Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Harbours and Piers Development

John Halligan

168. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the consultation process and the provision of €150,000 for consultants to design the new breakwater for Dunmore East, County Waterford under the 2015 capital programme; if plans have been drawn up; when the new breakwater will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2890/16]

Harbours and Piers Development

John Halligan

169. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will bring Dunmore East Harbour up to the standard of the other main fishery harbour centres, given that it is under his control and Waterford City and County Council has informed this Deputy that it has no remit over related issues such as refurbishment of derelict fish buildings and provision of parking facilities; the progress made on his commitment to facilitate the provision of pontoons inside the breakwater and the provision of a marina close to the sailing club; if he will deliver on all of the promises made to the residents and business operators of Dunmore East; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2891/16]

Motorised Transport Grant Closure

John Halligan

336. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health if he will reinstate the mobility allowance or provide a similar scheme to the one which was closed to new applicants in February 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2900/16]

School Placement

John Halligan

148. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the allocation of secondary school places and the relationship schools have with their feeder schools, particularly regarding a school (details supplied) in County Waterford; if the system used by schools is fair and equitable; if schools are obliged to follow recommendations from her Department or if they are within their rights to create and follow their own individual enrolment procedures excluding students from long-standing feeder schools and prioritising students from another area irrespective of the date of their applications; if many students are being placed in very difficult positions and in many cases have to travel great distances to avail of secondary placements; if a country-wide enrolment procedure should be adopted that would ensure the right placements for all students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2660/16]

Hospital Accommodation Provision

John Halligan

670. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 3 of 22 October 2015, if he will confirm that the planning application has been submitted; and if so, the proposed starting date of this project. [1283/16]

School Enrolments

John Halligan

775. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the allocation of secondary school places and the relationship schools have with their feeder schools, particularly in relation to a school (details supplied) County Waterford; if the system used by schools is fair and equitable; if schools are obliged to follow recommendations from her Department or if they are within their rights to create and follow their own individual enrolment procedure; if many students are being placed in very difficult positions having to travel great distances to avail of secondary placements; if a country-wide enrolment procedure will be adopted that will ensure the right placement for all students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46874/15]

Hospital Equipment

John Halligan

412. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health why the older computed tomography scanner in University Hospital Waterford was closed upon the opening of the new computed tomography unit in April 2015, if the older scanner was in working order when it was closed and how many scans were performed in 2014 on the old scanner, if the staff who operated the older scanner were re-deployed to utilise the new scanner, if the old scanner is still located at the hospital or if it has been relocated to a different hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43941/15]

Hospital Equipment

John Halligan

413. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health the waiting time for an appointment for a computed tomography scan at University Hospital Waterford, if this is the best service the hospital can provide to its patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43942/15]

Rent Supplement Scheme Administration

John Halligan

146. Deputy John Halligan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will review the monthly rent limits in line with the actual cost of renting (details supplied) given the latest reports that property rental prices in the south east region have risen by 5.5% on average in the past year. [41791/15]

Registration of Deaths

John Halligan

147. Deputy John Halligan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will consider implementing a registration system for unborn children who die from unnatural causes, including accidents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41793/15]

Prison Committals

John Halligan

350. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of prisoners sentenced to a custodial term who were collected and transported to jail by members of An Garda Síochána and who were then processed, given a train or bus ticket and released on the same day due to overcrowding in each of the years 2013 to 2015 to date; the number of gardaí who engage in such activities on a daily basis, thereby taking them off the streets they are employed to protect; the cost to the State if this situation is permitted to continue; if judges are aware, when passing sentence, that there is no room to facilitate convicts; if a strong system of monitored community service should be implemented where sentences of three months or less have been handed down in order to alleviate the strain on the prison system and the needless waste of taxpayers' money; the system in place to either accommodate these prisoners or to facilitate their rehabilitation and the completion of their sentence elsewhere; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41792/15]

