Richard Bruton, TD

To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 201 of 17 September 2014, if the review of personal pension vehicles has taken place; if the issue of extending the approved retirement fund options to holders of buy-out bonds derived from defined benefit schemes has been examined; and if she will make a statement on the matter?

The Minister for Agriculture Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney, T.D., today announced that he has decided to extend and re-focus support arrangements for farmers faced with the removal of persistently infected BVD calves born from their herds in 2015.

Fine Gael Senator for Carlow/Kilkenny, Pat O’Neill, has called for an extension of the Child Benefit payment beyond the traditional age limit of 18 years, to all include all Leaving Cert students, saying the current age limit is unfair and divisive.

Fine Gael TD for Carlow/Kilkenny, Pat Deering, has today welcomed the Central Bank’s common sense approach to the issue of mortgage deposits, saying it is good news for first time buyers.

Fine Gael Longford/Westmeath TD, Gabrielle McFadden, has welcomed the Central Bank’s recognition of the financial pressures faced by young house hunters by not proceeding with a prohibitive 20% mortgage deposit proposal for first time buyers.

Fine Gael Waterford Minister Paudie has said the destruction of numerous facilities in the community of Ballybeg is an absolute disgrace. Over recent days we have seen the devastation of a St Saviours’ Clubhouse, a resource centre and Ballybeg boxing club, this type of behaviour serves nobody in our society, Minister Coffey stated.

Fine Gael Waterford Minister Paudie Coffey has said the establishment of a new €350,000 training fund will enable private sector companies to address their skills needs. Minister Coffey said businesses of any size, from a sole trader to SMEs are able to apply and the fund will also be open to existing industry bodies or enterprise groups.

“It’s no wonder that most of the current crop of Independent TDs and Senators have decided to pass on joining a new political party when they received over €813,000 in leader’s allowances in 2014”, says Patrick O’Donovan, Fine Gael TD for Limerick.

The Governor of the Central Bank Mr Patrick Honohan today consulted with the Minister for Finance Michael Noonan T.D. in relation to the Central Bank macro prudential proposals on residential mortgage lending.

Firstly, I thank you for inviting me to speak here this evening on the occasion of the 60th IFA AGM.