Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Hospital Services

John Halligan

436. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health the reason University Hospital Waterford is excluded from the list of available locations in which it is possible to have procedures completed under the national bowel screening programme; if this service can be made available at the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11828/18]

Services for People with Disabilities

John Halligan

437. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health his plans to increase the level of funding for an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11829/18]

Fishing Licences

John Halligan

677. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to issue new commercial licences to pick cockles (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11827/18]

Company Liquidations

John Halligan

113. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Finance the expected timeframe for payments following judgments to be forwarded to the liquidator in a case (details supplied); the status from the liquidator of the company regarding meeting its obligation to fund the balance of 35% of claims; the current stage of the liquidation process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35395/17]

Disabled Drivers Grant Eligibility

John Halligan

84. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Finance the number of appeal applications in respect of the disabled drivers and disabled passengers tax concession, in tabular form, in 2016; the number of applications that were successful at appeal stage; his views on whether the criteria laid down for this concession is fair and equitable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4971/17]

Disabled Drivers and Passengers Scheme

John Halligan

227. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who have applied for the disabled drivers and disabled passengers tax concession, in tabular form in 2016; the number of successful applications; the number of unsuccessful applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4971/17]

Health and Social Care Professionals Regulation

John Halligan

238. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health his plans to appoint a board to deal with the registration of podiatry and chiropody professionals under the umbrella of CORU; his views on the fact that professionals working in this sector wish to have it brought into line with other health care professions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4972/17]

Charitable and Voluntary Organisations

John Halligan

119. Deputy John Halligan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 90 of 13 July 2016, the number of organisations that have still not registered with the Charities Regulation Authority despite deadlines of 16 April 2016 and 31 October 2016 in tabular form; the number of charities that have registered and the level or overall registration compliance for organisations with a 31 December year end now that the 31 October reporting deadline has now passed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39888/16]

Visa Agreements

John Halligan

130. Deputy John Halligan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if there is a mechanism which would allow a non-national spouse of an Irish citizen resident here to continue working freely within the EU without the need to constantly apply for visas for various Schengen countries; if she can use her discretional powers, as provided for in legislation, to grant an Irish passport based on the exceptional circumstances in a case (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34415/16]

Hospital Services

John Halligan

495. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health if his Department has fully assessed the safety implications of the south east region, University Hospital Waterford (UHW) and adjacent hospitals having full reliance on a single cardiac catheterisation laboratory which is located in UHW in the provision of life critical procedures in that geographic area; his views on whether the lack of a second laboratory in the region further adds to the already extensive waiting lists which in turn puts additional pressure on the singular laboratory; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34614/16]

Refugee Resettlement Programme

John Halligan

144. Deputy John Halligan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of refugees Ireland is planning to take in here considering in 2015 it was only a very small number. [30959/16]

Refugee Resettlement Programme

John Halligan

145. Deputy John Halligan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the reason a hotel (details supplied) is the only reception centre for the very few Syrian refugees that have come to Waterford city. [30960/16]

Syrian Conflict

John Halligan

355. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to help support Syrian refugees. [30958/16]

Hospital Services

John Halligan

188. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health if he had read the Higgins report in conjunction with the Herity report prior to making his decision not to approve the much-needed second catheterisation laboratory at University Hospital Waterford; if he will acknowledge that the Higgins report, which set out the basis of the reconfiguration of the hospital groups, made specific commitments to UHW and the south-east region as a whole, particularly relating to cardiology services, and that the Government at the time also made commitments to stand over the Higgins report; if it is the intention of the Department of Health to continue to comply with and implement the recommendations of the Higgins report, specifically its recommendation to maintain UHW as a level four regional hospital and its recommendation with respect to the expansion of interventional cardiology at UHW; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28881/16]

Hospital Services

John Halligan

436. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health to outline the particular aspects of the Herity report that he intends to implement; when these additional services will be provided to University Hospital Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28446/16]

Hospital Services

John Halligan

437. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health to outline his views on whether clinicians in the south east have as much to offer in terms of clinical knowledge as a person (details supplied); his views on whether, as valued employees of the HSE, they should be afforded the opportunity to sit down and discuss the findings of the Herity report with him; if he will agree to such a meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28447/16]

Hospital Services

John Halligan

438. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health to outline his views on whether an increase of eight hours per week will have any real impact on the waiting times for cardiac patients in University Hospital Waterford in view of the fact that the consultants are already working up to 7.30 p.m. or 8 p.m. at night on a regular basis to deal with the cases they are currently struggling to cope with; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28448/16]

