Parliamentary questions

Driver Licence Applications

Michael Moynihan

251. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there is any discretion applicable in relation to the six-month rule for a person on a learner permit, before the person can sit a driving test, in the case where a person must leave the country for work purposes before the six-month waiting time would expire and urgently requires a full driving licence for employment purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25498/15]

Broadband Service Provision

Michael Moynihan

265. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the total number of premises targeted for delivery of high speed fibre Internet broadband for companies (details supplied); if his Department has held discussions on the estimated number of premises to be targeted for delivery of this broadband; if so, the number; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25418/15]

VAT Rate Application

Michael Moynihan

241. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Finance with value added tax of 23% currently payable on all broadcasting and electronic services provided to consumers of digital content, if he has examined allocating value added tax receipts accruing to the Exchequer to fund public broadcasting and digital content; if he has had discussions with the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources concerning this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24768/15]

VAT Rate Application

Michael Moynihan

242. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide the monthly breakdown of the value added tax receipts, on all broadcasting and electronic services provided to consumers of digital content, that accrued to the Exchequer in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24769/15]

Medical Card Administration

Michael Moynihan

407. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the enormous difficulties persons are still experiencing with the medical card application process, and in particular persons who have been diagnosed with cancer, and who are being treated appallingly by the Primary Care Reimbursement Service, where persons who are undergoing treatment for cancer are left waiting for months without a medical card, and their serious medical condition is simply ignored by the service; if he will issue a directive to the Health Service Executive to treat persons who have been diagnosed with cancer with more urgency and compassion than they are currently doing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24548/15]

Disability Services Funding

Michael Moynihan

471. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health if he will meet with the Saint Joseph Foundation, Charleville, County Cork as soon as possible, to discuss its financial situation, in view of the huge importance of this service and its ongoing discussions with the Health Service Executive regarding this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24946/15]

Media Mergers

Michael Moynihan

264. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he or his predecessor met a person (details supplied) concerning media mergers; if the meeting was requested by this person, or instigated by his Department; the issues discussed at the meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24368/15]

Media Mergers

Michael Moynihan

265. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he or his predecessor met a person (details supplied) concerning media mergers; if the meeting was requested by this person, or instigated by his Department; the issues discussed at the meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24369/15]

North-South Interconnector

Michael Moynihan

101. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the Government’s position on locating the cables for the North-South interconnector underground; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23246/15]

National Broadband Plan Implementation

Michael Moynihan

104. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide the latest update on the Government’s application to the Commission for State aid approval of the national broadband plan, since the last online departmental update was published on the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22974/15]

Wind Energy Guidelines

Michael Moynihan

109. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an outline of the discussions he had with the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government on new planning guidelines for wind turbines; the scenarios examined for set-back distances between wind turbines and residential homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22976/15]

Media Mergers

Michael Moynihan

127. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the latest developments concerning media merger guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22977/15]

Hydraulic Fracturing

Michael Moynihan

131. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide a preliminary update on research directed at examining the potential environmental and human health impacts of hydraulic fracturing, commissioned by the Environmental Protection Agency; the position of the Government on hydraulic fracturing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22973/15]

Inland Fisheries

Michael Moynihan

136. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the timeline for the inland fisheries (modernisation and consolidation) Bill; his views regarding the revoked eel fishing licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22975/15]

Bord na Móna

Michael Moynihan

820. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the recent discussions with Bord na Móna on the temporary closure of two briquette factories in Counties Tipperary and Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23168/15]

Broadband Service Speeds

Michael Moynihan

842. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide in tabular form by county a breakdown of the current estimated spread and rate of high-speed broadband Internet access connectivity of households and businesses, of at least 30 Mbps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23731/15]

Broadband Service Provision

Michael Moynihan

843. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources following the publication of the national high-speed coverage map for 2016, if he will provide a national high-speed coverage map representing the latest areas connected and not connected to high speed broadband Internet access connectivity, of at least 30 Mbps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23732/15]

Housing Grant Applications

Michael Moynihan

192. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the grants available from his Department through the local authority for a person who has multiple mortgages and is up-to-date with repayments, and whose house is uninhabitable and in need of urgent repairs. [22637/15]

