Results 30,781-30,800 of 49,836 for speaker:Stephen Donnelly

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Health Services Staff (12 Jul 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: There were various parts to this. An assessment was done in regard to the grade and the following year that was changed as part of benchmarking which led to one of the anomalies. Another anomaly relates to medical laboratory aids. The medical laboratory aids were uplifted from band 2 to band 1 under a job evaluation scheme. This led to an anomaly whereby they were paid more than medical...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Health Services Staff (12 Jul 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: There is a pressing need to hire a substantial number of additional medical scientists. The workforce stands at a little over 2,100 whole-time equivalents. However, the HSE has done an analysis of the numbers that need to be hired and projected a requirement to recruit nearly 400 this year because many replacement posts need to be filled. The HSE is estimating a need to hire 400 this year...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Emergency Departments (12 Jul 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: I assure the Deputy that no plans have been presented to me and there has been no discussion with me about any considerations to downgrade any of the services currently in operation at the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise, including the emergency department. Since 2014, the focus has been on supporting the hospital to develop and enhance management capability, implement change required...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Emergency Departments (12 Jul 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: I give the Deputy the assurance in regard to Portlaoise that nothing has been brought to me and there has been no conversation with me in the past two years about anything in Portlaoise hospital other than ongoing investment. I am fully committed to investing in the services for the people in the area, investing in staff and investing in infrastructure. As we said, more than €20...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Emergency Departments (12 Jul 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: On top of what I have already said, we can point to additional investment in the emergency department. For example, the nursing complement in the emergency department in Portlaoise, from post-pandemic to now, has increased from 28.5 whole-time equivalents to 36.5 whole-time equivalents, so not only is the service not being downgraded and not only have I had no conversations about that, in...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Emergency Departments (12 Jul 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: I fully accept that. There is an emergency department plan being put in place for every hospital. There are pressures all over the country. The influx that has been caused by Covid is immense. As we were discussing earlier, May of this year is the highest year on record for attendances to emergency departments, and I emphasise that is in May. We are planning for the winter now.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Abortion Services (12 Jul 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: It is my priority to ensure that the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 is fully implemented, and is performing as it should be, to enable all women in Ireland to access termination of pregnancy services quickly and easily, without bias or judgment. Termination of pregnancy services are free of charge to anyone who is ordinarily resident in the State. In the case of...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (12 Jul 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: I launched the 2022 Waiting List Action Plan in February following extensive engagement between my Department, the HSE and the NTPF. This Plan contains 45 actions to reduce and reform waiting lists, including ambitious targets for significantly reducing hospital scheduled care waiting lists to their lowest level in five years, as well as radically reducing waiting times. Overall,...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (12 Jul 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period. On January 19th, the Government announced a COVID-19 pandemic recognition payment for certain front-line workers in healthcare settings, to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. Following extensive engagement with healthcare unions on the matter, criteria...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Disability Services (12 Jul 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: Eligibility for a medical card is primarily based on a financial assessment which is conducted by the HSE in accordance with the Health Act 1970. Since December 2018, the medical card earnings disregard for people in receipt of Disability Allowance was increased from €120 to €427 per week. It applies to the assessment process for both single people and to family...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Healthcare Infrastructure Provision (12 Jul 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: I am pleased to confirm that the Strategic Assessment Report (SAR) for the proposed Emergency Department (ED), Women & Children’s block at University Hospital Galway has recently been submitted to my Department. The SAR is currently being reviewed to ensure that the proposals align with strategic policy considerations for the services proposed. I’d like to acknowledge...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Organ Removal (12 Jul 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: The final draft of the report will be furnished to the families affected as soon as possible once the process is complete. I wish to again express my sympathy to the bereaved families and acknowledge the distress and upset that has been caused to these families. I am aware of the paramount importance of dignity and respect for these parents who have experienced the loss of a child. ...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Disease Management (12 Jul 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: Epidermolysis bullosa is a rare, life-long genetic condition which causes fragile, blistering skin. There is no doubt that Epidermolysis Bullosa places a substantial medical, social, and financial burden on patients and carers. I fully appreciate the difficulties experienced by patients suffering from this painful condition. There are approximately 300 patients in Ireland with Epidermolysis...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Emergency Departments (12 Jul 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: As the Deputy will be aware, the HSE has proposed a process of planned service changes at Navan. The HSE advises that these changes are necessary to support safe service delivery on a sustained basis and are driven first and foremost by patient safety and very real clinical concerns. While recognising the very real clinical concerns identified, the Government is clear that several...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Abortion Services (12 Jul 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: It is my priority to ensure that the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 is fully implemented, and is performing as it should be, to enable all women in Ireland to access termination of pregnancy services quickly and easily, without bias or judgment. Termination of pregnancy services are free of charge to anyone who is ordinarily resident in the State. In the case of...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Services (12 Jul 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 106 and 121 together. Diabetes is a complex condition that can have a profound impact on the quality of life of people living with the condition. If not well managed, it can lead to debilitating complications. Management of the condition is required across the entire spectrum of healthcare delivery including self-management support as well as care...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Overcrowding (12 Jul 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: I wish to express my gratitude for the extraordinary efforts of our front-line healthcare workers, particularly during this period of increased demand on our Emergency Departments. I have requested that the HSE set out short-term immediate actions to alleviate the pressure on EDs and ensure that our hospitals are ready for winter. I also requested the development of a longer-term plan...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (12 Jul 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: The National Review of Specialist Cardiac Services commenced in January 2018 under the Chairmanship of Professor Phillip Nolan and a Steering Group formed from nominations of interested stakeholders representing medical, professional/technical staff, nursing and patient representatives. The aim of the Cardiac Services Review is to achieve optimal patient outcomes at population level with...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Dental Services (12 Jul 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: The Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) provides dental care free of charge to medical card holders aged 16 and over. I have invested an additional €26 million in the Scheme this year over and above what was spent in 2021, €40 million. This package includes an additional €10 million in Budget 2022 to expand dental health care for medical card holders and...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Primary Care Centres (12 Jul 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: Primary Care Centres are modern, purpose designed buildings providing a single point of access to health services in the community. Tullow Co. Carlow has been identified as one of the areas for the development of a new Primary Care Centre (PCC) which will also serve the local communities in Hacketstown and Rathvilly. It is planned that the new PCC will provide a broad range of...