Latest news with #ConorMcGuinness
Irish Independent
30-06-2025
- Health
- Irish Independent
Preparations under way for 24 hour cardiac care services for Waterford and south east
In March of 2025, provision for primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for acute heart attacks at University Hospital Waterford (UHW) was extended and the current opening hours are now 8am to 8pm, seven days a week. In a statement to the Irish Independent, a HSE spokesperson said: 'In line with recommendations made in the report of the National Review of Adult Specialist Cardiac Services in Ireland, published in April 2025, preparations are under way by the HSE to provide this service on a 24/7 basis at UHW. 'The HSE Dublin and South East health region will continue to work on all of the necessary preparations and looks forward to delivering its commitment to having a 24/7 PCI intervention service in place at UHW,' added the HSE spokesperson. Waterford TD Conor McGuinness has said that 'almost ten years after standing outside University Hospital Waterford with a billboard promising 24/7 cardia care, the Government is still failing to deliver this core demand for the people of Waterford and the south east.' Speaking in the Dáil on Friday, June 27, the Sinn Féin TD said that while there has been a slow increase in cardiac service provision at UHW, the region is still a long way off the 24/7 care that was promised. 'Almost ten years ago the Taoiseach stood outside UHW with a billboard promising 24/7 cardiac care for Waterford and the South East. Ten years on, people are still waiting,' said Deputy McGuinness. 'Cabinet approval for the second Cath Lab was announced two months ago – but since then, nothing. No detailed plan. No timeline. No staffing strategy. Announcements are cheap, and it's delivery that matters.' 'We've already lost years waiting for that announcement and for that go-ahead. Without urgent action, lives remain at risk in Waterford and across the wider region.' Deputy McGuinness added, 'I asked the Taoiseach whether recruitment has been completed and when we will see a full implementation plan – with timelines, staffing targets and a clear, guaranteed delivery of 24/7 cardiac care at UHW. He wouldn't give an answer: no plan, no timeline, no confirmation. The people of the south east deserve better.'
Irish Independent
23-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Appeal lodged against plans for 155 homes and apartments in Waterford
S&K Carey Ltd submitted plans to Waterford City and County Council (WCCC on February 20 this year seeking planning permission to construct a large-scale residential development (LRD) consisting of 155 homes at Duckspool, Dungarvan, County Waterford. The development consists of detached, semi-detached, and terraced houses, along with 42 apartments in four three-storey duplex apartment blocks. It was given the green-light by Waterford planners on Wednesday, April 16, with Sinn Féin TD for Waterford Conor McGuinness describing the decision as 'a very positive step for Dungarvan at a time when the need for housing is acute'. Local resident John McGrath raised concerns about the development to WCCC, in relation to the master plan, traffic congestion, and environment. Mr McGrath wrote that the subject site provides access to a larger land bank which should be subject to a master plan for the area. A master plan should be developed 'in the first instance.' 'I would suggest therefore that this development is premature in that a master plan should now be drawn up for the entire area. A zoning map of the area with some notes, a creche and a spine road included as part of this planning submission does not constitute a master plan. The absence of a master plan is simply not acceptable as certain infrastructural, social and community obligations are being neglected or worse ignored.' Under traffic congestion, Mr McGrath maintained that a previous planning grant for a much smaller development on the subject site was conditioned by the council 'such that the developer was to contribute towards a new roundabout at the junction of the L-3168 and the N25. Five years on, a much larger development is now proposed for the site with no consideration been given for a roundabout at the junction of the N25 and the L-3168'. Traffic models prepared as part of the planning submission suggest that the project should be developed in advance of upgrading work to the local road network. 'As a local resident I would respectfully suggest that one must question the suitability and validity of the Traffic Impact Assessment and its findings,' he wrote. Additionally, in 2022, An Bord Pleanála granted permission for 218 housing units on the opposite side of the same road as the subject development. 'This grant was issued despite huge opposition from local stakeholder groups whose concerns were vast and varied,' wrote Mr McGrath. 'Some concerns were raised concerning infrastructure. "While the most robust opposition came from those with regards to environmental concerns, I wish to ask the local authority to consider the concerns raised by local stakeholders and in particular the environmental concerns which were presented with much gusto and hype before making any decision regarding permission on the subject site. 'In conclusion, I would ask WCCC to refuse planning permission for this development in its present application format,' added Mr McGrath. The case is due to be decided by An Bord Pleanála on or before September 1 next.
