Parliamentary questions

Flood Relief Schemes Expenditure

Barry Cowen

307. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide in tabular form the total spending on flood defences on an annual basis from 2000-13; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7729/14]

Insurance Coverage

Barry Cowen

308. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to give details on the progress that has been made between his Department and the insurance industry on information exchange on investment on flood defences; the timeline for their completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7730/14]

Flood Relief Schemes Expenditure

Barry Cowen

309. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to outline the total amount planned to be spent on flood defence in 2014, 2015 and 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7731/14]

Flood Risk Assessments

Barry Cowen

310. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to set out the expected date of the completion of the catchment flood risk assessment and management, CFRAM, studies; if he will allocate additional resources to the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7732/14]

Departmental Staff Career Breaks

Barry Cowen

333. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide in tabular form, the number of staff in his Department currently on sabbatical or career break broken down by 0 to six months, six to 12 months, one year to two years, two to three years, four to five years and five years plus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7631/14]

Departmental Staff Sick Leave

Barry Cowen

334. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide in tabular form, the total number of uncertified sick days taken by employees in his Department and the average uncertified sick days per employee taken; the total certified sick days taken by employees; the average certified sick days per employee; the total sick days taken by employees; and the average total sick days and median overall sick days per employee in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. [7647/14]

Departmental Staff Career Breaks

Barry Cowen

369. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide in tabular form, the number of staff in her Department currently on a sabbatical or career break broken down by zero to six months, six to 12 months, one year to two years, two to three years, four to five years and five years plus; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7634/14]

Departmental Staff Sick Leave

Barry Cowen

370. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide in tabular form, the total number of uncertified sick days taken by employees in her Department and the average uncertified sick days per employee taken; the total certified sick days taken by employees; the average certified sick days per employee; the total sick days taken by employees; the average total sick days and median overall sick days per employee in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. [7650/14]

Departmental Staff Career Breaks

Barry Cowen

425. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide in tabular form, the number of staff in his Department on a sabbatical-career break broken down by zero to six months, six to 12 months, one year to two years, two to three years, four to five years and five years plus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7622/14]

Departmental Staff Sick Leave

Barry Cowen

426. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide in tabular form, the total number of uncertified sick days taken by employees in his Department and the average uncertified sick days per employee taken; the total certified sick days taken by employees; the average certified sick days per employee; the total sick days taken by employees; the average total sick days and median overall sick days per employee in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. [7638/14]

Departmental Staff Career Breaks

Barry Cowen

457. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide in tabular form the number of staff in his Department currently on a sabbatical-career break broken down by zero to six months, six to 12 months, one year to two years, two to three years, four to five years and five years plus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7624/14]

Departmental Staff Sick Leave

Barry Cowen

458. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide in tabular form, the total number of uncertified sick days taken by employees in his Department and the average uncertified sick days per employee taken; the total certified sick days taken by employees; the average certified sick days per employee; the total sick days taken by employees; the average total sick days and median overall sick days per employee in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. [7640/14]

Departmental Staff Career Breaks

Barry Cowen

490. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide, in tabular form, the number of staff in his Department currently on a sabbatical or career break, broken down by zero to six months, six to 12 months, one year to two years, two to three years, four to five years and five years plus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7627/14]

Departmental Staff Sick Leave

Barry Cowen

491. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will outline, in tabular form, the total number of uncertified sick leave days taken by employees in his Department and the average uncertified sick leave days per employee taken; the total certified sick leave days taken by employees; the average certified sick leave days per employee; the total sick leave days taken by employees; and the average total sick leave days and median overall sick leave days per employee in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. [7643/14]

Housing Adaptation Grant Funding

Barry Cowen

503. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide in tabular form from each county a list of moneys allocated under the housing aid for elderly scheme, housing adaptation grant for people with a disability and also mobility aids grant for the past four years. [7926/14]

Housing Adaptation Grant Funding

Barry Cowen

504. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that in County Offaly, for example, when applying for the housing aid for elderly scheme, housing adaptation grant for people with a disability and mobility aids grant one is advised that one's application cannot be considered for three to five years; and his views on this matter. [7927/14]

