Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement

Mick Wallace

13. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she has read the recent study by Tufts University which uses the UN economic model to show that the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, CETA, will lead to job losses, a reduction in the labour income share and losses in GDP; her views in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32945/16]

Trade Agreements

Mick Wallace

24. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her views on the refusal of Wallonia to sign off on the EU Canada Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement, CETA; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32944/16]

Social Welfare Benefits Waiting Times

Mick Wallace

97. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Social Protection the current waiting times for the processing of carer's allowance and domiciliary care allowance; the measures he is taking to ensure applications are processed as soon as possible; his views on the matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33154/16]

Social Welfare Benefits Waiting Times

Mick Wallace

99. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Social Protection the current waiting times for the processing of carer's allowance and for domiciliary care allowance; the measures he is taking to ensure applications are processed as soon as possible (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33170/16]

Health Services Provision

Mick Wallace

135. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health the services available to the population of Wexford in respect of a person who experiences myocardial infarction; and if he is satisfied with the services. [33171/16]

Air Navigation Orders

Mick Wallace

18. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to discontinue or overhaul his Department's role in the granting of munitions permits under the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Order 1973, for civil aircraft landing at Shannon Airport and for civil aircraft overflying Irish airspace, particularly in view of the large number of permissions granted and the deteriorating situation in the Middle East; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32779/16]

National Mitigation Plan

Mick Wallace

33. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is satisfied with the measures taken by his Department to reduce emissions in the transport sector in line with Ireland's EU climate obligations, particularly in view of the findings of the EPA which state that 29% of Ireland's non-ETS emissions come from the transportation sector; his views on the recent review by the NTA and Irish Rail which found that an investment of €600 million in Iarnród Éireann is required in the next five years to keep it solvent; the measures his Department is planning to address this need, in view of the importance of rail in reducing emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32778/16]

Coastal Protection

Mick Wallace

246. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the date on which a particular part of the coastal protection scheme on the beach at Rosslare Strand, County Wexford may be implemented (details supplied). [32524/16]

Mental Health Services Provision

Mick Wallace

298. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment with CAMHS; the steps that can be taken to receive an appointment; the reason an appointment was cancelled; the length of the waiting list; and the place the person is on the waiting list. [32631/16]

Sports Facilities Provision

Mick Wallace

436. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will address matters (details supplied) regarding artificial pitches and rubber infill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32841/16]

Air Navigation Orders

Mick Wallace

439. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of munitions permits his Department has granted to date in 2016 under the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Order 1973, and the country of origin of all permits granted; the number of such requests which have been refused; the reasons they were refused; the country of origin of all refusals of such munitions exemption requests to date in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32857/16]

Beef Industry

Mick Wallace

14. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to address the growing problem in the beef industry whereby it is reported there are more than 140,000 extra beef animals between 12 and 24 months old; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32198/16]

Food Labelling

Mick Wallace

23. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is satisfied with the level of compliance by Irish beef vendors with EU Parliament and Council Regulation 1760/2000 and SI 435 of 2000; if these labelling regulations apply to loose cuts of beef as well as pre-packaged beef; the measures carried out to enforce these regulations with regard to individual butchers; if his attention has been drawn to any incidents of false labelling of beef in the past year, or the concerns of consumers regarding the origin of the beef they are buying; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32197/16]

Prison Visiting Regulations

Mick Wallace

53. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if there have been any changes to visiting hours in Irish Prison Service prisons in 2016; if so, the details of these changes; her plans to change visiting hours in any of the IPS prisons; the details of these planned changes; her plans to provide evening visits; if there have been changes to the visiting schedule in any of the IPS prisons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32458/16]

Alternative Energy Projects

Mick Wallace

22. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on the continued operation of coal-fired and turf-fired power plants; his further views on their effects on the environment and on Ireland's capability to meet EU climate change mitigation targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31965/16]

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Mick Wallace

26. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will provide details of the expected fines Ireland will be subject to if the EU 2020 climate change mitigation targets are not met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31964/16]

Services for People with Disabilities

Mick Wallace

115. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health his plans to provide the necessary funds to open a facility (details supplied); the length of time the facility has been sitting idle; when funding will be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32153/16]

