Group water schemes: Fine Gael commits to higher subsidy

Fine Gael has committed to increasing the subvention for people on group water schemes as part of its negotiations with Independents.

Party negotiators met five rural TDs and the Independent Alliance last night to continue discussions on the formation of a government.

It is understood the two sides discussed crime, health and education in the talks which began at 10am and ran late yesterday evening.

Fine Gael made a series of commitments including additional funds for homecare packages.

Minister for Finance Michael Noonan and Minister for Health Leo Varadkar acknowledged additional money would have to be located next year to address the issues raised.

Waterford TD John Halligan held a separate meeting with Mr Varadkar and officials from Waterford Regional Hospital about the provision of 24-hour cardiac care.

Mr Halligan has insisted he will not support a Fine Gael-led Government if the party does not agree to the move. Mr Varadkar agreed to a clinical review of services at the hospital and an additional two hours of services from Monday to Friday.

Fine Gael also committed to restoring the Government subvention for those on group water schemes after a compromise was reached with Fianna Fail on water charges.

Levies

A number of rural TDs including Roscommon-South Leitrim TDs

Michael Fitzmaurice

and

Denis Naughten

and Galway East TD

Sean Canney

had raised concerns about those who have paid their levies for decades.

In light of the agreement made with Fianna Fáil on water charges the TDs insisted the 190,000 households on group schemes, and 170,000 using private wells must be provided for. The €140 subvention traditionally paid to group water schemes was reduced to €95 last year and will now be restored.

A number of the Independent TDs also expressed frustration about the policy proposals in the area of agriculture.

Longford-Westmeath TD Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran, Mr Fitzmaurice andMr Canney were said to be unhappy with the progress made.

The two sides also discussed education, with Fine Gael committing to reducing class sizes, examine the pay of new teachers, additional special needs assistants and allocating more funds to disadvantaged schools.

Gangland crime

Fine Gael made a series of commitments to expand the armed Garda unit and address overtime for gardaí in response to gangland crime.

Independent TD Finian McGrath raised a number of cases directly with Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald, including the need for an inquiry into the Stardust tragedy.

It is understood Ms Fitzgerald will meet the Independent TDs again today to continue discussions on the area of crime.

Fine Gael also committed as part of the agreement with the Independents to a review of Garda stations that are due to close.

The two sides also discussed education, where Fine Gael committed to reducing class sizes. It will also examine the pay of new teachers and allocating more funds to disadvantaged schools.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan held a meeting with the Independents and agreed to accept a motion recognising Palestine as a state.

However, the Independents expressed doubt that a government could be formed this week. One Independent TD insisted there were 10 stumbling blocks to overcome. Dublin Rathdown TD Shane Ross said there were difficult conversations to be held on a number of issues today.