Results 1,481-1,500 of 8,600 for speaker:Seán Crowe

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Challenges in Hospitals: Minister for Health (26 Apr 2023)

Seán Crowe: Again, I thank the Minister for assisting the committee in its consideration of the challenges in hospitals, including emergency departments, bed shortages and overcrowding. It is a matter, no doubt, that will continue to be monitored and considered by the committee. I believe the Minister is back again with the Select Committee on Health next week.

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 38 - Health (Further Revised) (19 Apr 2023)

Seán Crowe: The purpose of today's meeting is to consider Further Revised Estimate for Vote 38 - Health. I welcome the Minister of Health and officials from the Department of Health to today's meeting. I also thank the Minister for the provision of a briefing note on the Revised Estimate. Witnesses are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not criticise...

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 38 - Health (Further Revised) (19 Apr 2023)

Seán Crowe: I thank the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, for his opening statement. Before I open up the debate to members, I would like to say that we have had a number of witnesses at different meetings over the last couple of months, coming in and expressing frustration regarding the goodwill pandemic payment. We got a note from the Minister back in March regarding those who had been paid, but there is a...

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 38 - Health (Further Revised) (19 Apr 2023)

Seán Crowe: One of the difficulties with giving us a list was that the situation is ongoing. The letter we got back in March outlined that a significant number of people had been paid but we do not know who has not been paid. That is the big problem. Just this week, I heard that those who were giving people vaccines in Citywest have still not been paid. We had firefighters in and they were...

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 38 - Health (Further Revised) (19 Apr 2023)

Seán Crowe: Does the Minister have a rough idea of how many people are still outstanding?

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 38 - Health (Further Revised) (19 Apr 2023)

Seán Crowe: As public representatives, we have all been contacted. There have been countless meeting and concern has been raised by practically the majority of the groups that have come in. The unions in particular were frustrated that there was no direct interaction with them on the issue.

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 38 - Health (Further Revised) (19 Apr 2023)

Seán Crowe: The goodwill is gone out of the payment for those who have not been paid.

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 38 - Health (Further Revised) (19 Apr 2023)

Seán Crowe: It seems obvious that if the unions have a concern, the Minister should deal directly with them. They represent the majority of these workers and will know what difficulties are arising within the system. It would make sense for him to arrange those meetings with the people concerned and their representatives. I apologise for going on so long on that issue but it is important.

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 38 - Health (Further Revised) (19 Apr 2023)

Seán Crowe: Can we let the Minister finish?

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 38 - Health (Further Revised) (19 Apr 2023)

Seán Crowe: I am also conscious that the individual we are talking about is before another committee at the moment. There may be a situation in the future where we may be able to ask him the questions directly. If it is in the context of the Estimates, I will allow it.

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 38 - Health (Further Revised) (19 Apr 2023)

Seán Crowe: Can we go back to the Minister and let the Minister finish his reply?

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 38 - Health (Further Revised) (19 Apr 2023)

Seán Crowe: While we are waiting, the committee wrote seeking detail of the amount of money that is going to outsourced services and this whole area. I believe we are awaiting a reply on that. It has been discussed by the committee and particularly in private session. It is a concern of the committee overall.

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 38 - Health (Further Revised) (19 Apr 2023)

Seán Crowe: That is the last question.

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 38 - Health (Further Revised) (19 Apr 2023)

Seán Crowe: Deputy Shortall has gone way over time. I have been very lenient. Other members wish to contribute.

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 38 - Health (Further Revised) (19 Apr 2023)

Seán Crowe: Minister, I am conscious that some of the questions are very localised and you might have insufficient detail. I suggest that you come back with a note on some of the things and perhaps address the broader issues. It is very difficult for you and your staff if the issue is a very localised one.

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 38 - Health (Further Revised) (19 Apr 2023)

Seán Crowe: I know, but some of the questions are very localised and I think even the backup staff that the Minister has here would not necessarily have that information to hand.

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 38 - Health (Further Revised) (19 Apr 2023)

Seán Crowe: This is again something we discussed in yesterday's private meeting. The Minister is coming in again to discuss the issue of acute beds. We have suggested that the matter of step-down beds form part of that discussion. We may be revisiting this again. I just wished to give the Minister some notice. I call Deputy Colm Ward, who is not a member of the committee but who is welcome.

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 38 - Health (Further Revised) (19 Apr 2023)

Seán Crowe: I am sorry.

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 38 - Health (Further Revised) (19 Apr 2023)

Seán Crowe: Before I bring in Deputy Cullinane, I will make a couple of points. The Minister spoke in his opening statement about addressing unacceptably long waiting lists. I could go through the different sectors but he is probably aware of them. I will highlight a couple of cases of unacceptably high waiting lists that have come across my desk. These are not cases that involve my constituents. I...

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 38 - Health (Further Revised) (19 Apr 2023)

Seán Crowe: It is not even that. That waiting time is just to get an appointment to see someone. There may be other avenues down which he could go. I am giving an example. That man was told by his doctor that he could be waiting for between five and six years. There are treatments that jump out in respect of the waiting lists, including dental care and oral hygiene, particularly for children....