Results 261-280 of 3,665 for speaker:Seán Power

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (9 Mar 2005)

Seán Power: The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive has the responsibility to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. This includes responsibility for the provision of health services in the Donegal area. Accordingly, my Department has requested the chief...

Seanad: Health (Amendment) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (9 Mar 2005)

Seán Power: I am pleased, on behalf of the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, to introduce Second Stage of the Health (Amendment) Bill 2005 to the House. This Bill provides for the amendment of the Health Act 1970 to address two substantive matters, namely, to provide a legal framework for the charging of patients for the maintenance element of inpatient services in publicly funded long-term...

Written Answers — Hospital Services: Hospital Services (10 Mar 2005)

Seán Power: The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive has the responsibility to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. This includes responsibility for the provision of health services in Kilkenny. Accordingly, my Department has requested the chief officer...

Seanad: Health (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee Stage. (10 Mar 2005)

Seán Power: Without doubt the future financing of the long-term care of older people is a serious issue and one that will need much attention in the near future. The Mercer report on the future financing of long-term care in Ireland, commissioned by the Department of Social and Family Affairs, has been published and, following on from this, Professor Eamon O'Shea drew up a report on the nursing home...

Seanad: Health (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee Stage. (10 Mar 2005)

Seán Power: If the Senator provides the details of the issue, I will have the matter clarified and report back to him.

Seanad: Health (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee Stage. (10 Mar 2005)

Seán Power: These are operational issues on which the health boards would have previously made decisions. I believe most Members accept that we must have some flexibility in the system if it is going to work. We are all aware of situations where in terms of income, a couple might be a little over the guidelines but there would be certain other factors we would like to see taken on board. For that reason...

Seanad: Health (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee Stage. (10 Mar 2005)

Seán Power: That is why we have a certain flexibility in the system.

Seanad: Health (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee Stage. (10 Mar 2005)

Seán Power: In fairness, while there have been different interpretations around the country in terms of medical card qualification, the system has worked quite well within the health board regions. The flexibility has helped in that regard. Though Senator Henry might not agree, the fact that we have had flexibility and that the CEOs could on occasion consider special cases of particular hardship and...

Seanad: Health (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee Stage. (10 Mar 2005)

Seán Power: It is difficult to put in place a perfect system which will meet all circumstances but if we do not deal with the matter in the way we propose we will end up attempting to treat all applicants as individuals. That would not be to their advantage and would not be fair. The method we propose is the fairest way to proceed. Up to now, health board CEOs would have different interpretations but the...

Seanad: Health (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee Stage. (10 Mar 2005)

Seán Power: We are discussing the scenario whereby one person in a couple is a high earner while the other is in a lower income bracket. It is only fair that the combined income should be taken into consideration and that the authorities shall have regard to a person's overall financial situation. Senator Henry has expressed some criticism of the administration of medical cards. In my experience, I have...

Seanad: Health (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee Stage. (10 Mar 2005)

Seán Power: I am delighted to learn of Fine Gael's new policy where it wants to withdraw medical cards from people over 70.

Seanad: Health (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee Stage. (10 Mar 2005)

Seán Power: The introduction of the doctor-only cards has been received very well throughout the country. We will issue 200,000 of these cards to people who may have been reluctant to visit their doctor in the past because of the cost. We all realise the expense involved in visiting a doctor. While the new card will not cover the purchase of medication, in many cases, particularly when a parent takes a...

Seanad: Health (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee Stage. (10 Mar 2005)

Seán Power: The Government has no plans to reduce the number of standard medical cards in favour of increasing the number of doctor-visit cards. This doctor-visit initiative is intended to complement the existing medical card arrangements. The doctor-only card will provide much assistance to families who would not qualify for a full medical card. The Minister explained the scheme when it was announced on...

Seanad: Health (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee Stage. (10 Mar 2005)

Seán Power: To answer Senator Browne, this is a new system and will be under constant review. The Government is anxious that the uptake rate of 200,000 people uses up the €60 million provided this year, as it is intended to spend every cent of that money solely on the doctor-only card. The Government is certain this new scheme will work well and it will be kept under review. This side of the House does...

Seanad: Health (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee Stage. (10 Mar 2005)

Seán Power: The House will never have heard enough from Senator Henry. It is always nice to have the contribution of someone involved at the coalface of the issue. Senator Browne's amendment seeks to require the Minister to issue guidelines to specify the criteria to be used in deciding whether a person meets the test set in section 58(1)(b) of the Health Act 1970. Upon the passage of the Bill, that...

Seanad: Health (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee Stage. (10 Mar 2005)

Seán Power: I thank the Senators for their comments. This is about trying to progress and develop the health services and providing a standardised service throughout the country. Senator Henry spoke about the old dispensaries but despite our difficulties we have seen wonderful progress made. We hope this legislation will play a part in developing a better health service for everyone.

Seanad: Health (Amendment) Bill 2005: Report and Final Stages. (10 Mar 2005)

Seán Power: This is a matter that arose on Second Stage on which we sought legal opinion and which we discussed with the Tánaiste. The term "spouse" is included in the 1970 Act. It is only right that people's individual circumstances are taken into consideration in making a decision. This provision only applies to the medical card. We must have regard to a person's overall financial situation. There is...

Seanad: Health (Amendment) Bill 2005: Report and Final Stages. (10 Mar 2005)

Seán Power: The operational guidelines will allow a wide range of individual circumstances to be taken into consideration before a decision is made. Therefore, we should not be unduly worried with what we are putting in here. It is the fairest and most equitable way to proceed.

Seanad: Health (Amendment) Bill 2005: Report and Final Stages. (10 Mar 2005)

Seán Power: I thank Members for their contributions and assistance in passing the legislation. Senator Henry referred to the cost of drugs, on which a significant percentage of our budget is expended annually. That could be the subject of a good debate in the House in the future. Regarding the treatment of the elderly, a mistake was made, and we will ensure that those who are entitled to a refund are...

Seanad: Hospital Services. (10 Mar 2005)

Seán Power: I thank the Senator for raising the matter and giving me the opportunity to clarify it as best I can. I would first like to outline the basis of eligibility for services. Entitlement to health services in Ireland is based primarily on residence and means. The determination of eligibility for medical cards is the responsibility of the Health Service Executive. Other than for persons aged 70...