Parliamentary questions

Departmental Staff Rehiring

Joan Collins

199. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of public sector workers who have retired in the past three years within his Department or any office or body under his aegis who have been reinstated; if he will provide details on the pay rates they are receiving; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10989/13]

Departmental Staff Data

Clare Daly

200. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will outline the numbers and cost of agency staff under the aegis of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11057/13]

Energy Schemes Issues

Gerry Adams

201. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reasons an insulation grant was refused by Sustainable Energy Ireland to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [10550/13]

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Scheme

Stephen Donnelly

202. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he intends to establish a registration scheme for oil installers and service technicians, similar to RGII, which regulates professionals permitted to work on gas systems, and RECI, which registers those permitted to work with electricity; the steps he has taken to date, if any, to establish this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10450/13]

Renewable Energy Incentives

Paudie Coffey

203. Deputy Paudie Coffey asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in the interests of sustainability and the development of renewable energy, the incentives that exist or are proposed, that will facilitate business installing renewable energy infrastructure; if he will outline any proposals that will facilitate the sale or the export of this renewable energy electricity to the national grid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10555/13]

Renewable Energy Generation Issues

Paudie Coffey

204. Deputy Paudie Coffey asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources what the micro-generators of renewable energy infrastructure, both domestic and commercial, may expect for price per KWH unit when exporting electricity to the national grid; the way this compares to other EU States; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10556/13]

Renewable Energy Generation Issues

Paudie Coffey

205. Deputy Paudie Coffey asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the average lead time for the connection of new micro renewable generation infrastructure to the national electricity grid where there is an existing electrical connection to a business or domestic dwellings; the way that compares to other EU states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10557/13]

Energy Schemes Issues

Michelle Mulherin

206. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the energy efficiency fund can potentially be accessed by local authorities to allow them secure alternative sustainable energy supplies for their operations, including from micro-generation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10679/13]

Energy Schemes Issues

Michelle Mulherin

207. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the way the energy efficiency fund, recently established by Government, will operate; the agency that will be charged with administering the fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10680/13]

Departmental Staff Data

Sean Fleming

208. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of agency and contract staff currently employed under the aegis of his Department; and the mechanism in place for monitoring and managing the associated costs. [10979/13]

Departmental Staff Rehiring

Joan Collins

209. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of public sector workers who have retired in the past three years within his Department or any office or body under his aegis who have been reinstated; if he will provide details on the pay rates they are receiving; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10991/13]

Departmental Staff Data

Clare Daly

210. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will outline the numbers and cost of agency staff under the aegis of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11059/13]

Local Authority Housing Repossessions

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

211. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of houses repossessed by each local authority in 2011 and 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10458/13]

Social and Affordable Housing Expenditure

Dessie Ellis

212. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total cost of social housing leasing initiatives for the years 2011 and 2012 respectively; and the projected cost for 2013. [10485/13]

Planning Issues

Róisín Shortall

213. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the options open to him to initiate an investigation into a planning decision by a local authority or An Bord Pleanála where he feels the decision was not in accordance with good planning and development or where he may have other grounds to suspect that an investigation is warranted. [10548/13]

Planning Issues

Eoghan Murphy

214. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will clarify the meaning of guidelines regarding waivers in relation to change of use requests in planning applications (details supplied). [10665/13]

Local Authority Services

Micheál Martin

215. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will contact the management of South Dublin County Council and offer assistance to the council in the quest for funding to restore the playground at Tymon Park, Tallaght, Dublin 24; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10673/13]

Compulsory Purchase Orders

Niall Collins

216. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the date on which he will publish the second investigation report into the compulsory purchase order at a location (details supplied); and if he intends to refer this report to the public accounts committee for discussion. [10697/13]

Compulsory Purchase Orders

Niall Collins

217. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will agree to the request for a meeting by three members of Wicklow County Council to discuss irregularities involving substantial public funds within that council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10698/13]

Property Taxation Exemptions

Dominic Hannigan

218. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the list of houses in certain unfinished developments has been finalised for the local property tax yet; the way the estates are being qualified for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10725/13]

Water Meters Installation

Brendan Smith

219. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that one of the conditions for inclusion on the subcontractor panel for water metering work is a minimum annual turnover of €400,000; his views on whether this threshold is too high and will deny small scale operators the opportunity to apply for work; if he will ensure that this threshold is substantially reduced which would ensure a better distribution of contracts both to smaller scale operators and on a geographic basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10726/13]

Departmental Staff Data

Sean Fleming

220. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of agency and contract staff currently employed under the aegis of his Department; the mechanism in place for monitoring and managing the associated costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10982/13]

Departmental Staff Rehiring

Joan Collins

221. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of public sector workers who have retired in the past three years within his Department or any office or body under his aegis who have been reinstated; if he will provide details on the pay rates they are receiving; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10994/13]