Household Benefits Scheme

Michael Moynihan

203. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the total amount paid to the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in respect of compensation for free television licences issued by her Department in each of the years 2011 to 2014 and in 2015 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21648/15]

Disability Services Provision

Michael Moynihan

1052. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if a house is uninhabitable and the owner is under 66 years of age, the schemes or grants that are available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21610/15]

Television Licences Data

Michael Moynihan

1116. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the total amount of money paid to Raidió Teilifís Éireann in respect of revenue from television licences in each year from 2011 to 2014 and in 2015 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21649/15]

Semi-State Bodies

Michael Moynihan

1149. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the Department responsible for the financial oversight and corporate governance of Bord na Móna; the proposed changes that will be introduced to deal with a deficit in Bord na Móna’s general employees' superannuation scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22506/15]

Semi-State Bodies

Michael Moynihan

1150. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the Department responsible for the financial oversight and corporate governance of Bord na Móna; the proposed changes in Bord na Móna’s general employees' superannuation scheme that will see a pension levy being imposed on former employees in receipt of their pension between the years 2011 to 2015, while a levy will remain in place on pension entitlements for the lifetime of the pensioner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22507/15]

Single Payment Scheme Applications

Michael Moynihan

389. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on the 2013 single payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20122/15]

Medical Card Eligibility

Michael Moynihan

679. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health if a child may be deemed eligible for a medical card where the parent who receives the child benefit payment does not qualify under the medical card scheme but the other parent who lives separately holds a full medical card, in view of the fact that the child may incur medical costs when staying with the parent who currently holds a medical card and that parent may not be in a position to pay for the necessary medical care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20322/15]

Prescriptions Charges

Michael Moynihan

345. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health his plans to reduce the prescription charges for elderly persons, in view of the fact that they have increased from €0.50 to €2.50 under this Government, despite promises to the contrary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19560/15]

Fishing Industry

Michael Moynihan

523. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources further to Parliamentary Question No. 447 of 28 April 2015, if funding has been allocated to any sector of the eel fishing community under any European Union directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19789/15]

Rural Environment Protection Scheme Payments

Michael Moynihan

349. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline the position regarding an outstanding payment under the rural environment protection scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18283/15]

Road Projects

Michael Moynihan

218. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the proposed upgrading of the N20 route, Cork to Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17910/15]

GLAS Administration

Michael Moynihan

210. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the adjustments that are being made to allow the many farmers with joint herd numbers, to complete their applications for the green low-carbon agri-environment scheme, which have been delayed due to the inability of his Department's software to accommodate same; the way such farmers are to be placed on the scheme's planners' schedules in the quickest possible time frame; the further steps that are required to enable this; the extension that will be made to the deadline for farmers whose applications have thereby been delayed through no fault of their own; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17471/15]

Electricity Transmission Network

Michael Moynihan

1. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the latest EirGrid proposals on the North-South interconnector, Grid West and Grid South; if he supports putting cables underground in all projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16436/15]

National Broadband Plan Implementation

Michael Moynihan

4. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide the latest update on the Government’s application to the Commission for state aid approval of the national broadband plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16437/15]

Renewable Energy Projects

Michael Moynihan

13. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the value for money of subsidies for wind energy on consumer energy bills; if these subsides will be continued, post 2017; the amount, on average, that wind subsidies contribute to consumer electricity bills; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16192/15]

Renewable Energy Generation Targets

Michael Moynihan

28. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the steps his Department is taking to meet the European Union target of 12% in renewable energy in the heat sector by 2020; the current percentage of renewable heat energy usage; the level of penalties the State faces at this level; the role biofuels can play to bridge the gap; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16191/15]

Broadcasting Authority of Ireland

Michael Moynihan

30. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the process followed for the recent appointments to the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland's compliance committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16193/15]

Energy Prices

Michael Moynihan

32. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on discussions and steps being taken by member states at European Union level to ensure that electricity and gas suppliers pass on the reduction of global oil and gas prices to domestic consumers. [16195/15]

Television Licence Fee Collection

Michael Moynihan

193. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to address the situation where persons who own a caravan or mobile home for holidays require a separate television licence for same, even when they take a television from their own home to use during holidays; if this rule applies to tourists who use caravans or camper vans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16034/15]

