WORKING TOGETHER FOR WATERFORD €45,000,000 PAYOUT OF CRYSTAL LUMP SUMS The majority of former workers at Waterford Crystal have now received their lump sum payments from the Department of Social Welfare as part of the glass settlement. Former staff and their families will now have the peace of mind to plan for their futures. Having been in constant contact with the Tánaiste to advocate for former workers I’m obviously delighted that this stage has been reached. Extra money was secured by the Tánaiste to pay for the lump sums which are worth around Tánaiste Joan Burton meeting with former Waterford Crystal employees . Pictured from left, Martin Skelton, Nicky Sheehan, Deputy Ciara Conway TD, Cllr.John Pratt, Maria 45 million euro in total. O’Grady, Tommy Allen,Ian Paul, Michael Boyle and Andy Skelton. It has been a challenging process and credit must go to all those involved; UNITE, Kieran Mulvey at the LRC, the Tánaiste my colleague Minister Joan Burton, Liam Daly and the team at the Department of Social Protection on the Cork Road , the local Labour team - and most importantly of course to former workers and their families for their courage and dignity throughout the process.
HEALTH MATTERS CONWAY CONTINUES TO CALL FOR 24/7 CARDIOLOGY People in Waterford and across the South East need access to a fully functioning Cardiology service that is available 24 hours a day. I have continued to call for this service to be prioritised through the my work on the Oireachtas Health Committee in the Dáil. A second Cath lab is needed and we need to have a full staff of consultants and staff to keep this operational. I will be continuing to demand action on this issue.
FREE GP CARE Over 70’s can now sign up for free GP care and Labour T.D. Ciara Conway is encouraging people to register for the scheme. Anyone who is over 70 and who does not already have a medical card or GP visit card can now sign up for free doctor’s visits . The provision of free GP care to those over 70 was a key focus for Labour’s Minister for Primary Care, Kathleen Lynch, and builds on the recent successful launch of free GP care for under 6’s. The fact that we are now at this juncture proves that Labour is delivering in Government and recognises the need to support the elderly in our society.
COMMUNITY NURSING UNIT Funding for a 100 Bed Community Nursing Unit on the grounds of St Patricks Hospital Waterford has been ringfenced under the newly announced Capital Plan. A design team is being appointed and a planning permission application should be submitted shortly, with tendering due to begin early next year . This facility is much needed to provide residential and rehabilitation services to older people in Waterford and I welcome the announcement that the funding is there to see it through.
HOSPICE PROGRESSING A new 20-bed Specialist Palliative Care In-Patient Unit is to be built as part of the €20m redevelopment of University Hospital Waterford. Enabling works have been completed and a planning permission application has been submitted to Waterford City and County Council. Construction is planned to start in early 2016 and is expected to be completed by the end of 2017. Following fit-out and commissioning the unit is planned to open in early 2018 and will comprise of 20 in-patient palliative care beds, palliative care day care, and a further three floors of 24 single rooms on each floor. The Waterford Hospice Movement has committed to providing substantial capital funding towards the palliative care element of this development.
CIARA CONWAY TD
@ciaramconway
Constituency Office: 36 Mary Street, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford Phone: 058 24514 Email: ciara.conway@oireachtas.ie
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