Answer:
a. $12,000
Explanation:
The Cash of $2,000 had been set aside for the plant expansion does not affect the unrestricted retained earnings. it is just confirms that they have restricted the $2,000 of retained earnings for the plant expansion, in form of cash.
$3,000 of the retained earnings is restricted ($2,000 for plant expansion and $1,000 for bond repayments)
retained earnings is available for dividends = $15,000 - $3,000
= $12,000
Therefore, The retained earnings is available for dividends is $12,000