the products is prohibitive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38421/12]

Health Services Provision

Michael McGrath

1794. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the intervention services that will be provided between now and the end of the year to a special needs person (details supplied) in County Cork. [38826/12]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Michael McGrath

1805. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive an outpatient appointment to see a hospital consultant. [38883/12]

Broadband Services

Michael McGrath

16 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the average broadband speeds available to residential and business customers in towns of less than 10,000 persons and in the open countryside; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[35830/12]