Parliamentary questions

Post Office Network

Michael Moynihan

8. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans on publishing a strategy on sustaining the post office network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47260/14]

Electricity Generation

Michael Moynihan

24. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an update on the Grid25 proposals; his views that Grid25 is still necessary; his further views on the stability of the grid in view of the current percentage of wind energy on the grid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47259/14]

Energy Policy

Michael Moynihan

26. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the implications of the new EU energy and emissions targets for 2030; the role solar power will play in helping Ireland reach i’s carbon emissions reduction targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47263/14]

Broadband Service Provision

Michael Moynihan

37. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide a timetable of the objectives outlined by the broadband mapping project; the way he will ensure that all communities have a basic access to broadband by the timetable outlined; the costs surrounding this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47262/14]

Wind Energy Generation

Michael Moynihan

462. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the percentage of energy supply that emanates from wind farms; the maximum megawatt outage produced by wind farms to the grid; the lowest megawatt outage on the grid this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47055/14]

Nuclear Plants

Michael Moynihan

91. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the communications he has had with his British counterpart with regard to the construction of Hinkley Point C nuclear power plant in Somerset; his views on nuclear energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40196/14]

Seniors Alert Scheme

Michael Moynihan

531. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to outline his proposed changes to the seniors alert scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46047/14]

Seniors Alert Scheme

Michael Moynihan

532. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to outline the discussions he has had with Pobal and the companies current supplying the seniors alert scheme with regard to proposed changes to the system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46048/14]

Seniors Alert Scheme

Michael Moynihan

533. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has conducted a cost benefit analysis of the proposed changes to the seniors alert scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46049/14]

Grant Aid

Michael Moynihan

73. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to introduce grant aid for farmers who wish to install solar panels on their farm; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45400/14]

Air Services Provision

Michael Moynihan

165. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will acknowledge that Cork Airport is a vital transport hub for the many industries and businesses in the region; his views on the removal of two more routes recently by Aer Lingus from Cork Airport; his Department's plans to ensure the future growth and development of Cork Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45433/14]

Electricity Generation

Michael Moynihan

179. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an update regarding Electric Ireland having announced it will no longer buy electricity from residential properties generating electricity from renewable sources such as solar and wind - residential consumers connected up to 31 December 2014 were eligible for a 9 cent/kWH export tariff, this now falls to zero; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44541/14]

Road Projects Status

Michael Moynihan

183. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress of the proposed Macroom bypass in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44456/14]

Renewable Energy Projects

Michael Moynihan

535. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to explain the percentage of energy supplied from biomass resources here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44087/14]

Renewable Energy Projects

Michael Moynihan

536. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to set out his views on whether biomass energy will form part of renewable energy targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44088/14]

Energy Production

Michael Moynihan

537. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to outline his plan to examine proposals to convert coal-fired generators in Moneypoint, County Clare, and peat fired generators in the midlands to biomass to reduce carbon emissions here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44089/14]

Renewable Energy Projects

Michael Moynihan

538. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the State has the capability to supply the necessary natural resources to provide a sustainable supply of biomass; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44090/14]

Wind Energy Generation

Michael Moynihan

539. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to outline the number of wind farms in operation here; the average daily megawatt supply from wind energy; and the number of wind farms being planned. [44091/14]

Electricity Transmission Network

Michael Moynihan

540. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an update on the Grid 25 project; the amount that has been spent on this project to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44092/14]

National Postcode System Implementation

Michael Moynihan

547. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide in tabular form the names of outside companies hired by Eircode since its establishment; the duration of contract; the costs per company; the overall total costs to date for outside consultants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44380/14]

National Postcode System Establishment

Michael Moynihan

548. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide in tabular form the names of outside companies hired by his Department in relation to the Eircode project since its inception; the duration of contract; the costs per company; the overall total costs to date for outside consultants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44381/14]

Inland Waterways Maintenance

Michael Moynihan

550. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the actions his Department has taken to ensure that rivers here are properly dredged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42956/14]

National Roads Authority Staff

Michael Moynihan

561. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of staff currently employed by the National Roads Authority; the number employed per annum from 2005 to date in 2014. [42831/14]

National Roads Authority Staff

Michael Moynihan

562. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the annual staff budget of the National Roads Authority in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014. [42832/14]

National Roads Authority Funding

Michael Moynihan

563. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the capital and current budget of the National Roads Authority in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014. [42833/14]

Consultancy Contracts Data

Michael Moynihan

81. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of reports from external consultants commissioned by his Department in the years 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; the costs incurred by his Department to commission these reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42590/14]

Consultancy Contracts Data

Michael Moynihan

96. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of reports from external consultants commissioned by his Department in the years 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; the costs incurred by his Department to commission these reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42587/14]

