Parliamentary questions

Hospital Waiting Lists

John Halligan

143. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health the reason almost two thirds of adult surgical patients at University Hospital Waterford were not seen within the target waiting time of eight months in February 2015; the specific specialties these patients are waiting for treatment in; if the re-opening of a surgical theatre in January 2015 has made an impact on these waiting lists; the way the new national action plan will tackle waiting lists at the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20914/15]

Hospital Waiting Lists

John Halligan

144. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health the reason the average length of stay at Waterford Regional Hospital is 10.3 days, despite the national average being 5.8 days; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20915/15]

Health Services Data

John Halligan

765. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health the number of nursing home residents currently funded by the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18265/15]

Public Sector Pay

John Halligan

184. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in relation to possible public service pay restoration, if he will confirm the level at which it is anticipated public service pay will be restored; the grades at which restoration will take effect; if he will confirm which pay-related deductions he will seek to cut and by what margin; if it is likely that there will be a link between the restoration of pay and the provision of additional productivity by public sector staff; if any move to restore pay will take into consideration the terms of the 2013 Haddington Road agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18415/15]

Nursing Home Services

John Halligan

190. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the power to investigate complaints will extend to all nursing home residents, whether self-funded or in receipt of a State subvention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18265/15]

Youth Services Funding

John Halligan

423. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will confirm the level by which funding to Youth Services has been cut since 2012, both in the country in general, and more particularly in County Waterford; the number of jobs estimated to have been lost in the sector throughout the country, and specifically in County Waterford, as a direct result of the cuts in funding; his views that this is a vital preventative programme working with the most marginalised and disadvantaged young persons in the community, and it is essential that funding levels be restored as quickly as possible; his plans to reinstate the cut funding in the upcoming budget; the extent to which the funding will be reinstated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18416/15]

Aviation Policy

John Halligan

3. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the upcoming policy document on Ireland’s aviation policy will take into account the European Commission's guidelines on state aid to airports and airlines with regard to reducing State funding, specifically for Waterford Regional Airport; if he supports these guidelines; if he anticipates the Government and local authorities reducing funding to Waterford Regional Airport under the new aviation policy; his views that reducing state aid to Waterford Regional Airport could have a detrimental effect and ultimately hinder economic growth and deter multinational investment in County Waterford; if he will provide an update on the proposed runway extension at the airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16852/15]

Wild Atlantic Way Project

John Halligan

5. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the rationale for omitting Waterford’s Atlantic coastline from the Wild Atlantic Way initiative; the reason Waterford did not meet the route selection criteria; the number of the 366 feedback submissions that were opposed to Waterford’s inclusion; if he will consider recommending an amendment to the Wild Atlantic Way to incorporate Waterford’s coastline; his views on whether the new initiative Ireland's Ancient East completely disregards Waterford’s coastline, which for many years has been a key tourist attraction in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16853/15]

Tourism Industry

John Halligan

14. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in relation to the recently launched south-east tourism initiative which it was estimated could bring €950 million in tourism revenue by 2020, if he will confirm the level of overseas interest; if there have been any commitments made by international agents, currently not programming Ireland, to add Ireland as a destination; how firm are these commitments; the impact this initiative is expected to have on local tourism in County Waterford; if his Department has any estimated figures as to the level of capital funding that will be made available by his Department to adequately advertise the initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16518/15]

Roads Maintenance Funding

John Halligan

28. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in view of the absolute carnage Irish Water is creating on the roads in County Waterford while installing water meters, if his Department will be providing an increased budget to Waterford City and County Council to repair the damage caused to the road surfaces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16521/15]

Sports Capital Programme Administration

John Halligan

30. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in relation to the sports capital programme and the confusion regarding the deadline, the online register having closed on 10 April 2015 despite the fact that the actual deadline was 24 April 2015, if his Department will consider extending the deadlines to ensure that all applicants have their applications accepted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16519/15]

Road Safety Strategy

John Halligan

38. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to previous parliamentary questions and in view of the recent increase in road fatalities, if further consideration has been given to the proposal made by the Brendan’s Law Campaign to introduce mandatory penalties for drink drivers in fatal accidents and to automatically suspend the licence of a driver involved in a fatal accident who subsequently fails a breathalyser test; if he will acknowledge that several other countries in the European Union already follow these stipulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16520/15]

Public Transport Provision

John Halligan

145. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 196 of 1 October 2014, in which it was stated that Bus Éireann would not be privatised and there would be no loss of services to Waterford, if he will acknowledge that this has not been the case and that already many major routes have been scrapped from the services provided here, County Waterford being one of the most affected areas in the country since the announcement; that following privatisation there will be nothing preventing private contractors paying minimum wages to experienced employees; that there is no obligation contained within European Union legislation forcing the move to privatise 10% of the transport service; the outcome of negotiations between the National Transport Authority and the Department of Social Protection in relation to the honouring of free travel passes going forward; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16854/15]

