Parliamentary questions

Carer's Benefit Eligibility

Thomas Pringle

403. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person in receipt of carer's benefit can qualify for parental leave; if he or she can maintain his or her carer's benefit while on parental leave; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22554/14]

Disability Allowance Appeals

Michael McCarthy

405. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal for disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; when a decision will issue on same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22583/14]

Rent Supplement Scheme Eligibility

Michael Healy-Rae

406. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will increase the levels of rent supplement for families to reflect the real level of rents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22631/14]

Disability Allowance Appeals

Bernard Durkan

407. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if an appeal against decision to refuse disability allowance has been received in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22637/14]

Carer's Allowance Appeals

Bernard Durkan

408. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in respect of an appeal for carer's allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22641/14]

Disability Allowance Payments

Bernard Durkan

409. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if and when arrears will issue in respect of disability allowance payment in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22643/14]

Rent Supplement Scheme Eligibility

Damien English

410. Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Social Protection in view of recent residential rental price increases reported, her plans to reflect such increases that those in receipt of rent supplement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22649/14]

Labour Activation Measures

Derek Nolan

411. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection the rationale behind JobPath; the results it has delivered to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22661/14]

Farm Assist Scheme Appeals

Tom Fleming

412. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite a farm assist review in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22673/14]

Disability Allowance Appeals

Michael Healy-Rae

413. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal for disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22699/14]

Disability Allowance Applications

Dan Neville

414. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Social Protection if a disability allowance application will be processed in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [22708/14]

Birth Certificates Administration

Terence Flanagan

415. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Social Protection the changes her Department has made in respect of information to be included on a birth certificate regarding single parents or adoptions or both; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22711/14]

Disability Allowance Applications

Bernard Durkan

416. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the decision to not award disability allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22717/14]

Carer's Allowance Applications

Dan Neville

417. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a review of a carer's allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [22718/14]

Domiciliary Care Allowance Eligibility

Brendan Griffin

418. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection the percentage and number of domiciliary care allowance applications in the past three years that were initially refused by her Department; the percentage and number of applications that were subsequently granted on appeal; if the results suggest there is a policy of blanket refusal of initial applications within her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22742/14]

Domiciliary Care Allowance Eligibility

Brendan Griffin

419. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if it is departmental policy to refuse domiciliary care allowance in respect of children with autism; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22743/14]

Carer's Allowance Appeals

Pat Deering

421. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Social Protection when a reply to an application for carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) will issue. [22749/14]

Disability Allowance Applications

Dan Neville

423. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [22757/14]

Jobseeker's Allowance Applications

Dan Neville

424. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a jobseeker's application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [22758/14]

Rent Supplement Scheme Eligibility

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

425. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of times Article 38 was notated in the remarks field on ISTS system from 2009 to 2014 broken down by year and where possible, the categories or payments to which discretion was applied; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22759/14]

Partial Capacity Benefit Scheme Eligibility

Mary Mitchell O'Connor

426. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) who is receiving invalidity pension has to come off same when a job offer comes up, and if it does not work out has to wait six to 12 weeks to be put back into the system; the reason is takes four to six weeks to be put on partial capacity in the interim period and in the meantime the person loses out on the job offer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22762/14]

Social Welfare Overpayments

Bernard Durkan

427. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason payments of €10 per week are not acceptable in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22790/14]

Invalidity Pension Appeals

Bernard Durkan

428. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when invalidity pension will be awarded in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22791/14]

Carer's Allowance Appeals

Noel Coonan

430. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Minister for Social Protection when an application for a carer's allowance appeal will be finalised in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22795/14]

Social Welfare Benefits

Seán Fleming

432. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider putting arrangements in place for financial supports regarding the social welfare system for persons who need gluten-free bread that they require for medical purposes in view of the fact that there is a tax rebate available to people on high incomes and there should be similar or equal benefits to persons on low incomes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22801/14]

Invalidity Pension Appeals

Bernard Durkan

434. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in respect of appeal for invalidity pension in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22818/14]