Departmental Staff Data

Clare Daly

222. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will outline the numbers and cost of agency staff under the aegis of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11062/13]

Garda Investigations

Pearse Doherty

223. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide an update on the Garda Síochána investigation of the alleged unauthorised removal of confidential data by a former employee of the National Asset Management Agency. [10648/13]

Criminal Law Review

Michael Creed

224. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will consider introducing reforms to the area of public prosecutions to facilitate plea bargaining by those considered to have committed a crime; the legal obstacles presently to this approach; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10465/13]

Criminal Law Review

Róisín Shortall

225. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason persons are still being imprisoned for non-payment of fines; the reason their fines are not being deducted at source by either the Revenue Commissioners or the Department of Social Protection; and the way he intends to end the situation where significant numbers of prison places are taken up by fine-defaulters. [10467/13]

Business Regulation

Peadar Tóibín

226. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the efforts he has undertaken to reduce service costs such as legal costs on business. [3242/13]

Equality Issues

Seán Kenny

227. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views regarding section 37 of the Employment Equality Act and section 7(3)(c) of the Equal Status Act 2000, as to whether they are the cause of inequality of access within the education system here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10664/13]

Visa Applications

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

228. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide an update on the application for a partnership visa in respect of a person (details supplied); the average timeframe for a review to take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10668/13]

Visa Applications

Michael Creed

229. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he has received an application for resident status here under the immigrant investor programme from a person (details supplied); the current status of this application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10677/13]

Gambling Legislation

Niall Collins

230. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the monetary limits in respect of stake and payout set out in the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956 will be amended by way of statutory instrument or other ministerial prerogative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10696/13]

Magdalen Laundries Issues

Mary Lou McDonald

231. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the Magdalen laundry redress mechanism will be placed on a statutory footing. [10700/13]

Magdalen Laundries Issues

Mary Lou McDonald

232. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the Magdalen laundry redress mechanism will include an independent appeals mechanism. [10701/13]

Magdalen Laundries Issues

Mary Lou McDonald

233. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if surviving women wishing to avail of legal representation, for example, women who wish to remain anonymous, that this will be allowed within the Magdalen laundry redress mechanism. [10702/13]

Magdalen Laundries Issues

Mary Lou McDonald

234. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reasons the Magdalen laundry review terms of reference refer only to women who are now resident in Britain; and if surviving women who now reside outside Ireland and Britain will be able to access the Magdalen laundry fund. [10703/13]

Magdalen Laundries Issues

Mary Lou McDonald

235. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if it his intention to withhold access to redress from surviving women of the Magdalen laundries who have previously received supports from the Residential Institutions Redress Board for abuses suffered whilst in an industrial school. [10704/13]

Magdalen Laundries Issues

Mary Lou McDonald

236. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the formal action he will take to ensure the religious orders are brought to account for their role in the Magdalene laundries abuse. [10705/13]

Magdalen Laundries Issues

Mary Lou McDonald

237. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will include the survivors of Bethany Home in the Magdalen laundry redress mechanism noting the principle of due diligence which provides that where State authorities knew of actual human rights abuses by the non-State sector, as recorded, for example, during State inspections of Bethany under the Registration of Maternity Homes Act, and failed to take appropriate steps to prevent the violations or investigate and punish the perpetrators then the State bears the responsibility for the violations. [10706/13]

Financial Services Regulation

Clare Daly

238. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to reform the statute of limitations so that claims can be made against financial institutions that misssold financial products. [10722/13]

Departmental Staff Rehiring

Joan Collins

239. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of public sector workers who have retired in the past three years within his Department or any office or body under his aegis who have been reinstated; if he will provide details on the pay rates they are receiving; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10998/13]

Defence Forces Personnel

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

240. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Defence if he will address the concerns regarding the Army Medical Corps raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10452/13]

Departmental Staff Data

Sean Fleming

241. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Defence the number of agency and contract staff currently employed under the aegis of his Department; the mechanism in place for monitoring and managing the associated costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10980/13]

Departmental Staff Rehiring

Joan Collins

242. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Defence the number of public sector workers who have retired in the past three years within his Department or any office or body under his aegis who have been reinstated; if he will provide details on the pay rates they are receiving; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10992/13]

Departmental Staff Data

Clare Daly

243. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Defence if he will outline the numbers and cost of agency staff under the aegis of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11060/13]

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments

Pat Breen

244. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding a disadvantaged area scheme 2012 payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10472/13]

Horticulture Sector Issues

Martin Ferris

245. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there will be a grant scheme for horticulture, including mushrooms, for 2014 following the close of the NDP funded scheme. [10473/13]

Suckler Welfare Scheme Applications

Pat Breen

246. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) in County Clare has not been facilitated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10487/13]

Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments

Dan Neville

247. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding an agri-environment options scheme payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10500/13]

