Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

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]

Irish Water Establishment

John Halligan

528. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to set out his views on whether the recent data protection breach in Irish Water is unacceptable; his further views on whether this should be the final nail in the coffin of Irish Water; the right the company had to request a person's individual PPS number in view of the fact that no other utility provider here operates using a PPS number system; the authority under which the personal information pertaining to individual homeowners was made available to Irish Water; his views on whether the movement in the country against the implementation of water charges is growing to such a level that can no longer be ignored by the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46024/14]

Hospitals Building Programme

John Halligan

126. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health if the design team has been appointed for the 100-bed unit at St. Patrick's geriatric hospital, John's Hill, County Waterford; if the money has been ring fenced for the building of this much needed facility for the local area; the timeframe that has been set out for the construction and completion of the facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45580/14]

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Administration

John Halligan

142. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health to set out his views regarding the alarming figures that show an escalation in fair deal waiting lists since the fair deal budget was cut earlier this year; his views on whether the waiting lists for financial approval have increased by 25% since July 2014 compared with 2007; if he will resolve this financial crisis and further commit to providing additional staffing assistance to deal with the backlog that has been created; his views on whether four months is an unacceptable waiting period for the elderly in our communities who are desperately seeking accommodation under the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40165/14]

Rent Supplement Scheme Administration

John Halligan

50. Deputy John Halligan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection further to her reply to Priority Questions on 21 October 2014 that on average rent allowance applications made in County Waterford are being processed on average within five to ten days, if she will confirm the number of rent allowance applications received within the first six months of 2014; the percentage of those applications that were processed and approved within five to ten days; the percentage that took in excess of three months to process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41205/14]

Rent Supplement Scheme Administration

John Halligan

51. Deputy John Halligan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her views on whether the revised monthly rental limits seek only to preclude certain properties from the rental pool and should have no bearing on the calculation of rent allowance; whether the rent allowance payable should be calculated based on family size and means assessed regardless of the property itself; her plans to abolish the revised monthly rental limits; whether this would in turn permit applicants to rent properties they see fit irrespective of the monthly rent and would ease the application process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41388/14]

Property Tax Exemptions

John Halligan

67. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Finance if the Catholic Church is exempt from paying property tax as it is a registered charity which results in an estimated loss to the State of in the region of €1.5 million per year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42654/14]

Nursing Home Services

John Halligan

190. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons currently on the waiting list for the fair deal scheme in County Waterford; the average waiting time currently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41204/14]

Health Services

John Halligan

191. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health the reason the grant available for cancer patients to recoup monies paid for wigs varies so radically from county to county with the maximum grant, as per the Health Service Executive website, available being €635 per year and the HSE in Waterford only granting a maximum of €220 twice per year with a six month interim period between claims; his views on whether the grant available for such items should be standard throughout the country; if he will review the inconsistencies within the system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41387/14]

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

John Halligan

213. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will confirm where a child currently in primary school who has been assessed with a diagnosis of severe ADHD and is in receipt of an special needs assistant is progressing to secondary level, if a reassessment of the SNA requirements is necessary or will the provision of an SNA be automatic upon entry to second level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41479/14]

Household Charge Exemptions

John Halligan

237. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the Catholic Church is exempt from paying household tax as it is a registered charity, which results in an estimated loss to the State of in the region of €1.5 million per year; if the Catholic Church's status as a charity would further exempt it from paying water charges; if so, the estimated loss to the State this would represent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42653/14]

Rent Supplement Scheme Administration

John Halligan

80. Deputy John Halligan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the steps she has taken to mitigate the shortcomings in the rent supplement section; her views that particularly in County Waterford the revised monthly rental limits are decidedly below the average rents being charged by landlords and that rents in the area are on the increase; her further views that more landlords are refusing to accept tenants who indicate that they will be making an application for rent supplement due to the massive delays in processing these applications; her views that this is resulting in more families finding it impossible to source adequate accommodation within the monthly rental limits and find themselves verging on homelessness as a result; if she will make a commitment to increase the staffing levels in the rent supplement section in Waterford to address the serious backlog which now exists; if she will review the process by which an applicant already in receipt of rent supplement wishes to change address and reapply for assistance, as it would reduce processing times if any supplementary application could be processed on the basis of a reassessment of the new property and not a full reassessment of the person where the applicant may confirm that their circumstances aside from address have not altered; if she will review both the monthly rental limits in the County Waterford area and also the process by which the applications are assessed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40164/14]

