Results 23,021-23,040 of 49,836 for speaker:Stephen Donnelly

Written Answers — Department of Health: Healthcare Policy (2 Nov 2021)

Stephen Donnelly: Notwithstanding sector specific guidance published by the relevant departments and agencies, there is no specific NPHET recommendation for members of the public to utilise CO2 monitors in their everyday lives. The absence of a specific recommendation on this matter is not a barrier for those who wish to use such equipment. For further information on CO2 monitors, I would point the Deputy to...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Strategies (2 Nov 2021)

Stephen Donnelly: A new Sláintecare Programme Board is being established to ensure that the drive for universal healthcare is fully embedded in both the Department of Health and the HSE. It will be co-chaired by the Secretary-General of the Department and the Chief Executive Officer of the HSE and will also comprise senior members of the Management Board and Executive Management Teams. It is in the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Vaccination Programme (2 Nov 2021)

Stephen Donnelly: The immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The Committee's recommendations are based on the prevalence of the disease in Ireland and international best practices in relation to immunisation. As the first phase of the Covid-19 vaccination programme is nearing completion, the NIAC has been examining evidence...

Written Answers — Department of Health: General Practitioner Services (2 Nov 2021)

Stephen Donnelly: The Government is aware of the workforce issues currently facing general practice, including the limited access to GP services in certain areas. We are working to ensure patients across the country continue to have access to GP services and that general practice is sustainable in all areas into the future. GPs are self-employed practitioners and therefore may establish practices at a...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Dental Services (2 Nov 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: Hospital Staff (2 Nov 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: Health Services Staff (2 Nov 2021)

Stephen Donnelly: The McHugh report has required careful consideration including briefing and examination by a range of Departmental officials across multiple areas. The time to consider properly the report's contents and recommendations has been necessary, and I would like to reassure that every possible effort is being made to progress this matter. Officials in my Department remain fully committed to...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Industrial Relations (2 Nov 2021)

Stephen Donnelly: Officials in my Department had a series of engagements with trade unions discussing terms of reference for the McHugh report, a meeting dedicated to nursing students' industrial relations matters in September as well as a follow up meeting that also referred to this topic, and several exchanges of correspondence with unions discussing these matters in recent months. Additionally I understand...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Services (3 Nov 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 (3 Nov 2021)

Stephen Donnelly: On 8 September, I announced an update to the Covid-19 vaccination programme following advice from the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The NIAC has recommended a booster dose of an mRNA vaccine (irrespective of whether the primary vaccination course was of an mRNA or adenoviral vector) for residents aged 65 years and older living in Long Term Residential Care Facilities...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products (3 Nov 2021)

Stephen Donnelly: The Drugs Payment Scheme (DPS) was introduced by the Health Services (Drug Payment Scheme) Regulations 2012 (S.I. No. 526 of 2012) and provides for the refund of the amount by which expenditure on approved prescribed medicines/appliances exceeds a named threshold in any calendar month. All persons ordinarily resident in Ireland can apply for eligibility regardless of their means. There...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products (3 Nov 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: Health Services (3 Nov 2021)

Stephen Donnelly: The Northern Ireland Planned Healthcare Scheme (NI PHS) has been in effective operation since 1 January 2021. This Scheme was introduced to mitigate the loss of access to care from private providers in Northern Ireland under the EU Cross Border Directive, which ceased to apply as a result of Brexit. The Government intends to place the administrative NI PHS on a statutory basis and an...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Tests (3 Nov 2021)

Stephen Donnelly: The current high level of COVID-19 infection and the dominance of the significantly more transmissible Delta variant poses a very substantial threat, particularly to those who are not fully protected through vaccination. Public health advice remains that those who are not fully vaccinated should avoid congregated indoor settings for their own and others safety. As the Deputy will be...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (3 Nov 2021)

Stephen Donnelly: The Blood Donation Deferral Surveillance Group was established to assess the impact, if any, on the incidence of transfusion transmitted infections, following the change to MSM and STI donor deferral policies in 2017. The Group includes representatives from the Irish Blood Transfusion Service, Health Protection Surveillance Centre, Public Health England and NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT)....

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Cards (3 Nov 2021)

Stephen Donnelly: In accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the Health Service Executive (HSE). The HSE issues income guidelines to assist in determining entitlement to medical cards/GP visit cards. Persons aged 70 or older are assessed under the over 70s medical card income thresholds which are based on gross income. On November 1,...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Cards (3 Nov 2021)

Stephen Donnelly: In accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the Health Service Executive (HSE). The HSE issues income guidelines to assist in determining entitlement to medical cards/GP visit cards. Persons aged 70 or older are assessed under the over 70s medical card income thresholds which are based on gross income. Any revision to...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointments Status (3 Nov 2021)

Stephen Donnelly: Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual. In relation to...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (3 Nov 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: State Claims Agency (3 Nov 2021)

Stephen Donnelly: The State Claims Agency (SCA) has a statutory remit to manage personal injury claims on behalf of Delegated State Authorities including the Health Service Executive. The information requested by the Deputy is not readily available. However, I have asked the State Claims Agency to provide this, and I understand that it will be collated shortly. I will respond directly to the Deputy on receipt...