Parliamentary questions

Supplementary Welfare Allowance Eligibility

Sandra McLellan

366. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 440 of 19 January 2013, if she is implying that a community welfare officer can use their discretion as to whether to continue payment if a person has to leave the country more than once; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10095/13]

Unemployment Levels

Patrick Nulty

367. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons registered as unemployed at the Blanchardstown social welfare office, Dublin, in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10096/13]

Tourism Promotion

Tom Fleming

390. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress made by Inland Fisheries Ireland in developing the tourism potential of our inland rivers and lakes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9691/13]

Hydraulic Fracturing Policy

Tony McLoughlin

391. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the latest reports and findings on unconventional gas exploration and extraction in Germany of November 2012 and the presentation given by Mr Helmut Fehr, Kreis Steinfurt, to local groups in County Leitrim last month in relation to the district of Steinfurt in Germany who have decided to meet the challenges related to the rising costs of energy and the upcoming shortage of fossil fuels; and if he will outline from the information provided whether he would integrate this material into any further investigation of the Irish research (details supplied). [9735/13]

Hydraulic Fracturing Policy

Tony McLoughlin

392. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he proposes to explore the regional economic impact of hydrofracking and gas production here using the German model (details supplied); and the way his Department will deal with each issue raised. [9736/13]

Broadband Services Provision

John O'Mahony

393. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to improve broadband coverage in an area (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9778/13]

Electricity Transmission Network

Catherine Murphy

394. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide details of any future plans by EirGrid to construct high-capacity transmission lines in western Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9807/13]

Broadband Services Provision

Pat Breen

399. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to extend the provision of broadband to an area (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9874/13]

Electricity Transmission Network

Paudie Coffey

400. Deputy Paudie Coffey asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if there are any plans for the development of an electricity interconnector between Ireland and mainland Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9879/13]

Fisheries Protection

Patrick O'Donovan

401. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the total allowable catch for salmon on the River Moy between the years 1984 and 1994 inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9914/13]

Exploration Licences Approvals

Richard Boyd Barrett

402. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will keep this Deputy informed of any applications from a company (details supplied) to commence exploration for oil/gas in its exploration licence area off the Dublin coast. [9997/13]

Electricity Generation

Michelle Mulherin

403. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will extend the REFIT scheme to accommodate electricity generators who are disadvantaged by slow grid development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10034/13]

Alternative Energy Projects

Michelle Mulherin

404. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in view of the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the British Government for the support of electricity generated by wind energy from the State, the plans that are in place to attract wind turbines manufacturing companies here to set up new operations; the progress that has been made in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10035/13]

EU Presidency Priorities

Brendan Smith

405. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the proposals he has to advance the EU digital economy during the Irish Presidency of the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8925/13]

Departmental Agencies Staff Remuneration

Thomas Pringle

406. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide details of the payment of bonuses or other performance related payments and or allowances made to the staff of agencies under the aegis of his Department with a yearly breakdown from 2008 outlining the overall amount paid in each year period and the number of staff that received such payments and or allowances. [10161/13]

Departmental Agencies Staff Remuneration

Thomas Pringle

407. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide details of payments made to the CEO or equivalent of all agencies under the aegis of his Department including details of any bonuses, pension entitlements or any other remuneration paid to him or her in 2012. [10178/13]

Radio Broadcasting Issues

Michael Healy-Rae

408. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to deal with the following situation, seven out of ten minutes of listening time in Ireland is given to the 34 private radio stations here and at the same time taxpayer's money only goes to our national broadcasters, the JNLR figures show that 2.5 million listeners listen to independent radio stations whereas 1.2 million listen to our national stations, the action he will take to deal with this anomaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10262/13]

Broadband Services Provision

James Bannon

409. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reason his Department’s website is misleading in relation to the delivering of broadband to certain parts of County Longford, as it states that broadband is available in areas where in fact, it is not; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10267/13]

Energy Prices

Bernard Durkan

410. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which directly or in consultation with the regulator, he and or his Department continues to monitor the prices charged by oil companies for petrol and diesel; if the current prices charged reflect a reduction in accordance with the fall in oil prices on world markets over the past four years; if any reason has been given for relatively high prices now being charged at filling stations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10329/13]

Energy Prices

Bernard Durkan

411. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if any discussions have taken place, directly or at EU level, with a view to ensuring that oil price reductions on world markets are passed on to the consumer with particular reference to the need to lower energy costs, as a prelude to economic recovery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10330/13]

Energy Prices

Bernard Durkan

412. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which comparisons have been made between energy prices here and those applicable in Europe and worldwide with a view to ensuring that the domestic and industrial consumer here can avail of lower international oil prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10331/13]

Broadband Services Provision

Bernard Durkan

413. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which standard, quality and speed of broadband here currently compares with the best available worldwide; his plans to maximise this country's position in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10332/13]

Mobile Telephony

Bernard Durkan

414. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which mobile phone technology and quality of service here compares with the best available throughout Europe and worldwide; if it is possible to encourage the service providers to take any particular initiative to improve and upgrade the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10333/13]

