970. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of special needs assistants allocated to a special school (details supplied) in Cork city for the 2014-15 and the 2015-16 school years; if she will confirm if the National Council for Special Education is currently reviewing the allocation of special needs assistants to the school based on the needs of the pupils; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37901/15]
845. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the closure of the laboratories at the Irish Blood Transfusion Service in St. Finbarr's Hospital, Cork; the number of persons affected by the closure; the steps that have been taken to identify alternative positions for these persons within the Health Service Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38299/15]
842. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that travel claims under the treatment abroad scheme are currently on hold due to staff shortages in the relevant section of the Health Service Executive; if he is further aware that the executive is unable to provide applicants with a timeframe for when their claim will be processed; the number of claims that currently await processing; if he is aware of the immense distress and trauma along with massive financial pressure this is causing to patients who have to travel abroad for treatment and to their families; if he will make an urgent intervention to address this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38270/15]
837. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that an adult with special needs in County Cork (details supplied) is provided with required services, which have been the subject of cuts at a service provider in Cork, due to funding constraints; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38250/15]
835. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 18 years of age in Cork city and county who are currently on a waiting list for an ophthalmology procedure and surgery to be carried out; and who are waiting for up to six months, six months to one year, one year to two years, and more than two years; what steps are being taken to address the waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38245/15]
761. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health when home help supports and a home care package will be provided to assist with the care of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; if he will confirm how long the person has been on the waiting list; if the Health Service Executive has adequate funding to provide these vital supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37898/15]
630. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will address the concerns raised in correspondence by an organisation (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38154/15]
591. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Bill 2013 will be enacted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38138/15]
535. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the programme for Government's commitment to legislate to establish a judicial council, with lay representation; if she will provide an effective mechanism for dealing with complaints against judges; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37385/15]
325. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will address an issue regarding income tax raised by a person (details supplied) in County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38104/15]
316. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the maximum amount that a person can withdraw per year from an approved minimum retirement fund before reaching the age of 75; his plans to change this maximum percentage; if the amount drawn down annually is subject to income tax, the USC and PRSI; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37899/15]
314. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the income in cash terms received by the State in respect of the preference shares which it holds in Allied Irish Banks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37877/15]
313. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the terms under which Allied Irish Banks can redeem the preference shares which the State holds in the bank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37876/15]
312. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the terms under which Allied Irish Banks can redeem the contingent convertible bonds which the State holds in the bank; the manner in which a redemption of these bonds would impact on the State’s finances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37875/15]
288. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the reason the Investor Compensation Company Limited levy applies to public loss assessors in the insurance sector, given that the fund does not benefit their customers, they are not investment firms, and they do not handle client moneys; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37375/15]
345. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of schools under the Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools, DEIS, scheme; the number of pupils enrolled; the number of teachers employed in these schools; the funding for these schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37130/15]
245. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the cost of increasing the number of weeks covered by the early childhood care and education programme from 38 weeks to 40 weeks; and to 42 weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37129/15]
244. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the projected cost of the early childhood care and education programme in 2016; and in 2017, following the proposed changes to the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37128/15]
146. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if an estimate has been made of the available fiscal space for budget 2017 and budget 2018, based on current information; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37134/15]
145. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance following budget 2016, the cost of increasing the standard tax band for a married-civil partnership couple, with one earner, by €1,000; €2,000; €5,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37132/15]
144. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance following budget 2016, the cost of increasing the standard tax band for, a single person; a married-civil partnership couple, by €1,000; €2,000; €5,000; €6,200; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37131/15]
135. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he has signed a ministerial order commencing the section of the Finance Act 2014 which would extend the employment and investment incentive for medium enterprises to all counties in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36938/15]
134. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the number of first-time buyers who have received a refund of deposit interest retention tax paid in the previous 48 months; when the scheme is due to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36937/15]
133. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the amount expected to be collected from the 11% band of the universal social charge in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36837/15]
132. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the amount expected to be collected from the 8% band of the universal social charge in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36836/15]
131. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the amount expected to be collected from the 5.5% band of the universal social charge in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36835/15]
130. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the amount expected to be collected from the 3% band of the universal social charge in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36834/15]
129. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the amount expected to be collected from the 1% band of the universal social charge in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36833/15]
126. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the cost of extending maternity benefit to 30 weeks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37127/15]
95. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of employees whose employers will benefit from the reduced rate of employer's pay-related social insurance introduced in the budget on incomes of €356 to €376 per week; the average benefit the employer will receive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36838/15]
145. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a school transport grant will be awarded for a child (details supplied) in County Meath for the 2014-15 school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36704/15]
680. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding an application for mortgage-to-rent for a person (details supplied) in Cork City; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36031/15]
679. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the safeguards in place to protect homeowners from substandard building work when they are renovating or extending their own private homes; his plans to bolster protections for homeowners in this regard; the redress that is available to homeowners in the event of substandard work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36035/15]
559. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the ten largest medical claim payouts and the ten largest non-medical claim payouts settled by the State Claims Agency in 2014, in tabular form; in each case, the nature of the claim; the personal injuries sustained; the agency's legal costs paid to firms; the amount paid in legal costs to claimants' lawyers; if claimant's legal costs were part of the overall claim sums paid out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36109/15]
539. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) in County Cork will have an assessment of need carried out; the length of time the child has been on a waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35956/15]
416. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality for an update on the 12 outstanding complaints to An Garda Síochána involving the National Asset Management Agency; if more complaint cases have been closed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36092/15]
279. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the annual corporate tax, and other named taxes, paid by the revenues generated by aircraft leasing firms based here in the years 2010 and 2014, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36091/15]
278. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the annual aggregate revenues generated by thoroughbred stud operations between 2007 and 2014; the corporate taxes paid; and the revenues received by the top five thoroughbred stud operations in the past five years that are available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36090/15]
277. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the annual amount of tax generated by the Exchequer from stallion fee income between the years 2007 and 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36089/15]
260. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the cost in 2016 and in a full year of reducing the 7% rate of the universal social charge to 5.5%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36607/15]
259. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the cost in 2016 and in a full year of reducing the 3.5% rate of the universal social charge to 3% and increasing the range of income it covers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36606/15]
258. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the cost in 2016 and in a full year of reducing the 1.5% rate of the universal social charge to 1%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36605/15]
257. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if his Department has estimated the number of persons who are entitled to the Home Carer tax credit, but who have not applied for it; how awareness of the tax credit can be increased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36604/15]
256. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the reason the Government did not fulfil the commitment, made at the time of the Spring statement, to exempt an additional 90,000 income earners from the Universal Social Charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36603/15]
255. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the cost in 2016 and in a full year of exempting an additional 42,000 income earners from the universal social charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36602/15]
254. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the number of persons who are projected to benefit in 2016 from the introduction of an earned income tax credit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36601/15]
253. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 59 of 11 March 2015, which estimated the cost of extending, to the self-employed, an earned income tax credit equivalent to the Pay-As-You-Earn tax credit at €470 million, the reason the estimated cost in Budget 2016 of a €550 tax credit for the self-employed was only €18 million in 2016, and €61 million in a full year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36600/15]
222. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her plans, in the assessment of a person's entitlement to a jobseeker's allowance or to a jobseeker's benefit, to extend eligibility to persons who, for very genuine reasons, are only seeking part-time employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36029/15]
202. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of persons who will benefit from the tapering of pay-related social insurance introduced in the budget; the average benefit they will receive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36608/15]
77. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for an update on the feasibility study proposed by the Office of Public Works for the Carrigaline area in County Cork, including Ballinhassig, using the existing outputs from the Lee Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management Study; if flood relief works are proposed for Ballinhassig, arising from this study; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35477/15]