Social Welfare Appeals

John Halligan

82. Deputy John Halligan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the way in which a social welfare inspector may refuse an application for jobseeker's allowance and make a negative decision where there is an active outstanding unfair dismissal claim being made by the applicant, particularly where the applicant has the full backing of his or her union; her views that the position in law is that all dismissals are unfair and it is for the employer to prove otherwise, therefore any application for social welfare assistance should be processed on that basis and any further review of the claim postponed pending the outcome of the unfair dismissal claim; if she will review this decision in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Waterford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40166/14]

Pension Provisions

John Halligan

173. Deputy John Halligan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her views on making a provision for the backdating of credits for women who took time out from the workforce prior to 1994 - when the homemaker scheme was introduced - to raise their families in order to enable those women to accumulate the required 520 contributions to qualify for the full State pension; the number of women that would be affected by this backdating; her views that this will have a very serious impact on these women's retirement income; the cost to the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40252/14]

Social Welfare Fraud Data

John Halligan

174. Deputy John Halligan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the progress that has been made to date in the recovery of social welfare payments which have been found to have been fraudulently procured from her Department; the moneys that have been recovered since she took office; her views on the effectiveness of the introduction of biometric public service cards in stamping out fraudulent claims; the inroads that have been made with regard to the setting up of the new Garda unit within her Department; if this unit is now fully operational; the level of access to public service records this unit will be afforded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40253/14]

Employment Support Services

John Halligan

175. Deputy John Halligan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her views that the introduction of the JobBridge scheme is an exercise in reducing the numbers on the live register to imply a marked decrease in the level of social welfare assistance being provided by the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40254/14]

Medical Card Eligibility

John Halligan

459. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health in view of the fact that there is an automatic entitlement to medical cards where the applicant and their family are solely dependent on social welfare payments, his views that it is fair and just that where an adjustment has been made to a social protection payment due to a means assessment, that this would in turn preclude them from their entitlement to a medical card even though their income remains the same, as it would be, were they solely in receipt of a social protection payment in respect of persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40167/14]

Homeless Accommodation Provision

John Halligan

556. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on whether increased rents are now the main cause of increased homelessness here; his views on whether the reduction in capital spending on social housing between 2007 to 2012, which is estimated to be in the region of 70%, is a driving force resulting in increased levels of homelessness; if the use of National Asset Management Agency-controlled properties as affordable accommodation could be considered, perhaps even as an interim measure; the portion of NAMA's housing stock that would be suitable for use as affordable accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40256/14]

HSE Staff

John Halligan

384. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health his views that the current moratorium on jobs within the Health Service Executive is having a serious effect on the services provided in the south east; his further views since circa 2011 there has been no speech and language therapist in the rehabilitation facility in Waterford for patients leaving Waterford Regional Hospital; if he will review the terms of the moratorium and provide funding to allow a number of posts to be funded within the region; the way in which he plans to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38204/14]

Insurance Industry Regulation

John Halligan

84. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 155 of 6 May 2014, if he will provide an update in relation to the Setanta Insurance issue; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there are numerous persons in County Waterford and indeed across the country who have been left in a terrible position (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37603/14]

Road Safety

John Halligan

3. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in view of his clearly stated priority to keep road fatalities and injuries down and taking into account the fact that alcohol is estimated to be a contributory factor in at least one in three fatal road collisions, if he will undertake to examine the proposals of 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 his attention has been drawn to the fact that several other countries in the European Union already follow these stipulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37072/14]

Airport Development Projects

John Halligan

5. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Priority Question No. 3 of 26 June 2014, if the land purchase for the runway and safety areas at Waterford Airport had been delayed and the CPO process had been referred for arbitration on 26 August 2014; the outcome of the said arbitration; if it has been successfully completed; if the land purchase is now scheduled to be undertaken; if so, when will the CPO process begin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37073/14]

National Lottery Funding Disbursement

John Halligan

8. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the criteria that are applied when deciding the way national lottery funding is distributed within organisations here; the proportion of these funds allocated to sports organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36800/14]

Roads Maintenance Funding

John Halligan

9. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if additional once off funding will be made available to Waterford County Council to facilitate the regeneration of the roads and footpaths in various estates across the region to bring them up to an acceptable standard; his views that there are many older estates throughout the country which have been taken in charge that have fallen into serious disrepair and are in desperate need of attention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36802/14]

Community Involvement Scheme

John Halligan

16. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to provide the necessary 80% funding available under a community involvement scheme if an application were to be made by parishes (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36798/14]