Work Placement Programmes

John Halligan

263. Deputy John Halligan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will give her estimation of the success of the Tús work placement initiative since its implementation four years ago; her plans to extend the placement period beyond one year; if it is still considered that the implementation of this initiative, and others like it, is not an exercise in manipulation of the national unemployment figures in view of the fact that participants, though still paid by her Department, are no longer considered dependent on social welfare and are not reflected in the national unemployed figures; her views that particular groups calling for the cessation of such initiatives and programmes, on the basis that they exploit the unemployed and allow sometimes unscrupulous employers take advantage of the long-term unemployed, are not without foundation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15446/15]

Institutes of Technology Funding

John Halligan

589. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the funding that was allocated by the Higher Education Authority to Waterford Institute of Technology in the years 2010 to 2014, inclusive, and in 2015 to date; the way funding cuts have affected programmes and services being provided by the institute; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15444/15]

Third Level Funding

John Halligan

590. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the funding that was allocated by the Higher Education Authority to each third level institute in 2014. [15445/15]

Health Services Allowances

John Halligan

478. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that a person in County Waterford applying for a grant for a wig through the Health Service Executive is entitled to a substantially lower grant than persons applying for the same grant in another county; in view of the fact that in February 2014 his predecessor in a parliamentary question replied that he had committed to ensure that by the end of 2015 the disparity across counties regarding the level of grants available for wigs for patients with cancer would be eradicated, and that the level of grants available would be the same in each county; if this is now the case; if the higher level grant is now being made available in all counties; his views that it is fair to discriminate in terms of the grants available on a county basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14051/15]

Medical Card Data

John Halligan

189. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in County Waterford who hold a full medical card; and the number of persons who hold a discretionary medical card. [12422/15]

Institutes of Technology

John Halligan

217. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the projected cost of the proposed merger between Waterford Institute of Technology and Carlow Institute of Technology; if parallel management structures will be retained at each institute after the merger; the projected cost of retaining parallel management structures at each institution; the amount that has been spent to date by each college on due diligence on the proposed merger; the amount the State will contribute to the cost of the proposed merger; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12384/15]

Institutes of Technology

John Halligan

218. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update regarding the proposed construction of a new campus for Waterford Institute of Technology at Carriganore in County Waterford; the estimated cost of the building project; the amount the Government has committed to the project; the way the shortfall will be made up; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12385/15]

Public Procurement Contracts Data

John Halligan

305. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the level of payments made to private sector companies in 2014 for public contracts; if his Department investigates the employment policies of firms in the private sector who tender for State contracts; if a company's employment record has any impact on whether it is awarded public contracts; his views that an equal employment policy should have an impact; his further views that it is important to ensure that the Government supports equal opportunity employers and that contracts of this nature should not be awarded to private sector companies who operate gender discrimination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11849/15]

Hospital Staff Recruitment

John Halligan

707. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health if his Department is seeking to fill posts within the pain clinic in University Hospital Waterford; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is only one half pain post in the hospital, and the standard practice is to prioritise inpatients who are seen first, and that this is causing extended waiting lists for treatment (details supplied); his plans to address the shortfall in the complement of pain consultant positions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11980/15]

Central Bank of Ireland Investigations

John Halligan

209. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Finance further to previous questions tabled in Dáil Éireann regarding this issue, the progress to date regarding the Central Bank of Ireland's investigation into the misselling of payment protection insurance policies; the number of companies that were ordered to write to their customers; the number of customers per company that were to be written to; the estimated number of customers who will be eligible to receive refunds; his views that the process of contacting customers and gathering the relevant information is moving as swiftly as possible; if he will acknowledge that time is of the essence in certain cases, where the statute is in danger of running out; his plans to intervene and ensure all customers are provided with the opportunity to lodge complaints and have their individual cases investigated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10248/15]

Inland Fisheries

John Halligan

92. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has received feedback in relation to the European initiative FARNET, which covers 10,000 km of inland fisheries in Europe; his views that this needs to be extended to areas where tidal water stops; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8589/15]

