Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Budget 2013

Michael McGrath

1. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he has raised with the Troika the possibility of substituting a range of alternative taxation measures for the property tax in Budget 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42464/12]

Bank Debt Restructuring

Pearse Doherty

2. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he has contacted any of the EU counterparts following the statement issued by the Finance Ministers of Germany, Finland and the Netherlands last week; if so, if a deal on the banking debt is still possible and his views on the make up of such a deal; if he is attempting to secure a write down on the promissory note; and if the deal being sought on the recapitalising of the pillar banks is of the order of €24 billion as suggested by the IMF in the September 2012 country report. [42492/12]

Bank Guarantee Scheme Bond Repayments

Stephen Donnelly

3. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Finance if he will identify the unsecured AIB bondholders who were paid €1,000,000,000 earlier in the week; the steps he has taken to date to identify them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42591/12]

European Stability Mechanism

Michael McGrath

4. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he or the National Pensions Reserve Fund has examined the implications of the European Stability Mechanism investing in the pillar banks; if he has studied the mechanism by which this may take place; if an up to date valuation of the State's investment in the pillar banks has been prepared; if the joint technical paper with the Troika in respect of the promissory note has been completed; his plans for its publication; the progress that is being made in respect of restructuring the promissory note; the date on which he expects this to be concluded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42465/12]

Property Taxation Application

Pearse Doherty

5. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the advice he has received from the inter departmental tax strategy group on the property tax he intends to introduce in Budget 2013; if he will make the advice of this group public in advance of the Budget; if this group has raised any concerns regarding the property tax as was the case with the tax strategy groups concerns with the household charge in 2011; and if he has or if he will undertake an impact assessment of any property tax on household income and levels of financial stress being experienced by those liable for the tax. [42493/12]

Tax Yield

Thomas Pringle

6. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Finance if he will comment on reports that companies (details supplied) based in Shannon, County Clare, are paying very low effective rates of corporation tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42286/12]

Tax Code

Mick Wallace

7. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Finance his views on a memorandum prepared for the US Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations which states that Microsoft used Irish subsidiaries to reduce its US tax bill by $2.43 billion in 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42321/12]

Economic Growth Initiatives

Michael McGrath

8. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance his views on the opinion of the Fiscal Council that economic growth forecasts from his Department are systematically biased upwards; his plans to improve forecasting models with the Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42287/12]

Common Consolidated Corporate Tax Base Proposals

Éamon Ó Cuív

9. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Finance his views on whether Ireland’s economic interests are being protected in the current discussion surrounding proposals for a Common Consolidated Corporate Tax base; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42317/12]

Credit Availability

Timmy Dooley

10. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Finance in view of the failure to encourage the pillar banks to lend in adequate amount to meet demand in the economy if he is considering alternative strategies for improving access to credit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42298/12]

Tax Compliance

Brendan Smith

11. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance his views on the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General which highlighted considerable uncertainty surrounding the level of tax non-compliance and the audit processes employed by Revenue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42315/12]

European Banking Sector

Billy Kelleher

12. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Finance the progress that has been made to date in implementing a Europe wide system of bank supervision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42301/12]

Tax Reliefs Availability

Seán Crowe

13. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Finance the plans, if any, he has to publish the economic rationale for all existing tax reliefs and for all proposed tax reliefs being considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42274/12]

Government Bonds

Micheál Martin

14. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Finance his plans to attract non Euro investors by offering Irish government bonds denominated in US dollars; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42306/12]

Pensions Levy Issues

Dara Calleary

15. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Finance his views on whether the pension fund levy has contributed to the difficulties faced by many pension schemes in meeting funding standards issued by the pensions board; if he is considering reviewing the levy in view of this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42291/12]

Mortgage Interest Rates

John McGuinness

16. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Finance his views on whether a deal to remove loss making tracker mortgages from the balance sheets of covered banks would reduce the risk of those banks increasing standard variable rate mortgages, in view of the impact such increases have on customers who are unable to switch their mortgage to more competitive providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42309/12]

Irish Stock Exchange

Robert Troy

17. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Finance his plans to hold discussions with the Irish Stock Exchange with a view to supporting its continued development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42320/12]

Promissory Note Negotiations

Patrick Nulty

18. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Finance when Ireland will receive a write down of its debt burden as indicated by EU leaders following the July 2012 summit. [41267/12]

