Parliamentary questions

Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme

Brendan Smith

112. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the proposals, if any, he has to deal with the difficulties encountered by turf cutters on the Moneybeg and Clareisland Bogs in counties Meath and Westmeath who wish to avail of the relocation option but cannot due to the non-availability of a suitable bog within a reasonable distance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24962/13]

National Raised Bog Management Plan Discussions

Brendan Smith

113. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the progress made to date, following the Private Members' motion in Dáil Éireann in 2012, in relation to the cessation of turf cutting on raised bog special areas of conservation; the progress that has been made with the European Commission in relation to those bogs described by him as problematic and his commitment to press the Commission for flexibility; if the proposal for a phased transition plan that was progressed by officials in discussions with the Turf Cutters and Contractors' Association has been discussed with the European Commission; if it is still being considered as the basis for a resolution of outstanding difficulties; if he will outline the status of this plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24963/13]

Departmental Legal Costs

Sean Fleming

114. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his views on whether sufficient progress is being made in reducing the State's legal bill in his Department and any State agencies under his aegis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25162/13]

Television Licence Fee Collection

Michael Colreavy

115. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of homes here that do not currently pay for a television licence; if he will provide a breakdown of those who receive a waiver and those who do not pay for a licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24840/13]

Broadband Service Speeds

Nicky McFadden

116. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the statement by the UK communications regulator Ofcom that data speeds from the 4G technology LTE are likely to be of the order of 6 megabits per second on average; if that is the case, whether he considers LTE a suitable technology to deliver the target in the national broadband plan of a minimum of 30Mbps to the last 30% of population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24844/13]

Broadband Service Speeds

Nicky McFadden

117. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will confirm that the target in the national broadband plan for the last 30% of population of a minimum of 30Mbps is a measure of the true customer experience that will be achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24845/13]

Consultancy Contracts

Nicky McFadden

118. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the winning consultants for the national broadband plan have met the turnover requirement in section 3.2A of the request for tenders; the additional documentation he has sought from them in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24846/13]

Consultancy Contracts

Nicky McFadden

119. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if a company (details supplied), the winning consultants for the national broadband plan, will be subcontracting any element of the work; if so, the subcontractors involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24847/13]

Consultancy Contracts

Nicky McFadden

120. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will publish the brief and assumptions under which the consultants to the national broadband plan will be asked to carry out a cost benefit analysis of the plan in line with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform public spending code; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24848/13]

Consultancy Contracts

Nicky McFadden

121. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if, in view of concerns regarding administrative delays in receiving EU state aid approval for the national broadband plan, he has notified the Commission in relation to this plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24849/13]

Broadcasting Charges

Michael Colreavy

122. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the amount he estimates will be returned to the State each year if the new broadcasting charge is introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24907/13]

Renewable Energy Exports

Michael Colreavy

123. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the amount he intends to spend on renewable energy projects that will export energy to Britain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24908/13]

Wind Energy Guidelines

Michael Colreavy

124. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if there will be a social clause included in the wind farm project in Mount Lucas, County Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24909/13]

Communications Masts

Robert Troy

125. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on reports of an increasing number of cancer cases in a locality where a phone/communications mast is erected. [24918/13]

Departmental Legal Costs

Sean Fleming

126. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on whether sufficient progress is being made in reducing the State's legal bill in his Department and any State agencies under his aegis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25163/13]

Housing Assistance Payments Eligibility

Finian McGrath

127. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if there are any supervised housing project organisations that help mental health patients who need supported accommodation on the north side of Dublin. [24835/13]

Waste Management Regulations

Finian McGrath

128. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason no action is being taken to save jobs at a company (details supplied) in Coolock, Dublin 17. [24940/13]

Private Residential Tenancies Board

Andrew Doyle

129. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if persons have been fined by the Revenue Commissioners for not registering as tenants or landlords with the Private Residential Tenancies Board as a result of the collection of the local property tax; if any actions will result for persons who now register with the PRTB as landlords or tenants; if any penalties will arise for persons involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24950/13]

Proposed Legislation

Eric J. Byrne

130. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the Non-Use of Motor Vehicles Bill 2013 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24807/13]

Proposed Legislation

Clare Daly

131. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to allow an amendment to the Building Control Act 2007 to include an amendment for self-trained, trained or unlicensed architects to benefit from a genuine grandfather clause. [24828/13]

Local Government Reform

Eric J. Byrne

132. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will outline, in respect of existing structures, the names of those persons who currently sit on the socioeconomic committees for Dublin as envisaged by Putting People First; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24831/13]

Water and Sewerage Schemes Status

Stephen Donnelly

133. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if residents are entitled to apply for a core facility wastewater treatment plant to be fully taken in charge, should the majority of householders in the area support an application to do so, as laid out in the 2008 circular letter PD 1/08 on guidelines for implementation of section 180 of the Planning and Development Act 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24837/13]

Water and Sewerage Schemes Status

Stephen Donnelly

134. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the Garden Village, Newtownmountkennedy sewerage scheme, County Wicklow, in the context of works outlined in the Water Services Investment Programme 2010-2012; the proposed dates for commencement and completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24904/13]

Leader Programmes Funding

Éamon Ó Cuív

135. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the type of projects funded under the basic services measure of the Leader programme; the amount of money left to be committed under this measure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24913/13]