Tourism Data

John Halligan

22. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in view of recent indications that an economic recovery is being experienced within the Irish market, if he will provide the volume of tourists who have visited here in the years 2011, 2012, and 2013; the efforts that have been made by his Department to encourage increased numbers of visitors to the south east region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36801/14]

Road Tolls

John Halligan

25. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of annual revenue that is derived from the toll plaza in County Waterford; the amount of this annual revenue that is reinvested directly into Waterford city and county; the way this revenue is reinvested; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36799/14]

School Transport Administration

John Halligan

153. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will confirm if all of the recent issues surrounding the school transport scheme which necessitated the setting up of a dedicated help line have been resolved in full; the steps that have been taken to ensure that these issues do not repeat next year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37075/14]

Bus Éireann Services

John Halligan

196. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the proposed privatisation of Bus Éireann; his further views that it would lead to a more efficient service in view of the history of privatisation that has shown that the primary objective is always increased revenue generation and not fee reduction; if he will confirm the impact this privatisation would have on the free travel scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37074/14]

Animal Welfare

John Halligan

236. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to recent graphic footage which has appeared online and in a newspaper (details supplied) apparently showing the torture of a fox at the hands of hunters' dogs in County Waterford; his plans to follow the United Kingdom decision to outlaw the hunting of foxes with dogs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36579/14]

Visa Applications

John Halligan

266. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position in respect of visa entry to Ireland to a non-EU national who is married to an Irish citizen (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36915/14]

Palliative Care Services

John Halligan

354. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health the progress of the provision of services in the palliative care unit in University Hospital Waterford; the timeframe of the progression to date; when he expects the unit will be operational and offering vital services to the local community in the south east; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36622/14]

Social Welfare Benefits Eligibility

John Halligan

59. Deputy John Halligan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her views on whether in certain circumstances where an applicant is marginally in excess of the income guidelines it may be unfair for the means assessed against them to be applied across the board to each application in isolation resulting in the applicant not being entitled to any of the payments whereas a person marginally below the income guidelines where the same criteria are applied would be entitled to all forms of assistance; her views on whether it is time to review the means assessment guidelines with a view to assessing an applicant's overall social welfare requirements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36433/14]

VAT Rate Reductions

John Halligan

88. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Finance his views on the increasing popularity of both social and popular media and that the print media sector in general have been coming under more and more pressure of late as the availability of free news items has adversely affected their trade (details supplied); his further views that this sector has benefitted greatly from the reduced VAT rate of 9% and that it is essential for its survival, particularly the survival of the smaller family run print businesses that this reduced rate remain in place for the forceable future; if he will not increase the VAT rate in the upcoming budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36431/14]

Services for People with Disabilities

John Halligan

172. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health the level of funding which is being made available for residential placement in County Waterford; if it is acceptable for a parent now entering their 70th year to wait nine years for a residential placement for their son in view of the fact that their health is now failing and that their son has apparently been on a prioritised waiting list for the duration of this period; if he will acknowledge the serious shortfall within this sector of his Department and recognise the unacceptable position this person has been forced into; if he will now commit to calling for a full review by his Department of procedures and funding availability within this sector of his Department and if he will make the necessary funding available in order for this person's son to be adequately accommodated within the system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36434/14]

Water Charges Administration

John Halligan

269. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will, in the context of water charges, consider making an additional allowance available to families who care for a family member on a full-time basis but do not, for various reasons, meet the criteria for a formal carer's allowance payment; if he will acknowledge that there are many such families struggling to maintain a family life for their children while caring for an elderly or infirm relative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36432/14]

Water Supply Contamination

John Halligan

270. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the percentage of lead piping within residential properties situated in Waterford city and county; if it will be part of the metering contract to replace any existing lead piping, particularly where the property is owned by the local authority; where it is acknowledged by the local authority that lead piping is in existence within a property and the solution put forward by it to the resident is to flush the cold water tap prior to use, filling the kitchen sink and discarding flushing of 20 to 30 litres, on average, of unused water, perhaps as often as three to four times per day, if he will be offering an additional usage allowance for these families (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36435/14]

Services for People with Disabilities

John Halligan

452. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the cuts to funding for the Irish Deaf Society will be reinstated; if he and his Department aware of the impact these cuts are having on the deaf community; if he is considering reviewing the funding they receive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30973/14]

Corporate Tax Compliance

John Halligan

139. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Finance the amount of corporation tax a company (details supplied) in County Waterford has paid to the State in the past five years; the percentage of its overall profit this represents; if he will provide a full year-by-year breakdown; his views on whether corporation tax has been paid at the correct level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28273/14]