Broadband Service Provision

Michael Moynihan

641. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide background information surrounding pilot projects taking place nationally between Leader companies associated with next-generation access broadband coverage in partnership with a Chinese broadband company (details supplied); if any State or European Union funding has been allocated towards these projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15574/15]

Broadcasting Authority of Ireland

Michael Moynihan

679. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the process followed for the recent appointments to the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland's compliance committee; if the positions were publicly advertised in the interests of openness and transparency; the criteria used for selecting the successful candidates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15544/15]

Forestry Grants

Michael Moynihan

299. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to put a forestry grant in place to assist farmers in planting new trees to replace those that were knocked during the storm of February 2014. [14738/15]

Child Care Services Funding

Michael Moynihan

434. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his plans to address the situation whereby child care service providers receive capitation for 38 weeks but their staff are entitled to be paid for 41 weeks; if he is aware of the impact this shortfall has on the finances of these providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14747/15]

Leader Programmes Funding

Michael Moynihan

805. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government if he will provide, in tabular form, the amount his Department allocated to counties Kilkenny and Carlow for the LEADER Rural Development Programme 2014 to 2020; the way it compares to the allocation in the previous LEADER round of funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14606/15]

Leader Programmes Funding

Michael Moynihan

806. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government if the allocation of LEADER funding to Counties Kilkenny and Carlow is 42.7%, 15% less than the previous round of funding; his views that this is equitable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14607/15]

Leader Programmes Funding

Michael Moynihan

807. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government the average of the national allocation of LEADER funding that was received by Counties of Kilkenny and Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14608/15]

Leader Programmes Funding

Michael Moynihan

808. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government if he and his Department have received complaints from LEADER companies in Counties Kilkenny and Carlow, regarding the funding that has been allocated to them; the way he will deal with these complaints; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14609/15]

Leader Programmes Funding

Michael Moynihan

809. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government if there was a cost benefit analysis on the impact the new allocation of LEADER funding would have in Counties Kilkenny and Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14610/15]

Leader Programmes Funding

Michael Moynihan

810. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government if he has been informed that there will be job losses as a result of the new allocation of LEADER funding by his department in Counties Kilkenny and Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14611/15]

Departmental Correspondence

Michael Moynihan

65. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the reason her Department is sending letters encouraging persons to receive welfare payments directly to their bank account rather than by collection at a post office; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13795/15]

Leader Programmes Funding

Michael Moynihan

248. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason the allocation of Leader funding to the County Cork region is 70% less than the previous round of funding; his views that this is fair; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13857/15]

Leader Programmes Funding

Michael Moynihan

249. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the average of the national allocation of Leader funding County Cork received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13858/15]

Leader Programmes Funding

Michael Moynihan

250. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the rationale of using and allocating funding to a sub regional area; the extra areas that received funding under this category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13859/15]

Leader Programmes Funding

Michael Moynihan

251. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the way the criteria of sub regional areas were applied to the County Cork area, in view of the fact it has twice the population living in the county compared to its city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13860/15]

Pensions Legislation

Michael Moynihan

44. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when legislation will be brought forward in relation to the changes to the contributory State pension planned under the national pensions framework; if she will provide clarity on this matter for persons who are currently unsure of their future pension eligibility; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13509/15]

Leader Programmes Funding

Michael Moynihan

630. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to explain the reasons behind the decision to allocate Leader funding on a county basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12887/15]

Leader Programmes Funding

Michael Moynihan

631. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide in tabular form the allocations to each county under the Leader regional development programme 2014 to 2020; how this compares to the allocation under the previous round of Leader funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12888/15]

Leader Programmes Funding

Michael Moynihan

632. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government how he can defend a cut of over 30% in the Leader funding allocated to County Cork; his views on whether this is fair; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12889/15]

Leader Programmes Funding

Michael Moynihan

633. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to set out the percentage of the national allocation of Leader funding County Cork received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12890/15]

Leader Programmes Funding

Michael Moynihan

634. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to explain the rationale behind the decision to allocate funding to sub-regional areas; the specific areas that received funding under this category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12891/15]

Leader Programmes Funding

Michael Moynihan

635. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to explain the way the criteria of sub-regional areas were applied to County Cork in view of the fact that there is double the population of Cork city living in the county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12892/15]