Food Labelling

Patrick Nulty

248. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will take steps, at Irish and EU level, to ensure, in view of the current food packaging crisis, that processed meat products, including those which have undergone a substantial transformation, would state clearly on them whether or not the meat is Irish, and not just because it was packaged here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10505/13]

Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments

Michael Creed

249. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the delay in issuing an agri-environment options scheme payment to a person (details provided) in County Cork. [10635/13]

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Applications

Frankie Feighan

250. Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding an application for disadvantaged area scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon. [10666/13]

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments

Michael Creed

251. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the delay in the issuing of disadvantaged area and single farm payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10669/13]

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Applications

Éamon Ó Cuív

252. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Galway will be issued payment under the 2012 disadvantaged area scheme; the reasons for the delay in payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10727/13]

Agri-Environment Options Scheme Application Numbers

Billy Timmins

253. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding farm payments in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10731/13]

Departmental Staff Data

Sean Fleming

254. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of agency and contract staff currently employed under the aegis of his Department; the mechanism in place for monitoring and managing the associated costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10976/13]

Departmental Staff Rehiring

Joan Collins

255. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of public sector workers who have retired in the past three years within his Department or any office or body under his aegis who have been reinstated; if he will provide details on the pay rates they are receiving; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10988/13]

Departmental Staff Data

Clare Daly

256. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline the numbers and cost of agency staff under the aegis of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11056/13]

Foster Care Policy

Joanna Tuffy

257. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide an update on the rules regarding the age that children leave foster care (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10699/13]

Foster Care Provision

Róisín Shortall

258. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the action she is taking on foot of the Health Information and Quality Authority report inspection of the Health Service Executive Dublin north west local health area fostering service in the Health Service Executive Dublin north east region; and the way she proposes to ensure that the action plan is fully implemented. [10728/13]

Foster Care Policy

Róisín Shortall

259. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 572 of 22 January 2013, the target date for the finalisation of a national register of foster parents who are deemed unsuitable and no longer have children placed with them. [10729/13]

Departmental Staff Data

Sean Fleming

260. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of agency and contract staff currently employed under the aegis of her Department; the mechanism in place for monitoring and managing the associated costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10978/13]

Departmental Staff Rehiring

Joan Collins

261. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of public sector workers who have retired in the past three years within her Department or any office or body under her aegis who have been reinstated; if she will provide details on the pay rates they are receiving; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10990/13]

Departmental Staff Data

Clare Daly

262. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will outline the numbers and cost of agency staff under the aegis of her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11058/13]

Health Insurance Regulation

Michael McGrath

263. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health his plans to make a capital injection into the VHI this year to comply with the ruling of the EU Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10638/13]

Croke Park Agreement Review

Bernard Durkan

264. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which the context of the review of the Croke Park agreement or other discussions, it might have been found possible to identify the needs of public sector workers currently working in excess of the statutory working week with a view to minimising on them the impact the extent to which cost-cutting measures arising from the implementation of the memorandum of understanding entered into by his predecessors particularly for those working in frontline or stressful situations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10709/13]

Ambulance Service Provision

Brendan Griffin

265. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the position regarding future plans for the Kerry ambulance service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10459/13]

Tobacco Control Measures

Robert Troy

266. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the percentage of population that smoke; the percentage of under 25 year olds who smoke; the reduction in the percentage of persons that smoke following the introduction of the smoking ban and the abolishing of ten cigarettes packs. [10461/13]

Tobacco Control Measures

Robert Troy

267. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he held any discussions with the Department of Finance with a view to securing a percentage of excise duty raised through the sale of tobacco towards the education of young persons regarding the negative effects of smoking. [10462/13]

Hospitals Capital Programme

Mattie McGrath

268. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the reason the acute hospital budget for hospitals in the south east is significantly lower than the budgets in all other regions which stands at just €565 per capita compared to an average per capita spend of €691; the basis on which the acute hospital budget allocation is made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10482/13]

Health Services Provision

Michelle Mulherin

269. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Health the amount per year that has been allocated by the special delivery unit in each year since it was set up; the amount that remains to be allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10484/13]

Symphysiotomy Report

Finian McGrath

270. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will support the survivors of symphysiotomy in 2013 in obtaining justice for the suffering the survivors have endured (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10499/13]

Health Services Provision

Jerry Buttimer

271. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Health the efforts being made to develop clear clinical pathways for people living with chronic pain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10516/13]

Health Services Provision

Jerry Buttimer

272. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of the investment and development of infrastructure to improve the treatments available for chronic pain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10517/13]

Drugs Payment Scheme Administration

Robert Troy

273. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 676 and 692, under the DPS scheme, no individual or family pays more than €144 per calendar month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines, therefore, if one member of a family has a medical card on medical grounds and that member pays the €1.50 per item in the medical card prescription up to a maximum of €19.50 per month and the rest of the family pay the €144, surely that family is entitled to a refund of the €19.50 per month under the DPS scheme, otherwise the family pays more than the €144 per calendar month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. [10529/13]

