Parliamentary questions

National Internship Scheme Administration

Stephen Donnelly

353. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide details of the estimated costs of providing an additional 1,500 places on the JobBridge scheme for young persons in 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50327/13]

Youth Employment Initiative

Stephen Donnelly

354. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Social Protection if the European Commission Memo 13/984 of 12 November 2013 which indicates that Ireland has been given a provisional allocation of €63.66 million from the €3 billion youth employment initiative will be increased; the efforts that are being made by her Department to increase this allocation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50328/13]

Youth Guarantee

Stephen Donnelly

355. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Social Protection the management and governance of the youth guarantee here; if she will give a commitment that the initiative will be overseen by a high-level group made up of the key stakeholders such as young jobseekers, youth organisations, education and training providers, career guidance experts, employers and relevant Departments as required by the youth guarantee implementation plan which must be submitted to the European Parliament; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50329/13]

General Register Office

Thomas P. Broughan

356. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Social Protection if the General Register Office retains records of the number of persons attending its research facility; and if the GRO compiles statistics on the number of persons attending the facility to trace their family records due to their having been adopted or knowing a person who has been adopted. [50335/13]

Jobseeker's Allowance Appeals

Nicky McFadden

357. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a jobseeker's allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; if an appeal is necessary; if it will be heard as soon as possible in view of the severe financial pressures the applicant is under; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50340/13]

Education and Training Provision

Patrick Nulty

358. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide a breakdown of the 90,000 places available for unemployed persons referred to by her in media statements; if she will provide a breakdown of the 20,000 additional places available and reserved for young unemployed persons referred to in her media statements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50344/13]

Youth Services Data

Patrick Nulty

359. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of places reserved on education, training and back to work initiatives for under 26s under the responsibility of her Department in 2010, 2011 and 2012; if she will provide a breakdown of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50346/13]

Domiciliary Care Allowance Appeals

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy

360. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an appeal for domiciliary care allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50349/13]

Social Welfare Benefits

Michael Creed

361. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will reconsider her decision to withdraw the telephone rental allowance where the household involved is renting specialised telephone equipment to deal with hearing difficulties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50370/13]

Disability Allowance Appeals

Bernard Durkan

362. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the recent refusal of an appeal for disability allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50380/13]

Rent Supplement Scheme Eligibility

Bernard Durkan

363. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the maximum amount of rent support available in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50381/13]

Jobseeker's Allowance Eligibility

Joe Higgins

364. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department will reconsider the requirements contained in the new form issued by her Department to allow those who are unemployed on certain days to claim jobseeker's benefit by indicating the days which they were not at work in view of the fact that it is causing difficulties for certain categories of workers (details supplied). [50395/13]

Carer's Allowance Appeals

Seán Fleming

365. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection when an appeal for half-rate carer's allowance will be decided in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Laois; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50400/13]

Unemployment Data

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

367. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide the breakdown of the percentage of young persons under 25 in the low, medium and high PEX probability of exit category since the introduction of the Intreo registration process arising from Pathways to Work in 2012; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50414/13]

Jobseeker's Allowance Eligibility

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

368. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection the criteria and circumstances her Department uses to determine if a jobseeker should be subject to a sanction in the form of a reduced welfare payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50416/13]

Jobseeker's Allowance Payments

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

369. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection the reduced payment which applies to young persons under 25 in receipt of jobseeker's allowance or jobseeker's benefit who have been subject to sanctions in the form of reduced welfare payments since the introduction of Pathways to Work in 2012; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50417/13]

Consultancy Contracts

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

370. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to outsource tasks such as jobseeker case management, employment engagement, job activation, job matching and placement to external private contractors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50418/13]

Back to Education Allowance Numbers

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

371. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide details of the number of young persons under 25 who are currently in receipt of the back-to-education allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50419/13]

Back to Education Allowance Numbers

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

372. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide details of the number of young persons under 25 who are currently in receipt of the back-to-education allowance in each of the following categories: undertaking a second level course, a third level access course, a third level undergraduate course and a postgraduate course; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50420/13]

