Parliamentary questions

Syrian Conflict

Mick Wallace

97. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to advocate at the EU Foreign Affairs Council for the need for EU members to be proactive regarding the ongoing civil war in Syria with a view towards working for peace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14204/18]

NAMA Operations

Mick Wallace

62. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Finance his views on the NAMA policy, agreed in March 2015, of deleting emails of staff one year after they have left the agency; if he has had discussions with officials in his Department or with the NAMA board regarding this ongoing policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14033/18]

Vacant Sites

Mick Wallace

67. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Finance his plans to introduce a tax on land, specifically vacant land, which could be used for residential purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13939/18]

NAMA Board

Mick Wallace

122. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Finance the status of the appointments to the board of NAMA advertised in January 2018; if he has considered appointing persons with the requisite skill in construction and real estate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13940/18]

Public Services Card

Mick Wallace

596. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the exact date invitations to register for a public services card were first sent by her Department to persons who have been registered to SAFE 2 standard by the National Driver Licence Service; if the information used to identify persons who do not have a public services card but are SAFE authenticated and invite these persons to register for a card is obtained by her Department from the Road Safety Authority or the National Driver Licence Service; if a data sharing agreement exists between her Department and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, the Road Safety Authority or the National Driver Licence Service; and if so, the date of this agreement. [14003/18]

Public Procurement Regulations

Mick Wallace

34. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on the number of contracts awarded without competitive procurement as outlined in the latest annual 40/2002 circular; his plans to address this non-competitive procurement; if each Department and office has created a central register of all contracts which records key data including whether or not a competitive process was used as recommended by the Comptroller and Auditor General in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11315/18]

Departmental Contracts Data

Mick Wallace

40. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department will consider publishing on a yearly basis all submissions received under circular 40/2002 which requires Departments and certain State bodies to prepare and submit an annual statement regarding contracts awarded that exceed €25,000 in value, exclusive of VAT, without a competitive process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11314/18]

EU Battle Groups

Mick Wallace

35. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the details of the proposed participation of Defence Forces members in the German-led EU battle group; the rationale for same; the expected number of Defence Force participants in the battle group; if Army Rangers will be deployed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10382/18]

Defence Forces Deployment

Mick Wallace

36. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of times the Defence Forces engaged in aid to the civil power duties with regard to US military aircraft present at Shannon Airport during 2017; the number of Defence Forces personnel involved; the cost of these engagements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10383/18]

Driver Licences

Mick Wallace

826. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if asylum seekers are entitled to driver licences; and the legal basis for this decision. [11964/18]

Public Services Card Data

Mick Wallace

972. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 544 of 8 March 2018, the way in which and with whom a person might authenticate his or her identity in another face-to-face engagement; and the way in which the existing photographs utilised to complete the SAFE 2 process are acquired. [12578/18]

Public Services Card Data

Mick Wallace

544. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons that have been offered public services cards each year since 2011 that did not go through the SAFE 2 registration process; the way in which this offer was made; and the number of public services cards issued to persons in this category in each year since 2011. [10839/18]

Heritage Council

Mick Wallace

40. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on whether the €4,000 offered by the Heritage Council for an oral history project is enough to halt the demise in the construction of traditional Slaney cots and traditional cot fishing practices on the River Slaney; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10097/18]

Planning Issues

Mick Wallace

39. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he has satisfied himself that the fast-track process operated by An Bord Pleanála is removing time and costs for builders and developers; his views on the fact that only one application has been granted to date; if comments (details supplied) will be clarified in view of the fact that the board received 37 valid pre-application and subsequently received 17 planning applications and has issued decisions in respect of three cases to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9681/18]

Vacant Sites Levy

Mick Wallace

81. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he or officials in his Department have been lobbied by vested interests in the past eight months, in relation the introduction of a possible land tax; if his attention has been drawn to comments made by the managing director of a company (detail supplied); if his Department has conducted research on the way in which other European countries deal with the issue of land banking and hoarding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9680/18]

Social and Affordable Housing

Mick Wallace

89. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his views on whether the clause in the affordable purchase scheme regulations (details supplied) will lead to vote seeking and create an unhealthy relationship between members of the local authority and persons who are seeking to apply for the affordable purchase scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9683/18]

Vacant Sites Levy

Mick Wallace

90. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to initiate discussions with the Minister for Finance to amend the vacant site levy, particularly in relation to the reduced levy rates of 0.75% and 1.5% that are applied if the outstanding loans are between 75% and 100%, and between 50% and 75% of market value; their further plans to amend the zero rate of levy that applies if the outstanding amount of the site loan is greater than the market value of the vacant site on the date of its determination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9679/18]

Building Regulations

Mick Wallace

91. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the units built under an exemption (details supplied) will be subject to self certification by the owners in terms of the building regulations including fire and disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9682/18]

Criminal Prosecutions Data

Mick Wallace

292. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of prosecutions for the use of false identities to acquire driving licences in each of the years from 2010 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form. [9812/18]

Courts Service

Mick Wallace

346. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 144 of 14 February 2018, the dates for which each special exemption order were granted. [9917/18]

Court Orders

Mick Wallace

347. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the details of all special exemption orders granted by Court District No. 17 from 16 February to 16 March 2015; and the date granted, date granted for, premises and district court, in tabular form. [9918/18]

Court Orders

Mick Wallace

348. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the licensed premises granted temporary and annual dance licences by Court District No. 17 from 1 January to 31 December 2016. [9919/18]

