Parliamentary questions

Job Initiatives

Peadar Tóibín

378. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will detail, in tabular form, each of the initiatives announced by his Department to create employment; the date of the first announcement; the date when the initiative went operational; the budget set aside for the initiative; the total draw down to date for the initiative and the number of net jobs created by the initiative. [8367/13]

Employment Rights

Maureen O'Sullivan

379. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the rights and obligations of employers towards their subcontractors in the event of a change of title or demotion; if he intends to bring forward legislation in relation to the protection of workers in subcontracting companies who have worked for a long period of time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8587/13]

IDA Portfolio

Peadar Tóibín

380. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation further to Parliamentary Question No. 102 of 6 February 2013, if he will detail the reduction in the number of leases held by the Industrial Development Agency for each year since 2009 to which the agency is the lessor; the number of leases surrendered due to business failure and the number of leases renewed for each year; and if he will outline any other reason for the reduction in the total number of leases. [8631/13]

Regional Aid

Arthur Spring

381. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the total amount of regional aid money given to the Border Regional Authority for start-up of small, medium and large businesses during the present regional aid map 2007-2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8661/13]

Regional Aid

Arthur Spring

382. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the total amount of regional aid money given to the West Regional Authority for start-up of small, medium and large businesses during the present regional aid map 2007-2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8662/13]

Regional Aid

Arthur Spring

383. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the total amount of regional aid money given to the Midlands Regional Authority for start-up of small, medium and large businesses during the present regional aid map 2007-2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8663/13]

Regional Aid

Arthur Spring

384. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the total amount of regional aid money given to the Mid-East Regional Authority for start-up of small, medium and large businesses during the present regional aid map 2007-2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8664/13]

Media Mergers

Willie Penrose

385. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation when the necessary legislation will be brought forward to implement the recommendations of the advisory group on the media mergers which was published in January 2009 and in this context since the Government approved the draft heads of the Bill in July 2012, which indicated that the responsibility for carrying out the public interest test would transfer to the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources; if he will now give a definitive date for the publication of the Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8811/13]

Job Creation Data

Charlie McConalogue

386. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide a yearly breakdown of the new jobs created in County Donegal by the Industrial Development Agency over the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8815/13]

Job Creation Data

Charlie McConalogue

387. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide a yearly breakdown of the number of Industrial Development Agency sponsored visits to County Donegal over the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8816/13]

Carer's Allowance Payments

Joe McHugh

388. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Social Protection the supports that are provided to carers who do not live in the home of the persons for whom they care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8169/13]

Disability Allowance Eligibility

Bernard Durkan

389. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding determination of eligibility for disability allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8070/13]

Disability Allowance Applications

Pat Deering

390. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Carlow will receive a decision on their application for disability; and if she will expedite the matter. [8089/13]

Rural Social Scheme Applications

Paul Connaughton

391. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Social Protection her future plans for rural social schemes in view of the positive impact they are having on many rural communities; her views on whether there is scope for further places on these schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8090/13]

Student Support Schemes Issues

Joe McHugh

392. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Social Protection the supports that are available to Irish students who completed leaving certificate examinations in 2012 and who are studying a course (details supplied) at the Northwest Regional College in Derry City. [8100/13]

Jobseeker's Allowance Eligibility

Bernard Durkan

393. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the current weekly entitlement in respect of basic payment in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; when it is expected their application for jobseeker's allowance will be determined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8108/13]

Illness Benefit Appeals

Bernard Durkan

394. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 130 of 22 November 2012, the current position in respect of entitlement to illness benefit in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 6 whose employer and general practitioner have previously deemed them unfit for work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8109/13]

Ministerial Appointments

Shane Ross

395. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Social Protection the details of all appointments made by her to all State agencies, commercial bodies and all other appointments made by her since taking office, including the State owned banks and the judiciary. [8125/13]

Ministerial Appointments

Shane Ross

396. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Social Protection the details of the qualifications of all the appointees made by her to all State agencies, commercial bodies and all other appointments made by her since taking office including the State owned banks and judiciary for the appointments they have accepted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8143/13]