Invalidity Pension Appeals

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

435. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Social Protection if an appeal of invalidity pension will be allowed in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22823/14]

Social Welfare Benefits

Dan Neville

436. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a cut in social welfare in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [22831/14]

One-Parent Family Payment Appeals

Michael Healy-Rae

437. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding lone parent and family income supplement in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22866/14]

Jobseeker's Allowance Eligibility

Jerry Buttimer

438. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider introducing measures to eliminate or reduce the delays in receiving payment from her Department by persons who work on a seasonal or occasional basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22883/14]

Exceptional Needs Payment Applications

Bernard Durkan

439. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if an exceptional needs payment will be facilitated in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22894/14]

Back to Education Allowance Eligibility

Andrew Doyle

440. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person currently studying for a primary degree and in receipt of back to education allowance and who intends to progress to master's level, may retain back to education allowance at master's level or if there is another allowance available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22901/14]

Community Employment Schemes Funding

Thomas P. Broughan

441. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a request by a community organisation (details supplied) regarding a proposed project requiring 15 additional community employment places. [22910/14]

Community Welfare Services

Patrick O'Donovan

442. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Social Protection the rationale behind moving the community welfare officers and the services they provide from the town of Bruff to Kilmallock in County Limerick; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22911/14]

Pension Provisions

Clare Daly

443. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 111 of 3 April 2014, if he will ensure that the question asked in relation to the scope afforded to trustees to recognise differences within the pensioner group or deferred group in relation to the new guidance issued by the pensions authority, regarding applying cuts rather than representation rights, that is that a scale of protection to recognise length of service, age, duration and varying contributions made, is included to protect members with long pensionable service and contributions. [22918/14]

Invalidity Pension Applications

Willie Penrose

445. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for invalidity pension in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22944/14]

Jobseeker's Allowance Appeals

Michael McCarthy

446. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Social Protection if the decision to refuse jobseeker's allowance will be reviewed in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22978/14]

Disability Allowance Payments

Dan Neville

447. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a reduced rate of disability allowance is being paid in respect of a person (details supplied). [22981/14]

Child Benefit Payments

Bernard Durkan

448. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if arrears of child benefit will be paid in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23006/14]

Social Welfare Benefits

Bernard Durkan

449. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the financial assistance available to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23015/14]

Invalidity Pension Appeals

Colm Keaveney

450. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Galway may expect a decision on their invalidity pension application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23053/14]

Rent Supplement Scheme Appeals

Pat Breen

452. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision on a rent supplement appeal will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23078/14]

Jobseeker's Allowance Appeals

John O'Mahony

453. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Limerick will receive a decision on their jobseeker's allowance appeal; the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23106/14]

Drug Treatment Programmes Funding

Sandra McLellan

454. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Social Protection the options available for persons seeking financial assistance towards the cost of treatment facilities for addiction since 1 January 2013 when social welfare management withdrew exceptional needs payments towards treatment costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23138/14]

Back to Education Allowance Eligibility

Andrew Doyle

455. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person studying for a primary degree and in receipt of back to education allowance and who intends to progress to master's level may retain back to education allowance at master's level; if the person may work on a part-time basis should a job opportunity present itself; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23139/14]

Jobseeker's Allowance Eligibility

Andrew Doyle

456. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person in receipt of jobseeker's allowance and who has received an offer of part-time work, three hours a day, five days a week, at a minimum rate of pay, is entitled to retain some or part of their jobseeker's allowance in view of the fact that the maximum hours involved is 18 hours per week; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23140/14]

One-Parent Family Payment Eligibility

Bernard Durkan

457. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which one parent family payment is likely to affected by forthcoming changes to the one-parent family payment as advised by letter dated 9 May 2014 in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; if the actual payment is likely to be reduced; if a combination of family income supplement, employment and-or one-parent family payment will remain in place as at present for an applicant with one child who is 18 years old, in college and in their care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23144/14]

Pension Provisions

Terence Flanagan

458. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Social Protection if the pension benefits are secure in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23148/14]

Domiciliary Care Allowance Appeals

Terence Flanagan

459. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a domiciliary care allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 13; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23157/14]