Hospital Services

John Halligan

439. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the increased equipment noted in the Herity report was solely for an image intensifier and that there are three other components of the laboratory; furthermore, if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some €240,000 has been spent on the existing catheterisation laboratory recently to ensure this equipment is supportable; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the existing laboratory is currently up to specification and fully operational for at least the next five years; his views on whether the quality of the existing laboratory is not the issue but rather the capacity of the existing laboratory and its ability to offer a clinically safe service in isolation is very much the concern of the clinicians in the south east; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28449/16]

Hospital Services

John Halligan

440. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health his views on whether the lack of a second catheterisation laboratory was noted on the risk register at the highest possible risk rating since 2013, in line with the HSE recommendations and that the Irish national programme for heart failure treatment actually requires a second laboratory in all units providing acute heart attack care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28450/16]

Hospital Services

John Halligan

441. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health his views on whether it is right and just that the risk rating regarding the second catheterisation laboratory in University Hospital Waterford could have been adjusted by the hospital group located in Cork University Hospital without any consultation with or notification to University Hospital Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28451/16]

Hospital Services

John Halligan

442. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health to outline the reason for the discrepancy between the HSE findings of the past three years, which clearly indicate a critical need for a second catheterisation laboratory at the University Hospital Waterford site, documented at national level and the subsequent failure to recommend same in the Herity report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28452/16]

Hospital Services

John Halligan

443. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health to outline the reason he felt it unnecessary to forward the two terms of reference put forward by the clinicians in Waterford which particularly reference the clinical risk to the patient as their main focus in seeking a second catheterisation laboratory for the south east region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28453/16]

Hospital Services

John Halligan

444. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health if his attention was drawn to the contents of the briefing document which was forwarded to a person (details supplied) in conjunction with the terms of reference prior to the report being drafted; when he became aware of the document; his views on whether this document drafted by the HSE unfairly directs the author on which direction the report should take; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28454/16]

Hospital Services

John Halligan

445. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health to outline the reason the mid-west region with a catchment, at the time of delivery, of circa 310,000 persons was awarded a second laboratory without the need for a clinical review; if his attention was drawn to the fact that his predecessor had incorrectly indicated that this region had received the second laboratory on the basis of a clinical review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28455/16]

Hospital Services

John Halligan

446. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health to set out details of the clinical review under which additional resources for Cork University Hospital were announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28456/16]

Hospital Services

John Halligan

447. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health if liability for adverse clinical events occurring as a result of inadequate resourcing will rest with him, his Department or the author of the report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28457/16]

Hospital Services

John Halligan

448. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health to outline his views on whether clinicians at University Hospital Waterford will not be held responsible for any direct or indirect negative consequences for patients due to the continuing lack of a second catheterisation laboratory at University Hospital Waterford or any later implementation of the Herity report or parts thereof; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28458/16]

Charitable and Voluntary Organisations

John Halligan

90. Deputy John Halligan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the percentage of charities holding a valid CHY number from the Revenue Commissioners on 15 October 2014 that had completed their online registration on the Charities Regulatory Authority website by the deadline of 16 April 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21603/16]

Mortgage Debt

John Halligan

86. Deputy John Halligan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to legislate where one party to a joint mortgage is not engaging with the bank and making it impossible for the other party to renegotiate manageable terms with the provider, where one party is entitled to be treated as a single borrower from the other party under the 2013 code of protection on mortgage arrears to allow for a long-term restructure; if the restructuring of the mortgage contract without the consent of one party is currently not legislated for and if this needs to be addressed urgently, in particular in a certain case (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20428/16]

Mortgage Debt

John Halligan

88. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Finance his plans to legislate where one party to a joint mortgage is not engaging with the bank and making it impossible for the other party to renegotiate manageable terms with the provider, where one party is entitled to be treated as a single borrower from the other party under the 2013 code of protection on mortgage arrears to allow for a long-term restructure; if the restructuring of the mortgage contract without the consent of one party is currently not legislated for and if this needs to be addressed urgently, in particular in a certain case (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20323/16]

Medicinal Products Availability

John Halligan

210. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health why certain required medical items are no longer available on prescription under the medical card scheme (details supplied); if he will consider providing these items once again through prescriptions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20324/16]

Proposed Legislation

John Halligan

259. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has considered urgently legislating for a moratorium on family home evictions until such time as a reasoned solution to the family housing crisis is formulated by the Houses of the Oireachtas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17236/16]

Inland Fisheries Ireland

John Halligan

529. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when he will publish the 2016 to 2021 corporate plan of Inland Fisheries Ireland (details supplied); if he will examine the strategic method of linking traditional commercial fisheries of cultural importance in rural communities to commercial fisheries heritage tourism and education, taking ancient traditions, methods, vessels, knowledge and culture into account; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15885/16]