Patient Data

John Halligan

731. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health the number of patients who have undergone ostomy operations here in the years, 2010 to 2014; the number of persons here who currently have either an iliostomy bag or a colonostomy bag; his plans to include this condition in the long-term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37727/15]

Hospital Accommodation Provision

John Halligan

3. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health his plans to address the overcrowding in the emergency Department and wards of University Hospital Waterford during the busy winter months; the number of the recently announced 440 additional beds that will be allocated to the hospital to increase its capacity; when these beds will open; the other measures, specific to the hospital, he has planned, to address regular overcrowding therein; his plans to address the number of delayed discharges at the hospital, particularly at weekends; his views that the shortage of residential follow-on aftercare placements for elderly patients deemed by the hospital medical staff to be medically well is adding to discharges being delayed, as many of these patients cannot be looked after at home by family members, and this is having an adverse effect on the bed shortages; his further plans to address this issue; if he will provide an update in relation to the promise to provide an additional 50-bed unit in Saint Patrick's Hospital in County Waterford; when planning permission will be sought; when building work will be carried out; his views on using the private sector to ease overcrowding at University Hospital Waterford during the particularly busy times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36667/15]

Hospital Services

John Halligan

5. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health the current staffing levels at the dermatology department of University Hospital Waterford; if the unit is fully staffed and operating to its full potential; when the full dermatology services at the hospital will be restored; the plans the Health Service Executive has to make this happen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36668/15]

Maternity Services

John Halligan

26. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the status of the new labour unit in County Waterford; when it is due to open; if funding has been allocated to provide equipment for it; if staff have been allocated to work in it; the reason for the delay in opening it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36367/15]

Autism Support Services

John Halligan

32. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health the number of children currently waiting for a full diagnostic assessment for autism in University Hospital Waterford; the composition of the team; if all the positions are covered; the number of psychologists on the autism team who will provide a full diagnostic assessment; the length of time it will take to recruit staff; the Health Service Executive plan in the absence of a fully trained psychologist to undertake the assessment procedure; if he will make reference in his reply to a specific case (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36371/15]

Hospital Waiting Lists

John Halligan

44. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health the number of patients outsourced from University Hospital Waterford to private hospitals for outpatient appointments in 2014 and in 2015 to date; the average cost per consultation for these appointments; the number of such appointments that required follow-up care; the number of these care requirements that will be facilitated at University Hospital Waterford; the number of patients referred to private hospitals for inpatient or day case procedures; the average cost of these procedures; the hospitals the patients were treated at; the number of these outsourced patients who received a full complement of care and have now been returned to University Hospital Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36369/15]

Hospital Staff Recruitment

John Halligan

55. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health the number of unfilled consultant positions at University Hospital Waterford by Department; the measures the hospital has taken to fill these posts to date; the average salary being offered; how this compares with similar positions in other hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36370/15]

Hospitals Building Programme

John Halligan

74. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health the proposed use of the three top floors of the new regional specialist inpatient unit and day service in palliative medicine building on the grounds of University Hospital Waterford; if a designated private wing is being considered for these floors; when construction will commence on the building; when it will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36368/15]

Student Grant Scheme Eligibility

John Halligan

143. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Education and Skills to outline her plans to review the residency condition which must be satisfied by applicants for Student Universal Support Ireland grants with respect to Irish nationals returning home to Ireland after an extended period abroad; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36682/15]

Central Bank of Ireland Investigations

John Halligan

280. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Finance further to previous parliamentary questions on the issue of the mis-selling of payment protection insurance policies, if he will confirm the current status of the investigation being held by the Central Bank of Ireland; the progress that has been made in the ongoing negotiations with small entities, including credit unions, which sold this insurance; the amount of the total refund to date; the number of policies refunded to date; when is it estimated that the refund process will cease; if he is satisfied that the process of refunding the mis-sold policies is being adequately run; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36082/15]

