Political Correspondent
Cross border healthcare between the North and South will continue to operate on an administrative basis for the first few months of next year, the Taoiseach has told the Dáil.
Responding to a question from Independent TD Michael Collins, Micheál Martin said it was hoped legislation can be drafted in the New Year to allow for a more permanent arrangement post Brexit.
The Dáil heard that more than 7,000 people had travelled to Northern Ireland for medical procedures in recent years particularly for eye cataract operations.
Mr Martin also said Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly is hoping to increase capacity in the Republic for such operations and for orthopedic procedures.
The future of St. Michael s Theatre in New Ross hangs in the balance as the pandemic continues to wreak havoc on the theatre s programme this year.
Theatre Director Tomas Kavanagh said: We closed on March 11 after one night of the New Ross Drama Festival and realistically it will be next March before we can re-open again.
In 2019 the theatre had a turnover of €550,000. So far this year it s income has been €86,000. Pobal has informed Mr Kavanagh that the theatre must come up with a plan to recoup the money lost this year.
Mr Kavanagh said: It s ludicrous. A lot of what has happened is not intentional. We have been in correspondence with the minister s office. The minister said there is €30m but the Arts Council are used to dealing with certain people. Their answer was that the money is going to people who always get the money. We are not eligible to apply for emergency funding. We can t apply for the business one because we are a registered charity. We can t get the Covid