Parliamentary questions

Post Office Network

Michael Moynihan

25. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the discussions he has had with the board and chief executive officer of An Post regarding the post office network; if he will guarantee that no post offices will close this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3774/15]

Broadband Service Provision

Michael Moynihan

30. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when approval will be received from the EU for its national broadband plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3770/15]

Social Welfare Code

Michael Moynihan

45. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her views on changing the situation where only the person in direct receipt of a social welfare payment receives an increase of €10 once they turn 80 years of age, but a qualified adult on a payment is not eligible for the same increase; her views that this is extremely unfair on those persons affected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4073/15]

Schools Amalgamation

Michael Moynihan

472. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress to date in the proposed amalgamation of the national schools in Kanturk, County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3723/15]

Post Office Network

Michael Moynihan

590. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on recent changes made by An Post to move post office branches into supermarkets; his further views on the detrimental social effect this has on small communities; if there is a public tender system in place for these post branches; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2796/15]

Wind Energy Generation

Michael Moynihan

242. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has requested a report on the recent mechanical failures witnessed at wind farms on the island of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2015/15]

Commercial Rates Valuation Process

Michael Moynihan

206. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if community child care facilities which operate on a not-for-profit basis, and have charitable status from the Revenue Commissioners, will be exempted from commercial rates following the recent amendment to the Valuation Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1282/15]

Dairy Equipment Scheme

Michael Moynihan

287. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the new dairy equipment scheme, which has been allocated funding under the new CAP programme, will be made available to farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49534/14]

An Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann

Michael Moynihan

363. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 672 of 8 July 2014, if there were regulations made in relation to quorum requirements for fitness to practise hearings by An Bord Altranais; if this means that any fitness to practise inquiries that took place were operating outside of any legal framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48859/14]

Appointments to State Boards

Michael Moynihan

577. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he is satisfied with the current arrangements surrounding the position of chairperson of An Post in view of that person's change in employment location; the way this new arrangement will operate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49364/14]

Post Office Network

Michael Moynihan

635. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when the final Government report on the future of An Post and the postal network will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48459/14]

Bioenergy Strategy Implementation

Michael Moynihan

1. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when he will publish a biomass strategy; if he has sought to examine the possibility of transforming Moneypoint, County Clare, to biomass to reduce our carbon emissions; his views on converting our peat power stations to biomass; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47396/14]

Postcode Implementation

Michael Moynihan

4. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the concerns expressed by freight transport companies here surrounding the launch of Eircode; the costs surrounding Eircode; when the post code will be operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47397/14]

Television Licence Fee Collection

Michael Moynihan

6. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to introduce the broadcasting charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47261/14]

Post Office Network

Michael Moynihan

8. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans on publishing a strategy on sustaining the post office network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47260/14]

Electricity Generation

Michael Moynihan

24. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an update on the Grid25 proposals; his views that Grid25 is still necessary; his further views on the stability of the grid in view of the current percentage of wind energy on the grid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47259/14]

Energy Policy

Michael Moynihan

26. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the implications of the new EU energy and emissions targets for 2030; the role solar power will play in helping Ireland reach i’s carbon emissions reduction targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47263/14]

Broadband Service Provision

Michael Moynihan

37. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide a timetable of the objectives outlined by the broadband mapping project; the way he will ensure that all communities have a basic access to broadband by the timetable outlined; the costs surrounding this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47262/14]

Wind Energy Generation

Michael Moynihan

462. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the percentage of energy supply that emanates from wind farms; the maximum megawatt outage produced by wind farms to the grid; the lowest megawatt outage on the grid this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47055/14]

Nuclear Plants

Michael Moynihan

91. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the communications he has had with his British counterpart with regard to the construction of Hinkley Point C nuclear power plant in Somerset; his views on nuclear energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40196/14]

Seniors Alert Scheme

Michael Moynihan

531. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to outline his proposed changes to the seniors alert scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46047/14]

Seniors Alert Scheme

Michael Moynihan

532. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to outline the discussions he has had with Pobal and the companies current supplying the seniors alert scheme with regard to proposed changes to the system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46048/14]

Seniors Alert Scheme

Michael Moynihan

533. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has conducted a cost benefit analysis of the proposed changes to the seniors alert scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46049/14]

Grant Aid

Michael Moynihan

73. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to introduce grant aid for farmers who wish to install solar panels on their farm; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45400/14]

