Parliamentary questions

Northern Ireland

Michael Moynihan

25. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the specific discussions, he has had with Members of the Northern Ireland Executive or with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in relation to the potential to deepen and broaden North/South cooperation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50194/12]

Global Economic Forum

Michael Moynihan

28. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps that have been taken to measure the economic impact of the Global Irish Forum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50187/12]

Telecommunications Services Provision

Michael Moynihan

189. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on a matter raised regarding a possible breach of EU law (details supplied); the action he is taking in this regard; the correspondence he has had with ComReg on the subject; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50232/12]

Care of the Elderly

Michael Moynihan

71. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the action he will take on foot of the recent NESC report Quality and Standards in Human Services in Ireland; Residential Care for Older People; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48947/12]

Health Services Expenditure

Michael Moynihan

77. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health if he expects the Health Service Executive budget to be in a deficit for the year; the action he will take to ensure that any measures to contain cost overruns will have minimal service impact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48932/12]

Defence Forces Reorganisation

Michael Moynihan

6. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Defence his response to claims by the outgoing President of PDFORRA at its recent conference that, because of cutbacks, the Defence Forces are not fit for purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48495/12]

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments

Michael Moynihan

175. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork is not receiving their disadvantaged area payment in view of the fact that they have breeding mares on their farm. [48769/12]

Agriculture Schemes Expenditure

Michael Moynihan

92. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount provided in the estimate for payment under the targeted agricultural modernisation scheme in 2012; the amount paid out under the scheme to date and the expected outturn expenditure under this scheme in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48251/12]

Agriculture Schemes Expenditure

Michael Moynihan

137. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the percentage of 2012 payments his Department expect to have paid by the 31 December 2012 under each of the following schemes, agri environment option scheme 1 and 2, REP scheme, disadvantaged area scheme and the single payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48250/12]

Energy Regulation

Michael Moynihan

634. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the action he will take to curb the uncertified and unregulated gas boiler installers here (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47696/12]

Single Payment Scheme Applications

Michael Moynihan

924. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding an outstanding single farm payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48341/12]

Agriculture Schemes Administration

Michael Moynihan

931. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a farm is sold with its entitlements 113 acres sold with 47 entitlements, 83 acres of this is planted and the remaining 28 acres is sold to a third party; if the entire entitlements will be consolidated on to the portion that was sold and be claimed on the 28 acres, if he will clarify; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48513/12]

Departmental Staff Recruitment

Michael Moynihan

7. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of social workers currently employed by her Department; if she will confirm if the targets as set out in the Ryan implementation report have been met; if such targets were met by recruiting new social workers or by converting temporary contract to permanent contracts; if she will provide a detailed breakdown of the number of permanent social workers now as opposed to March 2011; the number of temporary contracts now as opposed to march 2011; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46728/12]

Digital Television Service Availability

Michael Moynihan

132. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in view of the fact that in 2011 TV users paid some €134 million for public service TV through the mandatory TV licence, his views on whether it is an affront to the 1 million plus persons who paid the licence to describe the Saorview service as free; in view of the fact that there remain 200,000 homes that have not yet converted from analogue, this number does not seem to have changed much over the course of the extensive advertising campaign, his views on the reason for same; the reason specific financial support has not been provided to the disadvantaged such as the elderly who may incur not insignificant costs in terms of the purchase of new equipment such as set-top boxes, or new external aerials; if there is anyway that his Department can ensure that those that can receive a signal receive a high quality signal without disruptions; and the action that will be taken to assist the thousands of persons who will be cut off on 24 October 2012. [47119/12]

Septic Tank Registration Scheme

Michael Moynihan

54. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he is satisfied that the European Commission accepts the new Waste Water Services as satisfying their legal concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46175/12]

Tourism Industry Issues

Michael Moynihan

59. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the recent report from the Irish Hotels Federation which indicated that hotels here are carrying a total debt of €6.7bn; his views on the need for hotels here to attract new investment and the proposal contained within the report for a limited form of tax relief to attract such investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45193/12]

Irish Language Issues

Michael Moynihan

11. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has discussed progress on the Irish Language Act with the Northern Executive and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44891/12]

Nuclear Disarmament Initiative

Michael Moynihan

56. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is satisfied with EU actions to curb Iranian efforts to achieve armed nuclear capability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44902/12]

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments

Michael Moynihan

243. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the outstanding headage payment due to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45032/12]

Single Payment Scheme Payments

Michael Moynihan

248. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the outstanding single farm payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45106/12]

Sale of State Assets

Michael Moynihan

12. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources his plans for selling off parts of Bord Gáis and the potential impact this could have on the work of Irish Water; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43709/12]

Energy Resources

Michael Moynihan

18. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources in view of estimates that the Barryroe Oilfield contains more than a billion barrels of oil, his plans to maximise the benefit to the State of such resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43705/12]

Rent Supplement Scheme Eligibility

Michael Moynihan

90. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection the maximum amount of savings a person can have and still be entitled to qualify for rent allowance. [43934/12]

