Results 37,101-37,120 of 49,836 for speaker:Stephen Donnelly

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff (20 Apr 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: As the Deputy may be aware, following approval by Government on 13th December 2022, I was pleased to announce €9 million in additional supports for student nurses and midwives, €5.4m of which has been allocated to the HSE to introduce an enhanced Travel and Subsistence Scheme for eligible students while attending their supernumerary clinical practice placements. The Secretary...

Written Answers — Department of Health: General Practitioner Services (20 Apr 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: The Government is committed to the extension of GP visit card eligibility to those who earn the median household income or less, as announced in Budget 2023. In total, approximately 400,000 additional individuals are estimated to become eligible under this expansion. This measure will remove the cost of accessing GP care from those for whom cost is most likely to prevent access, helping...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Strategies (20 Apr 2023)

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 (20 Apr 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: Referred to the HSE as a service matter.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products (20 Apr 2023)

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: Health Services Staff (20 Apr 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: Health and Social Care workforce planning and ensuring an appropriate pipeline of suitably qualified healthcare professionals in Ireland is a top priority for the Government. My department is committed to ensuring that there is an adequate number of health professionals to meet demand within the health service. As part of this commitment, the department is heavily invested in the ongoing...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (20 Apr 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: I can assure the Deputy that work is ongoing to integrate and co-ordinate our health and social care services, and to ensure that patients have rapid access to high-quality care in response to their needs throughout the country. With annual funding of €195 million allocated to the continued implementation of the Enhanced Community Care (ECC) Programme, for example, the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (20 Apr 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: I sincerely regret that children can experience a long waiting time for scoliosis treatment and remain conscious of the burden that this places on them and their families. Last year I approved an ambitious plan from Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) to reduce the number of children waiting for spinal orthopaedic procedures (scoliosis/spina bifida) by the year end. Some €19...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Facilities (20 Apr 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Health: General Practitioner Services (20 Apr 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: GPs are self-employed practitioners and therefore may establish practices at a place of their own choosing. There is no prescribed ratio of GPs to patients and the State does not regulate the number of GPs that can set up in a town or community. Under the GMS scheme, the HSE contracts GPs to provide medical services without charge to medical card and GP visit card holders. Currently there...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Healthcare Policy (20 Apr 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: The Government is fully committed to the to the continued delivery of Sláintecare reform and to the Sláintecare vision of a universal health and social care system where everyone has equitable access to services based on their need, and not on their ability to pay. Investment of €23.4 billion in Budget 2023 in Ireland’s Health and Social Care Services is the highest...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (20 Apr 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: The Government recognises that acute hospital scheduled care waiting lists are far too long, and that many patients are waiting an unacceptably long time for care. However, progress is being made through our new multi-annual approach to reducing and reforming hospital waiting lists and times. The 2023 Waiting List Action Plan which was published on the 7thof March is the next stage of this...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Dental Services (20 Apr 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: The Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) provides dental care, free of charge, to medical card holders aged 16 and over. Services available annually and on demand include an examination including preventative elements, two fillings, emergency extractions, and a scale and polish. More complex care, such as dentures, and a broader range of treatments for patients with additional needs and...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Cards (20 Apr 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: Medical Card provision is primarily based on financial assessment. In accordance with the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE, which assesses each application on a qualifying financial threshold. The issue of granting medical or GP visit cards based on having a particular disease or illness was previously examined in 2014 by the HSE...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Primary Care Centres (20 Apr 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: As the Health Service Executive (HSE) holds responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products (20 Apr 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: In Ireland, the Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. Reimbursement is for licensed indications which have been granted market authorisation by the European Medicines Agency or the Health Products Regulatory Authority. In line with the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (20 Apr 2023)

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 (20 Apr 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: Progressing women’s health is a priority for myself and for this Government. We made a strong commitment to Promoting Women’s Health in the Programme for Government 2020 and are fully committed to the continued development and improvement of women’s health services and to working with women and girls to improve their health and experiences of healthcare across the whole...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (20 Apr 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: My Department’s overall priority in 2023 is to progress the programme of strategic reform set out in the Programme for Government and Sláintecare so as to ensure the provision of a public health service which provides people with access to high quality, affordable care when they need it. A summary of the main priorities for 2023 in the acute hospital and community care services...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff (20 Apr 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: The Government is committed to the implementation of Regional Health Areas (RHAs), as outlined in the Programme for Government. The establishment of RHAs involves the creation of six regional organisations with full responsibility for the planning and delivery of hospital, community, and social care services within their respective areas. These new arrangements will improve the health...