Parliamentary questions

Wind Energy Generation

Thomas P. Broughan

512. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the status of permissions granted for offshore wind farm developments in view of the collapse of the Intergovernmental Agreement on Green Export Energy, and the continuing opposition to offshore wind farm proposals. [23042/14]

Homelessness Strategy

Mattie McGrath

513. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of children and families currently availing of emergency accommodation in south Tipperary; the types of that accommodation hostels, hotels, bed and breakfasts; the amount her Department has spent in providing emergency accommodation in south Tipperary since the Government's term of office began; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23237/14]

Social and Affordable Housing Provision

Bernard Durkan

514. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the extent to which provision can be made to revive the local authority house building programme without impacting negatively on the Government’s balance sheet; if the launch of a specific bond might be considered in this context; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23408/14]

Water Charges Exemptions

Damien English

515. Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in the case of dependent children aged over 18, for example, those attending college, his plans to facilitate a water allowance for households containing such persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22125/14]

Irish Water Staff

Dara Calleary

516. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the status of employees previously employed in the water services section of local authorities; if these employees are now classed as employees of Irish Water; if he will outline the implications of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22149/14]

Local Authority Charges Application

Michael Healy-Rae

517. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans regarding rates on vacant properties. [22191/14]

Nitrates Usage

Seán Fleming

518. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the rules regarding farmers spreading agricultural slurry on land in an area that is designated as an aquifer for water supply in a region; the conditions that attach in these situations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22212/14]

Water Services Provision

Mattie McGrath

519. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the works contract for the Burncourt/Fethard regional water supply scheme has been signed and if not the reason for same; when work will commence in view of the fact that it is approximately six months since the funding for the scheme was approved by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22223/14]

Fire Stations Provision

Seán Fleming

520. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when funding will be approved for a fire station at a location (details supplied) in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22232/14]

Water Charges Exemptions

Robert Troy

521. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if any concession will be made regarding water charges to persons suffering with a disability or families affected by same. [22240/14]

Local Authority Housing Evictions

Clare Daly

522. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on whether it is appropriate for Westmeath County Council to evict landless persons from the Edmonton/Killynon cowpark grassing facility which they have utilised for decades; and if this is a contradiction of policy to assist small holders. [22291/14]

Pyrite Issues

Clare Daly

523. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the options open to home owners who have spent thousands of euros on pyrite reports, which have confirmed the presence of pyrite, but the damage is not sufficient to be covered by the scheme or remediated by their insurer, and, therefore, the house is unable to be sold, unable to achieve a green certificate and in may ways the home owners are in the worst of all worlds. [22331/14]

Irish Water Staff

Catherine Murphy

524. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of staff that work in the leak detection unit of Irish Water; the number of those who are currently employed on temporary contracts; if the local authorities have applied to have the recruitment embargo lifted in order that these staff may be retained in the future, or if these staff will be seconded to Irish Water for the foreseeable future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22345/14]

Water Meters Installation

Clare Daly

525. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the smart meters being imposed as part of the water meter process; his views regarding the radio frequency being emitted; and if residents have a right to refuse such a meter on health grounds. [22354/14]

Water Charges Exemptions

Robert Troy

526. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will clearly outline the concessions to the water rate charges. [22362/14]

Animal Welfare

Brian Stanley

527. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of dog licences that were issued in 2013. [22367/14]

Water Charges Exemptions

Jonathan O'Brien

528. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has directed Irish Water on the matter of water allocation for under 18 year olds that will be delivered in the many Gaeltacht areas where local Mná Tí open their houses for the summer months to students from outside Gaeltacht areas who wish to improve their spoken Gaeilge. [22437/14]

Job Losses

Éamon Ó Cuív

529. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the discussions his Department has had with IMPACT and SIPTU in relation to the possible job losses that could occur due to the proposed changes in the delivery of the social inclusion and Leader programme; if he intends personally meeting the two unions to discuss this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22450/14]

Irish Water Administration

Barry Cowen

530. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is satisfied with the level of communication by Irish Water with local councillors; the systems that Irish Water has put in place for such communication; his views on whether Irish Water is sufficiently accountable to local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22471/14]

Foreshore Licence Applications

Patrick O'Donovan

531. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 357 of 8 April 2014, if he will provide a breakdown in tabular form, by county, of the number of applications that have received ministerial approval and are with the Chief State Solicitor's office; the current longest waiting time of an application with the office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22489/14]