Health Services Reports

Michael Moynihan

179. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the number of reports from external consultants commissioned by his Department in the years 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; the costs incurred by his Department to commission these reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42589/14]

Consultancy Contracts Data

Michael Moynihan

210. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of reports from external consultants commissioned by her Department in the years 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; the costs incurred by her Department to commission these reports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42588/14]

Consultancy Contracts Data

Michael Moynihan

244. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of reports from external consultants commissioned by his Department in the years 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; the costs incurred by his Department to commission these reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42591/14]

National Roads Authority Projects

Michael Moynihan

258. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the progress of the proposed M20 Cork to Limerick motorway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42584/14]

Mortgage Repayments

Michael Moynihan

277. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding the charge on a property when the full moneys owed on the mortgage account have been paid to the mortgage provider but the deeds to the property have not yet been released and have now been transferred to another entity (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41203/14]

Tax Code

Michael Moynihan

298. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Finance in view of the capital gains tax relief measures announced in the budget to encourage farm consolidation, if he will facilitate the many farmers who are currently bound by the previous six year rule regarding consolidation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41405/14]

Child Protection

Michael Moynihan

564. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will clarify for the purposes of developing child safeguarding policies his Department's exact definition of a child; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41492/14]

National Broadband Plan Implementation

Michael Moynihan

1. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an update on the national broadband mapping project; the actions he will take to improve broadband services in rural Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40484/14]

Post Office Network

Michael Moynihan

4. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to secure the future of the post office network here; the impact that the Government's e-payment plan will have on post offices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40485/14]

Renewable Energy Generation

Michael Moynihan

12. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide in tabular form the average cost of energy production per megawatt hour of each source of energy used here; the current supports given to wind energy here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40193/14]

Electricity Transmission Network

Michael Moynihan

17. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an update on the review of Grid25; the amount that has been spent on the Grid25 project since its inception to date in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40197/14]

Broadband Service Provision

Michael Moynihan

32. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide a time frame for the roll-out of broadband to all homes here; if he will provide an update on the Government’s plan to spend €500 million to build a fibre powered infrastructure here; if this plan has received state aid approval; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40195/14]

Energy Regulation

Michael Moynihan

33. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will consider amending the legislation concerning the energy regulator in order to ensure that part of his remit is the reduction of energy prices here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40194/14]

Sovereign Debt

Michael Moynihan

49. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Finance his views on the introduction of legislation in all EU member states to prevent vulture funds from claiming more than other lenders in the case of a sovereign debt crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40503/14]

Mortgage Arrears Proposals

Michael Moynihan

50. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Finance if he will review the Central Bank of Ireland's code of conduct on mortgage arrears; if he will ensure that it is legally binding, procedurally fair to borrowers and that vulture funds currently unregulated here are covered by it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40504/14]

Grant Payments

Michael Moynihan

95. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the single farm payment will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39531/14]

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments

Michael Moynihan

123. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the outstanding area aid payment for this year will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; the reasons they did not receive their area aid payment for past year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39734/14]

EU Directives

Michael Moynihan

288. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if daily fines are applied if the country does not comply with EU regulations to conserve the hen harrier in special conservation areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38765/14]

Wind Energy Generation

Michael Moynihan

233. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide in tabular form the expected installed wind capacity here over then next five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38507/14]

Installation Aid Scheme Eligibility

Michael Moynihan

229. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the significant difficulties being experienced by younger farmers who have missed out on the previous installation aid scheme and who will not qualify for the new scheme; his plans to introduce measures to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37693/14]

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments

Michael Moynihan

248. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding a disadvantaged areas payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; the reason they have not received same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38115/14]

Student Grant Scheme Expenditure

Michael Moynihan

465. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will commit to protecting the student maintenance grant at its current level in budget 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37881/14]

Third Level Funding

Michael Moynihan

466. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to increase further the student contribution charge in budget 2015; if she acknowledges the difficulty this charge causes already hard-pressed families; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37882/14]

Third Level Funding

Michael Moynihan

467. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the €25 million in higher education funding that has been held back from the higher education budget in the past two years will be returned; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37883/14]

School Staffing

Michael Moynihan

176. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the difficulties being faced by small schools which could lose a teacher due to the school having a very small number of pupils short of the Department's guidelines for pupil-teacher ratio, in particular schools that may be short a few pupils for the deadline on 30 September 2014 but are expecting pupils to enrol after this date; if she will allow these schools some flexibility in these circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37451/14]

Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments

Michael Moynihan

438. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive their agri-environment option scheme payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33034/14]