Back to Education Allowance Numbers

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

373. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide a breakdown of the number and percentage of young persons under 25 who are in employment, unemployed, pursuing further education and training, emigrated, etc., who completed a course of education under the back-to-education allowance scheme in 2011 and 2012; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50421/13]

Education and Training Provision

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

374. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 466 of 5 November 2013, if she will provide further details on the 10,000 training places for young unemployed persons including the budget associated with this training; the length of the training courses; the location of these training courses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50422/13]

Disability Activation Projects

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

377. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide details of the 14 projects funded under the disability activation project including the participants on each scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50425/13]

One-Parent Family Payment Application Numbers

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

378. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of persons in receipt of the one parent family payment; the number in receipt of the one parent family payment who are under 25 years of age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50426/13]

Departmental Websites

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

380. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of registered users of her Department's Career Directions website; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50428/13]

National Internship Scheme Administration

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

381. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will outline the whistleblowing provisions for JobBridge; the way in which a person with concerns about a JobBridge opportunity and/or the JobBridge scheme may report their concerns; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50429/13]

National Internship Scheme Administration

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

382. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide a dedicated whistleblowing feedback page on the JobBridge website to facilitate persons with concerns; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50430/13]

National Internship Scheme Administration

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

383. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of intern advertisements that have been placed since the start of the JobBridge scheme; the total number of advertised vacancies that have not been filled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50431/13]

Community Employment Schemes Eligibility

Patrick Nulty

388. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider amending the age criteria for community employment schemes to allow persons between 18 and 35 years to participate in them. [50443/13]

Domiciliary Care Allowance Applications

Patrick Nulty

391. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for domiciliary care allowance 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. [50467/13]

Carer's Allowance Payments

Noel Harrington

393. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Social Protection when arrears of carer's allowance will issue in respect of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50475/13]

Mortgage Arrears Information and Advice Service

Willie O'Dea

394. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will set out in tabular form the total number of persons in financial difficulty who have benefited from the Mortgage Arrears Information and Advice Service in each month since it was established; the total number of practitioners who have signed up to provide advice under the scheme; her views on whether the €250 amount available for payment for advice is adequate; her plans to review the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50491/13]

Disability Allowance Appeals

Willie O'Dea

397. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Carlow will receive a reply to their disability revision and if she will expedite a reply; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Carer's Allowance Waiting Times

Thomas P. Broughan

398. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Social Protection the current waiting times for decisions on carer's allowance applications in the first instance; and the current waiting times for decisions to be made on carer's allowance appeals before the social welfare appeals office. [50504/13]

Carer's Allowance Appeals

Bernard Durkan

399. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 84 of 14 November 2013, if the fact that full-time care is being provided was taken into account in respect of an appeal for carer's allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50510/13]

Invalidity Pension Appeals

Bernard Durkan

400. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress made to date in respect of a review regarding eligibility for invalidity pension in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50542/13]

Social Welfare Appeals Delays

John O'Mahony

401. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a decision on their appeal lodged in April 2013 in respect of their illness benefit claim; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50575/13]

Jobseeker's Allowance Appeals

Bernard Durkan

402. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in determination of an appeal for jobseeker's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50579/13]

Child Benefit Payments

Terence Flanagan

403. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to address the issue of grants and/or allowances available for parents of twins, triplets, quadruplets and so on; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50595/13]

Jobseeker's Allowance Eligibility

Michael McGrath

405. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person working one hour per day for each of seven days per week will qualify for any jobseeker's allowance for that seven day period; the reasons for this policy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50637/13]

Rent Supplement Scheme Administration

Jonathan O'Brien

406. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to ensure rent supplement addresses the needs of those who share custody of their children with a partner on a 50 50 basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50643/13]

Health Contribution Refunds

Richard Boyd Barrett

409. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection further to the overcharging of the health contribution in 2009 and 2010, the number of persons who applied for a refund; the number who were given a refund; the total amount refunded; the number of persons still eligible for a refund; and the total amount of these refunds. [50724/13]