Water Pollution

Denis Naughten

136. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will approve proposals presented to his Department by Roscommon County Council to address the cryptosporidium problem in the Roscommon central regional water supply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24924/13]

Property Tax Administration

Billy Timmins

137. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the non-principal private residence tax (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24955/13]

Housing Management Companies

Bernard Durkan

138. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the extent of any current discussions between his Department and Kildare County Council in respect of a housing association (details supplied) in County Kildare with particular reference to the possibility of returning the properties concerned to the local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24980/13]

Housing Management Companies

Bernard Durkan

139. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if an examination has been done as to the period during which a housing association (details supplied) in County Kildare was struck off the Companies Register or otherwise ceased to exist; when the company was restored or restructured; when his Department first became aware of such restructuring; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24981/13]

Local Government Reform

Eric J. Byrne

140. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in the context of Putting People First, while the partnerships are represented on the alignment group through the three ILDN representatives, his views on whether this group is lacking in its full representation of the community sector in the absence of a trade union representative; his further views that the socio economic committee in each city and county should accommodate a trade union representative or worker representative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25010/13]

Local Government Reform

Eric J. Byrne

141. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in the context of Putting People First, his views on whether there should be an amendment to ensure that a workers representative can be appointed to the alignment implementation working group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25011/13]

Local Government Reform

Eric J. Byrne

142. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will outline the necessary legislative changes to establish the alignment implementation working group and when it will be initiated; if he will further consider the nomination and participation of a union or worker representative on this alignment implementation working group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25012/13]

Departmental Legal Costs

Sean Fleming

143. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on whether sufficient progress is being made in reducing the State's legal bill in his Department and any State agencies under his aegis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25166/13]

Common Travel Area

Andrew Doyle

144. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the effect a United Kingdom withdrawal from the European Union would have on the common travel area between Ireland, Northern Ireland, Great Britain, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24934/13]

Personal Insolvency Act

Tom Hayes

145. Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if, where a person and their spouse apply for insolvency, entering an insolvency agreement will affect the spouse's qualified financial advisor qualification; if it will affect other employment opportunities with AIB, Bank of Ireland or other State-owned companies.. [24964/13]

Services for People with Disabilities

Pearse Doherty

146. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans, if any, to bring forward legislative proposals to allow access to digital audio recording of court proceedings for individuals with specific disabilities in order to enable them to prepare a legal defence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24800/13]

Garda Operations

Kevin Humphreys

147. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he has been provided with information from An Garda Síochána on current Members of the Oireachtas, both TDs and Senators; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24819/13]

Garda Operations

Kevin Humphreys

148. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he has been provided with information from An Garda Síochána on current Members of the Oireachtas; the law or regulation under which he is entitled to such information; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24820/13]

Naturalisation Applications

Tom Fleming

149. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will expedite an application for naturalisation in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24838/13]

Garda Investigations

Thomas Pringle

150. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 308 of 25 September 2012, if there is any sign of the report into the incidents being completed and victims being able to gain some closure from the case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24868/13]

Prison Accommodation Provision

Denis Naughten

151. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if prisoners to be accommodated in Harristown House, Castlerea, County Roscommon, are to be allowed to leave the grounds of Castlerea Prison to access the town, as outlined at last week's meeting with some public representatives, or prohibited from such access, as outlined by the Irish Prison Service at a recent meeting with the community; if he will assure the community that no prisoner convicted of a sexual offence or murder will be accommodated in this facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24881/13]

Restorative Justice

Clare Daly

152. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide details of progress made regarding pilot restorative justice programmes in Wheatfield Prison and the Dóchas Centre, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24882/13]

Probation and Welfare Service

Clare Daly

153. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the joint Irish Prison Service and Probation Service proposal on social impact investment has been completed; the details of the proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24883/13]

Detention Centres Location

Clare Daly

154. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the postion regarding the planned review of St. Patrick's Institution, Dublin, following the transfer of all prisoners under the age of 18 years in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24884/13]

Prisoner Releases

Clare Daly

155. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide details regarding the joint Irish Prison Service and Probation Service feasibility study on pre- and post-release programmes for short-term prisoners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24885/13]

Prison Accommodation Provision

Clare Daly

156. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide information on the current number of prisoners occupying cells in the new block in Midlands Prison, County Laois; the extent to which the new block is currently being utilised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24886/13]

Prison Accommodation Provision

Clare Daly

157. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of prisoners currently occupying the recently refurbished Mountjoy B wing, Dublin; the overall bed capacity of Mountjoy Prison for the months of February, March and April 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24887/13]

Prison Accommodation Provision

Anne Ferris

158. Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the refurbishment of the Harristown House development, County Roscommon; the expected completion date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24897/13]

Prison Accommodation Provision

Anne Ferris

159. Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the development of Cloverhill/Loughan House, Dublin; the expected date for completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24898/13]

Prison Accommodation Standards

Anne Ferris

160. Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the development of the Mountjoy Prison A wing, Dublin 7; the current expected date for completion; if there will be full in-cell sanitation once the refurbishments are completed within this prison by the end of 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24899/13]

Prison Accommodation Provision

Anne Ferris

161. Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of operational dedicated committal areas that are fully operational in all committal prisons at present. [24900/13]