Schools Amalgamation

Michael Moynihan

1379. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress to date of the proposed amalgamation of national schools in an area (details supplied) County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33960/14]

Wind Energy Generation

Michael Moynihan

1633. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when he expects the commencement of negative pricing of wind energy exported over the east-west interconnector; if he will clarify whether there is any clause in the pricing arrangements made between the UK and Ireland that allows for negative pricing between Ireland and Northern Ireland, and between Ireland and the rest of the UK; the pricing arrangements that have been made between Ireland and the UK on wind energy exports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33184/14]

Energy Prices

Michael Moynihan

1. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the actions he will take to address the increasing cost of electricity for customers and businesses; if his attention has been drawn to the great concern amongst multinationals at the recent increase in the PSO levy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31677/14]

Post Office Network

Michael Moynihan

4. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the actions he has taken to secure the future of our post office network; his position regarding the impact on local post offices of the use of electronic transfer for social welfare payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31678/14]

Sale of State Assets

Michael Moynihan

6. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to set out the final revenues raised by the sale of Bord Gáis Energy; the way the resources generated by the sale will be used by Government; the spend on consultants and other expertise during and on completion of the sale; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31426/14]

Hydraulic Fracturing

Michael Moynihan

9. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when the Environmental Protection Agency will complete its review of hydraulic fracturing; his position on hydraulic fracturing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31427/14]

Ministerial Priorities

Michael Moynihan

10. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to outline his priorities for his Department for the coming 12 months and the key goals he is setting for the coming two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31425/14]

Renewable Energy Generation Targets

Michael Moynihan

15. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his Department's position with regard to the viability of biomass energy as an energy resource which could be utilised on the Irish electricity grid; if Ireland is currently reaching its EU targets with regard to renewable energy; the further actions that will be taken to reach our EU targets in the energy sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31423/14]

Schools Building Projects Status

Michael Moynihan

85. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position of her Department in relation to the application made to the forward planning section for a new 800-pupil Gaelcholáiste in Ballincollig, County Cork; if her attention has been drawn to the pressing need for this development in view of the demand for places over the coming years to cater for the students from the four Gaelscoileanna in the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31871/14]

Oireachtas Proceedings

Michael Moynihan

441. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will ensure the broadcasting of Dáil Éireann through the Oireachtas channel will include subtitles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31454/14]

Herd Numbers

Michael Moynihan

540. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the entitlements transfer from a person (details supplied) in County Cork to a third party will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31028/14]

Legislative Measures

Michael Moynihan

685. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health if section 26 of the 1985 Nurses Act supersedes section 13(8) of the Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31465/14]

Schools Amalgamation

Michael Moynihan

236. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update on the progress of the proposed amalgamation of the national schools in Kanturk, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29132/14]

An Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann

Michael Moynihan

672. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health if Section 26 of the 1985 Nurses Act supersedes section 13(8) of the Act; if he has given approval for changes to quorum requirements for fitness to practice hearings by An Bord Altranais under section 26 of the Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29010/14]

Rural Transport Programme

Michael Moynihan

796. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of staff currently employed by the rural transport programme who will be made redundant due to the restructuring of the programme into the 18 transport co-ordination units; the redundancy package that is being offered to those staff members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29718/14]

Transfer of Entitlements Application

Michael Moynihan

162. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the transfer of entitlements will be completed in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27634/14]

An Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann

Michael Moynihan

196. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health if the Nurses Act 1985 gave An Bord Altranais the authority to change the quorum requirements for a fitness to practise hearing without prior approval from him. [27615/14]

Medical Card Reviews

Michael Moynihan

9. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health to detail the number of discretionary medical cards he will restore; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27060/14]

Accident and Emergency Department Waiting Times

Michael Moynihan

16. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied with the turnaround time for ambulances at accident and emergency departments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27059/14]

Data Protection

Michael Moynihan

90. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the guidelines and protections her Department has issued to local authorities regarding data protection; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19942/14]

Disability Allowance Appeals

Michael Moynihan

312. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal for disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [27320/14]

Health Services Staff

Michael Moynihan

193. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons required for a quorum in respect of a fitness to practise hearing for Health Service Executive staff members; if this number can be altered under direction from him; the procedure involved in such an alteration; his function in such cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26478/14]

Bord Gáis Privatisation

Michael Moynihan

421. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an update on the sale of Bord Gáis Energy; the total revenue to be received by the State on the sale of the company; the total legal, consultancy and other costs associated with the sale of the company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25680/14]

Electricity Generation

Michael Moynihan

422. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide in tabular form the percentage of energy supplied by resource within the State currently; the energy producing capacity by power station within the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25681/14]

Medical Card Applications

Michael Moynihan

637. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork [25372/14]

