Damien English, TD

To ask the Minister for Finance the situation affecting existing employees of Permanent TSB whose insolvent fund was wound up in May last, but who now find themselves part of a defined contribution scheme as a result of bank efforts to reduce its cost by 8% as requested by him, and consequently find their greatly depleted funds are liable for the pension levy, though the fund itself still has all the liabilities of a defined benefit pension for existing retirees; if he will consider an exemption for those nearing retirement in view of the fact that they meet two of the three requirements for exemption to the tax under the Protection of Employees Employment Insolvency Act 1984?

Fine Gael TD for Cork South West, Noel Harrington, today (Friday) welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD, of remediation and harbour improvement works at North Harbour, Cape Clear, which will see an investment of €4 million being made.

Fine Gael Waterford Deputy, Paudie Coffey, has today (Friday) welcomed news from the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan TD, that Waterford will receive an increase of €5.2 million in local government funding for next year. In 2014 Waterford will receive €37.2 million, up from €32 million this year. This is something that I have been working closely with the Minister on and it now affords the elected members of the Council scope to offset the effect of rates increases due to the revaluation process.

Fine Gael Dublin South Central TD, Catherine Byrne, has today (Friday) called for increased security on the Luas lines, following recent reports of criminal and anti-social behaviour on trams.

Fine Gael Dublin Mid West Deputy, Derek Keating, has welcomed the announcement today (Tuesday) of the further expansion of Microsoft’s Europe, Middle East, and Africa mega datacentre at Grangecastle in Dublin. Deputy Keating said this announcement comes just days after the Minister for Enterprise, Jobs and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD, turned the sod on a €100 million data centre for Digital Realty Trust, Inc. at Profile Park in west Dublin.

Fine Gael Limerick TD, Patrick O’Donovan, has today (Friday) welcomed the announcement from the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan TD, that Limerick City and County Councils are to get a 15% boost in funding for 2014.

To ask the Minister for Social Protection in view of the restrictions of access to benefits and housing to be introduced in the UK, if similar measures will now be required by Ireland on 1 January when both Romania and Bulgaria will have completely free mobility throughout the EU; and if she will make a statement on the matter?

Fine Gael TD for Longford/Westmeath, James Bannon, has today (Thursday) welcomed the announcement by the Minister of State in the Department of Sport, Michael Ring TD, of €125,000 in funding for three sporting organisations in Longford and Westmeath.

Fine Gael Dun Laoghaire Deputy, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, said the provision of €50,000 towards the development of a youth café in Dun Laoghaire will provide a safe, secure and alcohol free environment in which local children can hang-out and learn new activities.

Fine Gael Clare Senator, Martin Conway has today (Thursday) welcomed the announcement by the Junior Minister at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Michael Ring TD, to allocate funding of €58,000 for an artificial playing surface at Kilrush and €58,000 for improved facilities at Tim Smythe Park, Ennis.