Parliamentary questions

Legislative Measures

Seán Kenny

909. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on the stated view of Dublin City Council that primary legislation is required to regulate the carrying of passengers by rickshaws in the City of Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1071/15]

Leader Programmes Applications

Dara Calleary

910. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when a Leader funding application for a community group (details supplied) in County Mayo will be processed; the reason for the delay in the application process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1079/15]

Seniors Alert Scheme

Ciaran Lynch

911. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the changes to the seniors alert scheme that are proposed; his views on whether sufficient consultation has been undertaken with interested parties; his further views on the points raised in a document (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1107/15]

Social and Affordable Housing Provision

John McGuinness

912. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the targets he has set for the provision of social and affordable housing for each of the next five years; the number of social and affordable housing units provided or funded by his Department in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1147/15]

Water Charges Exemptions

Barry Cowen

913. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government where liability for payment lies with regard to Irish Water charges where the house is occupied solely by students attending third level institutions; if his attention has been drawn to the possible charging difficulties surrounding the differences between the academic year and the charging year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1149/15]

Housing Issues

Ray Butler

914. Deputy Ray Butler asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the extent to which Meath County Council has sought funding from his Department to meet current and emerging housing needs in the county in the short-to-medium term; the methodology to be used to address the issue either by way of purchase of existing units or direct build; his plans to address the issue of homelessness; the commitments entered into to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1162/15]

Seniors Alert Scheme

Michael McCarthy

915. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when funding will be made available to enable senior alert schemes to provide carbon monoxide alarms to the disabled and the elderly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1163/15]

Local Authority Housing Rents

Peadar Tóibín

916. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government the date by which statutory instruments will be made to commence the new local authority differential rent framework. [1313/15]

Local Authority Housing Rents

Peadar Tóibín

917. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government if he will provide specific examples of the way the new local authority differential rent framework will be more equitable. [1314/15]

Local Authority Housing Rents

Peadar Tóibín

918. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government if local authority rents will increase following the introduction of the new local authority differential rent framework. [1315/15]

Local Authority Housing Rents

Peadar Tóibín

919. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government if he will provide the rent levels that will apply after the new local authority differential rent framework transitional period has concluded. [1316/15]

Local Authority Housing Rents

Peadar Tóibín

920. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government the action he will take in the event a majority of elected representatives of a local authority vote against the implementation of the new differential rent framework and retain the existing arrangements. [1317/15]

Tenant Purchase Scheme Administration

John McGuinness

921. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government his plans to put in place a new tenant purchase scheme for local authority houses; if and when this will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1322/15]

Inniúlacht sa Ghaeilge sa Státseirbhís

Éamon Ó Cuív

922. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Comhshaoil, Pobail agus Rialtais Áitiúil bunaithe ar an treoir a thug an Roinn Caiteachas Phoiblí agus Athchóirithe do gach Roinn, cad é líon agus cad iad gráid na bpost dá mbeidh státseirbhísigh atá inniúil sa Ghaeilge agus sa Bhéarla ag teastáil; cad é líon na bpost sin a bhfuil duine leis an gcumas cuí Gaeilge agus Béarla iontu cheana féin, arna bhriseadh síos de réir gráid; cén cháilíocht Ghaeilge atá riachtanach do na poist sin; i gcás nach bhfuil an treoir ón Roinn Caiteachais Phoiblí agus Athchóirithe comhlíonta, cad é údar na moille agus cén uair a dhéanfar an scrúdú; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [1430/15]

Departmental Expenditure

Barry Cowen

923. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide in tabular form the total photography costs for his Department per annum from 2011 to 2014, inclusive; the costs incurred from the use of the ministerial allowance; a list of occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; a breakdown of costs associated with each occasion that a photographer was used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1443/15]

Public Relations Contracts Data

Barry Cowen

924. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide in tabular form the use of external public relations firms employed by his Department per annum from 2011 to 2014, inclusive; a list of uses of the external public relations firm; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1451/15]

Building Regulations

Michael Healy-Rae

925. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding building regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1462/15]

Leader Programmes Applications

Michelle Mulherin

926. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding an application by an organisation (details supplied) to Mayo North East Leader Partnership; if it will be expedited due to the time taken to process the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1472/15]

Tenant Purchase Scheme Administration

Willie Penrose

927. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government when the new tenant purchase scheme which was announced will become operational; the terms and conditions thereof; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1485/15]

Homeless Accommodation Provision

Finian McGrath

928. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding funding for a homeless service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1500/15]

Seniors Alert Scheme

Jerry Buttimer

929. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in view of the change in management of the senior alert scheme, if he will provide details of all consultations with stakeholders held by officials in his Department prior to transferring management of the scheme to Pobal; if under newly tendered contracts the minimum standard required will be the existing EU standard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1513/15]

Referendum Campaigns

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

930. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when he will establish the referendum commission for the proposed referendums in 2015; if he will ensure the referendum commission has sufficient time to engage in a thorough information campaign in advance of the referendums; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1612/15]

Consultancy Contracts Data

Tom Fleming

931. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide details of all consultancy firms engaged by his Department during 2014; if he will also provide details of all the relevant fees paid to those firms during the period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1666/15]

Planning Issues

Arthur Spring

932. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if planning permission is needed to adapt a residential house (details supplied) into sheltered accommodation for the homeless or recovering addicts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1702/15]

Local and Community Development Programme

Jack Wall

933. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding local community development; his plans to address the issues raised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1745/15]