Disability Allowance Eligibility

Noel Harrington

397. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Social Protection the services available to young self employed persons in their early 50s who are diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease and who are no longer able to work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8146/13]

Ministerial Appointments

Shane Ross

398. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of appointees and the percentage of appointments made by her to all State agencies, commercial bodies and all other appointments made by her since taking office including the State owned banks and the Judiciary that were subject to a public applications process. [8161/13]

Disability Allowance Eligibility

Pat Deering

399. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) will have their disability allowance granted and if she will expedite the matter. [8168/13]

Back to Education Allowance Eligibility

Olivia Mitchell

401. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the decision to disallow back to education allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8198/13]

Farm Assist Scheme Appeals

Michelle Mulherin

402. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a farm assist appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; if the appeal will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8202/13]

Carer's Allowance Application Numbers

Finian McGrath

403. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Sligo. [8206/13]

Home Help Service Eligibility

Thomas P. Broughan

404. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the exemption of home help income earned from the Health Service Executive prior to Budget 2012; if a person was assessed for a social welfare payment prior to Budget 2012 and if their HSE home help income was included in this assessment are they eligible to apply for arrears; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8217/13]

Employment Rights

Mary Lou McDonald

405. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Social Protection following the recently published Migrant Rights Centre Ireland Report December 2012 Part of the Family, which illustrates the way the unregulated au pair system is being used to facilitate cheap childcare and that leaves au pairs without basic protections, her plans to address the issue of au pairs here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8223/13]

Domiciliary Care Allowance Applications

Pearse Doherty

406. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the current waiting times for the processing of domicilary care allowance applications; if she will provide in tabular form, for the past five years, the number of claims awarded on first application; the number of claims refused; and the number of claims received; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8235/13]

Domiciliary Care Allowance Appeals

Pearse Doherty

407. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide in tabular form for the past five years the number of domiciliary care allowance appeals submitted to her Department; the number of these refused; and the number granted. [8236/13]

Community Welfare Services

Pearse Doherty

408. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the criteria used by her Department to determine the level of demand for community welfare clinics in County Donegal in view of the fact that the exact numbers of persons who have accessed each community welfare clinic in County Donegal is not available; if she will provide a breakdown of the staff employed in the Community Welfare Service in County Donegal, differentiating between those responsible for making payments and those with supervisory or administrative roles, over the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8237/13]

Invalidity Pension Appeals

Jack Wall

409. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an invalidity pension appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8243/13]

Social Welfare Appeals Delays

Pearse Doherty

411. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision on a social welfare appeal will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 22. [8269/13]

Social Welfare Appeals Delays

Bernard Durkan

412. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision in respect of an appeal is likely to made in the case of a person (details supplied); if he will confirm if the file has been sent to the social welfare appeals officer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8271/13]

Invalidity Pension Appeals

Pat Deering

413. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Carlow will receive a decision on an appeal for invalidity as it has been assigned to an Appeals Officer for final decision and if she will expedite a reply. [8278/13]

Rent Supplement Scheme Applications

Patrick Nulty

414. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for rent supplement will be expedited in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8338/13]

Farm Assist Scheme Eligibility

Éamon Ó Cuív

415. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection if a farmer or fisherperson in receipt of farm assist and fish assist has to be available for employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8339/13]

Rent Supplement Scheme Payments

Bernard Durkan

416. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in respect of a review of a rent supplement payment in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8346/13]

Disability Allowance Payments

Joanna Tuffy

417. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider opening up more schemes to those on disability payments including the new social employment scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8398/13]

Exceptional Needs Payments

Bernard Durkan

418. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if an exceptional needs payment will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8415/13]

Invalidity Pension Applications

Bernard Durkan

419. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in respect of an application for invalidity pension in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; when the application is likely to be awarded; if he will outline exactly the stage this application is at and the stages yet to be proceeded with; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8422/13]

Disability Allowance Appeals

Tom Fleming

420. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on a disability allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8445/13]

Pension Provisions

Peter Mathews

421. Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Social Protection if an information campaign will be launched to make persons aware of the changes to the transition pension from 2014 onward; the steps those who are unprepared take; if there will be any discretion given to persons who must retire at 65 years and will have no income until 66; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8446/13]

