Results 30,221-30,240 of 49,836 for speaker:Stephen Donnelly

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (23 Jun 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 432 and 440 together. As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to reply to the Deputy directly.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (23 Jun 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: Firstly I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period. While my Department does not comment on individual cases, on January 19th, the Government announced a COVID-19 pandemic recognition payment for frontline public sector healthcare workers, to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. Following extensive...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products (23 Jun 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: The Long-Term Illness (LTI) scheme was established under Section 59(3) of the Health Act 1970 (as amended). Regulations were made in 1971, 1973 and 1975, prescribing 16 illnesses covered by the scheme. These are: acute leukaemia; mental handicap; cerebral palsy; mental illness (in a person under 16); cystic fibrosis; multiple sclerosis; diabetes insipidus; muscular dystrophies; diabetes...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Vaccination Programme (23 Jun 2022)

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 relevant disease in Ireland and international best practice in relation to immunisation. The ages at which vaccines are recommended in the immunisation schedule are chosen by the NIAC in order to give each child...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Alcohol Pricing (23 Jun 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: Draft regulations under section 12 of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act must be assessed by the European Commission as to whether they are in alignment with Single Market principles. Subject to the consequences of that assessment there will be a three-year lead-in time after the Regulations have been finalised so that businesses will have time to prepare for and certainty to make the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (23 Jun 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: The HSE's funding for 2023 has not yet been allocated, therefore the level of funding available for Long COVID in 2023 has not yet been determined. Proposals in relation to Long COVID and the associated funding requirements will fall to be considered by my Department as part of the annual Estimates process later this year.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointments Status (23 Jun 2022)

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: Medicinal Products (23 Jun 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: General Practitioner Services (23 Jun 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: GPs contracted under the General Medical Services Scheme are required by their contract to make suitable arrangements to enable contact to be made with them, or a locum or deputy, for emergencies outside of normal practice hours. While there is no obligation on GPs to participate in GP out of hours co-operatives as a means of meeting the contractual requirement, most GPs do so as such...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff (23 Jun 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: The temporary Covid Special Leave with Pay scheme for all Public Servants is due to cease on 1 July 2022. From 1 July 2022 it is intended that Special Leave with Pay will only apply to new cases for the period of COVID-19 self-isolation. I believe that a special pay arrangement is merited for frontline public healthcare workers unfit for work for long periods post COVID-19 infection and...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (23 Jun 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: It is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. While significant work continues to positively impact on waiting times and improve pathways to elective care, acute hospitals have been impacted by operational challenges arising from surges in cases related to the Omicron variants. The HSE has confirmed to the Department...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (28 Jun 2022)

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: Appointments to State Boards (28 Jun 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: The Departments of Health and Finance invited expressions of interest from suitably qualified and experienced medical practitioners interested in being appointed as a member of the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal.  The extended closing date for applications was 29 April, 2022.  Three expressions of interest were originally received, with two agreeing to go forward to the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (28 Jun 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 742, 743, 795 and 819 together. COVID-19 is a new disease and information on it, its features, incidence, and course are still emerging. My Department and the HSE, continue to review new evidence, research, and data on all aspects of COVID-19 including Long COVID, as it emerges to ensure care is in place for all who need it. The HSE has developed and is...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (28 Jun 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: There has been a clear national commitment to continue to learn from the pandemic and where necessary to ensure that the public health-led approach evolves, as evidence and learning materialises. The Taoiseach has indicated that a comprehensive evaluation of how the country managed COVID-19 will provide an opportunity to learn lessons from our experiences in dealing with a pandemic over...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Departmental Schemes (28 Jun 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: The Long-Term Illness (LTI) scheme was established under Section 59(3) of the Health Act 1970 (as amended). Regulations were made in 1971, 1973 and 1975, prescribing 16 illnesses covered by the scheme. These are: acute leukaemia; mental handicap; cerebral palsy; mental illness (in a person under 16); cystic fibrosis; multiple sclerosis; diabetes insipidus; muscular dystrophies; diabetes...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Staff (28 Jun 2022)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Departmental Priorities (28 Jun 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: I can advise the Deputy that there are no specific proposals within my Department at present for the development of a scheme of financial assistance for parents  in the circumstances referred to by the Deputy.  However, under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, administered by the Department of Social Protection, a person may be eligible to apply for an Exceptional...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Charges (28 Jun 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: I am aware that hospitals that charge parking fees are very cognisant of the financial implications of parking costs for patients and their families, particularly for those with long-term illnesses.  Consequently, some hospitals have introduced a maximum daily fixed parking charge and reduced rate parking for long-term patients and visitors for whom the payment of the full rate...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Departmental Communications (28 Jun 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: Officials from my Department engage on an ongoing basis with colleagues in the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that we train enough graduates with the skills necessary to support the delivery of health and social care services and to develop a strategic approach to workforce planning for the health sector....