Leader Programmes Funding

Michael Moynihan

636. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the huge concerns of Leader companies regarding the huge reduction in their funding; how he plans to address their valid concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12893/15]

Leader Programmes Funding

Michael Moynihan

637. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his Department carried out a cost benefit analysis on the impact the new allocation of Leader funding will have in each county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12894/15]

Leader Programmes Funding

Michael Moynihan

638. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is aware that the new allocation of Leader funding by his Department will result in job losses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12895/15]

Public Sector Pensions

Michael Moynihan

299. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason the staff of Waterways Ireland in Portumna in County Galway have been asked to pay an increased pension levy; the cause of the most recent increase; the company that the pension scheme is being paid into; if it is Irish managed or a United Kingdom managed company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11076/15]

School Staff

Michael Moynihan

794. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on a school (details supplied) in County Kerry in respect of the possible loss of two teachers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11666/15]

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Michael Moynihan

806. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the policy in respect of dual-attendance pupils being supported with resources and special needs assistants in one school only; when this policy changed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11838/15]

Alternative Energy Projects

Michael Moynihan

937. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the estimated amount of electricity, as a percentage, that Ireland will generate from biomass in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11354/15]

Broadband Service Provision

Michael Moynihan

1. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress made by his Department in implementing the national digital strategy; if he is satisfied with the progress made to date on the national broadband scheme and its roll-out to rural areas; if he will fulfil in this term the promise under the 2011 programme for Government to deliver fibre to the home or kerb for 90% of homes and businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10595/15]

Energy Policy

Michael Moynihan

4. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources following the publication of a new European Union energy package in which Ireland is singled out as one of the member states that is not sufficiently connected with other European Union countries, the steps he will take to achieve the electricity interconnection target of at least 10% of installed electricity production capacity by 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10596/15]

Postal Services

Michael Moynihan

11. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the discussions he has had with An Post regarding delivering its services to all communities; the type of business model that will be used; if he will provide a guarantee that no post offices will close in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10510/15]

Television Licence Fee Payments

Michael Moynihan

13. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he is satisfied that moneys collected via the RTE licence fee are being spent in the most efficient way; if a value for money analysis been carried out; if there are any planned stakeholder meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10507/15]

Tourism Promotion

Michael Moynihan

18. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources with regard to inland fisheries and EU funding that was not fully used under the LIFE project for Leader development companies, if he is satisfied with this; his strategy or policy to maximise the tourist potential of inland fisheries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10508/15]

Energy Prices

Michael Moynihan

36. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he is satisfied that the current regulatory framework empowers the Commission for Energy Regulation to ensure the best electricity price is delivered to households and businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10506/15]

Corrib Gas Field

Michael Moynihan

39. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when the Corrib project’s gas supply will come online; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10509/15]

Internet Safety

Michael Moynihan

277. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the Government policy on the principle of net neutrality and the regulation of Internet infrastructure pertaining to the bandwidth provided by Internet providers to consumers; if he has examined potential benefits of net neutrality to business start-ups; his views on the recent decision by European Union member states on net neutrality provisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10768/15]

Telecommunications Infrastructure

Michael Moynihan

278. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the Government policy on investment in 4G mobile telecommunications technology and the potential, as a lever, to connect Irish households and businesses who currently do have high-speed broadband provision; if he has examined the potential of investing in the latest 5G infrastructure via public private partnerships with the technology industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10769/15]

Farm Safety Scheme

Michael Moynihan

77. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on including funding under the new farm safety scheme for the installation of a road underpass in view of the large number of farmers who have land holdings on either side of busy roads; his views that this presents a clear safety hazard to both farmers and road users alike; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10620/15]

Child Care Services Regulation

Michael Moynihan

354. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his views regarding the increased levels of administration work imposed on child care centres, in particular, resulting from the programme implementation platform, which has significantly increased the paperwork and time spent on administration for child care providers; if he will provide funding to assist with this administration work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10497/15]

Electricity Generation

Michael Moynihan

241. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has examined converting the coal fired power station at Moneypoint, County Clare, into a biomass energy power station; if it has been costed. [8535/15]

Energy Policy

Michael Moynihan

242. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if biomass will form part of future Government energy policy. [8536/15]