Invalidity Pension Appeals

Michael McGrath

422. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an invalidity pension appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [8453/13]

Farm Assist Scheme Applications

Seán Fleming

424. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on the current application for farm assist in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Laois; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8518/13]

Invalidity Pension Appeals

Paul Connaughton

425. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on an appeal for invalidity pension in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8519/13]

Social Welfare Appeals Status

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

426. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue from the social welfare appeals office in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Louth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8613/13]

Carer's Allowance Applications

James Bannon

428. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will provide an update on an application for carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8626/13]

Disability Support Services Provision

Bernard Durkan

430. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has examined the budgetary requirements of the employability service in County Kildare which handles the administration and placement of employment for people with a particular or special needs requirement in the context of their employment, if her attention has been drawn to the need for continuity of funds for the provision of the services required with particular reference to the changeover from FÁS-Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment to her Department; if she will arrange to liaise with the service providers with a view to contract update and renewal and the need for dependability and reliability of the backup funding service now the responsibility of her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8693/13]

Carer's Allowance Payments

Pat Breen

431. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision on a carer's allowance will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8699/13]

Carer's Allowance Applications

Pat Breen

432. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision on a review of carer's allowance will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8701/13]

Jobseeker's Allowance Appeals

Ciaran Lynch

434. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review a decision to discontinue jobseeker's allowance to a person (details supplied) as participation in a FÁS community employment scheme is contingent on being in receipt of this payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8706/13]

Illness Benefit Applications

Bernard Durkan

435. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the entitlement to illness benefit in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8709/13]

Carer's Allowance Appeals

Brendan Griffin

438. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on a carer's allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8727/13]

Carer's Allowance Applications

Michelle Mulherin

439. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo has been refused carer's allowance when the person being cared for had been assessed for carer's benefit as being in need of full-time care in August 2012 and has had no improvement in their condition; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8750/13]

Supplementary Welfare Allowance Eligibility

Sandra McLellan

440. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 359 of 12 February 2013, if she will change the rule to allow persons on social welfare allowance to travel for medical treatment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8751/13]

Pension Provisions

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy

442. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Social Protection if there has been any agreement in relation to putting in place the provision of a gratuity or pension payment for retiring job club leaders; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8824/13]

Rent Supplement Scheme Applications

Patrick Nulty

443. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for rent supplement will be expedited in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8871/13]

Disability Allowance Appeals

Bernard Durkan

446. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No 432 of the 5 of February 2013, if she will re-examine the case of an appeal in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8974/13]

Carer's Allowance Applications

John O'Mahony

448. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a decision on their application for carer's allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8980/13]

Pension Provisions

Willie O'Dea

449. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection if there are alternative arrangements in place for those persons who can no longer avail of the transition pension; if she intends to implement an alternative scheme for those nearing retirement age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8983/13]

Planning Issues

Maureen O'Sullivan

450. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he intends to continue considering a consent application made under a planning application that has been amended and altered and is, by the applicant's own admission, now subject to further planning approval. [9241/13]

Ministerial Appointments

Shane Ross

451. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the details of all appointments made by him to all State agencies, commercial bodies and all other appointments made by him since taking office, including the State owned banks and the judiciary. [8113/13]

Ministerial Appointments

Shane Ross

452. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the details of the qualifications of all the appointees made by him to all State agencies, commercial bodies and all other appointments made by him since taking office including the State owned banks and judiciary for the appointments they have accepted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8131/13]

Ministerial Appointments

Shane Ross

453. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of appointees and the percentage of appointments made by him to all State agencies, commercial bodies and all other appointments made by him since taking office including the State owned banks and the Judiciary that were subject to a public applications process. [8149/13]

Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme

Paul Connaughton

454. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if it is possible for a person who is in receipt of turf cutting compensation to bequeath that income to another person in the event of their death before the full term of compensation is completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8185/13]