Housing Adaptation Grant Funding

Barry Cowen

505. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when his Department is allocating funding under the housing aid for the elderly scheme, housing adaptation grant for people with a disability and also mobility aids grant, if consideration is given to the number of applicants on each waiting list in each county; and if not his views on this matter. [7928/14]

Housing Issues

Barry Cowen

506. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his Department will consult with all local authorities across the country to ascertain all vacant local authority dwellings in the country, and if he will provide same in tabular form. [7929/14]

Tenant Purchase Scheme Administration

Barry Cowen

507. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider an immediate tenant purchase scheme and with the proceeds make vacant local authority dwellings available to deal with the consistent rise in demand for local authority housing. [7930/14]

Departmental Staff Career Breaks

Barry Cowen

552. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide in tabular form the number of staff in his Department currently on a sabbatical-career break broken down by zero to six months, six to 12 months, one year to two years, two to three years, four to five years and five years plus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7632/14]

Departmental Staff Sick Leave

Barry Cowen

553. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide in tabular form the total number of uncertified sick days taken by employees in his Department and the average uncertified sick days per employee taken; the total certified sick days taken by employees; the average certified sick days per employee; the total sick days taken by employees; and the average total sick days and median overall sick days per employee in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. [7648/14]

Departmental Staff Career Breaks

Barry Cowen

600. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide in tabular form, the number of staff in his Department currently on a sabbatical-career break broken down by zero-6 months, six to 12 months, one year to two years, two to years, four to five years and five years plus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7625/14]

Departmental Staff Sick Leave

Barry Cowen

601. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide in tabular form, the total number of uncertified sick days taken by employees in his Department and the average uncertified sick days per employee taken; the total certified sick days taken by employees; the average certified sick days per employee; the total sick days taken by employees; and the average total sick days and median overall sick days per employee in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. [7641/14]

Departmental Staff Career Breaks

Barry Cowen

615. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide in tabular form, the number of staff in his Department currently on a sabbatical-career break broken down by zero to six months, six to 12 months, one year to two years, two to three years, four to five years and five years plus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7621/14]

Departmental Staff Sick Leave

Barry Cowen

616. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide in tabular form, the total number of uncertified sick days taken by employees in his Department and the average uncertified sick days per employee taken; the total certified sick days taken by employees; the average certified sick days per employee; the total sick days taken by employees; and the average total sick days and median overall sick days per employee in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. [7637/14]

Departmental Offices

Barry Cowen

629. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will confirm the arrangements being put in place to maintain the services provided to local farmers in the midlands following the recent decision to close the Tullamore regional office of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. [7931/14]

Departmental Staff Career Breaks

Barry Cowen

655. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide in tabular form the number of staff in her Department currently on a sabbatical or career break broken down by zero to six months, six to 12 months, one year to two years, two to three years, four to five years and five years plus; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7623/14]

Departmental Staff Sick Leave

Barry Cowen

656. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide in tabular form the total number of uncertified sick days taken by employees in her Department and the average uncertified sick days per employee taken; the total certified sick days taken by employees; the average certified sick days per employee; the total sick days taken by employees; the average total sick days and median overall sick days per employee in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. [7639/14]

Departmental Staff Career Breaks

Barry Cowen

695. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form the number of staff in his Department currently on a sabbatical or career break broken down into categories of zero to six months, six to 12 months, one year to two years, two to three years, four to five years and five years plus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7630/14]

Departmental Staff Sick Leave

Barry Cowen

696. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form, the total number of uncertified sick days taken by employees in his Department and the average uncertified sick days per employee taken; the total certified sick days taken by employees; the average certified sick days per employee; the total sick days taken by employees; the average total sick days and median overall sick days per employee in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. [7646/14]

Departmental Staff Career Breaks

Barry Cowen

785. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide in tabular form the number of staff in his Department on sabbatical or a career break broken down by zero to six months, six to 12 months, one year to two years, two to three years, four to five years and five years plus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7636/14]

Departmental Staff Sick Leave

Barry Cowen

786. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide in tabular form the total number of uncertified sick days taken by employees in his Department; the average number of uncertified sick days per employee taken; the total number of certified sick days taken by employees; the average number of certified sick days per employee; the total number of sick days taken by employees; the average total of sick days and the median overall sick days per employee in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. [7652/14]

