Car parking and long wave radio
The Leader responded to Senator Ruane, Senator Nash and Senator Noone on IFTA nominations, the NTPF, and hospital parking costs for long-term patients. He also addressed uncertainty over the LW252 service, saying he would seek confirmation and welcomed support for keeping it on air.
Yes. I join with Senator Ruane in congratulating those who have been nominated for the IFTAs. Senator Nash also paid tribute to Joe McGouran. I have not got a response for him yet to his question about the National Treatment Purchase Fund, NTPF, but I will get it for him.
Senator Noone raised the car parking strategy in some hospitals. I agree with her that there is a need for a sustained universal health policy on pricing for car parking for families of long-term patients who are terminally ill, have cancer, are on dialysis or those with children in hospital. Some hospitals have a compassionate scheme but a universal approach needs to be taken on car parking policy. I know the HSE will tell us that it is a source of revenue that is put back into the hospital groups but there needs to be a universal policy on hospital car parking.
I have good news for Senator Leyden about Longwave 252. As he is aware, the Minister of State, Deputy Joe McHugh, was in the House to respond to Senator Lawless's Commencement matter and the transmission has been reprieved until 2019 at least. It is one that we need-----
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On behalf of the 407,000 Irish people in the UK, it is critically important that this access and connectivity should continue. I hope Members will combine to raise this issue with RTE. We might communicate with the communications committee also. When the Minister of State, Deputy McHugh, attended the House, he gave a positive reply about the radio service. I will get the reply for the Senator, who is correct to raise it.
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I have read the reply. It has not been confirmed.
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I thank the Leader. I am delighted to hear that. It is great news for St. Patrick's Day.
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I am glad the Senator raised the matter. He is correct and I agree with him completely.