Renewable Energy Incentives

Michael Moynihan

115. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources his views on the EU Commission proposals that aim to cap crop based bio-fuel production to a maximum of 5% of total transport fuel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43957/12]

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Applications

Michael Moynihan

167. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine the position regarding the outstanding single farm payment due to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43923/12]

Departmental Properties

Michael Moynihan

11. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the way he intends to ensure that greater cooperation is achieved across State agencies in the use of State owned land and buildings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43406/12]

Special Educational Needs Staffing

Michael Moynihan

78. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will ensure that there will be no cuts to special needs education in this Budget 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43074/12]

School Curriculum

Michael Moynihan

114. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress made to date in rolling out the Aistear Curriculum at primary level; if it is being consistently applied across all primary schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43084/12]

Broadcasting Sector Regulation

Michael Moynihan

390. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources the reason RTÉ borrowed €38.25m to pay for the roll out of DTT multiplex platform in 2010 when it had cash reserves of €63m at the time; the assets against which the borrowings have been secured; in view of the fact that RTÉ has operated deficits over the last number of years amounting to €19 million in 2008, €17 million in 2009, €4 million in 2010, €15 million and estimates of €60 million in 2012, if he will clarify if these deficits have been authorised and if they contravene the State aid requirements; and his views on whether there is a need for fundamental reform of the funding of broadcasting. [42704/12]

Insurance Industry

Michael Moynihan

40. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Finance if he is satisfied that all possible efforts, particularly in terms of claims management are being undertaken in order to mitigate the cost of the winding down of Quinn Insurance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42312/12]

Forestry Sector

Michael Moynihan

197. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine his future interests in the forestry sector; his plans to maintain forestry premiums; his plans to encourage forestry; his future outlook on forestry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42410/12]

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Applications

Michael Moynihan

198. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine the position regarding a disadvantage area scheme payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42411/12]

Departmental Offices

Michael Moynihan

199. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine his plans to close any of his Department's offices in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42412/12]

National Archives

Michael Moynihan

6. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht the progress that has been made regarding the mergers and amalgamations of national cultural institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41775/12]

Health Services Reform

Michael Moynihan

56. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the areas in the health service he plans to privatise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40967/12]

Departmental Reports

Michael Moynihan

15. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when she expects to receive the next report from the Ryan Report Implementation Group; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40685/12]

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Eligibility

Michael Moynihan

52. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the timeline for the receipt of applications in respect of derogation in stocking density under the disadvantaged areas scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40425/12]

Single Payment Scheme Applications

Michael Moynihan

190. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine the position regarding the single farm payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if the application is in order. [39689/12]

Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission Issues

Michael Moynihan

8. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress that has been made under Operation Fiachla; the amount spent to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39084/12]

Sale of Aer Lingus

Michael Moynihan

185. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Finance the role of NewERA in the sale of Aer Lingus; his liaisons with the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36986/12]

Mortgage Interest Relief Extension

Michael Moynihan

249. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Finance if he is considering removing the first-time buyer's incentive in budget 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38092/12]

Domiciliary Care Allowance Applications

Michael Moynihan

681. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on a domiciliary care allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [37657/12]

Pension Provisions

Michael Moynihan

839. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will clarify an anomaly which has shown up on the system where a farmer has retired under the EU Commission early farm retirement scheme at the age of 55 years and was advised that participation in the scheme would cover any PRSI contributions necessary to allow them to qualify for the full contributory pension at age 66 years, but it has now transpired that there was no PRSI paid even though the pension was taxable and they now do not qualify for a full contributory pension; if she will investigate same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38833/12]

Sale of State Assets

Michael Moynihan

951. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources when he expects to part-sell the ESB and Bord Gáis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36984/12]

Digital Television Service Provision

Michael Moynihan

952. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources the number of households yet to switch over to digital television; the proportion of relevant households yet to switch; his views on whether this number will fall significantly; if he has any contingency plan in place if significant numbers do not switch; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36985/12]

Hydraulic Fracturing Green Paper

Michael Moynihan

953. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources his plans to publish a Green or White Paper on fracking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36987/12]

Gas and Electricity Disconnections

Michael Moynihan

954. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties faced by many families in heating their homes in view of increasing energy prices; the average energy prices for each of gas and electricity for the years 2008-2011; the same figures now; the price increases sanctioned by the regulator in each of those years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36988/12]

Capital Assistance Scheme Funding

Michael Moynihan

1103. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government the funding, if any, available for the capital assistance scheme; the position of a project (details supplied) in County Cork on the list. [38726/12]

Farm Retirement Scheme Eligibility

Michael Moynihan

1422. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine if he will clarify an anomaly which has shown up on the system where a farmer has retired under the EU Commission early farm retirement scheme at the age of 55 years and was advised that participation in the scheme would cover any PRSI contributions necessary to allow them to qualify for the full contributory pension at age 66 years, but it has now transpired that there was no PRSI paid even though the pension was taxable, they now do not qualify for a full contributory pension; if he will investigate same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38832/12]

Single Payment Scheme

Michael Moynihan

654 Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding an outstanding single farm payment for 2011 in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[36382/12]