Mental Health Services Provision

John Halligan

485. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health the number of children who are waiting for an appointment with the Waterford child and adolescent mental health services; the composition of the services team; if all the positions are covered; if the services are taking new referrals; the number of children who were admitted to adult mental health services in County Waterford in 2014 and in 2015 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36398/15]

Mental Health Services Provision

John Halligan

486. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health the number of referrals or re-referrals to the Waterford child and adolescent mental health services who were offered a first appointment and seen within three months in 2014 and in 2015 to date, in tabular form; the number who were waiting six months, nine months and 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36399/15]

Hospital Procedures

John Halligan

487. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health the number of operations and procedures cancelled at University Hospital Waterford in the first six months of 2015; the number of these that were for inpatients and outpatients, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36400/15]

Hospital Staff Recruitment

John Halligan

515. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health if he will acknowledge that the psychology and psychiatry departments in University Hospital Waterford are very seriously understaffed; the reason there has been no maternity cover for the psychology service in Tramore in County Waterford; his views that it is unacceptable to have vital positions remaining unfilled, or at least receiving maternity cover; if he will make inquiries into a particular case (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34247/15]

Student Grant Scheme Eligibility

John Halligan

640. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to extend eligibility for the special rate of Student Universal Support Ireland grant to those applicants whose family income is below the threshold but who are not currently in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment; her views that where a family income is below a certain level the special rate should be awarded irrespective of whether the income is earned or awarded through a social welfare payment; that families who are working hard to support themselves but who are on low incomes should not be precluded from being eligible for the special rate grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34248/15]

Fáilte Ireland Funding

John Halligan

765. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if funding has been allocated to capital projects in County Waterford under the first phase of funding for the Ireland's Ancient East initiative; if County Waterford projects have received funding under the first stage of branded signage for all counties within the region; the number of applications that were received from interested parties in County Waterford for this phase of funding; if County Waterford projects are being assessed for the next round of funding; when that funding will be announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34246/15]

Mortgage Interest Rates

John Halligan

120. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Finance if he has requested the banks to cut their high variable rates; the nature of their response; the reason his Department did not exert more pressure on the banks to introduce more variable rate reductions; his views that it is acceptable that some banks have reduced their fixed rates, but have left variable rates unchanged; his plans to amend regulations to stop banks overcharging for variable rate mortgages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33090/15]

General Medical Services Scheme Payments

John Halligan

1003. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details on the State yearly spending, on average, per full medical card holder in terms of medical cards for those over 70 years of age and those under 70 years of age in the years 2013 and 2014. [31435/15]

Adult Education Provision

John Halligan

256. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the current national policy on terms and conditions for teachers working in the adult literacy service; the circulars that exist for tutors and teachers working in the service; in view of this Deputy's understanding that they are registered with the Teaching Council as teachers, yet are classified as tutors by the education and training boards, his views that there is a disparity between the treatment of some adult education sectors, such as Youthreach and the vocational training opportunities scheme, and the treatment of others such as adult literacy, with literacy teachers currently working on low-hour contracts which do not reflect the hours they actually work; her further views that it is unfair that they have no access to the State pension scheme, no incremental scale and no paid leave or maternity leave entitlements; her views that this is a simple case of discrimination against teachers working within the adult literacy service; if she acknowledges that it is having a negative impact on students of the service due to unfavourable working conditions; if she will further acknowledge that many teachers in the service are being forced to take positions elsewhere, meaning that there is a constant roll-over of experienced staff, which has an administrative effect on the Department of Social Protection which has to sign-on, assess and sign-off over 1,000 literacy tutors every mid-term, Christmas, Easter and summer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28127/15]

Insurance Industry

John Halligan

144. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Finance in view of this Deputy's understanding that he is on record of Dáil Éireann stating that claims made against Setanta Insurance would be met by the Motor Insurers Bureau Ireland, if he will provide an explanation as to how it can be justified that genuine claimants are still being denied their court-awarded compensation and are currently caught in limbo; his views that this situation should no longer be permitted; if his opinion on this matter has changed; his Department's plans to ensure a situation of this nature is not permitted to happen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27485/15]

