Results 4,181-4,200 of 11,979 for speaker:Billy Kelleher

Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second Stage (30 Jan 2013)

Billy Kelleher: It was the first time I ever heard about a benchmark position whereby the Minister decided 13 weeks would be the benchmark.

Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second Stage (30 Jan 2013)

Billy Kelleher: Talk about inventing lists he knew he could easily get rid of. A period of 13 weeks was never the benchmark in the first place in respect of waiting for that procedure.

Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second Stage (30 Jan 2013)

Billy Kelleher: I am trying to point out that in terms of the delivery of health care in this country, a lot has been said but, unfortunately, a lot of things said are now being unravelled completely. Eligibility for medical cards must be addressed urgently.

Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second Stage (30 Jan 2013)

Billy Kelleher: The service plan for this year is very light where last year's plan was far more detailed. The reason more people have medical cards is because more people qualify on the basis of financial need. It is not because the Minister or the HSE are more generous in granting medical cards. These people are getting them by right based on a means test. What is happening in the meantime is that...

Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second Stage (30 Jan 2013)

Billy Kelleher: They are being denied them. That is the point I am making. That is a key area that needs to be addressed because it is not working. Another man who came to me recently is on chemotherapy and had undergone surgery for bowel cancer. He cannot get a medical card. I know well that he is not a very wealthy man. He is on little more than a social welfare payment and an occupational pension...

Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second Stage (30 Jan 2013)

Billy Kelleher: I do not want to argue with the Deputy across the floor, but, as Chairman of the Joint Committee on Health and Children, he should know the reason for the increase in the number of medical cards. It has increased because applicants are qualifying for them on financial grounds. However, they are being denied on medical grounds. That is the key issue I am trying to raise. I have raised it...

Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second Stage (30 Jan 2013)

Billy Kelleher: I am getting confused by all the Chairs around here. We will, of course, examine the Bill in finer detail on Committee Stage. It provides for the abolition of the board and the CEO structure which will be replaced by a system of directorates headed by a director general. The Minister has outlined his decision, although he has not necessarily outlined the logic behind it. This directorate...

Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second Stage (30 Jan 2013)

Billy Kelleher: The Minister claimed that logistical logarithmic progression had been used to determine the location of primary care centres in Balbriggan and Swords. I have yet to see that logistical logarithmic theory in writing. We have submitted Dáil questions and freedom of information requests on the matter, but we are no closer to finding out the theorem according to the Minister....

Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second Stage (30 Jan 2013)

Billy Kelleher: It is clear that the HSE and those who were statutorily responsible for the decision-making process were unsure about where the funding would come from. In fact, they were unaware of the decisions made until they read the press releases from the Ministers for the Environment, Community and Local Government and Public Expenditure and Reform in local newspapers one month in advance of the...

Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second Stage (30 Jan 2013)

Billy Kelleher: The record is clear. The documents released in response to the freedom of information request made by RTE clearly state the Minister insisted on the projects being accelerated.

Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second Stage (30 Jan 2013)

Billy Kelleher: The Minister has not yet explained why he decided they should be accelerated over and above any other project.

Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second Stage (30 Jan 2013)

Billy Kelleher: The Minister made a complete change in regard to his commitments to Roscommon, Navan and many other hospitals. Why were they prioritised over others and why did he do a complete volte-face with regard to hospitals on which he had given clear funding commitments?

Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second Stage (30 Jan 2013)

Billy Kelleher: They are very relevant because we will be giving the Minister sweeping powers to interfere on a daily basis not only with policy but also its implementation. He will have control over the director general and the HSE and will be deciding where funding will be provided, on the location of primary care centres and the provision of services. I have considerable concerns about the...

Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second Stage (30 Jan 2013)

Billy Kelleher: No one said the Deputy did.

Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second Stage (30 Jan 2013)

Billy Kelleher: There is no need for the Deputy to do that because a member of his party is Minister for Health. He should be able to get the information for him.

Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second Stage (30 Jan 2013)

Billy Kelleher: There were a good few press releases.

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Arts Promotion (30 Jan 2013)

Billy Kelleher: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the practical impact and cost of the Arts in Education Charter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4481/13]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Service Staff (30 Jan 2013)

Billy Kelleher: To ask the Minister for Health the number of doctors/consultants who are on the payroll of the Health Service Executive that are currently suspended; the rate of pay they are receiving while on suspension; the length of time each of them are out on suspension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4586/13]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Energy Prices (31 Jan 2013)

Billy Kelleher: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the way he is making energy more affordable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4748/13]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Agencies (31 Jan 2013)

Billy Kelleher: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide in tabular form the number of organisations or agencies under the aegis of his Department that have vacancies on their board; the length of time any such vacancies have been unfilled; the number of vacancies that have been advertised; the number of applications to fill such vacancies that have been...