Promissory Note Negotiations

Patrick Nulty

19. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Finance the steps he is taking to renegotiate the promissory note which the State must pay in relation to Irish Bank Resolution Corporation formerly Anglo Irish Bank. [41266/12]

Financial Services Regulation

Catherine Byrne

20. Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Finance if he will consult with the Governor of the Central Bank of Ireland with a view to the banks capping the interest rate being charged by licensed money lenders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37883/12]

Tax Collection

Gerry Adams

21. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Finance the way he plans to achieve a broadening of personal income tax base as promised to the international monetary fund in the letter of intent he signed in August 2011. [42260/12]

Tax Reliefs Cost

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

22. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Finance if there is an estimate of the tax forgone to the State from the activity whereby propriety directors can make tax free contributions to pensions; if he has considered placing a limit on the amount that can be contributed to pensions tax free by these persons for example in the region of 20% on an individual salary. [42268/12]

Bank Guarantee Scheme Administration

Niall Collins

23. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Finance his plans for the operation of the eligible liabilities guarantee; the implications for the public finances of any change to the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42294/12]

Irish Fiscal Advisory Council Reports

John Browne

24. Deputy John Browne asked the Minister for Finance the process that he has undertaken to review and where appropriate take on board the recommendations of the Fiscal Council's report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42289/12]

Illicit Trade in Tobacco

Éamon Ó Cuív

25. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to recent reports that more than €500m in revenue is lost annually as a result of tobacco smuggling; his views on whether these are accurate figures; his plans to take additional measures to combat such illegal activity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42313/12]

Mortgage Arrears Report Implementation

Jonathan O'Brien

26. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Finance the recommendations contained in the Keane Report that have been implemented by his Department and the actions taken on each of these recommendations. [42271/12]

Tax Reliefs Availability

Mary Lou McDonald

27. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide an update on the operation of the SARP tax relief passed in Budget 2012, including the number of persons who have availed of this tax relief; the total amount of relief awarded and the number of jobs that have been directly created as a result of this relief. [42261/12]

Mortgage Interest Rates

Brian Stanley

28. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Finance his views on the recent decision by Bank of Ireland to increase the interest rates on their variable rate mortgages; if he has had any contact with the bank since the decision was made; his views on whether the decision will further exacerbate the mortgage crisis and if he believes that the decision should be reversed. [42269/12]

Banking Sector Staff Issues

Gerry Adams

29. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Finance the rationale for the appointment of a person (details supplied) as a director of AIB; if he was consulted on this appointment and if the Government consented to the appointment. [42259/12]

Budget 2013

Seán Crowe

30. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Finance the plans, if any, he has to gender proof each of the various options being considered for Budget 2013; the plans, the Government has to publish a distributional analysis of each of the various options being considered with specific reference to gender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42273/12]

House Sales

Seamus Kirk

31. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Finance his views on whether the continued low level of transactions in the housing market reflects a failure to communicate to potential first time buyers the impending end of mortgage interest relief for owner occupiers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42303/12]

Tax Reliefs Cost

Michael Colreavy

32. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Finance the plans, if any, he has to prepare and publish a full cost benefit analysis, including the cost to the Exchequer, of all existing tax reliefs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42275/12]

Credit Unions Data

Barry Cowen

33. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Finance if he is satisfied with the progress being made in re-structuring the credit union sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42296/12]

Budget 2012

Dessie Ellis

34. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Finance the plans, if any, he has to conduct and publish an analysis of the net employment effects of the measures taken in Budget 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42277/12]

Tax Collection

John Halligan

35. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider a wealth tax as an alternative to property tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42324/12]

Bank Branch Closures

Clare Daly

36. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Finance if he will intervene with AIB in relation to the proposed closure of the branch in Rush, County Dublin, which affects more than 10% of the total numbers affected by the 67 closures, concentrated in one community. [42247/12]

Stock Markets Regulation

Denis Naughten

37. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Finance the steps being taken to regulate food securities trading on the stock market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42245/12]

Tax Yield

Sandra McLellan

38. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Finance the amount of money that would be raised in a full year by limiting the business and agriculture reliefs for Capital Acquisitions Tax by reducing the level of discount on market value before tax is calculated from 90% to 50% and by introducing a €3 million ceiling on the qualifying amount; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42279/12]

Bank Debt Restructuring

Brendan Smith

39. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance his plans to safeguard the State’s investment in Irish Life; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42319/12]

Insurance Industry

Michael Moynihan

40. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Finance if he is satisfied that all possible efforts, particularly in terms of claims management are being undertaken in order to mitigate the cost of the winding down of Quinn Insurance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42312/12]

