Results 2,341-2,360 of 11,255 for speaker:Colm Burke

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Update On Health Issues: Discussion (18 Oct 2017)

Colm Burke: I thank the deputations for appearing before the committee this morning. I have tabled question 5, which is a specific question on orthopaedic services in Cork, in particular those in the South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital. I note from the reply that there are 456 people waiting for a first appointment for more than 24 months. I am raising the question because of the case of one...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Update On Health Issues: Discussion (18 Oct 2017)

Colm Burke: What proportion of the 6,000 are in agencies?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Update On Health Issues: Discussion (18 Oct 2017)

Colm Burke: No, I am wondering how many of the 6,000 are on agency contracts. It is important that we deal with that issue.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Update On Health Issues: Discussion (18 Oct 2017)

Colm Burke: On the management issue, the hospitals I am talking about are not small hospitals. If something has gone on for 18 years I am concerned about the fact that no action has been taken. I accept that over the past five to six years it has been difficult to do that but it needs to be given priority. It cannot be allowed to continue that there is a lack of continuity. On orthopaedic surgery...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Update On Health Issues: Discussion (18 Oct 2017)

Colm Burke: But it is an issue.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Update On Health Issues: Discussion (18 Oct 2017)

Colm Burke: I accept that but I find it difficult to understand how someone will wait 24 months on a public list, who has private health insurance, and then get in under the National Treatment Purchase Fund and are prepared to wait two years to avail of it.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Update On Health Issues: Discussion (18 Oct 2017)

Colm Burke: It is a complex psychological issue but I still do not understand why out of six patients who were referred, four had private health insurance.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Update On Health Issues: Discussion (18 Oct 2017)

Colm Burke: Could I ask that the issue would be looked at?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Update On Health Issues: Discussion (18 Oct 2017)

Colm Burke: Are there other issues that we are not being told about?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Update On Health Issues: Discussion (18 Oct 2017)

Colm Burke: That is why I am asking it.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Update On Health Issues: Discussion (18 Oct 2017)

Colm Burke: I wish to follow up on a question put by Deputy Kelleher relating to approved posts filled on a temporary basis. There are ten approved posts in obstetrics-gynaecology which are occupied on a temporary basis. A report produced in 2003 set a target of 180 consultants in this area by 2012. I understand the number was 130 at the last count. At that time we spoke about increasing the number...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Update On Health Issues: Discussion (18 Oct 2017)

Colm Burke: I have no difficulty with the planning but I do have a problem with the numbers applying for the posts. This will pose a major challenge. When four posts were advertised only two new people in real terms came in to apply for them. That is a difficulty for us this year.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Update On Health Issues: Discussion (18 Oct 2017)

Colm Burke: And in obstetrics and gynaecology?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Update On Health Issues: Discussion (18 Oct 2017)

Colm Burke: We need to set clear targets on this because we have been making very little progress over the last ten years. I am concerned that we now face major challenges here particularly because it is an area in which there is major litigation. Our chances of reducing the problem are poor unless we have the consultants in place.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Oct 2017)

Colm Burke: I wish to raise the issue of our policy on trying to assist the airports outside of Dublin and trying to increase traffic flow in and out of those airports, whether it be Shannon, Cork or Knock. A problem has arisen that has been brought to my attention by a number of people. I refer to the prices Aer Lingus is charging people flying out of Cork. For instance, if I were to book flights for...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: General Scheme of Children's Health Bill 2017: Discussion (25 Oct 2017)

Colm Burke: I thank the witnesses very much for being here this morning and their work on this project to date. I have two concerns. One is the transition period leading into when the hospital is built. Is there going to be a period of time when staff coming from a number of different locations will transfer to work for a period of time with colleagues from another facility? Is that planned for so...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: General Scheme of Children's Health Bill 2017: Discussion (25 Oct 2017)

Colm Burke: Could I ask a question on salaries? If funding is made available for research, will the board have discretion in order to give a supplementary salary to an employee in that situation? Is that envisaged because of additional work taken on board by the people working within the system? Is that envisaged if the money is coming in through philanthropy or research funding rather than the State...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: General Scheme of Children's Health Bill 2017: Discussion (25 Oct 2017)

Colm Burke: That was because it was kept under the radar whereas-----

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Oct 2017)

Colm Burke: I am delighted that two Opposition Members are being positive this morning, one about the report of the ESRI and the other about the JobPath programme. The prediction that there would be an inflow into the country resulting in 1 million more people is welcome. It is due to positive economic development by the Government in the past six years. I am delighted that Senator Catherine Ardagh is...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) Bill 2017: Motion (26 Oct 2017)

Colm Burke: I thank the Minister and the officials for bringing forward this legislation. I thank also all those who campaigned for the change. Sometimes change takes time but the dedication and commitment of people can bring that about. I thank the Senators, but particularly Senator Boyhan, for bringing forward amendments. A good deal of time is put into dealing with that and I thank him for his...