Planning Issues

Brendan Griffin

934. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the process involved for the extension of planning permission for wind farms and wind turbines; if a public notice or site notice needs to be erected; his plans to review the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1747/15]

Housing Assistance Payments Implementation

Seán Kyne

935. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the progress of the housing assistance payment in view of its operation in selected local authority areas; when it is envisaged that the scheme will be introduced elsewhere; if it is known which local authority areas are next to receive the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1755/15]

EU Directives

Brendan Smith

936. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide in tabular form the number of EU directives which remain to be implemented within his Department; the name of these directives; the timeframe for the implementation of these directives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1792/15]

Local Authority Staff

Barry Cowen

937. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to increase local authority staffing levels in order to facilitate the delivery of the Government's housing plans announced in 2014; if requests have been received for additional staff from local authorities in 2014 and to date in 2015; if so, the number of same and from what local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1806/15]

Legislative Programme

Micheál Martin

938. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide in tabular form the number, name and date of Bills initiated in his Department that have been subject to the pre-legislative scrutiny procedure in the Oireachtas. [1813/15]

Legislative Programme

Micheál Martin

939. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide in tabular form the number, name and date of Bills initiated in his Department since September 2013. [1828/15]

Departmental Staff Data

Barry Cowen

940. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of secondments from his Department to external private firms in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and to date in 2015; the firms involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1843/15]

Departmental Staff Data

Barry Cowen

941. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of secondments based in his Department from external private firms in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and to date in 2015; the firms involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1857/15]

Departmental Staff Data

Barry Cowen

942. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his Department has a policy regarding secondments from and within his Department to external firms; when the policy was initiated and last updated; the details of the policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1871/15]

National Oil Reserves Agency

Michael McGrath

943. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the total raised in each year from 2008 to 2014 from the 2 cent NORA levy on petrol and diesel; the manner in which the money is deployed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1739/15]

Post Office Network

Finian McGrath

944. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will support the future of the post office network in 2015 as a matter of priority. [49444/14]

Environmental Policy

Tony McLoughlin

945. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in view of the 2015 European water framework directive, if his Department is prepared to withdraw IPPC licences from industries along the Shannon which threaten our fishing tourism industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49470/14]

Broadband Service Provision

James Bannon

946. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to prioritise the rapid roll-out of high-speed broadband to all areas of rural County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49491/14]

Broadband Service Provision

James Bannon

947. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to prioritise the rapid roll-out of high-speed broadband to all areas of rural County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49492/14]

Natural Gas Grid

James Bannon

948. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to initiate a capital programme to supply natural gas to County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49493/14]

National Postcode System Implementation

Tom Fleming

949. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will examine a submission regarding Eircode (details supplied); his views on this comprehensive and logical report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49552/14]

Renewable Energy Generation

Anne Ferris

950. Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the quantity in megawatts of renewable energy generating capacity that has received final planning permission by local authorities or An Bord Pleanála since 2000; the exact quantity of renewable energy generating capacity which, under the planning permission granted, may be connected to the national grid in the same period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49684/14]

Broadband Service Provision

Willie O'Dea

951. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to roll out efibre broadband to Ballyclough, County Limerick, in view of the fact that there are many persons in need of faster broadband for work purposes in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49687/14]

Departmental Bodies Data

Patrick O'Donovan

952. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of agencies, quangos or other bodies within, funded by or established by his Department which have been scrapped, merged or reduced since this Government was formed; the amount saved in each case; the reduction in staff as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1010/15]

Decentralisation Programme Data

Patrick O'Donovan

953. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the agencies or sections from his Department that were decentralised during the period 1997 to 2011; the travel costs and expenses incurred by decentralised personnel travelling to their base Department in that period. [1025/15]

Broadband Service Provision

Jim Daly

954. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on offering financial assistance to wireless Internet service providers in any capacity to assist them to expand the services they provide to areas of rural Ireland that would otherwise not be serviced by a provider; if his attention has been drawn to the extraordinary costs, such as that of connecting to electricity, in such remote rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1048/15]

Consultancy Contracts Data

Dara Calleary

955. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the total amount of moneys paid by his Department to external consultants, professional companies or advisers in relation to the jobs action plan in each year since and including 2012; if he will provide in a tabular form the list of those organisations that received money; his Department's procurement policy regarding this work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1133/15]

Broadcasting Charge

Michael Healy-Rae

956. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the broadcasting charge (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1167/15]

Inniúlacht sa Ghaeilge sa Státseirbhís

Éamon Ó Cuív

957. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Cumarsáide, Fuinnimh agus Acmhainní Nádúrtha bunaithe ar an treoir a thug an Roinn Caiteachas Phoiblí agus Athchóirithe do gach Roinn, cad é líon agus cad iad gráid na bpost dá mbeidh státseirbhísigh atá inniúil sa Ghaeilge agus sa Bhéarla ag teastáil; cad é líon na bpost sin a bhfuil duine leis an gcumas cuí Gaeilge agus Béarla iontu cheana féin arna bhriseadh síos de réir gráid; cén cháilíocht Gaeilge atá riachtanach do na poist sin; i gcás nach bhfuil an treoir ón Roinn Caiteachais Phoiblí agus Athchóirithe comhlíonta cad é údar na moille agus cén uair a dhéanfar an scrúdú; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [1427/15]

Departmental Expenditure

Barry Cowen

958. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide in tabular form the total photography costs for his Department per annum in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014; the costs incurred from use of the ministerial allowance; a list of occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; a breakdown of costs associated with each occasion that a photographer was used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1446/15]