Universal Social Charge Payments

Sandra McLellan

41. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Finance the amount of money that would be raised in a full year by extension of the Universal Social Charge to all capital gains, whether liable to Capital Gains Tax or not; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42280/12]

Tax Code

Mick Wallace

42. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Finance his views on the use of aggressive tax structures by multinational corporations such as Microsoft in order to save itself billions in taxes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42322/12]

Tax Collection Forecasts

Robert Troy

43. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Finance his views regarding the trend in the Exchequer returns in recent months, particularly in relation to tax receipts when compared with the same period last year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42316/12]

National Pensions Reserve Fund Administration

Willie O'Dea

44. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Finance the procedures that have been put in place to prevent a recurrence of the overcharging of the National Pension Reserve Fund in respect of a portfolio liquidation as highlighted by the recent report of the Comptroller and Auditor General. [42318/12]

Bank Debt Restructuring

Willie O'Dea

45. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Finance if he is satisfied that adequate oversight exists in terms of the asset disposal programme being undertaken by the covered banks in order to protect the interests of the taxpayer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42314/12]

Job Creation

Seán Fleming

46. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Finance his views on the success to date of plans announced in July 2011 to create an additional net 10,000 new jobs in the Irish Financial Service Centre; the progress made on promoting Islamic Finance products and the Green IFSC; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42300/12]

Debt Relief

Bernard Durkan

47. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which this country has benefitted from interest rate or other reductions affecting debt and repayment levels arising from the banking collapse and downturn in the economy in respect of interest, conditions and terms regarding repayments in the short, medium and long term; the total benefits achieved on behalf of the Irish taxpayers in relation to modification and improvement of the arrangements entered into arising from EU and IMF rescue bailout, banking and other debt provision; if he can yet identify how further savings on behalf of the Exchequer and taxpayers here can be achieved in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42282/12]

State Savings Schemes

Peadar Tóibín

48. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Finance the amount that could be rasied for the State if interest from savings bonds was not exempt from tax. [42266/12]

Mortgage Arrears Proposals

Charlie McConalogue

49. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Finance his views on reports that 50,000 buy to let mortgages are in arrears; the way this is impacting on the overall housing market; his plans to address same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42307/12]

Tax Collection Forecasts

Peadar Tóibín

50. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Finance if an estimate has been made of the tax that could be raised for the State if Revenue audit activity was increased by 20% in 2013 specifically to target black market activity; and if there is a cost associated with increasing audit acitivity, for example, additional recruited staff for Revenue. [42265/12]

Promissory Note Negotiations

Pearse Doherty

51. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide an update on the on-going negotiations with the Troika on the promissory note technical paper and in view of the fact that the paper was to be finalised by February 2012, the reason for the delay and an estimated date for its publication. [42257/12]

Proposed Legislation

Patrick O'Donovan

52. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Finance his plans to bring forward legislation or regulations to control debt management agencies and advisors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41255/12]

Tax Code

Richard Boyd Barrett

53. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider higher taxes on incomes of more than €100,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42323/12]

Tax Reliefs Availability

Mary Lou McDonald

54. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a report on all new tax reliefs provided for in budget 2012 including the number of persons or companies who have availed of each tax relief; the total amount of relief awarded under each relief; and the number of jobs that have been directly created as a result of each relief. [42262/12]

Budget Consultation Process

Brian Stanley

55. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the Autumn 2012 Quarterly Economic Observer report from the Nevin Economic Research Institute; if he has considered their alternative budgetary approach to that currently being implemented by him; and if so, if he will outline in broad terms his response to the proposals. [42270/12]

Tax Reliefs Availability

Pádraig MacLochlainn

56. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Finance if he will list what is considered deductible for tax purposes for those self-declaring annual returns. [42263/12]

Tax Collection

Richard Boyd Barrett

57. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider a wealth tax as an alternative to property tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42283/12]

Tax Reliefs Cost

Michael Colreavy

58. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Finance if he will publish the direct cost to the Exchequer of all existing tax reliefs, including a distributional analysis of which households by income decile group are expected to benefit from each existing tax relief; which firms are expected to benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42276/12]

Budget 2013

Jonathan O'Brien

59. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Finance the plans, if any, he has to equality proof each of the various options being considered for Budget 2013; the plans the Government has to prepare and publish a distributional analysis of each of the various options being considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42272/12]