Offshore Exploration

Bernard Durkan

415. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the total number of oil, gas or drilling explorations that have taken place on and offshore in each of the past ten years to date; the number of commercially viable discoveries in that period; the extent to which modern technology is likely to facilitate a higher rate of viable explorations in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10334/13]

Energy Prices

Bernard Durkan

416. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent, if any, to which procurement at EU level can be beneficial in the context of energy price reduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10335/13]

Renewable Energy Generation Issues

Bernard Durkan

417. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will indicate to which unit cost in respect of electricity generation has been made with a view to identifying the most viable alternative electricity-generating sources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10336/13]

Renewable Energy Generation Issues

Bernard Durkan

418. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the proportion of electricity now generated through wind or alternative energy resources; the extent to which targets in this regard can be revised and updated with particular reference to the need to reduce dependence on imports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10339/13]

Social Media Regulation

Bernard Durkan

419. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent if any to which communications technology can be utilised to prevent unwarranted, unwelcomed and uninvited electronic communication resulting in stalking or bullying; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10340/13]

Postal Services

Bernard Durkan

420. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent, if any, to which he continues to have contact with An Post with a view to ensuring the maintenance of the post office and services network and next day delivery throughout the country without exception; if alternative, complementary and or compatible services such as banking continue to be attracted by An Post with a view to ensuring its long term viability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10341/13]

Cloud Computing Issues

Bernard Durkan

421. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent to which he envisages cloud computing to become of major, commercial impact in the context of economic recovery and job creation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10342/13]

Gas Exploration Licences

Bernard Durkan

422. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will indicate the continuing progress in the development of the Corrib gas field with particular reference to the likelihood of supply becoming available to the domestic and industrial consumer within the coming months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10362/13]

EU Directives

Catherine Murphy

423. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on Ireland’s initial assessment under the marine strategy framework directive; if the atlas of the Irish marine environment which was being developed as part of the assessment has been completed; if so, if he will make this information accessible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9806/13]

Commercial Rates

Terence Flanagan

424. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to instruct local authorities to reduce commercial rates for struggling businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9917/13]

Nitrates Action Programme Review

Patrick O'Donovan

425. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when it is expected that the review of the nitrates action plan will be concluded; if consideration will be given to the recent problems associated with weather and difficulties that farmers have encountered as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9938/13]

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Bernard Durkan

426. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the extent to which carbon reduction targets are likely to be met in accordance with international agreements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10337/13]

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Bernard Durkan

427. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the extent to which each European country continues to meet its targets in respect of carbon reduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10338/13]

Rental Accommodation Scheme Expenditure

Dessie Ellis

428. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total cost of the rental accommodation scheme for the years 2011 and 2012 respectively; and the projected cost for 2013. [10486/13]

Building Regulations Amendments

Billy Timmins

429. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding concerns at the proposed changes to the Building Control Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9550/13]

Building Regulations Amendments

Maureen O'Sullivan

430. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will defer signing the new Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2012 until the report from the environment committee is published; if he will give due consideration to the alliance paper (details supplied) and non-registered architects' concerns over the pending legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9551/13]

Water Charges Introduction

Róisín Shortall

431. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 259 of 14 February 2013, his views on the principle that householders should get a basic free allowance of water and that charges should only apply for usage above that allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9583/13]

Priory Hall Development

Terence Flanagan

432. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when he expects the resolution process for the residents of Priory Hall, Dublin to conclude; if he has set a resolution date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9639/13]

Disadvantaged Status

Andrew Doyle

433. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the special protection or regeneration status that exists for deprived areas; the criteria that would be considered for an area to qualify for any such status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9654/13]

Building Regulations Amendments

Billy Timmins

434. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding concerns at the proposed changes to the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9661/13]

Fire Service Staff

Terence Flanagan

435. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to reduce the number of chief fire officers and assistant chief fire officers in the various fire services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9662/13]

Unfinished Housing Developments Data

Mattie McGrath

436. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government , further to Parliamentary Question No. 456 of 12 February 2013, the reason an estate in south Tipperary which had been classed in category three unfinished estates by South Tipperary County Council in 2011 has not been included in his Departments list of unfinished estates for household charge purposes; if his Department has received requests from South Tipperary County Council to correct the omission of this estate (details supplied); if he will have this estate included in the list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9671/13]

United Nations Environmental Programme

Jerry Buttimer

437. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will report on the 27th session of the UN Environment Programme Governing Council recently held in Kenya; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9676/13]

Control of Dogs

Nicky McFadden

438. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on recent contact with farming representatives regarding the promotion of responsible dog ownership, particularly in order to reduce the level of sheep worrying taking place in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9693/13]

Architectural Qualifications

Éamon Ó Cuív

439. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to introduce a provision for a grandfather clause under the Building Control Act and its regulations to ensure that persons with experience and a long standing reputation in the business may continue to operate as architects and use that title; and in particular that they will be qualified to provide building certification services under the Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9706/13]

Septic Tank Grants

Simon Harris

440. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow may recover some of the cost incurred for a puraflo effluent treatment system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9728/13]

Local Authority Housing Rents

Catherine Murphy

441. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of persons in arrears on their rental of local authority housing; if he will provide a breakdown of these figures down by local authority and length of time in arrears; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9820/13]