Commercial Rates

Barry Cowen

237. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has assessed the impact of commercial rate charges on sporting organisations' grounds; the measures he proposes to address the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6209/14]

Commercial Rates

Barry Cowen

238. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide a total and county breakdown of commercial rates paid by sporting organisations from 2010 to 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6210/14]

Commercial Rates

Barry Cowen

366. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a county breakdown of collection rates for commercial rates in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6170/14]

Commercial Rates

Barry Cowen

368. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has raised the issue of sporting organisations paying commercial rates to local authorities on their grounds with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6211/14]

Water Charges Administration

Barry Cowen

402. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide in tabular form the total and county breakdown of unpaid non-domestic water charges due to each local authority; if the charges due will be transferred to Irish Water; if local authorities will be paid by Irish Water for these charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6678/14]

Irish Water Funding

Barry Cowen

82. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the money that was provided by the Exchequer for the establishment of Irish Water in 2012, 2013 and in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5255/14]

Water Charges Administration

Barry Cowen

95. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the water charging tariff structure enables additional fees to be levied on households who do not use a certain amount of water; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5016/14]

Irish Water Staff

Barry Cowen

96. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of former local authority workers currently employed by Irish Water; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5015/14]

Irish Water Administration

Barry Cowen

103. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total cost of the Water Services Transition Office in 2013 and the estimate for 2014; the number of staff employed; if the costs are paid directly to the Local Authorities Members' Association; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5017/14]

Irish Water Staff

Barry Cowen

108. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has calculated the rate of natural attrition loss of the 4,300 employees covered by service level agreements over the next 12 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5018/14]

Irish Water Administration

Barry Cowen

123. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he held any discussions with Bord Gáis in relation to the system of bonus payments before establishing Irish Water as a subsidiary of the company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5014/14]

State Bodies

Barry Cowen

426. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the budget allocated from his Department to Philanthropy Ireland; the number of staff currently employed by Philanthropy Ireland; the total budget allocated for staff in Philanthropy Ireland; the selection process and criteria relating to the chairman and chief executive officer, CEO, of Philanthropy Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4846/14]

State Bodies

Barry Cowen

427. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide, in tabular form, the expenditure of Philanthropy Ireland on public relations, consultancy fees and external expertise since 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4847/14]

State Bodies

Barry Cowen

428. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the progress made by Philanthropy Ireland in its mission to increase the level of philanthropic activity here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4848/14]

Local Authority Charges Collection

Barry Cowen

436. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding unpaid water charges due to local authorities in the context of the transfer of functions to Irish Water; if the unpaid charges will be paid to local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4920/14]

Hospital Appointment Status

Barry Cowen

676. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Offaly can expect an appointment for MRI scan at Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore. [5400/14]

Semi-State Bodies Expenditure

Barry Cowen

463. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will detail in tabular form the amount a company (details supplied) has earned from Bord Gáis Éireann in the past 10 years, with a brief description of each body of work undertaken. [3758/14]

Water Services Provision

Barry Cowen

514. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the work of the water service transition office; the number of staff employed by the office; the duration of its work; the outside consultant costs incurred by the office; the payments given to county managers under the office's remit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3730/14]

Local Authority Staff Remuneration

Barry Cowen

517. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide in tabular form the total lump sum retirement payments given to county managers in 2011, 2012 and 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3744/14]

Irish Water Expenditure

Barry Cowen

519. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total duration of a contract (details supplied); the date it ended; and the final cost for the full implementation of this contract. [3750/14]

Irish Water Expenditure

Barry Cowen

520. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the tasks a company (details supplied) carried out in regard to the May 2012 contract. [3751/14]

Irish Water Expenditure

Barry Cowen

521. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the criteria under which a company was selected for the contract (details supplied). [3752/14]

Irish Water Expenditure

Barry Cowen

522. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the specific areas of expertise a company provided in the contract (details supplied) that Bord Gáis Éireann-Irish Water was not able to provide in-house. [3753/14]

Irish Water Expenditure

Barry Cowen

523. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if an open competition was held prior to the awarding of a contract (details supplied). [3754/14]

Irish Water Expenditure

Barry Cowen

524. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if other companies were afforded the opportunity to bid for a project (details supplied); if a number of quotes from other companies were sought prior to signing this contract; the companies that bid for the project and reasons given for their rejection. [3755/14]