Immigration Policy

Mick Wallace

41. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 163 of 5 October 2016, if he is satisfied that the resettlement of persons from the Calais refugee camp is, in his own words, a matter for France in the first instance, or if he will consider taking a more active role in assisting with the resettlement of unaccompanied minors here; if he has raised any concerns at EU level regarding deals currently being pursued by the EU with third countries to stem the flow of migrants to Europe, particularly in cases in which the third countries have poor human rights records; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31814/16]

Immigration Policy

Mick Wallace

43. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 163 of 5 October 2016, if he has to date raised any concerns, either bilaterally with his counterpart in France or at EU level, regarding the expected dismantling of the Calais refugee camp; if he will consider opening a temporary consulate in Calais staffed with persons from his Department and the Department of Justice and Equality who could work specifically with unaccompanied minors to provide information on Ireland as a destination and assistance on obtaining visas to allow them to travel here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31813/16]

Emergency Planning

Mick Wallace

340. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the consultations engaged in by his Department with the Irish Aviation Authority, the RAF, the British Civil Aviation Authority, the British Ministry for Defence and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office regarding permission being given to the British military to conduct armed operations in Irish sovereign or Irish-controlled airspace in the event of a real time or envisaged threat of a terrorist-related attack from the skies on either this country or a neighbouring state; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27138/16]

Arts Funding

Mick Wallace

33. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs her views on the post-commemorations relative decrease in funding to the arts, in particular the impact this could have on regional and community arts groups; if, with regard to the planned Culture 2025 programme, she has any concerns over the use of economic markers to assess cultural or artistic value; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31015/16]

Artists' Remuneration

Mick Wallace

41. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 124 of 17 May 2016, if she has had any discussions with the Minister for Social Protection as regards establishing a specific payment for artists and musicians starting out in their careers; if there are any interdepartmental initiatives in place or planned to ensure support for persons in this position; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31016/16]

National Treatment Purchase Fund

Mick Wallace

222. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health his plans to reinstate the National Treatment Purchase Fund, which was cut in 2011 and which allowed patients on a waiting list for over three months to access private medical care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31245/16]

Autism Support Services

Mick Wallace

223. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health the number of public autism respite care places for children in County Wexford; the locations of same; and the waiting times for these places at present. [31250/16]

Beef Imports

Mick Wallace

245. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide the weight in kilograms of primal cuts of beef that were imported to Ireland from Poland in each of the years 2012 to 2015 and in the first six months of 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31199/16]

Beef Imports

Mick Wallace

246. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide the kilo weight of primal cuts of beef that were imported to Ireland from Germany in each of the years 2012 to 2015 and in the first six months of 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31200/16]

Budget Consultation Process

Mick Wallace

13. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the measures in place, as part of the reform programme undertaken by his Department, to ensure transparency and accountability around the way budget decisions are made by his Department; if his attention has been drawn to the Free Legal Advice Centres' response to the recent budget and their call for his Department to publish a human rights and equality statement alongside the Budget Statement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30762/16]

Public Expenditure Policy

Mick Wallace

33. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on the discrepancy in investment in public services between Ireland and other EU countries; his further views on the ratio of public investment to tax cuts in the recent budget, particularly in view of Ireland's ever narrowing tax base; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30761/16]

Hospital Services

Mick Wallace

45. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health the status of the promised dialysis unit in County Wexford which is currently being delayed due to a planning permission dispute; the actions he will take in this regard to ensure that persons in need of dialysis in County Wexford are getting the treatment they require; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30623/16]

Health Services Funding

Mick Wallace

61. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health the details of the funding which is to be allocated to the peer support worker positions in CHO area 5; if these jobs, which are to be based in counties Carlow, Kilkenny and south Tipperary will also be covering counties Wexford and Waterford, in view of the fact that they are part of CHO area 5; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30622/16]

Respite Care Services Availability

Mick Wallace

65. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health if public respite care spaces will be funded and made available as a matter of priority in south Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29955/16]