Medical Card Applications

John Halligan

431. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of cases where general practitioners are not registering for the under sixes medical card scheme, their patients feel the need to register with an alternative general practitioner in order to obtain cover for their children and the patients are being charged upwards of €15 for the privilege of having their files transferred to the new general practitioner; his views as to whether this is an opportunistic charge; if he will raise the issue with the Irish Medical Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27675/15]

Pension Levy

John Halligan

73. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Finance when the Government will honour its commitment to reduce the 0.75% pension levy, given that the original levy introduced in 2006 at 0.6% and the increase of a further 0.15% in 2014 were both intended to be temporary measures; his views on whether the introduction of the levy has resulted in a vast reduction in the number of persons taking out private pensions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26555/15]

Beef Data Programme

John Halligan

119. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware that farmers could end up with penalties of up to 140% of an annual payment under the beef data and genomics programme for failure to meet the 50% four to five star target, even though such failure could be completely outside their control and in reality be due to poor reliability figures from the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation; if he will establish a scheme with a six-year contract which would result in a likely clawback of all payments for previous years where farmers decide to change their systems of farming due to income pressures and economic realities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26553/15]

Local Authority Housing Data

John Halligan

267. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government specifically relating to County Waterford in the years 2012 to 2014, under the relevant anti-social legislation, the number of cases of anti-social behaviour that have been dealt with; the number of persons who have been interviewed; the number who have been prosecuted; the number who have had previous complaints registered against them; if any of these tenants have been evicted as a result of their anti-social behaviour; if the current system is not working and frequently the victims of anti-social behaviour are being left in vulnerable positions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26552/15]

Water Services Provision

John Halligan

268. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding private groups which have installed and maintained a private water supply, specifically a group water scheme which has been privately operated in County Waterford for over 40 years; if water conservation grants are being made available for groups such as these; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26554/15]

Housing Provision

John Halligan

269. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason for the delay in approving the homes for the elderly scheme in Tramore, County Waterford; if he is aware of the case of persons (details supplied) who have been waiting to be relocated to housing for the elderly for over three years, who currently reside in a four-bedroom property under the rental accommodation scheme and who are eager to relocate to a two-bed bungalow, as they are finding it increasingly difficult to access the upper level of the property and to maintain the property; his views on whether the need for social housing in this area, it would be beneficial all round to have the elderly relocated as soon as possible, which would then free up rental accommodation scheme property for needy families in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26556/15]

Commission for Energy Regulation

John Halligan

275. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the date the Commission for Energy Regulation was established and under which Government; the annual cost to the State since its establishment; if he will provide a list of the directors since establishment and the length of their term; under what structure of authority does the commission operate; to whom is it accountable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26557/15]

National Pensions Reserve Fund Plans

John Halligan

120. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Finance if he and his Department have any immediate plans to restore the National Pensions Reserve Fund; the estimated cost of this restoration, and over what period of time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18266/15]

Housing Assistance Payments Administration

John Halligan

214. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views that the rent ceilings being imposed on persons in Waterford City and County are too low, and do not reflect the real cost of rent being paid by tenants (details supplied); if he will consider abolishing the rent ceilings, and introducing an incentive to landlords, in order to encourage them to take on tenants who wish to take part in the Housing Assistance Payment Scheme; and if he will increase payments under the Scheme to reflect the enormous cost of rent in Waterford City and County. [23974/15]

Local Authority Members' Remuneration

John Halligan

38. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on whether, based on the important work done at local level and the great commitment provided by local councillors throughout the country, those councillors who have no alternative source of income should be paid the equivalent of the average industrial wage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18269/15]

Passport Applications

John Halligan

892. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the reason there is no dedicated Teachta Dála line available for urgent passport queries; his views that an Irish national applying for a passport through the embassy in Madrid should be eligible to have their passport issued within a reasonable timeframe; his further views that ten weeks is reasonable; and if he will make inquiries regarding a particular case as to the reason an application made by an Irish citizen (details supplied) for the renewal and re-issue of a passport was rejected. [21277/15]