National Standards Authority of Ireland

Michael Moynihan

245. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if his attention has been drawn to the delays with the issuing of certification of type approval by the National Standards Authority of Ireland for new commercial vehicles, in view of these delays are having a serious financial impact on struggling businesses; if he will intervene to ensure that this situation is resolved immediately; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6979/15]

Teaching Council of Ireland

Michael Moynihan

457. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the concerns among teachers regarding the proposals to introduce public hearings as part of fitness to teach inquiries; if she will provide an assurance to teachers that any such hearings will be carried out in a fair and balanced way; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6996/15]

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Michael Moynihan

458. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will ensure that a school (details supplied) in County Cork does not have its resource hours reduced any further; if she will increase its allocation of resource hours; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6998/15]

Seniors Alert Scheme

Michael Moynihan

243. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the serious concerns held by volunteers in local community groups regarding the proposed changes to the seniors alert scheme, in particular regarding the lack of consultation with those groups who have been administering this scheme, with such great effect up to now; his views on delaying the implementation to allow for more conclusive discussion regarding these changes with the grassroots volunteers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6480/15]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Michael Moynihan

115. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the significant difficulties being experienced with the early childhood care and education scheme, particularly in relation to the capitation level, which is not sufficient to cover the costs of delivering a high quality service for children; if he will conduct a study, in consultation with the providers, to determine the real costs of providing this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6238/15]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Michael Moynihan

116. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his views on additional capitation under the ECCE scheme to support children with additional needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6239/15]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Michael Moynihan

117. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if his Department will increase the duration of the ECCE scheme contract to 48 weeks per year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6240/15]

Special Protection Areas Designation

Michael Moynihan

330. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to compensate farmers whose land has been designated as special protection areas for the hen harrier; if his plans to include such farmers in the GLÁS scheme are not adequate to compensate for the enormous impact this derogation has on the value of the lands in question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4567/15]

Alternative Energy Projects

Michael Moynihan

603. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his Department has considered the use of anaerobic digestion technology as an energy source here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4774/15]

Special Protection Areas Designation

Michael Moynihan

656. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her attention has been drawn to the plight of farmers whose lands have been designated as special protection areas for the hen harrier; her views that this designation renders these lands worthless, in areas of rural Ireland where people can least afford these restrictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4571/15]

Wind Energy Generation

Michael Moynihan

1. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the recent mechanical failure of certain wind turbines here; the reason these failed; if he has requested a report on these incidents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3773/15]

National Postcode System

Michael Moynihan

4. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to set out how privacy concerns surrounding Eircode will be addressed by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3958/15]

Electricity Transmission Network

Michael Moynihan

8. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an update on the Grid25 project; when the review of this project will be completed; the way this project will be funded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3771/15]

Sale of State Assets

Michael Moynihan

21. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the final sale price of Bord Gáis Energy; the revenue this will be utilised for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3772/15]

Post Office Network

Michael Moynihan

25. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the discussions he has had with the board and chief executive officer of An Post regarding the post office network; if he will guarantee that no post offices will close this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3774/15]

Broadband Service Provision

Michael Moynihan

30. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when approval will be received from the EU for its national broadband plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3770/15]

Social Welfare Code

Michael Moynihan

45. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her views on changing the situation where only the person in direct receipt of a social welfare payment receives an increase of €10 once they turn 80 years of age, but a qualified adult on a payment is not eligible for the same increase; her views that this is extremely unfair on those persons affected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4073/15]

Schools Amalgamation

Michael Moynihan

472. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress to date in the proposed amalgamation of the national schools in Kanturk, County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3723/15]

Post Office Network

Michael Moynihan

590. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on recent changes made by An Post to move post office branches into supermarkets; his further views on the detrimental social effect this has on small communities; if there is a public tender system in place for these post branches; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2796/15]

Wind Energy Generation

Michael Moynihan

242. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has requested a report on the recent mechanical failures witnessed at wind farms on the island of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2015/15]

Commercial Rates Valuation Process

Michael Moynihan

206. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if community child care facilities which operate on a not-for-profit basis, and have charitable status from the Revenue Commissioners, will be exempted from commercial rates following the recent amendment to the Valuation Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1282/15]