Hospital Services

John Halligan

3. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health further to Questions Nos. 246 and 249 of 18 December 2013, if he will provide a guarantee that 24-7 cardiac cover will be introduced at University Hospital Waterford, UHW in the lifetime of the Government; his views that this service has been promised since 2010; the infrastructure that is currently lacking at the hospital, which prohibits the introduction of a full-time service; the plans his Department has to increase the staffing complement of consultant interventional cardiologists from its current three to six to operate a 24-7 unit; if funds have been ring-fenced to provide for this additional staffing; his further views that there is a sufficient level of care being provided to cardiac patients between the hours of 5 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. on Monday in the hospital; his views that no deaths will occur as a direct result of the lack of experienced cardiac cover at the weekends; the outcome of the Health Service Executive examination into options for the location of the long-awaited catheterization laboratory within the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8166/15]

Hospital Services

John Halligan

10. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm, following the closure of two operating theatres in University Hospital Waterford in 2013-2014, then known as Waterford Regional Hospital, if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is now limited facility to allow for emergency surgery at the hospital; in view of the fact that there is now a full complement of surgeons within the hospital, if he finds it incredible that they do not have sufficient operating facilities; if he will commit to having these surgeries reopened to allow planned surgeries recommence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8047/15]

Ambulance Service Provision

John Halligan

15. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health if it is correct that only one ambulance is available for call-outs in the County Waterford area, to University Hospital Waterford, between the hours of 5.00 a.m. and 8.00 a.m.; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that, when a cardiac patient has to be brought to another hospital for treatment, the area is left without any ambulance cover; his views that this is a sufficient level of cover for the County Waterford area; if he is satisfied, and if he will provide a guarantee that all emergency calls in the area will be answered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8044/15]

Hospital Staff

John Halligan

17. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 33 of 14 May 2014, if he will confirm the appointments that have been made to the physiotherapy staffing complement in University Hospital Waterford in the past year; the improvement that has been seen in the waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8046/15]

Hospital Equipment

John Halligan

50. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health further to previous parliamentary questions tabled in relation to the new computed tomography scanner, which was donated to University Hospital Waterford by Waterford City and County Infirmary Trust; if he will provide a comprehensive explanation as to the way it is possible that the scanner has been lying idle for the past nine months, while the waiting list for patients receiving scans is steadily increasing; if he will acknowledge that this is a waste of vital scanner diagnostic services, and that lives are being put at risk; if he will commit to ensuring that this scanner will become operational within the lifetime of this current Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8048/15]

Hospital Waiting Lists

John Halligan

55. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No.166 of 14 May 2014, if he will provide a breakdown, in terms of speciality and special interest; if he will confirm the actual cost associated with this outsourcing; if he will further confirm if it is accurate that the money ring-fenced to facilitate this outsourcing has run out, forcing the patients to be re-introduced to the already over-stretched lists in University Hospital Waterford; in view of the 6,456 patients outsourced and the 2,896 that were seen, if these patients' files were expedited as a result of the outsourcing, or if they were at the same level of treatment when responsibility for their care was returned to University Hospital Waterford, essentially resulting in a vast waste of money and resources; the number of the remaining 3,560 outsourced patients due to be seen by the end of June 2014 that have been seen and have had their complement of care sufficiently progressed; if University Hospital Waterford has now completely taken over responsibility for the ongoing care of these patients; his views that this was a fruitful exercise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8045/15]

Palliative Care Facilities

John Halligan

114. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of the planned implementation of palliative care facilities in University Hospital Waterford; his views that these facilities are desperately needed; if his attention has been drawn to representations made by this Deputy's office, to both his Department, the Health Service Executive and University Hospital Waterford, outlining the necessity for such a facility (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8167/15]

Hospital Services

John Halligan

418. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health the average waiting time for a computed tomography, CT, scan at University Hospital Waterford; the number of persons that have been waiting for a scan in excess of six months and in excess of 12 months; the number of hours per week the existing scanner is in operation; the reason the new scanner at University Hospital Waterford, launched in May 2014, is not operational; if training has commenced for diagnostic staff to operate the new scanner; when this training will be completed; when the new scanner will be operational; the number of hours per week it is anticipated that the new scanner will be used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7825/15]

Data Protection

John Halligan

409. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health the steps that have been taken by his Department since his rise to the position of Minister to ensure that data protection issues are eradicated from the PCRS; his views on serious flaws within the medical card system which need to be immediately addressed; how an official review form forwarded to a medical card holder, which was apparently automatically generated from details held on file, could contain the personal details of a complete stranger as a spouse and three completely unrelated dependent children (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4396/15]

Hospital Procedures

John Halligan

423. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health the number of elective surgeries that were performed at University Hospital Waterford in January 2015; the number of those scheduled surgeries that were cancelled; the reason for the cancellations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4467/15]