Prescription Charges

Terence Flanagan

274. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if patients are entitled to request a quarterly prescription from their general practitioner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10658/13]

Primary Care Centres Provision

Micheál Martin

275. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health the progress being made with regard to the provision of a primary health centre in Rowlagh, Dublin 22; if a site has yet been identified for this centre; if any public private partnership agreement has yet been finalised; if he will provide an indicative time frame for the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10676/13]

Medical Aids and Appliances Provision

James Bannon

276. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health if he will supply a more suitable wheelchair to a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10690/13]

Hospital Waiting Lists

James Bannon

277. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be called for an MRSI scan at the Midlands Regional Hospital, Tullamore, County Offaly or Mullingar, County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10695/13]

Departmental Staff Data

Sean Fleming

278. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the number of agency and contract staff currently employed under the aegis of his Department; the mechanism in place for monitoring and managing the associated costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10984/13]

Departmental Staff Rehiring

Joan Collins

279. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health the number of public sector workers who have retired in the past three years within his Department or any office or body under his aegis who have been reinstated; if he will provide details on the pay rates they are receiving; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10996/13]

Departmental Staff Data

Clare Daly

280. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the numbers and cost of agency staff under the aegis of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11064/13]

Sports Capital Programme Applications

Mattie McGrath

281. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reasons an application for funding under the sports capital grant could be made invalid; where these conditions are published; the way an application can be deemed invalid for reasons that they were not made aware of prior to submission of the application and for reasons that were not published with the application form; the appeals process available where an application is deemed invalid for unfair reasons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10451/13]

Public Transport Provision

Finian McGrath

282. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will return the maximum numbers of carriages on the DART at peak times (details supplied). [10553/13]

Sports Capital Programme Applications

Terence Flanagan

283. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the next sports capital programme will open for applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10659/13]

Road Network

Micheál Martin

284. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to proceed with the Newlands Cross upgrade; the schedule to be followed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10671/13]

Driving Licence Issues

Róisín Shortall

285. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 791 of 19 February 2013, if he will establish with the Road Safety Authority the tendering process which was used to award the contract to the National Driver Licence Service; and the reason pharmacies were excluded from this process. [10681/13]

Road Network

James Bannon

286. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the proposed N4 Mullingar to Longford, Roosky, motorway project; the consultants engaged for the project; if the project will go ahead within the next two years; if not, if the restrictions will be lifted from the farm of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath which is located in the route area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10691/13]

Departmental Staff Rehiring

Joan Collins

287. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of public sector workers who have retired in the past three years within his Department or any office or body under his aegis who have been reinstated; if he will provide details on the pay rates they are receiving; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11001/13]

Petroleum and Gas Exploration

John Halligan

98. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in view of the recent oil/gas find in Ballyroe, County Kerry and the possible find off the coast of Northern Ireland and the evidence this provides that significant gas and oil deposits exist in Irish waters, if he is considering changes in the licensing and tax regime surrounding gas and oil exploration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9989/13]

Energy Prices

Bernard Durkan

99. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which he and his Department directly or in conjunction with the Regulator have endeavoured to ascertain the extent to which petrol and diesel prices at filling stations accurately reflect oil prices on the world markets throughout each of the past six years to date; if he will set out the prices charged per barrel throughout the period in question; the prices charged at filling stations in the same period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9955/13]

Television Licence Fee Collection

Michael Moynihan

100. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when he intends to replace the television licence with a broadcasting charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10085/13]

Post Office Network

Mick Wallace

101. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the need to maintain a strong rural post office network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9986/13]

Broadband Services Speeds

Pearse Doherty

102. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has identified any legislation needed for the rollout of high speed broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9972/13]

Telecommunications Services Provision

Brendan Smith

104. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the way he plans to expand Ireland's digital economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10070/13]

Television Licence Fee Collection

Brian Stanley

105. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to introduce a new charge to replace the current television licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9973/13]

Telecommunications Services Provision

Timmy Dooley

106. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his proposals to advance the digital society here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10060/13]

Alternative Energy Projects

Michelle Mulherin

107. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will supply an update on plans to make the Belmullet wave test site, County Mayo, operational, including possible joint ventures involving private investment; the priority that he is giving to the project as part of the development of our indigenous wave energy resource and without which we continue to fall behind other countries in research and development and associated jobs in this up and coming energy area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9953/13]

Alternative Energy Projects

John McGuinness

108. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his assessment of the future for the biofuels sector here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10082/13]

Exploration Licences Approvals

Martin Ferris

109. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the amount of money that has been received from companies holding a licensing option in the past three years; if he will provide a breakdown of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9978/13]