Irish Water Expenditure

Barry Cowen

525. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in view of the fact that a contract (details supplied) was issued as part of the unbundling provision of the EU third directive, if the costs of this project were paid for by Irish Water or by Bord Gáis Éireann or a subsidiary. [3756/14]

Irish Water Expenditure

Barry Cowen

526. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will list in tabular form all the contracts a company (details supplied) has received from Irish Water since May 2012; the value of each contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3757/14]

Building Regulations Application

Barry Cowen

530. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in view of the new building regulations taking effect on 1 March 2014, the training and resources that have been provided to local authority staff in relation to the new building regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3814/14]

Commercial Rates Valuation Process

Barry Cowen

22. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide a breakdown, on a county basis, of the number of appeals received by the Commissioner of Valuation after revaluations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51928/13]

Departmental Reports

Barry Cowen

179. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Taoiseach if he will provide in tabular form the total amount spent since February 2011 on external reports commissioned by his Department including payments from ministerial allowances, broken down by report; if he will provide the details of any consultants employed; the names of each report and their status as published or ongoing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2368/14]

Departmental Reports

Barry Cowen

183. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide in tabular form the total amount spent since February 2011 on external reports commissioned by his Department including payments from ministerial allowances, broken down by report; if he will provide the details of any consultants employed; the names of each report and their status as published or ongoing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2362/14]

Departmental Reports

Barry Cowen

192. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide in tabular form the total amount spent since February 2011 on external reports commissioned by his Department including payments from ministerial allowances, broken down by report; if he will provide the details of any consultant employed; the names of each report and their status as published or ongoing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2361/14]

Departmental Reports

Barry Cowen

234. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide in tabular form the total amount spent since February 2011 on external reports commissioned by his Department including payments from ministerial allowances, broken down by report; if he will provide the details of any consultants employed; the names of each report and their status as published or ongoing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2359/14]

Departmental Reports

Barry Cowen

291. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide in tabular form the total amount spent since February 2011 on external reports commissioned by his Department, including payments from ministerial allowances, broken down by report; if he will provide the details of any consultants employed; the names of each report and their status as published or ongoing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2366/14]

Departmental Reports

Barry Cowen

315. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide in tabular form the total amount spent since February 2011 on external reports commissioned by his Department including payments from ministerial allowances, broken down by report; if he will provide the details of any consultants employed; the names of each report and their status as published or ongoing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2364/14]

Consultancy Contracts Expenditure

Barry Cowen

335. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide, in tabular form, the total amount spent since February 2011 on external reports commissioned by her Department, including payments from ministerial allowances, broken down by report; if she will provide the details of consultants employed; the name of each report and its status as published or ongoing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2367/14]

Departmental Reports

Barry Cowen

390. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide in tabular form the total amount spent since February 2011 on external reports commissioned by his Department, including payments from ministerial allowances, broken down by report; if he will provide the details of any consultants employed; the names of each report and its status as published or ongoing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2355/14]

Departmental Reports

Barry Cowen

402. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide in tabular form the total amount spent since February 2011 on external reports commissioned by his Department including payments from ministerial allowances, broken down by report; if he will provide the details of any consultants employed; the names of each report and their status as published or ongoing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2357/14]

Irish Water Establishment

Barry Cowen

421. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total Exchequer funding provided in respect of the establishment of Irish Water in each of the years 2012 to 2014, inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3103/14]

Irish Water Expenditure

Barry Cowen

422. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the source of the €180 million in set-up costs for Irish Water; if the figure was ever debated by the Houses of the Oireachtas at any level; if so, where; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3104/14]

Departmental Reports

Barry Cowen

428. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide, in tabular form, the total amount spent since February 2011 on external reports commissioned by his Department, including payments from ministerial allowances and broken down by report; if he will provide the details of any consultants employed; the names of each report and their status as published or ongoing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2360/14]

Irish Water Expenditure

Barry Cowen

451. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has had any communications with Irish Water regarding to the non-tendering of contracts for external supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2712/14]

Irish Water Establishment

Barry Cowen

452. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the areas in which the anticipated €2 billion in savings by Irish Water by 2021 will be achieved. [2713/14]