Pension Provisions

Terence Flanagan

410. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to include pensions in the Constitution; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50733/13]

Social Welfare Appeals Status

Jack Wall

411. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the date for an oral hearing in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50740/13]

Insolvency Payments Scheme Eligibility

Richard Boyd Barrett

412. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans in terms of legislative reform to allow workers access to the State insolvency fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50561/13]

Rent Supplement Scheme Eligibility

Joanna Tuffy

413. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on the entitlement to rent supplement (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50784/13]

Social Welfare Appeals Status

Jack Wall

414. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide the up to date position on a social welfare appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50786/13]

Disability Allowance Appeals

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

415. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the average waiting time for the conclusion of appeals against the refusal of disability allowance. [50806/13]

Rent Supplement Scheme Administration

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

418. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will identify accommodation in Ashbourne or Ratoath, County Meath available to rent suitable for a couple/one parent family with three children for €650 as of today; if she will provide the same for a couple/one parent family with two children for €600; if she will acknowledge that there is a serious discrepancy between the rent supplement threshold and the actual cost of rent in these towns; if she will immediately address this situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50854/13]

Rent Supplement Scheme Payments

Bernard Durkan

419. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the correct level of rent support payable in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50859/13]

Rent Supplement Scheme Administration

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

420. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will identify accommodation in Ashbourne or Ratoath, County Meath, that is available to rent and suitable for a couple or one parent family with three children for €650 as of today; if she will provide the same for a couple or one parent family with two children for €600 and a couple or one parent family with one child for €550; if she will acknowledge that there is a serious discrepancy between the rent supplement threshold and the actual cost of rent in the towns in question; if she will immediately address this situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50861/13]

Youth Unemployment Measures

Micheál Martin

421. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Social Protection if any specific targets were set at the Youth Unemployment Conference in Paris; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50119/13]

Youth Unemployment Measures

Micheál Martin

422. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Social Protection if any specific actions will be taken here to tackle youth unemployment following the Youth Unemployment Conference held in Paris; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50121/13]

Youth Unemployment Measures

Micheál Martin

423. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on youth unemployment here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45859/13]

Youth Unemployment Measures

Gerry Adams

424. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will report on the special conference on youth unemployment in Paris; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50212/13]

Youth Unemployment Measures

Thomas P. Broughan

425. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Social Protection the strategies her Department will be pursuing to reduce youth unemployment and to encourage young persons to start their own businesses. [50489/13]

Irish Language

Seán Kyne

426. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if consideration will be given to submitting a request to the European Union not to renew the derogation which exempts the majority of documentation from being translated into the Irish language and thereby place a renewed focus on ensuring that the Irish language attains all full recognition and status enjoyed by official languages of the Union as well as promoting the language in general at European level. [50824/13]

Departmental Banking

Ciaran Lynch

427. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the value of services provided to the public by his Department and entities reporting to his Department where a payment is accepted by debit or credit card; the percentage of additional charge that is applied to such transactions under the merchant agreement; the total value of the additional charge in respect of debit and credit cards in 2012; if any portion of the additional charge accrued to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50128/13]

Natural Heritage Areas Designation

Robert Troy

428. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the ownership of Nure bog, County Westmeath has transferred from individual ownership to State ownership; the position regarding persons who wish to harvest turf in this bog from 2014 onwards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50780/13]

Arts Funding

Terence Flanagan

429. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if his Department will support financially and in other ways the strategic plan for the Artane School of Music 2013-16; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50801/13]

Irish Language

Brendan Griffin

430. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the EU Irish language derogation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50804/13]

Ferry Services Provision

Seán Kyne

431. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in terms of the provision of a subsidised cargo ferry service for Oileáin Árann, County Galway, if the present operators satisfy the conditions (details supplied) of the tender for the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50825/13]

Bioenergy Strategy Implementation

Andrew Doyle

432. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if incentives are being considered for the use and optimisation of vehicles for the use of bio-methane biofuels, in view of their reduced GHG emissions. [50771/13]