Disability Services Funding

Mick Wallace

86. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there is funding available for a wheelchair bus service in south Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29955/16]

Schools Building Projects Status

Mick Wallace

144. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason construction of a new building for a school (details supplied) has been delayed; the stage of the design, planning and build process the project is currently at; when construction will begin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29660/16]

Autism Support Services

Mick Wallace

438. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health the measures which have been taken to appoint a new autism liaison nursing councillor in the Wexford area following a recent retirement; when a new autism liaison nursing councillor will be appointed; the interim measures being taken in the Wexford area to support families who require urgent support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29614/16]

Homeless Accommodation Provision

Mick Wallace

49. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the situation regarding emergency accommodation in County Wexford which at present is full to capacity with the result that persons in dire need of accommodation are being turned away from its doors and left to fend for themselves; if he is taking specific action to address this problem across the country, in conjunction with the Minister for Social Protection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28641/16]

Housing Policy

Mick Wallace

57. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his plans to introduce a refurbishment grant scheme for properties that require refurbishment in order to make them habitable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28639/16]

Local Authority Housing Provision

Mick Wallace

69. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if his Department has carried out, or plans to carry out, a cost-benefit analysis of the promised rapid-build housing units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28640/16]

Special Education Review

Mick Wallace

37. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to carry out a specific assessment of the educational outcomes of children with special educational needs, as recommended by the Children's Rights Alliance, to complement the promised assessment of special needs assistants as outlined in the recently published Action Plan for Education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28373/16]

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Mick Wallace

61. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans for an assessment of the effectiveness of current laws, policies and spending on special needs and disability supports in the education system, with a view to publishing a roadmap to meet the rights of children with special educational needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28374/16]

Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission

Mick Wallace

14. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the steps she proposes to take in view of the call from the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, GSOC, for urgent legislative change to enable it to carry out functions appropriately; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27626/16]

Refugee Resettlement Programme

Mick Wallace

30. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the measures her Department is taking to facilitate the transfer and resettlement of refugees here; if she is satisfied with Ireland's contribution to the refugee resettlement programme to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27430/16]

Refugee Resettlement Programme

Mick Wallace

59. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if her Department, in conjunction with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, will introduce a humanitarian visa programme along the lines of the one in place in Belgium for those displaced by war in order to facilitate asylum applications and allow more legal migration; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27431/16]

Human Rights

Mick Wallace

80. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the steps she has taken to deal with consistent criticisms from the UN in relation to the violation of prisoners human rights as a result of prolonged use of solitary confinement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27427/16]

Protected Disclosures

Mick Wallace

82. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the steps she has taken to deal with allegations that have been repeatedly brought to her attention that gardaí who have made protected disclosures have been the subject of sustained bullying and harassment by Garda management. [27429/16]

Refugee Resettlement Programme

Mick Wallace

90. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will establish an Irish asylum application processing facility on the ground in Calais in order to fast-track applications by unaccompanied minors for resettlement here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27428/16]

Overseas Missions

Mick Wallace

26. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 579 of 21 June 2016, if he will provide details on the criteria involved in periodic reviews by his Department of the deployment of Defence Forces personnel overseas and the way these reviews are carried out; if he will provide details on the recent announcement that a new contingent of Irish troops will be joining the UNDOF mission in the Golan Heights; if he is satisfied that this UN mission and the support for it are making a positive contribution to peace in the Middle East; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27139/16]

Domestic Violence Refuges Provision

Mick Wallace

9. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to increase funding to women's refuges to allow them to increase their capacity and provide much-needed services to victims of domestic violence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22961/16]

Homeless Accommodation Provision

Mick Wallace

28. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the measures she is taking to offer better support for the increasing number of children in emergency homeless accommodation across the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22962/16]

Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership

Mick Wallace

36. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her views on the impact of the regulatory co-operation chapter of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership in view of the concerns raised by a number of groups regarding the potential privileging of corporate interests in decision making that will affect public policy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22538/16]

Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership

Mick Wallace

53. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she is satisfied that the precautionary principle, which the EU currently applies as part of its obligations under the Lisbon treaty, will be preserved under the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22537/16]