Shooting Rights

Patrick O'Donovan

455. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if a club (details supplied) in County Mayo can obtain maps of the areas which are included in the shooting rights that it has leased for the past 32 years; if he will provide maps of the actual rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8216/13]

Departmental Bodies

Mary Lou McDonald

456. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht further to Parliamentary Question No. 110 of 7 February 2013, if any of the board members of the four bodies under the aegis of his Department gift their annual fee back to the State. [8272/13]

Planning Issues

Maureen O'Sullivan

457. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in view of the fact that he has undertaken to preserve the national monument Moore St., Dublin, under preservation order No.1 of 2007, if he will explain the basis upon which he can consider an application that seeks his consent to retain only the monument's buildings, that is, 40% of its protected area; the basis upon which the application, in seeking Ministerial consent, can simply ignore the protection afforded to the national monument as a protected structure and a national monument, by redrawing its boundary to facilitate the demolition of protected structures and outbuildings directly linked to the 1916 Rising and build on, over and under it.. [8641/13]

Fisheries Protection

Brendan Griffin

458. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the way he plans to increase the number of wild salmon available for high value angling in lakes and rivers; and his views on whether netting in rivers is a problem in this regard. [8061/13]

Ministerial Appointments

Shane Ross

459. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the details of all appointments made by him to all State agencies, commercial bodies and all other appointments made by him since taking office, including the State owned banks and the judiciary. [8115/13]

Ministerial Appointments

Shane Ross

460. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the details of the qualifications of all the appointees made by him to all State agencies, commercial bodies and all other appointments made by him since taking office including the State owned banks and judiciary for the appointments they have accepted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8133/13]

Ministerial Appointments

Shane Ross

461. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of appointees and the percentage of appointments made by him to all State agencies, commercial bodies and all other appointments made by him since taking office including the State owned banks and the Judiciary that were subject to a public applications process. [8151/13]

Electricity Generation

Michelle Mulherin

462. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in view of the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the British Government for the support of electricity generated by wind energy from the State, the plans in place to attract wind turbine manufacturing companies to Ireland to set up new operations; the progress that has been made regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8214/13]

Exploration Licences Approvals

Finian McGrath

463. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the moneys that have been received to date for each year since 2010, 2011, 2012 from each of the companies that took up an onshore licensing option, with reference to applications made under sections 10 and 11 of the Onshore Petroleum Licensing Notice over the northwest carboniferous basin and the Clare basin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8298/13]

Exploration Licences Approvals

Finian McGrath

464. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an itemised breakdown of payments received from each company for their onshore licensing option; including, dates and amounts of application fees paid for each onshore licensing option; if he will provide further the annual rental fees paid for the areas covered by each onshore licensing option, including a statement and map reference for the designated areas in square kilometres for each option. [8299/13]

Exploration Licences Approvals

Finian McGrath

465. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an itemised breakdown of payments for each company for their petroleum prospecting licence, if any granted, in respect of each onshore licensing option, including dates and amounts of application fees paid for each petroleum prospecting licence required by the conditions of the onshore licensing options and dates and amounts of annual rental fees paid for each petroleum prospecting licence. [8300/13]

Broadband Services Provision

Thomas P. Broughan

466. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will report on the Irish fibre-to-the-building broadband sector; his views on whether there is sufficient choice available for Irish broadband users in the MDU sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8319/13]

Broadband Services Provision

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy

467. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if Eircom have plans to upgrade an exchange located in Cloghan, County Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8344/13]

Telecommunications Services Provision

Jack Wall

468. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on a submission regarding telephone rental (details supplied); the actions planned as a result of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8509/13]

Radio Spectrum Management

Michael Moynihan

469. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the amount of moneys raised by last November's multi-band spectrum auction that have been paid into the Exchequer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8512/13]

Renewable Energy Generation Issues

Catherine Murphy

470. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the measures which will be promoted during the Irish Presidency of the European Union to encourage positive discrimination towards renewable energy as the favoured means of energy production with the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8590/13]

Broadband Services Provision

Michael Moynihan

471. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the cut of €7 billion from the €9.2 billion earmarked by the EU to meet the digital agenda goals of 100Mbps for half of Europe will have any impact on the Government's national broadband plan, especially in rural Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8632/13]