Bioenergy Strategy Implementation

Andrew Doyle

433. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if a national policy on the use of biogas as a fuel in Government vehicles has been developed or is proposed. [50862/13]

Departmental Banking

Ciaran Lynch

434. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the value of services provided to the public by his Department and entities reporting to his Department where a payment is accepted by debit or credit card; the percentage of additional charge that is applied to such transactions under the merchant agreement; the total value of the additional charge in respect of debit and credit cards in 2012; if any portion of the additional charge accrued to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50130/13]

Broadband Service Provision

James Bannon

435. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to deliver access to fibre based broadband for small and medium enterprises in Counties Longford and Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50279/13]

Electricity Generation

Éamon Ó Cuív

436. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the assistance available to develop or upgrade micro hydroelectric schemes; his plans to develop such assistance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50303/13]

National Broadband Plan Implementation

Brendan Griffin

437. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will withdraw the national broadband scheme contract from a service provider in County Kerry in view of the totally inadequate service it is providing to customers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50337/13]

Broadcasting Service Provision

Thomas P. Broughan

438. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the amount of State aid granted to community radio and television stations for the years 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; and the amounts granted in supports for each individual station. [50506/13]

Broadcasting Service Provision

Thomas P. Broughan

439. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his Department collects statistics on the listening and viewing figures for community radio and television stations; and if his Department has figures of the total number of persons employed in the sector. [50507/13]

Broadcasting Sector Regulation

Patrick O'Donovan

440. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the legislative plans he has to deal with the issue of sponsorship by commercial entities of current affairs programmes by the public service broadcaster; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50714/13]

Renewable Energy Generation Targets

Terence Flanagan

441. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding Ireland meeting its EU targets on renewable energy production, which is that 40% of Ireland's electricity and 16% of total energy consumption must come from renewable sources by the year 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50732/13]

Bioenergy Strategy Implementation

Andrew Doyle

442. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when the approved national system for the delivery of CNG biogas into the national gas network will be finalised. [50765/13]

Bioenergy Strategy Implementation

Andrew Doyle

443. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the impact of the potential sale of an Bord Gáis Energy on the future development potential of the biogas sector. [50766/13]

Bioenergy Strategy Implementation

Andrew Doyle

444. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if a steering group to promote the production of biogas has been planned in the foreseeable future. [50767/13]

Wind Energy Generation

Andrew Doyle

445. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if any study has taken place to show the amount of reduction in the fossil fuel import bill that has taken place from 2006 to 2012 as a result of the wind farm energy supply being delivered into the national grid. [50769/13]

Broadband Service Provision

Seán Kyne

446. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will report on the progress of the mapping project to ascertain broadband provision across the country; if he will indicate when the project will be completed and the estimated time-frame for the sanctions by the EU of the State-aid required to develop broadband services in identified areas. [50834/13]

Electric Vehicle Grants

Seán Kyne

447. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will confirm the level of uptake in the purchasing of electric vehicles, in particular cars, over the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50835/13]

Irish Water Appointments

Pat Breen

448. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the public service embargo will apply to an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50239/13]

Climate Change Policy

Brendan Smith

449. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will outline Ireland's position in the negotiations being conducted at the Warsaw climate change conference; if he is concerned by the recent decisions of the governments of Australia, Japan and Canada to downgrade their efforts to combat climate change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50290/13]

Leader Programmes Applications

Michelle Mulherin

450. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding an application to Mayo North East Leader Development Company (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50096/13]

Housing Adaptation Grant Funding

Terence Flanagan

451. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will advise as to the Dublin City Council budget for the housing adaptations grant with effect from January 2014; if the budget allocation will be increased on the 2013 allocation so as to meet the backlog of applications for this grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50098/13]

Housing Adaptation Grant Funding

Terence Flanagan

452. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the budget allocation for housing modifications for persons with a disability living in council accommodation will be increased in the coming year in order to deal with the substantial backlog of applications; if he will outline the budget for Dublin City Council for 2013 and 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50099/13]

