Results 39,781-39,800 of 49,836 for speaker:Stephen Donnelly

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (20 Sep 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 Overcrowding (21 Sep 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: Urgent and Emergency Care (UEC) pressures are now experienced throughout the year. A new, two-fold approach to UEC planning is being implemented in response to the changing demands:The delivery of an operational plan for UEC for 2023, approved by Government in July,and a 3-year UEC Plan, expected to be submitted to Government in Autumn. In spite of growing demand, Cork University...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Dental Services (21 Sep 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: The Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) provides dental care, free of charge, to medical card holders aged 16 and over. Since May 1st 2022, there has been additional prevention treatments included and a 40-60% increase in fees across most treatment items. Fees paid to dentists for DTSS care are aligned with other European countries which provide comparable public dental care, noting...

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Treatment Purchase Fund (21 Sep 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: The latest hospital activity figures published by the HSE shows that the health service is treating significantly more patients than previously. The most recently available 12 months of data to May 2023, shows there were 3.5 million outpatient and c.1.8 million inpatient / day case attendances. In addition to this planned care, our hospital system also treated c.1.7 million patients during...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Qualifications Recognition (21 Sep 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 14 and 68 together. CORU is Ireland’s multi-profession health and social care regulator. Its role is to protect the public and one of the ways this is achieved is through the systems that are in place to verify qualifications – both within and outside the State. Only professional qualifications awarded within the State can be accredited by CORU...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Departmental Expenditure (21 Sep 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: The HSE monthly financial performance reports (excluding Disability Services expenditure transferred to D/CEDIY) show a HSE Current deficit at end-June of €642 million (6.8%), comprising Core €576 million (6.2%) and COVID €66 million (26.9%). In respect of the vote position (cash position), figures to end June show the Health Vote at end-June was €220 million...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Staff (21 Sep 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: The Framework for Safe Nurse Staffing and Skill Mix is an evidence-based approach to determining nurse staffing levels that puts safety and patient needs first, focusing on delivering positive patient outcomes. The Framework is national policy in Adult General and Specialist Medical and Surgical wards since 2018 and in Emergency Care Settings since 2022. The Framework’s implementation...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Service Executive (21 Sep 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: The State Claims Agency (SCA) has a statutory remit to manage personal injury claims on behalf of Delegated State Authorities including the Health Service Executive. The SCA has provided this information on compensation payments which includes both general damages and special damages. The payments are in respect of both the clinical indemnity scheme as well as the public liability scheme.In...

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Treatment Purchase Fund (21 Sep 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: The Minister for Health and this Government acknowledge that many patients including children are waiting far too long for scheduled appointments and procedures. Waiting times were already too long and deteriorated during the Covid-19 pandemic. On the 7thof March, the Minister published the 2023 Waiting List Action Plan, which is the latest stage of a new multi-annual approach to sustainably...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (21 Sep 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: As the Deputy will be aware all doctors wishing to practice in Ireland must be registered with the Medical Council. The Council is keen to support the HSE in its international recruitment of doctors. The two organisations are working closely to ensure that registration information is given to successful candidates at an early stage of recruitment and that appropriate resources are deployed to...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Staff (21 Sep 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: The HSE has advised that €5.2m funding has been approved for the three Mid-West Medical Assessment Units. This funding has secured the already extended weekend service at Ennis Hospital. It allows for Medical Assessment Units at St John’s and Nenagh to open seven days per week. Recruitment is ongoing for an additional 51.45 Whole-Time Equivalent vacancies. This includes...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Primary Care Centres (21 Sep 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: A central objective of the Programme for Government is to deliver increased levels of integrated health care with service delivery reoriented towards general practice, primary care and community-based services. Primary Care Centres (PCCs) play an essential role in the delivery of that objective. These modern, purpose-designed buildings provide a single location for a primary care team to...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Aids and Appliances (21 Sep 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: The Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for reimbursement decisions, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. The Long Term Illness scheme was established under Section 59(3) of the Health Act 1970 (as amended). Regulations were made prescribing 16 illnesses covered by the scheme, including diabetes. Under the scheme, patients...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff (21 Sep 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: The Department of Health is aware of the challenges for Northern Ireland Medical School graduates meeting deadlines for Internship in Republic of Ireland. There has been ongoing engagement with the HSE, Medical Council and Northern Ireland universities to address these issues. The Internship recruitment process is managed through a single, national, annual recruitment campaign. A central...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (21 Sep 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: I sincerely regret that children can experience a long waiting time for scoliosis treatment, and I remain conscious of the burden that this places on them and their families. Scoliosis and Spina Bifida have been identified as priority areas in both the 2022 and 2023 Waiting List Action Plans. Last year some €19 million of current and capital funding was committed to tackle these...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Abortion Services (21 Sep 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: Safe Access Zones legislation was prioritised for publication in the Government’s Summer legislative programme, and a Bill was published at the end of June. This Bill was initiated in the Houses in early July and is currently at Second Stage in Dail Eireann. Subject to the Parliamentary timetable it is my intention to progress this legislation through the Houses as expeditiously as...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Emergency Departments (21 Sep 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: The Emergency Department Taskforce (EDTF) is an advisory body comprising representatives from the HSE, Department of Health, staff representative organisations, practitioners and patient representatives, and is co-chaired by the INMO and the HSE. The EDTF last met on the 18th of September 2023. The Minister was invited to, and attended, this meeting. The date of the next meeting of the EDTF...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Healthcare Infrastructure Provision (21 Sep 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: In June of this year, Minister Harris and I announced a number of options to expand third level places for healthcare. A report by the Higher Education Authority found, with investment, an additional 63 Dentists could potentially be trained annually. This expansion is being considered in the context of the Budget/Estimates Processes and National Development Plan review.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Overcrowding (21 Sep 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 37, 38 and 39 together. Urgent and Emergency Care pressures are no longer just experienced during winter periods. Prolonged levels of high presentations and congestion now occur throughout the year. While significant investment has been driven through Winter Planning and National Service Plans over the past three years, a new approach to Urgent and Emergency...

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Children's Hospital (21 Sep 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: The timely completion of the New Children’s Hospital (NCH) is a Government priority. Everything possible is being done to ensure the project is completed as soon as possible on behalf of children, young people and their families. Works are progressing on the main site, with the construction and equipping phase now over 90% complete against contract value. The major focus of 2023...