Exploration Licences Approvals

Michael McNamara

472. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when the Environmental Protection Agency's final report on fracking will be published; if he will entertain applications for exploratory licences in advance of the report's publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8643/13]

Broadband Services Provision

Michael Moynihan

473. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if, with regard to the delivery of the national broadband plan, his Department has completed its engagement with the commercial service providers to identify those parts of the country which the commercial market will serve; if not, when he expects such engagement to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8715/13]

Energy Prices

Michael Creed

474. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to a request by Bord Gáis Networks to the Commission for Energy Regulation for an increase in tariffs; his plans to resist such a proposal bearing in mind the fragile nature of the domestic and non-domestic market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8731/13]

Energy Conservation

Seamus Kirk

475. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will outline the details of the voluntary agreements between the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland and nine energy suppliers, announced in March 2012 relating to energy saving targets for energy suppliers; his views on whether enough is being done by the energy suppliers to tackle energy reduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8782/13]

Energy Conservation

Seamus Kirk

476. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will outline by individual energy supplier, the specific energy reduction targets achieved per quarter to date, under the energy saving targets for energy suppliers scheme; his views on whether the overall targets will be achieved by the end of the three year cycle in 2013; the penalties that will apply per energy supplier if the targets are not met based on current targets achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8783/13]

Energy Conservation

Seamus Kirk

477. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will outline by individual energy supplier, the specific energy reduction targets achieved solely in the residential sector per quarter to date under the energy saving targets for energy suppliers scheme; his views on whether the overall targets will be achieved by the end of the three year cycle in 2013; the penalties that will apply per energy supplier, based on current targets achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8784/13]

Energy Conservation

Seamus Kirk

478. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in view of the ending of grants from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, if he has met with the energy suppliers, to discuss legally binding targets for energy reduction measures for the residential sector; his views on the progress from the energy suppliers in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8785/13]

Energy Conservation

Seamus Kirk

479. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an update on the better energy programme, specifically with regard to formal targets on energy suppliers to reduce their customer's household emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8786/13]

Energy Conservation

Seamus Kirk

480. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will outline in tabular form the approved Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland measures for residential properties to help achieve Ireland’s carbon reduction targets; if he will include, in tabular form, the cost per kWh for energy suppliers to achieve his targets, using the following measures, solar panels, external wall insulation, internal wall insulation, heating control upgrade, roof insulation, cavity wall insulation, remote control heating; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8787/13]

Energy Conservation

Seamus Kirk

481. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the date on which he proposes to introduce legislation that requires energy suppliers to offer homeowners energy saving products as part of European Union targets; if the legislation will contain penalties for failure to comply with this; what those penalties will be; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8788/13]

Telecommunications Services Provision

Terence Flanagan

482. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on correspondence regarding fixed line charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8798/13]

Broadband Services Provision

Seán Fleming

483. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when internet and high speed broadband will be available in all areas in County Laois; the minimum quality of service that will apply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8826/13]

Wind Energy Guidelines

Michelle Mulherin

484. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the restrictions that exist in locating wind turbines in areas or habitats in which red grouse live; the scientific basis for the restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8049/13]

Library Projects

Robert Troy

485. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will sanction the application for funding by Longford County Council in respect of a new library for Granard, County Longford. [8051/13]

Tenant Purchase Scheme Administration

Robert Troy

486. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when a new tenant purchase scheme will be introduced to enable local authority tenants purchase their homes and to ensure that any new scheme will not actively discriminate against persons on social welfare payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8054/13]

Water Charges Administration

Robert Troy

487. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the way he intends to deal with the water metering of multiple units in a block; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8059/13]

Ministerial Appointments

Shane Ross

488. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the details of all appointments made by him to all State agencies, commercial bodies and all other appointments made by him since taking office, including the State owned banks and the judiciary. [8118/13]

Ministerial Appointments

Shane Ross

489. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the details of the qualifications of all the appointees made by him to all State agencies, commercial bodies and all other appointments made by him since taking office including the State owned banks and judiciary for the appointments they have accepted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8136/13]