Departmental Banking

Ciaran Lynch

453. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the value of services provided to the public by his Department and entities reporting to his Department where a payment is accepted by debit or credit card; the percentage of additional charge that is applied to such transactions under the merchant agreement; the total value of the additional charge in respect of debit and credit cards in 2012; if any portion of the additional charge accrued to his Department [50133/13]

Leader Programmes Applications

Michelle Mulherin

454. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding his Department's request for repayment of a grant received by a company (details supplied) under the Leader programme from Mayo North East Leader programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50153/13]

Water and Sewerage Schemes Status

Pat Breen

455. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when a tender report for a wastewater scheme extension will progress (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50166/13]

Unfinished Housing Developments

Terence Flanagan

456. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide details of unfinished housing estates around the country that are to be demolished in 2014 and 2015; the cost of same; the criteria for deciding on demolition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50169/13]

Local Government Reform

Dara Calleary

457. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the consultations that have taken place with Waterford City Council and Waterford County Council in relation to the proposed amalgamation of both councils under the Local Government Bill 2013; the dates on which the consultations took place; the nature of said consultations; and if they included consultations with local authority members. [50183/13]

Commercial Rates

Dara Calleary

458. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the steps he is taking to reduce the commercial rates for small and medium enterprises, particularly small retail outlets across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50184/13]

Commercial Rates

Dara Calleary

459. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will introduce a 25% cut in commercial rates over a 24 month period in order to stimulate economic growth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50185/13]

Local Government Reform

Dara Calleary

460. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the proposed cost savings of €440 million through the implementation of the Local Government Bill 2013; where the savings will be made and a county breakdown of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50186/13]

Fire Safety

Gerald Nash

461. Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if current legislation permits a business premises to continue to operate, pending obtaining a fire safety certificate or in the case of an ongoing appeal to An Bord Pleanála in respect of a refusal to grant such a certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50187/13]

Planning Issues

Seán Crowe

462. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to any planning permission applications which were flagged by fire officers as not suitable that were granted by Kildare County Council; and if so, the reason planning permission was granted. [50197/13]

Waste Disposal

Patrick O'Donovan

463. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reasons behind allowing local authorities to charge for the disposal of fats, oils and greases; if he will acknowledge that the charge for disposal of brown water for commercial properties should cover the disposal of all waste waters from commercial properties; if he has limited the amount that local authorities can charge for disposal of fats, oils and greases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50236/13]

Non-Principal Private Residence Charge Administration

Finian McGrath

464. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on an issue in relation to the non-principal private residence of a person (details supplied). [50270/13]

Motor Tax Collection

James Bannon

465. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will extend the time for the new motor tax regime to accommodate the huge volume of persons seeking to use the service to have their motor tax regulated. [50278/13]

Commercial Rates

Patrick O'Donovan

466. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has issued any correspondence to local authorities to encourage them not to increase their water charges or commercial rates for 2014; if he will provide details of the amount charged by each local authority in tabular form by standard unit for water in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50287/13]

Planning Issues

Ann Phelan

467. Deputy Ann Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding establishing the independent planning regulator's office; if he will indicate who the inspector will be; the remit of this role; the way members of the public may contact and meet with the inspector in question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50333/13]

Motor Tax Collection

Simon Harris

468. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason a person who has fully paid motor tax on the vehicle that they currently drive and having purchased a new vehicle which will not be on the road until December must pay motor tax on this vehicle from the time of purchase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50382/13]

Leader Programmes Funding

Pat Deering

469. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of money to be reallocated for Leader projects; the way it will be allocated; and when will it be announced. [50462/13]

Water Charges Exemptions

Brian Stanley

470. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider changing the criteria regarding the minimum contribution requested from households to enable rural group water schemes such as Downpatrick water scheme in County Mayo to go ahead; in the absence of CLÁR funding the 16 households in Downpatrick are unable to avail of the funding allocated by Mayo County Council unless the criteria are changed; his views on whether it is wrong that these people are denied the basic human right of clean water while €170,000 is returned to his Department from Mayo County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50493/13]