Tax Code

John Halligan

60. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider higher taxes on incomes of more than €100,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42284/12]

Proposed Legislation

Pearse Doherty

61. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the date on which the Finance (Property tax) Bill 2012 will be published. [42258/12]

Tax Yield

Catherine Murphy

62. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide figures for the total corporation tax receipts broken down by sector and industry for the years 1990 to date in 2012; if he will provide details of the various rates of corporation tax for the same period; if figures are available for the effective corporation tax take by sector and industry for the past eight years including to date in 2012; if he will outline the projected corporate tax profile by sector and industry by 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42243/12]

Tax Code

Brendan Griffin

63. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance following the recent public consultation process, if he will reform tax residence rules with a view to boosting State revenue; his views on whether the current regime is too lenient in favour of tax exiles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42244/12]

European Stability Mechanism

Thomas Pringle

64. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Finance if he is concerned by the recent statement by the German, Dutch and Finnish foreign Ministers suggesting that the European Stability Mechanism should not be used to provide debt relief for past banking losses taken on by states such as Ireland; the implications that this has for Ireland's campaign for debt relief; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42285/12]

European Stability Mechanism

Bernard Durkan

65. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which he expects to garner support amongst fellow EU Eurozone Ministers for a meaningful review of this country's debt repayments arising from the bailout or other conditions with particular reference to the need to ensure that each member state is treated similarly in terms of interest and repayment conditions or requirements and keeping in mind individual members states' compliance with good practice and procedures to date and the agreement reached at the heads of Government meeting in June 2012; if he will further endeavour along with his EU colleagues to attempt to ensure solidarity and unity of purpose by all member states particularly those within the Eurozone in dealing with economic and fiscal instability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42281/12]

Budget 2012

Dessie Ellis

66. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Finance the plans, if any, he has to conduct and publish analysis of the net effect on gross domestic product and gross national product of the measures taken in Budget 2012; the plans the Government has to conduct and publish any analysis of the output effects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42278/12]

Tax Code

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

67. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Finance the amount that could be raised for the Exchequer if a value limit was in place on principal private residences currently exempt from Capital Gains Tax, of €300,000. [42267/12]

Mortgage Arrears Report Implementation

Denis Naughten

68. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Finance the progress he is making to assist families in mortgage difficulty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42246/12]

Credit Availability

John McGuinness

69. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Finance his views on figures released by the Central Bank of Ireland in August which showed that it is not lending to small and medium enterprises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41641/12]

Human Rights Issues

Michael Healy-Rae

70. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding ongoing human rights abuses in occupied Palestinian territories; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42490/12]

Public Services Provision

Brian Stanley

71. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department works with local authorities in the delivery of services; and if so, the details of same. [42563/12]

Public Services Provision

Brian Stanley

72. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department engage with local authorities in the provision of services and if so the details of same. [42584/12]

Postal Services

Clare Daly

73. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Finance the reason parcel companies (details supplied) have no revenue customs on their premises and An Post is the only parcel depot that has customs personnel present. [42507/12]

Departmental Appointments

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

74. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance if he will list all the current positions, where the appointment was made by his Department held by retired senior civil servants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42666/12]

Tax Reliefs Availability

Michael McGrath

75. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance in relation to the deadline of 31 December 2012 for first time buyers to avail of mortgage interest relief, if he will explain specifically the stage a borrower has to have reached in order to qualify, for example, mortgage drawn down and mortgage repayment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42406/12]

Tax Reliefs Availability

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

76. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Finance if there are tax reliefs available to private nursing homes; if he will identify said reliefs; the cost of such reliefs in 2011 and to date in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42416/12]

Insurance Industry Regulation

Joe Higgins

77. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Finance if he will confirm that, when car insurers are authorised by way of written consent for the insured including specific instruction to pay the garage/shop for windscreen replacement, and, following said instruction the insurer settles the claim by sending payment to the insured rather than the garage/shop, and, the insured does not subsequently make payment to the garage/shop, that in this case, the insured has incurred a tax liability under Section 535 and 536 of the Taxes Consolidation Act (1997) and that the insurer by not issuing payment to the garage/shop is in contravention of Statutory Instrument 651 of 2003 EC (Fourth Motor Insurance Directive) Regulations, Road Traffic Act (1961) and Consumer Protection Code 2012. [42431/12]

Banks Recapitalisation

Thomas Pringle

78. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a breakdown of the way the €7.5 billion given during the banks recapitalisation for mortgage debt has been used; which banks received this capital and the amount of this has been used to deal with the mortgage debt crisis. [42440/12]