Community Employment Schemes Cessation

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

460. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will confirm if FÁS made funding available to pay enhanced redundancy to any community employment supervisor in circumstances where a sponsor has closed the project on its own initiative. [23163/14]

Social Welfare Appeals Status

Dan Neville

461. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a social welfare appeal in respect of person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23165/14]

Disability Allowance Eligibility

Bernard Durkan

462. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review eligibility for disability allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23167/14]

Jobseeker's Allowance Appeals

Finian McGrath

464. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 107 of 14 May 2014, if she will provide an update on the case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23197/14]

Pension Provisions

Terence Flanagan

465. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding pensions in an organisation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23227/14]

Domiciliary Care Allowance Applications

Clare Daly

466. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection following the recent High Court decision of B v. Minister for Social Protection in which the system for considering applications for domiciliary care allowance was found to be unlawful, she announced that reviews of current applications would be suspended until further notice; if she will confirm if her Department has recommenced the reviews; and the action her Department has taken to remedy the unlawful deficits as identified in the High Court decision. [23240/14]

Back to Work Allowance Eligibility

Bernard Durkan

467. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the eligibility for back to work allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23242/14]

Carer's Allowance Delays

Clare Daly

468. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection noting that the Balbriggan social welfare office has recently increased its processing office of staffing levels by one, but has a considerable backlog of carer's allowance applications to deal with, the emergency provision that will be made for extra staff resources to clear the backlog, in view of the hardship on applicants while waiting. [23252/14]

Carer's Allowance Applications

Clare Daly

469. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin. [23253/14]

Family Income Supplement Applications

Maureen O'Sullivan

470. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection the current average length of time for a family income supplement application to be processed in her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23303/14]

National Internship Scheme Funding

Seán Kyne

471. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Social Protection if, in relation to JobBridge, consideration could be given to introducing a time limit within which applicants with the required jobseeker's and other social welfare criteria could apply for internship but after which other persons with an interest in a particular sector could also apply to participate in the internships as such a new format would eliminate the current situation where a person hoping to work in a particular sector has to leave employment to build up the required three months on a social welfare payment to become eligible for the JobBridge scheme. [23357/14]

Social Welfare Overpayments

Pearse Doherty

472. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason persons (details supplied) in County Donegal have been contacted by her Department in relation to an overpayment that occurred from 1992 until 1996; the reason her Department failed to act within a reasonable period of time on information it received about the overpayment; if she will consider having this overpayment cancelled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23399/14]

Jobseeker's Allowance Appeals

Finian McGrath

473. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a delay in a jobseeker’s allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23402/14]

Third Level Funding

Peadar Tóibín

474. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht further to Parliamentary Question No. 409 if he will provide a breakdown of his Department's funding of the range of specialised third level courses referred to in his reply. [22664/14]

Community Development Projects

Brendan Griffin

475. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if sources of funding will be available for a community project in a Gaeltacht (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22732/14]

Company Sale

Peadar Tóibín

476. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide details of the tendering process put in place prior to the sale of Arramara Teo. [22765/14]

Company Sale

Peadar Tóibín

477. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide the names of the companies that tendered for Arramara Teo and of the successful bidder. [22766/14]

Company Sale

Peadar Tóibín

478. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the tendering process or sale of Arramara Teo was advertised and were potential partners for the company approached by Údarás for a declaration of interest. [22767/14]

Turbary Rights

Denis Naughten

479. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of applications he has received in each of the past five years seeking his consent to cut turf on a designated bog, and to date in 2014; the date on which each application was received; when a decision was made; if consent was granted or not; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22887/14]

Film Industry Development

Finian McGrath

480. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the date on which he sent a letter to the German Embassy seeking to advance a bilateral agreement on film co-production; if or when he received a response from the German ambassador; the German position on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22895/14]

Turbary Rights

Willie Penrose

481. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in respect of a bog (details supplied) if a person can resume cutting there; what are the stipulations and conditions for a person to utilise the said bog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22946/14]