Cancer Services Funding

John Halligan

3. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm for the people of County Waterford and the south east the reason access to prostate cancer services at University Hospital Waterford is significantly below the national average, with only 16.7% of attendees seen within the target of 20 working days in January 2015; if any man has been sent to a private hospital to cope with this backlog; if he is aware that 50% of new attendees at the hospital's prostate clinic had a subsequent diagnosis of prostate cancer in February 2015; if the promised additional consultant urologist appointments for the hospital have been filled to address capacity issues in the hospital; if not, when they will be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20884/15]

Patient Data

John Halligan

6. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health the reason the data relating to breast cancer patients at University Hospital Waterford for February 2015 was not available; if the breast cancer unit at UHW was fully staffed in the months January to April 2015; the percentage of people with symptomatic breast cancer that were seen within the two week target at UHW in January and February 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20785/15]

Hospital Services

John Halligan

21. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health the reason the amount of day cases handled at University Hospital Waterford so far in 2015 is down 15% on the same period in 2014; the reason elective admissions at UHW are down 9% in the same period; if there are any plans to reopen the second operating theatre at the hospital which was closed in 2013/2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20784/15]

Hospital Waiting Lists

John Halligan

29. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health the number of children and adults in County Waterford that are awaiting assessment by a primary care occupational therapist; if he will provide in tabular form the length of time each of these children and adults have been waiting; the number of occupational therapist posts that currently exist in County Waterford’s public system; the number of these posts that are currently vacant; the number of additional posts that will be allocated nationally in 2015, and of these the number that will be allocated specifically to County Waterford in 2015; in relation to a specific case (details supplied) if he will clarify the way a child of five years of age who is currently being seen by the early intervention team will, following the child's sixth birthday, be assessed and receive eight weeks of treatment and then be placed on a waiting list for up to three years on the six to 18 age group bracket; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20787/15]

Accident and Emergency Departments Waiting Times

John Halligan

49. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health the reason one in four patients requiring emergency hip fracture surgery at University Hospital Waterford in February 2015 had their procedure delayed for more than 48 hours; if he will provide specific details of the levels of trolley and waiting times in UHW's emergency department in February 2015; if he acknowledges that these patients were mainly elderly persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20786/15]

Hospital Waiting Lists

John Halligan

52. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an explanation for the delays at University Hospital Waterford that resulted in three persons waiting more than 28 days for an urgent colonoscopy in January 2015; the reason almost two thirds of patients at UHW who required a routine colonoscopy in 2015 were not seen within the target time of 13 weeks; the number of patients at UHW that were waiting longer than 12 months for a routine colonoscopy; the number that were waiting over two years; if the unit at UHW is fully staffed; if the roll-out of the national bowel cancer screening programme resulted in the lengthening of waiting lists in Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20788/15]

Palliative Care Services

John Halligan

113. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health the percentage of patients in University Hospital Waterford provided with a specialist palliative care service in their place of residence within seven days of referral in each of the years 2010 to 2014 and in 2015 to date; the staff resources allocated to the provision of specialist palliative care service in the home in County Waterford; if additional resources have been allocated through the 2015 operational plan; when these will come on stream; the percentage of patients admitted to a specialist palliative care inpatient bed within seven days of referral in the hospital in each of the years 2010 to 2014 and in 2015 to date; the percentage of patients who received a specialist palliative care service in the community in County Waterford in the same years; if he will provide an update on the status of the new 20-bed palliative care unit to be situated on the grounds of the hospital; the way the construction of this new unit is to be funded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20885/15]

Ombudsman's Remit

John Halligan

69. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to extend the remit of the Ombudsman to investigate complaints regarding private nursing homes; when it is anticipated the changes in remit will come into effect; if the remit to investigate complaints will extend to retrospective complaints; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20974/15]