State Pension (Contributory) Eligibility

John Halligan

242. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will look into the case of a person (details supplied) in County Waterford; the methodology used by her Department in the calculation of notional income in respect of adult dependant applications for old age pensions; if she will acknowledge that the method of calculation currently used is flawed and generally does not represent a true reflection of an applicant's notional income for the purposes of assessment; if she will commit to having the shortfalls in the methodology assessed to ascertain if there would be a better process that could be followed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28274/14]

Anti-Social Behaviour

John Halligan

325. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 382 of 11 February 2014, in strengthening the powers given to local authorities to deal with instances of anti-social behaviour the way this will impact on the day-to-day administration within housing offices across the country; his views on how effective or ineffective current measures are; the powers that will be given to the local authorities; the estimated time frame for the delivery of these strengthened powers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28271/14]

Traveller Community

John Halligan

326. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 689 of 25 March 2014, if he will ring-fence Traveller funds to ensure they will be used to fund Traveller projects; if he will confirm the NTP will be able to draw down this money for local Traveller organisations; his views that without local Traveller-led projects Travellers will be further marginalised; if he will acknowledge that it is vital that the community development work which has taken place of the last number of years is not lost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28272/14]

Medical Card Eligibility

John Halligan

535. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health if, as per his announcement recently that all discretionary medical cards removed under review since June, 2011 will be reinstated, if his instructions have been formally forwarded to PCRS as they seem to be unaware of how and when this process will commence; the process involved; if some discretionary cards will not be reinstated; if not the reason for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28275/14]

Airport Development Projects

John Halligan

3. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update regarding the €400,000 grant which his Department pledged towards a €150 million extension of the runway at Waterford Airport last August, subject to the airport itself raising a further €850,000 through private sources and local authorities; if all necessary moneys have now been raised to allow work to proceed; if the departmental grant of €400,000 has already been drawn down, and used for the compulsory purchase order of 18 acres of land required to facilitate the extension; the timeframe in which he expects the extension works to be completed; what will happen to the departmental grant if the €850,000 is not raised by the airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27416/14]

Tourism Promotion

John Halligan

20. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on an official Fáilte Ireland tour map (details supplied) which is widely distributed to American holiday makers travelling here; his views on whether the people of the south east of Ireland, in particular County Waterford, are adequately represented by this: if he will make a commitment to directing Fáilte Ireland to include Waterford in any further publication of this nature; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27379/14]

Sports Capital Programme Application Numbers

John Halligan

23. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of applications received by his Department this year under the sports capital grants scheme; if he will indicate the timescale for completion of the application process; when he expects to be in a position to confirm the applications that have been deemed successful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27378/14]

The Gathering Revenue

John Halligan

31. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will report on the success of The Gathering 2013 in terms of tourism generated and the promotion of Ireland to the world; the amount of Government funding allocated to the promotion of The Gathering 2013; the estimated revenue directly generated as a result of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27377/14]

Public Transport

John Halligan

219. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in view of the recent widespread opposition to proposals to privatise Bus Éireann, if the National Transport Authority has begun a consultation process with the trade unions, as the Minister previously indicated it would; his views that the current Government policy of tendering out 10% of Bus Éireann has disproportionately targeted Waterford where 100% of the city's services are being hived off to the private sector at the expense of the travelling public and staff; his views that by targeting Waterford city there is a real risk due to economies of scale of the entire Bus Éireann operation at Waterford being lost, resulting in yet more job losses which the city could not sustain and a depleted service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27417/14]

Proposed Legislation

John Halligan

76. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will support legislation to introduce new rules, protocols and rules of disclosure in cases of medical negligence at birth, to avert the enormous stress and lengthy litigation being brought upon families who take such cases and to ensure that they receive money at an early stage, when it is most needed for their child; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21354/14]

Community Development Initiatives

John Halligan

390. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government following on from the recent announcement by him that the proposed social inclusion community activation programme will replace the current community development programme, if he will consider permitting national organisations tender for work as this may have a detrimental effect on local community groups who currently operate on a national collective level; alternatively if he will commit to ring fencing funding locally for groups at a level at which they have been operating successfully under the community development programmes for the past number of years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27204/14]

Hospital Facilities

John Halligan

535. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health the reason University Hospital Waterford is one of only very few hospitals in Ireland which do not have a designated play area for the paediatrics unit in the hospital. [26655/14]