Heritage Projects

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

482. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if any State funding is available for the replacement of the roof of a church (details supplied) whose main building is 150 years old and whose bell tower is 200 years old in view of the importance of the building to Ireland's built heritage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22988/14]

Special Areas of Conservation Criteria

Éamon Ó Cuív

483. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when he intends announcing the compensation package for farmers in the Twelve Bens and Maam Turk Mountains; the amount of the proposed compensation; if it will cover those who were in the NPWS scheme as well as those who were in REPS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23219/14]

Commemorative Events

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

484. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the commemoration committee in his Department has considered the proposal for a sculpture piece by (details supplied) for the centenary of the 1916; if he has approved the proposal or not; if not when a decision is likely to be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23222/14]

National Parks Projects

Clare Daly

485. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will take action to save Killarney National Park oak woods by instructing the National Parks and Wildlife Service to follow the work of volunteers who systematically cleared the area of rhododendrons, which are now beginning to seed again and undermine the work of thousands of volunteers. [23346/14]

Fishing Licences

Michael Healy-Rae

486. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if it is possible to get a licence under conservation for fishing eels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22422/14]

Departmental Staff Redeployment

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy

487. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to close a depot (details supplied) in County Offaly; if staff will be redeployed to other locations; and, if so, where will staff be relocated to; the reason for this closure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22560/14]

Rural Broadband Scheme

Noel Coonan

488. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources when an area (details supplied) in County Tipperary will be considered for inclusion on the rural broadband strategy announced on 25 April 2014 as it is not currently listed for inclusion; when it is envisioned that the area will be included for high speed broadband; the reason the area did not feature on the list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22121/14]

Post Office Network

Kevin Humphreys

489. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to ensure the future prosperity and sustainability of the post office network; if he will confirm that there are no plans to close Erne Street Upper post office in Dublin 2; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22124/14]

Internet Safety

Thomas Pringle

490. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources further to Parliamentary Question No. 357 of 11 February 2014, if he will provide an update regarding the findings of the Internet Content Governance Advisory Group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22188/14]

Postcode Implementation

Thomas Pringle

491. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the actions he will take to address the concerns of the Data Protection Commissioner regarding the introduction of the new postcode system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22190/14]

Rural Broadband Scheme

Seán Fleming

492. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide a timescale for when proper broadband will be introduced to a location (details supplied) in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22206/14]

Cóid Phoist

Éamon Ó Cuív

493. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Cumarsáide, Fuinnimh agus Acmhainní Nádúrtha cén socrú atá déanta aige maidir le postchóid i mBaile Átha Cliath, áit a n-úsáideann daoine ‘D’ le haghaidh ‘Dublin’ agus ‘BÁC’ le haghaidh ‘Baile Átha Cliath’ faoi láthair roimh uimhir an cheantair; an leanfar den dá nós seo leis na postchóid nua, mar shampla ‘BÁC04 123’ agus ‘D04 123’ ar Bhaile Átha Cliath 4; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [22449/14]

Commission for Energy Regulation

John Halligan

494. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources following the establishment of the Commission for Energy Regulation, the extent of the authority this body has to direct energy providers to make changes to its processes and its dealings with customers based on its findings; if there is a penalty for non-compliance with the directions of the CER where it has found in favour of a complainant and advised an energy provider to implement its decisions; the number of complaints in relation to Electric Ireland that have been received by the CER since its establishment; his views regarding a case (details supplied) where Electric Ireland executives refused to respond directly to a customer's complaint and further to this declined to implement the findings of the CER following a formal complaint and assessment of Electric Ireland's dealings with a complainant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22591/14]

Broadband Service Provision

Patrick O'Donovan

495. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to improve the provision of broadband in the Ballinena, Newcastle West, County Limerick area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22701/14]

Cable Licensing

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

496. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if commercial cable companies need a licence to place cables on private property, including private residential properties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22753/14]

Carer's Allowance Appeals

Sandra McLellan

497. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if a person is required to purchase a television licence when an appeal has been submitted for carer's allowance since February (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23142/14]