Household Benefits Scheme

John Halligan

43. Deputy John Halligan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her plans to expand the eligibility criteria for the household benefits package to allow adult semi-dependent children getting jobseeker's allowance of no more than €100 per week to remain in the family home while parents in receipt of disability allowance or invalidity pension qualify for the benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7495/16]

Post Office Network

John Halligan

66. Deputy John Halligan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her views on correspondence (details supplied) which was recently issued to casual workers encouraging jobseekers to use financial institutions rather than the post offices; if it is best practice to actively encourage recipients to use alternative financial institutions, given that the Government has backed processes to secure and develop the post office network; if the Government should be actively supporting the post office network given that it is the full owner of it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7618/16]

Employment Support Services

John Halligan

67. Deputy John Halligan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the details of her contract with Turas Nua; the process by which persons are selected from the live register; if persons who have been engaging with the Tús and Gateway programmes can be selected; the fee she pays to Turas Nua for each person returned to the workforce; if there are stipulations as to how permanent the positions need to be; the number of persons who have been returned to the workforce since the inception of this programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7619/16]

Departmental Funding

John Halligan

89. Deputy John Halligan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she is considering reversing the significant funding cuts that occurred in recent years, to support the vital work that is conducted in communities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7770/16]

Insurance Industry

John Halligan

107. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Finance further to my many written questions on this issue to confirm if there has been any update in relation to the Setanta Insurance issue following the recent decision indicating that claims should be made through the Motor Insurers' Bureau of Ireland; to confirm if he has received a clarification relating to this decision being appealed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7622/16]

Workplace Relations Services

John Halligan

151. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the rationale for regional adjudications by the Workplace Relations Commission for Waterford taking place in Gorey, County Wexford; his views on whether this is a cost effective situation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7820/16]

Child and Family Agency

John Halligan

256. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will authorise an investigation into Tusla, the Child and Family Agency and the Health Service Executive's handling of a case (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7817/16]

Hospital Staff Data

John Halligan

344. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health the number of radiographers who are supposed to be employed at University Hospital Waterford; the number currently employed; when the exodus from the hospital began; if he will make the exit interview transcripts relating to these vacant posts available; when the recruitment process to fill these positions commenced and its progress; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7620/16]

Hospital Staff Data

John Halligan

345. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health the complement of staff by Department, and by the number of persons employed, and the number of patients waiting to be called for appointment in tabular form, by Department, in University Hospital Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7621/16]

Housing Provision

John Halligan

460. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of applicants awaiting housing assistance in each county here in January 2016, January 2015, January 2014 and January 2013, in tabular form; the average waiting time for the provision of social housing within each county in the case of single one-bed applicants, two-bed applicants, three-bed applicants and four-bed applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7376/16]

Housing Provision

John Halligan

461. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the average waiting time for the provision of social housing within each county here for single one-bed applicants, two-bed applicants, three-bed applicants and four-bed applicants in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7377/16]

Housing Provision

John Halligan

462. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government regarding the provision of social housing in County Waterford, how many new properties were built or purchased in County Waterford in 2015; how many properties it is planned to build or purchase over the next five years and at what cost; his views on whether this is sufficient to meet the growing demand for social housing in County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7378/16]

Hospital Equipment

John Halligan

59. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health why it took 11 months to redeploy staff from an old computed tomography, CT, scanner in University Hospital Waterford to a new scanner which opened in April 2015; if he is aware that the older machine was in perfect working order when it was taken out of use; if the hospital ever made an application for additional staff in order that both machines could be operated simultaneously; if it is best practice to have a perfectly functional CT machine not in use at the hospital while waiting lists for scans are at an unacceptable level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4100/16]

Legislative Measures

John Halligan

71. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health where he has amended the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2015, which is shortly due to come before both Houses of the Oireachtas and which will seek to amend the Medical Practitioners Act 2007, to remove the requirement for an equivalence of a certificate of experience for doctors who qualified outside the European Union and who are seeking registration in the trainee specialist division of the register; if he made a commitment to so amend the Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3933/16]

Hospital Beds Data

John Halligan

74. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health the number of beds that were allocated to University Hospital Waterford in the recent winter hand-out allowance for overcrowded hospitals; the number of beds allocated, by hospital, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3931/16]

Hospital Staff Data

John Halligan

88. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health the amount spent on agency staff at University Hospital Waterford in each of the years 2013 to 2015, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3934/16]

Hospital Staff

John Halligan

92. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health the number of academic appointments at University Hospital Waterford funded since the reorganisation of hospital services in the south east; the appointments he and the Health Service Executive have committed to make; when these appointments will be made; who will take on the permanent costs of these posts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3932/16]

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]