Court Orders

Mick Wallace

349. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the licensed premises granted temporary and annual dance licences by Court District No. 17 from 1 January to 31 December 2014. [9920/18]

Departmental Contracts

Mick Wallace

12. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the contract her Department has in place with Pobal; the services Pobal provides on behalf of her Department; if the contract was awarded following a tendering process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8999/18]

Children's Rights

Mick Wallace

17. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views on a report (details supplied); if she is satisfied that the measures she has taken to address the problems facing children here are working; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9000/18]

Departmental Contracts Data

Mick Wallace

61. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the details of contracts Pobal holds with Departments; the fees Pobal has received for these contracts for the most recently published year; if the contracts Pobal holds with Departments were awarded via a tendering process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8732/18]

Departmental Contracts Data

Mick Wallace

62. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the contract his Department has in place with Pobal; the services Pobal provides on behalf of his Department; if the contract with Pobal was awarded following a tendering process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8731/18]

Unemployment Levels

Mick Wallace

94. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the measures she has taken to address the above average unemployment levels which persist in County Wexford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8444/18]

Data Protection

Mick Wallace

101. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the person or body that is the data controller for the public services card and attendant database; the way in which this information affects her Department in relation to the public services card and single customer view; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8445/18]

Liquor Licensing Laws

Mick Wallace

230. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his Department has been contacted by officials of the Revenue Commissioners regarding concerns related to the implementation of liquor licensing regulations in each of the years from 2010 to 2017 and to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8204/18]

Liquor Licensing Laws

Mick Wallace

231. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of times An Garda Síochána has been contacted by officials of the Revenue Commissioners regarding concerns related to the implementation of liquor licensing regulations in each of the years 2010 to 2017 and to date in 2018. [8205/18]

Ports Development

Mick Wallace

62. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to overcome ownership issues regarding the future of Rosslare Europort (details supplied); his plans for the future of Rosslare Europort; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7713/18]

Rail Services

Mick Wallace

67. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the reliability of the route profitability figures published in the 2016 rail review; if his attention has been drawn to anomalies in the figures; if so, the assurances he sought or was given that the figures were robust; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7714/18]

EU Funding

Mick Wallace

150. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the contracts and projects awarded to companies since 2009 that have been supported or co-financed by the EU under the Internal Security Fund; the names of the companies that have been awarded the contracts; and the costs associated with same, in tabular form. [7901/18]

Liquor Licence Data

Mick Wallace

152. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of liquor licensing offences disclosed annually, by Garda district, in each of the years 2010 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form. [7907/18]

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Mick Wallace

35. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the particulars of the deal secured on 21 December 2017 on the effort sharing regulation surrounding climate change emissions targets; the implications for agriculture emissions targets; the emissions reductions his Department expects from the agriculture sector by 2030; the areas of agriculture that will account for the reductions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7478/18]

National Mitigation Plan Implementation

Mick Wallace

52. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when each of the sectoral adaption plans for climate change mitigation will be published; the planned measures of each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7477/18]

Courts Service Data

Mick Wallace

141. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the licensed premises granted annual dance licences by court district No. 17, from 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2015. [7678/18]

Courts Service Data

Mick Wallace

142. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the licensed premises granted temporary dance licences by court district No. 17, from 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2015. [7679/18]

Courts Service Data

Mick Wallace

143. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the special exemption orders granted by court district No. 17 from 16 February 2015 to 16 March 2017, in tabular form. [7680/18]

Courts Service Data

Mick Wallace

144. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the special exemption orders granted by court district No. 17 from 20 April 2016 to 1 May 2016, in tabular form. [7681/18]

Mental Health Services

Mick Wallace

155. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health if the review of the mental health peer support worker service has been published; his plans to extend the programme to County Wexford; and the timeframe for same. [7555/18]

Inland Fisheries

Mick Wallace

223. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the measures the National Parks and Wildlife Service is taking to ensure effective protection of the north Atlantic salmon in the river Slaney; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3080/18]

Food Imports

Mick Wallace

73. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is satisfied the current €850 million per annum level of food and food industry related imports is sustainable; if his Department has explored the possibility of more sustainable alternatives to reduce dependence, for example, the potential for increased fruit and vegetable production; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7146/18]

Afforestation Programme

Mick Wallace

87. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of trees planted by those in the agriculture sector since 2011; the percentage of native species planted; the percentage of commercial non-native species; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7145/18]

Public Service Contracts

Mick Wallace

155. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the public contracts that have been awarded to a company (details supplied) in each year since March 2011, in tabular form; the cost per contract; and the basis for each contract. [6790/18]

Water and Sewerage Schemes Status

Mick Wallace

655. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the average wait times for Irish Water to acknowledge, process and communicate final decisions regarding pre-connection applications for sewerage and water, in tabular form. [6681/18]

Planning Data

Mick Wallace

666. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of applications made to An Bord Pleanála to date under the fast-track planning system; the number of these applications that have been declared invalid; the number of applications that have been refused and successful respectively; and the average processing times for pre-planning decision and a final decision respectively, in tabular form. [6856/18]

Suicide Prevention

Mick Wallace

8. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health his plans to increase resources for suicide prevention services in County Wexford in view of the number of recent suicides in the county and the county's high suicide rate compared with national averages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6379/18]

General Medical Services Scheme Administration

Mick Wallace

91. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health the status of the general practitioner contractual review process, particularly in respect of the provision of routine phlebotomy services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6378/18]