Cóid Phoist

Maureen O'Sullivan

498. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan den Aire Cumarsáide, Fuinnimh agus Acmhainní Nádúrtha cén fáth go bhfuil neamhaird á tabhairt ar an nGaeilge agus na postchóid nua á gcinneadh; céard atá á dhéanamh aige chun a chinntiú nach gcuirfear deireadh le seoltaí i nGaeilge. [23189/14]

Energy Conservation

Seán Fleming

499. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the total budget allocated to Sustainable Energy Ireland’s energy in education initiative in the years 2012, 2013 and 2014; the number of schools that participated in the scheme in each of these years; the estimated savings realised under the scheme to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23200/14]

Energy Conservation

Seán Fleming

500. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if schools here come under the requirements of the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan which commits all organisations in the public sector to achieving a 33% energy savings target by 2020; if so, if any measures will be introduced to support schools in meeting these targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23201/14]

Broadband Service Provision

Michelle Mulherin

501. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources how and when will the areas of Ballycastle and Glenamoy, County Mayo, be serviced with high speed broadband pursuant to the national broadband plan and the plans in place to ensure that the residents of this area and the many businesses located therein will have access to high speed broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23323/14]

Local Authority Functions

Mattie McGrath

502. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Association of Municipal Authorities of Ireland regarding the Local Government Reform Act 2014 and in particular to that part of the Act abolishing town and borough councils which the AMAI was statutorily obliged to represent, relied heavily on legal opinion of one person (details supplied); if he will as guardian for public expenditure and reform confirm that the above mentioned senior counsel is the one and the same councillor of the Labour Party sitting on Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council; if he will confirm that the AMAI a statutory body receiving public funds sought the required three quotations for this legal advice; the other persons who tendered for the advice project; the selection-elimination processes that were used to award the project to the person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22167/14]

Local Government Reform

Mattie McGrath

503. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the person who was President of The Association of Municipal Authorities of Ireland in October 2012 when the document Putting People First was published; if he will document all of the correspondence, discussions, minutes of meetings and so on that took place between his Department, and the AMAI since October 2012 to date relating to the Local Government Bill 2013, Local Government Act 2014 and the document Putting People First with the abolition of borough and town councils, if he will confirm that conforming with its own constitution that the AMAI, also abolished, must and has or will be repatriating all of its assets to the respective abolished local authorities; if he will confirm the current assets of AMAI; if the Revenue Commissioners are satisfied with the wind up of AMAI; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22168/14]

Nitrates Usage

Seán Fleming

504. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding farmers who wish to spread slurry on their own land but where some of the land is designated an aquifer for a public water supply and they do not have sufficient lands to take all their slurry; the recommended practice by his Department in these situations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22213/14]

Electoral Reform

Sandra McLellan

505. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider changing legislation to extend voting rights in Dáil Éireann, European and presidential elections to all persons of voting age who are legally resident in the country for at least five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22231/14]

Water and Sewerage Scheme Grants

Brendan Griffin

506. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the grants available for rain water harvesting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22238/14]

Motor Tax Exemptions

Terence Flanagan

507. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding motor tax in respect of a truck (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22469/14]

Election Management System

Maureen O'Sullivan

508. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will clarify the legal requirements for printed election material, including leaflets, newsletters and posters, in relation to imprint law and the inclusion of information including the name, address of the printer and publisher by all political parties and-or candidates in all elections, whether local, national, European or presidential; if the same legal requirements apply to all printed matter or just election material relating to the candidate seeking election; if his attention has been drawn to the inclusion on some election material of false addresses for the printer and publisher; if any fines have been given in relation to this breach; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22687/14]

Seaweed Harvesting Licences

Peadar Tóibín

509. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when will the west of Ireland harvesting licence for seaweed be granted. [22768/14]

Noise Pollution Legislation

Terence Flanagan

510. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to introduce legislation regarding the noise coming from house alarms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22926/14]

Motor Tax Exemptions

Michael McGrath

511. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the use of a commercial vehicle by a self-employed person, whilst carrying tools, to travel from his or her registered office to his or her clients is considered private use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22947/14]