Air Services Provision

Michael Moynihan

165. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will acknowledge that Cork Airport is a vital transport hub for the many industries and businesses in the region; his views on the removal of two more routes recently by Aer Lingus from Cork Airport; his Department's plans to ensure the future growth and development of Cork Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45433/14]

Electricity Generation

Michael Moynihan

179. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an update regarding Electric Ireland having announced it will no longer buy electricity from residential properties generating electricity from renewable sources such as solar and wind - residential consumers connected up to 31 December 2014 were eligible for a 9 cent/kWH export tariff, this now falls to zero; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44541/14]

Road Projects Status

Michael Moynihan

183. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress of the proposed Macroom bypass in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44456/14]

Renewable Energy Projects

Michael Moynihan

535. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to explain the percentage of energy supplied from biomass resources here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44087/14]

Renewable Energy Projects

Michael Moynihan

536. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to set out his views on whether biomass energy will form part of renewable energy targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44088/14]

Energy Production

Michael Moynihan

537. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to outline his plan to examine proposals to convert coal-fired generators in Moneypoint, County Clare, and peat fired generators in the midlands to biomass to reduce carbon emissions here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44089/14]

Renewable Energy Projects

Michael Moynihan

538. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the State has the capability to supply the necessary natural resources to provide a sustainable supply of biomass; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44090/14]

Wind Energy Generation

Michael Moynihan

539. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to outline the number of wind farms in operation here; the average daily megawatt supply from wind energy; and the number of wind farms being planned. [44091/14]

Electricity Transmission Network

Michael Moynihan

540. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an update on the Grid 25 project; the amount that has been spent on this project to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44092/14]

National Postcode System Implementation

Michael Moynihan

547. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide in tabular form the names of outside companies hired by Eircode since its establishment; the duration of contract; the costs per company; the overall total costs to date for outside consultants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44380/14]

National Postcode System Establishment

Michael Moynihan

548. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide in tabular form the names of outside companies hired by his Department in relation to the Eircode project since its inception; the duration of contract; the costs per company; the overall total costs to date for outside consultants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44381/14]

Inland Waterways Maintenance

Michael Moynihan

550. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the actions his Department has taken to ensure that rivers here are properly dredged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42956/14]

National Roads Authority Staff

Michael Moynihan

561. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of staff currently employed by the National Roads Authority; the number employed per annum from 2005 to date in 2014. [42831/14]

National Roads Authority Staff

Michael Moynihan

562. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the annual staff budget of the National Roads Authority in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014. [42832/14]

National Roads Authority Funding

Michael Moynihan

563. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the capital and current budget of the National Roads Authority in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014. [42833/14]

Consultancy Contracts Data

Michael Moynihan

81. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of reports from external consultants commissioned by his Department in the years 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; the costs incurred by his Department to commission these reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42590/14]

Consultancy Contracts Data

Michael Moynihan

96. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of reports from external consultants commissioned by his Department in the years 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; the costs incurred by his Department to commission these reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42587/14]

Health Services Reports

Michael Moynihan

179. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the number of reports from external consultants commissioned by his Department in the years 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; the costs incurred by his Department to commission these reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42589/14]

Consultancy Contracts Data

Michael Moynihan

210. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of reports from external consultants commissioned by her Department in the years 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; the costs incurred by her Department to commission these reports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42588/14]

Consultancy Contracts Data

Michael Moynihan

244. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of reports from external consultants commissioned by his Department in the years 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; the costs incurred by his Department to commission these reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42591/14]

National Roads Authority Projects

Michael Moynihan

258. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the progress of the proposed M20 Cork to Limerick motorway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42584/14]

Mortgage Repayments

Michael Moynihan

277. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding the charge on a property when the full moneys owed on the mortgage account have been paid to the mortgage provider but the deeds to the property have not yet been released and have now been transferred to another entity (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41203/14]

Tax Code

Michael Moynihan

298. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Finance in view of the capital gains tax relief measures announced in the budget to encourage farm consolidation, if he will facilitate the many farmers who are currently bound by the previous six year rule regarding consolidation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41405/14]

Child Protection

Michael Moynihan

564. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will clarify for the purposes of developing child safeguarding policies his Department's exact definition of a child; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41492/14]

National Broadband Plan Implementation

Michael Moynihan

1. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an update on the national broadband mapping project; the actions he will take to improve broadband services in rural Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40484/14]

Post Office Network

Michael Moynihan

4. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to secure the future of the post office network here; the impact that the Government's e-payment plan will have on post offices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40485/14]