Results 25,441-25,460 of 49,836 for speaker:Stephen Donnelly

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (14 Dec 2021)

Stephen Donnelly: The Government, at its meeting on 30 November, agreed that face masks/coverings be recommended for those aged 9 and over on public transport, in retail and other indoor public settings as currently required for those aged 13 and over, with exemptions as appropriate. Face masks/coverings are also recommended for children in third class and above in primary school and guidance has issued to...

Seanad: Health and Criminal Justice (Covid-19) (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2021: Second Stage (9 Dec 2021)

Stephen Donnelly: I welcome the opportunity to present the Health and Criminal Justice (Covid-19) (Amendment) (No.2) Bill 2021 to the House. The purpose of this Bill is to extend the period of application of certain emergency provisions that have been key to the Government's response and the national response to the pandemic. The emergency provisions that are to be extended include Part 3 of the Health...

Seanad: Health and Criminal Justice (Covid-19) (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2021: Second Stage (9 Dec 2021)

Stephen Donnelly: Nearly a year into our vaccination programme, we know a great deal about the effectiveness of the vaccines. This includes that there is a certain amount of waning immunity after six months or thereabouts - it is different for each of the vaccines. This is why we are rolling out our booster programme, which is continuing apace. We now have well over 1 million people who have received a...

Seanad: Health and Criminal Justice (Covid-19) (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2021: Second Stage (9 Dec 2021)

Stephen Donnelly: There is an answer on that. It was approved.

Seanad: Health and Criminal Justice (Covid-19) (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2021: Second Stage (9 Dec 2021)

Stephen Donnelly: I will try not to use the full hour. I thank colleagues for their time and their contributions. These debates are genuinely invaluable, to listen to new ideas and be challenged on what may or may not be working. Of course we are not getting everything right; no government is. It is very important that we listen to the challenges and in this House most of the challenges are very...

Seanad: Health and Criminal Justice (Covid-19) (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2021: Second Stage (9 Dec 2021)

Stephen Donnelly: It is a fair question but I would imagine that the Seanad would still want to discuss everything it votes on and it would be remiss of it not to do so. The Dáil would want to debate everything it votes on, and who decides what regulation is worth discussing or not? In the past week I have signed regulations on face coverings, international travel and other matters. Which of those are...

Seanad: Health and Criminal Justice (Covid-19) (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2021: Second Stage (9 Dec 2021)

Stephen Donnelly: While I understand the motivation behind this is well meaning and genuine, it is simply not practicable and it is one of the many reasons the Dáil and the Seanad do not regulate in other sectors either. The level of regulation required would mean the Oireachtas would cease to be able to do its job, which is to legislate. However, I am putting new processes in place to make sure Members...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Staff (9 Dec 2021)

Stephen Donnelly: Saolta Hospital Group has provided the following update with regard to the recruitment of 4 Neurology Nursing staff in University Hospital Galway: - Neurology Clinical Nurse Specialist (epilepsy) - took up post on 6th December; - CNS Neurology Paediatric - interviews held. Successful candidate to be released from current post in new year; - CNS Paediatric neurodevelopmental –...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (9 Dec 2021)

Stephen Donnelly: The COVID-19 situation in Ireland remains of concern and is delicately balanced. Ireland remains vulnerable to a further deterioration in the disease profile depending on several factors, including levels of social contact in the coming weeks and over the festive period, adherence to basic public health protective measures and levels of immunity across the population. The potential impact of...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff (9 Dec 2021)

Stephen Donnelly: Work is ongoing in the Department of Health on the development of a new statutory scheme for the financing and regulation of home-support services. This includes establishing the regulatory framework for the new scheme. With the aim of ensuring that all service-users are provided with a standard, high-quality level of care which is safe, effective, and person-centred, it is envisaged...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (9 Dec 2021)

Stephen Donnelly: I acknowledge that waiting times for many hospital procedures and appointments are unacceptably long. It is of particular regret that children can experience long waiting times for orthopaedic treatment, especially for time sensitive procedures, and I remain acutely aware of the impact that this has on children and their families. As part of Children’s Health Ireland’s...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Healthcare Infrastructure Provision (9 Dec 2021)

Stephen Donnelly: As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Healthcare Infrastructure Provision (9 Dec 2021)

Stephen Donnelly: As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Healthcare Infrastructure Provision (9 Dec 2021)

Stephen Donnelly: As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Vaccination Programme (9 Dec 2021)

Stephen Donnelly: As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Tests (9 Dec 2021)

Stephen Donnelly: The requirements for travel are kept under regular review based on the evolving international epidemiological situation. At present, and as part of our response to the emergence of the Omicron variant, passengers travelling to Ireland require a valid test result (subject to limited exemptions). Full details on international travel policy and the types of tests accepted are published at...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Tests (9 Dec 2021)

Stephen Donnelly: As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Vaccination Programme (9 Dec 2021)

Stephen Donnelly: As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Vaccination Programme (9 Dec 2021)

Stephen Donnelly: As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Departmental Staff (9 Dec 2021)

Stephen Donnelly: The Department’s staffing level as of 31 October 2021 stood at 691.69 WTE. This is slightly in excess of the Department's planned employment ceiling for 2021, due to particular ongoing work pressures associated with the public health response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Vacancies can exist across the various grades in the Department at different times due to ongoing retirements,...