Broadband Service Provision

Michael Moynihan

1. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an update on broadband provision; the cost of broadband here as compared to in other member states of the European Union; the progress made in providing broadband in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24807/14]

Energy Prices

Michael Moynihan

4. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he is concerned at the continual rise in energy prices; the total revenue paid by EirGrid to wind energy providers in 2013 and to date in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24808/14]

Electricity Transmission Network

Michael Moynihan

7. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an update on the review of EirGrid's Grid25 project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24724/14]

Inland Fisheries

Michael Moynihan

13. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will clarify his Department's position with regard to the possible introduction of rod licences here; if he is considering any changes to the regulatory regime of the inland fishers here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24723/14]

EU Directives

Michael Moynihan

15. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the EU regulations, directives and decisions Ireland is currently in breach of which are the responsibility of his Department; if there are any financial implications to these breaches; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24725/14]

Renewable Energy Exports

Michael Moynihan

29. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has made any further contact with his British counterpart with regard to the export of energy from Ireland to the UK; if he is considering supporting an interconnector between Ireland and France; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24722/14]

Exploration Licences

Michael Moynihan

34. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when he plans to update the fiscal and licensing regime of Ireland’s oil and gas industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24721/14]

Leader Programme Administration

Michael Moynihan

145. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will ensure that the existing Leader groups which have operated successfully as local action groups for the past 23 years, will be supported to draw up their community based local strategic plans for Leader submit them to the Department for approval, and be allowed implement and administer the delivery of all aspects of these plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25020/14]

Leader Programme Administration

Michael Moynihan

146. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will ensure that the criteria for selection of the local action groups to develop the local strategic plans will be drawn up so that the existing Leader groups are neither disadvantaged, constrained nor prevented from winning any Leader tender or selection process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25021/14]

Student Grant Scheme Eligibility

Michael Moynihan

261. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the progression rule applies where a student, having previously been enrolled for first year of a level 8 course without doing final year exams or proceeding further or gaining any qualification from this course due to ill-health and having done so without receiving free fees or a Student Universal Support Ireland grant during this time, should be disqualified from State assistance to study a PLC course even at a lower level, even though they have privately funded the first year of this PLC course and now require State funding for the second year of study to complete the course; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24712/14]

Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments

Michael Moynihan

415. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the outstanding agri-environment options scheme payment will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24322/14]

Motor Tax Collection

Michael Moynihan

132. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that many people are not receiving their automatic notification to renew their motor tax from his Department and that this letter contains the PIN required to process their motor tax payment online; the steps being taken to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23467/14]

Medical Card Applications

Michael Moynihan

788. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health if he will examine the position taken by the medical card section of the Health Service Executive in relation to applications from persons with a very small income from self-employment, who are currently in receipt of a means-tested social welfare payment, who have been assessed by a local social welfare inspector and the Department of Social Protection has accepted their income details without the need for documentation from the Revenue Commissioners; taking into consideration their very small self-employment income and inability to pay for an accountant in respect of same; his views on the refusal of the HSE to accept the means assessment of the local social welfare inspector as proof of their income and its insistence on full accounts and statements from the Revenue Commissioners. [22597/14]

Medical Card Administration

Michael Moynihan

32. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health if the targeted withdrawal of 55,000 medical cards from the over 70s announced in the past two budgets has been achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21260/14]

Medical Card Eligibility

Michael Moynihan

39. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health if he will introduce new guidelines for the awarding of medical cards on a discretionary basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21261/14]

Medical Card Applications

Michael Moynihan

171. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [21620/14]

Medical Card Administration

Michael Moynihan

172. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a request by a person (details supplied) in County Cork to have their medical card application file sent back to them from the Primary Care Reimbursement Service. [21621/14]

Broadband Service Provision

Michael Moynihan

441. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the national broadband plan in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21511/14]

Energy Schemes Data

Michael Moynihan

133. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide in tabular form the number of persons who received grants under the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland schemes in each year from 2009 to 2013; the total value of grants provided in each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20745/14]

Energy Resources

Michael Moynihan

134. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he concerned for the future of the Whitegate oil refinery; if the Government has considered purchasing the refinery; if this refinery is still utilised by the National Oil Reserves Agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20746/14]

Energy Regulation

Michael Moynihan

135. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the growth of the prepaid energy market; the number of persons now utilising prepaid energy packages; his views on whether there are any issues arising with regard to consumer protection in this market; his views on whether the Commission for Energy Regulation has the necessary resources and legislative authority to properly regulate this market and protect consumers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20747/14]

Broadband Service Provision

Michael Moynihan

135. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the inclusion of the area of Killorglin, County Kerry in the list of locations for fibre build out as part of the national broadband plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20457/14]