Bank Guarantee Scheme Bond Repayments

Joanna Tuffy

79. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide an update on all moneys repaid to the State by the banks (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42472/12]

Banking Sector Staff Issues

Robert Troy

80. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Finance if he will examine the current number of board members who are still in situ on the boards of banks here even though they are responsible for some of the disastrous policies that contributed to the economic collapse; if he intends to make these people answerable for their actions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42476/12]

NAMA Staff Remuneration

Jerry Buttimer

81. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a breakdown of salaries paid by the National Assets Management Agency to its employees, in bands of €25,000; the number of employees in each band; the qualifications and experience of the employees in each band; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42484/12]

NAMA Staff Remuneration

Jerry Buttimer

82. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Finance the benchmarks and criteria used by the National Assets Management Agency in determining the salaries paid to its employees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42485/12]

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]

European Council Meetings

Bernard Durkan

86. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance if he is satisfied regarding the adequacy of individual structures applicable throughout the EU are sufficient to ensure each members states’ Minister for Finance or equivalent is sufficiently aware of the need for a cohesive and coordinated approach to debt and economic problems affecting all member states throughout the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42524/12]

EU-IMF Programme of Support

Bernard Durkan

87. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance if, at EU Council Finance Ministers’ meetings, the need for recognition for the vulnerability of those member states in a programme or bailout situation has been recognised with a view to ensuring that individual Ministers do not jeopardise such countries and their economies for domestic political reasons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42525/12]

Debt Relief

Bernard Durkan

88. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the progress made to date in achieving improvements by way of terms and or interest rates in respect of this country’s borrowings arising from the EU debt rescue provisions entered into by his predecessors; the actual monetary value of such improvements to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42526/12]

EU-IMF Programme of Support

Bernard Durkan

89. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which he has had meaningful discussions with his colleagues in other EU member states which, like Ireland, have similar debt problems with a view to achieving a consensus approach which ultimately will be of benefit to the entire European Union as well as the indebted countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42527/12]

Economic Competitiveness

Bernard Durkan

90. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the degree to which this economy has become more competitive in the past five years on an annual basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42528/12]

Sovereign Debt

Bernard Durkan

91. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance if he is satisfied that the steps taken to date in terms of interaction between Ireland’s Central Bank, other member states’ Central Banks and the ECB are sufficient to address the need for a coordinated approach in terms of fiscal strategy, debt repayment and economic recovery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42529/12]

Price Inflation

Bernard Durkan

92. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent, if any, to which he has recognised any possible inflationary tendencies in the Irish economy; if any corrective steps are required to address any issues arising; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42530/12]

Exchequer Returns Publication

Bernard Durkan

93. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which Exchequer returns are on target and thereby affecting his approach to Budget 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42531/12]

Sovereign Debt

Bernard Durkan

94. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance if he can foresee the benefits of debt repayment arrangements for larger European countries being of direct and positive impact on this country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42532/12]

Sovereign Debt

Bernard Durkan

95. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which his colleagues at EU level are prepared to accept the need for a Europe-wide approach to sovereign debt repayment that will enable and facilitate a reasonable level of economic growth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42533/12]

Public Services Provision

Brian Stanley

96. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Finance if his Department works with local authorities in the delivery of services; and if so, the details of same. [42562/12]

Public Services Provision

Brian Stanley

97. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Finance if his Department engage with local authorities in the provision of services and if so the details of same. [42583/12]

Access to Higher Education

Brendan Smith

98. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will outline the funds invested in the DARE third level scheme; if there are Departmental funds involved; if so, the amount of same; if he has an analysis of the number of DARE student places allocated by each third level college/university to each of the faculties; if he will outline the breakdown in relation to agricultural science degree or its equivalent since the commencement of the scheme; the qualifying criteria for same; if he will list the third level colleges/universities that are operating the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42432/12]

School Services Staff

Tom Fleming

99. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will immediately address the detrimental effect the cutting of guidance counselling in schools across County Kerry will have on our young people as they struggle to cope with the myriad of personal and family problems that permeate all sectors of modern communities; his views on whether it will take a tragedy before he sees the damage that has been done to the education system by reducing or eradicating the access that students have had to the support of a professionally trained guidance counsellor when they need it in secondary school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42463/12]

Student Grant Scheme Applications

Robert Troy

100. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the date on which third level grants will be paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42479/12]