Hospitals Building Programme

John Halligan

415. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 126 of 27 November 2014 if he will confirm the design team has been appointed to this project and is working on stage 1 design; if the tendering process has begun; if the tendering documents have been forwarded to the construction industry seeking a reputable builder to complete the project; if so, when a builder will be selected; the estimated timeframe for completion once work begins; if the necessary funds have now been ring-fenced for the project; the reason for the delay in the progression of this project in view of the fact that this project has been promised since 2008 and at numerous meetings the Health Service Executive south has indicated to both this Deputy and local councillors in the County Waterford area that it is a priority; the position regarding the assurances that the project would be completed prior to the last local election six months ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3940/15]

Inland Fisheries

John Halligan

572. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the effectiveness of the current system for counting on Irish waterways; his further views that it is providing incorrect estimates of salmon and eel stock levels; if the process of a once annual count needs to be addressed as it only takes in rod line catches and the number of anglers are down across the country; his plans to introduce a system of scientific counting to ensure a more accurate reading and which would also cause no harm to the fish as catch and release is widely believed to be harmful to the fish and in some cases result in death; his plans to introduce the use of scientific counting on the main south east waterways the Nore, the Barrow and the Suir; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3847/15]

Inland Fisheries Ireland Investigations

John Halligan

573. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when the most recent social impact study was completed in relation to the effect the closure of salmon and eel fishing is having on the families of the affected fishermen; if his attention has been drawn to the serious pressure being put on these families; his plans for a new social impact study to assess the risk to the loss of heritage in the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3848/15]

Inland Fisheries Ireland Investigations

John Halligan

574. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if there are funds reserved from the last salmon buy-out that could be allocated to a scheme where older fishermen could avail of retirement scheme; his plans to introduce a further set-aside scheme for those who wish to seek alternative employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3849/15]

Inland Fisheries

John Halligan

575. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to conduct a review of the composition of the two standing scientific committees with a view to having a fair and complete representation of all groups affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3850/15]

Fisheries Protection

John Halligan

576. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his Department received feedback regarding the European initiative, FARNET, which covers more than 10,000 km. of inland fisheries in Europe; his views that this needs to be extended to areas where tidal water stops; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3851/15]

Medical Card Data

John Halligan

139. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health the current number of valid under 70s medical cards; the current number of valid over 70s medical cards; the average cost to the State per medical card; the total amount rebated to general practitioners across the country for medical card services for 2013 and 2014. [3103/15]

Broadband Service Provision

John Halligan

584. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an update on the comprehensive implementation strategy for the fibre build-out to locations in every county in the State identified as having no existing or planned enabling fibre network; if the project is on target; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2568/15]

Broadband Service Provision

John Halligan

585. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress of delivering high-speed broadband to the 1,000 rural communities identified as target areas for fibre based connections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2569/15]

Road Projects Expenditure

John Halligan

25. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the level of funding which was allocated to Waterford Council for the year 2014 regarding roads; the portion of this allocation that was spent on resurfacing; his views that the council's current process of spot-fixing potholes is not the most economical way to allocate funds and is not solving the problem; if the allocation for 2015 will be sufficient to begin a wide-scale resurfacing of the most badly affected roads in the county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45862/14]

Irish Water Administration

John Halligan

82. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount of revenue that Waterford City and County Council is to recoup next year from Irish Water; the amount of this that is made up of payroll costs to do with water supply and waste water treatment by the council as agents for Irish Water; if he will provide a percentage breakdown of the amount of the overall earnings of the council this figure represents; the amount that Waterford City and County Council invoice Irish Water for in operational costs every month; if Irish Water has indicated it will seek a reduction in what it will pay the council going forward; the support services Waterford City and County Council are providing to Irish Water; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45995/14]

Property Tax Rate

John Halligan

104. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of local authorities that have voted to reduce local property tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45865/14]

Social and Affordable Housing Provision

John Halligan

111. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in view of the recent announcement regarding the provision of additional social housing here to accommodate the current high level of housing shortage the level of additional housing stock that will be built to accommodate the housing crisis in Tramore, County Waterford; his views that there is a massive lack of housing available in this local town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45864/14]

Social and Affordable Housing Provision

John Halligan

123. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will be open to setting up a national housing waiting list; his views on permitting applicants to carry time already spent on one waiting list where they need to move county in order to follow employment opportunities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45863/14]

Flood Prevention Measures

John Halligan

237. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in view of an assurance that was provided to the residents in Passage East, County Waterford, that additional flood defence mechanisms would be put in place, the steps that have been taken to progress this project; the level of funding that will be allocated to the installation; the estimated timeframe in which the project will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45996/14]

Irish Water Administration

John Halligan

527. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to detail the number of information packs that have been returned to Irish Water marked "no consent-no contract"; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46023/14]