Irish Water Expenditure

Barry Cowen

453. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the communications he has had with Irish Water on consultancy costs; the date on which he was made aware of the €85 million spend on external consultants by Irish Water; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2714/14]

Irish Water Expenditure

Barry Cowen

454. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the date on which he approved the overall budget for Irish Water; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2715/14]

Irish Water Appointments

Barry Cowen

455. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the anticipated spending on bonuses for staff in Irish Water; if his Department approved the budget for such bonuses; the date on which approval occurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2716/14]

Irish Water Appointments

Barry Cowen

456. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his Department approved spending for a new gym at the Irish Water headquarters; the estimated expenditure involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2717/14]

Irish Water Establishment

Barry Cowen

457. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason behind appointing Bord Gáis as the State agency in which to embed Irish Water; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2718/14]

Irish Water Administration

Barry Cowen

458. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his Department has held any discussion with Irish Water on the use of freedom of information legislation; if issues of commercial sensitivity were raised with it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2719/14]

Irish Water Expenditure

Barry Cowen

459. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total spending undertaken by Bord Gáis prior to the formal establishment of Irish Water; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2720/14]

Irish Water Expenditure

Barry Cowen

460. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the concerns his Department raised with Irish Water regarding PR and branding spending; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2721/14]

Irish Water Appointments

Barry Cowen

461. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if Irish Water has taken on staff through the JobBridge scheme; the number of staff involved; the duration of their employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2722/14]

Water Services Provision

Barry Cowen

462. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide the details of the incentive payments section of the service level agreements signed with local authorities; if he will detail those eligible for the payments; the criteria used; if he will indicate who will pay for them; the estimated spending on the payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2723/14]

Water Services Provision

Barry Cowen

463. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of local authority staff covered by the service level agreements; the number of staff anticipated to leave the local authority water section during the SLA period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2724/14]

Irish Water Establishment

Barry Cowen

464. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he anticipates any further funding requirements for Irish Water beyond those which are budgeted for up to April 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2725/14]

Irish Water Establishment

Barry Cowen

465. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he anticipates any future funding requirements from his Department for Irish Water beyond April 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2726/14]

Property Tax Administration

Barry Cowen

480. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reasons behind retaining local property tax proceeds to fund Irish Water rather than allowing local authorities retain 80% of locally raised funds; the total sum held back by the Government; where that sum will be spent; if unused, will the remaining funds be distributed on the original basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2850/14]

Water Meters Installation

Barry Cowen

481. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the current rate of water meter roll-out per month; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2851/14]

Irish Water Administration

Barry Cowen

482. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to set up a specific parliamentary question office within Irish Water; the timeline for its establishment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2852/14]

Water Meters Installation

Barry Cowen

483. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his Department have been informed about pension rights compliance issues and other wage concerns with subcontractors handling the roll-out of meters on behalf of Irish Water; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2853/14]

Water Meters Installation

Barry Cowen

484. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a list of the subcontractors involved in the roll-out of water meters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2854/14]

Water Meters Installation

Barry Cowen

485. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the jobs created by the roll-out of water metering have met the criteria as laid out by him in terms of taking people off the live register and upskilling apprentices; the percentages met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2855/14]

Water Meters Installation

Barry Cowen

486. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total spending on water metering to date; the total budget; if he anticipates any further funding beyond that which has been budgeted for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2856/14]

Water Meters Installation

Barry Cowen

487. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the current estimated timeframe for the completion of water metering; the number of homes that will be metered; the number of homes that will receive a flat charge; if there are any interim measures for flat charges on houses that will be metered in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2857/14]

Water Meters Installation

Barry Cowen

488. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide in tabular form a county breakdown of the number of houses metered to date; the number expected to be metered by the end of 2014, 2015 and 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2858/14]

Irish Water Establishment

Barry Cowen

493. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total planned capital investment in Irish Water from Exchequer funding in 2014 and beyond; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2943/14]

Property Tax Administration

Barry Cowen

494. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total amount from the Local Government Fund planned to be invested in Irish Water service level agreements in 2014 and subsequently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2944/14]

Departmental Reports

Barry Cowen

498. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide in tabular form the total amount spent since February 2011 on external reports commissioned by his Department including payments from Ministerial allowances, broken down by report; if he will provide the details of any consultants employed; the names of each report and their status as published or ongoing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2365/14]