Results 48,941-48,960 of 49,836 for speaker:Stephen Donnelly

Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee and Remaining Stages (23 Oct 2024)

Stephen Donnelly: I thank the Deputy. We have probably discussed this aspect on a few occasions in the context of this Bill. The 6% rate was a recommendation from the Health Insurance Authority. A report was done and a range recommended between 5.5% and 8.6%. The 6%, therefore, is right down at the lower end of the range. The Deputy's question is a very fair one, why not bring it down further. The report...

Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee and Remaining Stages (23 Oct 2024)

Stephen Donnelly: I thank the Deputy for that contribution. If we were to move the margin down to zero, any sector would then fold up its tent.

Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee and Remaining Stages (23 Oct 2024)

Stephen Donnelly: I think there are two sides to this point. As discussed earlier, there is the side where we have people in Ireland who have health insurance out of fear. Everything we have been doing for the past four and a half years has been to move away from that and provide a public health service we can be incredibly proud of and that gives people brilliant care when they need it. At a simple level,...

Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee and Remaining Stages (23 Oct 2024)

Stephen Donnelly: I think there will always be private hospitals. To be honest, from a public healthcare perspective it can be useful to be able to dip into additional capacity from time to time when it is needed and if there is a shortage. However, it should be the exception rather than the rule. I hear what the Deputy is saying but I do not agree with the Deputy's language. It is a little unfair. I...

Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee and Remaining Stages (23 Oct 2024)

Stephen Donnelly: The people I have met at the VHI are doing their very best to try to provide the best possible care.

Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee and Remaining Stages (23 Oct 2024)

Stephen Donnelly: I move amendment No. 8: In page 3, line 14, to delete “Principal Act” and substitute “Act of 1994”.

Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee and Remaining Stages (23 Oct 2024)

Stephen Donnelly: I move amendment No. 9: In page 4, line 32, to delete “Principal Act” and substitute “Act of 1994”.

Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee and Remaining Stages (23 Oct 2024)

Stephen Donnelly: I move amendment No. 10: In page 4, line 35, to delete “Principal Act” and substitute “Act of 1994”.

Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2024: Committee and Remaining Stages (23 Oct 2024)

Stephen Donnelly: I move amendment No. 11: In page 3, to delete lines 5 to 9 and substitute the following: “An Act to provide for the making available for supply, without charge, to certain women, of certain products used to alleviate the symptoms of menopause; and, for that purpose, to amend the Health Act 1970 and the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013; to amend the Health...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Cards (22 Oct 2024)

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 (as amended). The HSE assesses each medical card application on a qualifying financial threshold. This is the amount of money that an individual can earn a week and still qualify for a card. It is specific to the individual’s own financial...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Pension Provisions (22 Oct 2024)

Stephen Donnelly: As this is a matter for the HSE, the HSE has been asked to respond directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Departmental Data (22 Oct 2024)

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: General Practitioner Services (22 Oct 2024)

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 Charges (22 Oct 2024)

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 Staff (22 Oct 2024)

Stephen Donnelly: There has been an unprecedented level of investment by this Government in the health service workforce in recent years, with the growth in the number of staff recruited in 2023 being the highest since the foundation of the HSE As of August 2024, there were 27,901 more staff working in our health service than there were at the beginning of 2020. That’s a 23% increase which includes...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointments Status (22 Oct 2024)

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: Medical Cards (22 Oct 2024)

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: Medical Aids and Appliances (22 Oct 2024)

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: National Children's Hospital (22 Oct 2024)

Stephen Donnelly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 683 to 685, inclusive, together. The New Children’s Hospital project remains the most significant capital investment programme undertaken in the healthcare system in Ireland. It will provide world-class, state of the art facilities where our healthcare professionals will deliver optimal care, leading to better health outcomes for all. This is a...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products (22 Oct 2024)

Stephen Donnelly: Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on the pricing and reimbursement of medicines; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.