Results 48,961-48,980 of 49,836 for speaker:Stephen Donnelly

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff (22 Oct 2024)

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

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

Stephen Donnelly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 690 and 691 together. As our health system faces into what is traditionally the most challenging periods of the year, I would like to assure the deputy that every measure is being taken to ensure the smooth running of our hospitals over the winter period including Naas General Hospital and the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise. We are making progress in...

Written Answers — Department of Health: General Practitioner Services (22 Oct 2024)

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. The Government is actively working to increase the number of GPs practising in the State and thereby improve access to GP services for all...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (22 Oct 2024)

Stephen Donnelly: It is acknowledged that many patients are still waiting too long for hospital appointments and treatments. I am conscious of the burden this places on patients and their families. To address the issue, I adopted a multi-annual approach through a series of Waiting List Action Plans. Commencing in late 2021, these plans encompass short-term actions to increase capacity and activity in the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Vaccination Programme (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: Cancer Services (22 Oct 2024)

Stephen Donnelly: In Budget 2025, I have secured €23 million for the National Cancer Strategy. This will deliver additional staff to screening and treatment services, expansion of existing screening programmes, and funding for community cancer supports. Since its publication in 2017, over €105 million new development funding has been allocated to the National Cancer Strategy for cancer...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Insurance Coverage (22 Oct 2024)

Stephen Donnelly: Ireland has a voluntary community rated private health insurance market. One of its key principles is minimum benefit, whereby insurers are required, under the Health Insurance Act 1994 (Minimum Benefit) Regulations 1996, to offer a minimum level of cover in every insurance policy. This approach ensures that all consumers obtain an appropriate minimum level of health insurance cover,...

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: 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.

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

Stephen Donnelly: Under the Health Act 1970, eligibility for a medical card is based primarily on means. The Act obliges the HSE to assess whether a person is unable, without undue hardship, to arrange general practitioner services for himself or herself and his or her family, having regard to his or her overall financial position and reasonable expenditure. The issue of granting medical or GP visit cards...

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

Stephen Donnelly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 701 and 710 together. As the Deputy will recall, I met the Deputy and representatives from the Irish Lung Fibrosis Association to discuss their pre-budget submission to the Department of Health in September this year. As part of Budget 2025, I was delighted to be able to provide funding of €0.5m for lung fibrosis. Officials in my Department are...

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

Stephen Donnelly: I fully acknowledge the distress and inconvenience for patients and their families when hospital appointments and procedures are cancelled. While every effort is made to avoid cancellations or postponements, they can happen for a variety of reasons, including capacity issues due to increased scheduled and unscheduled care demand, and unforeseen circumstances that may impact a service. ...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Service Executive (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 Strategies (22 Oct 2024)

Stephen Donnelly: As this is a service issue, 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: Hospital Facilities (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: Healthcare Policy (22 Oct 2024)

Stephen Donnelly: I have secured funding of €0.5 million for Lung Fibrosis initiatives as part of Budget 2025. The specifics of the allocation of this funding are currently being worked on as part of the preparation of the HSE’s National Service Plan for 2025 (NSP 2025).

Written Answers — Department of Health: Healthcare Policy (22 Oct 2024)

Stephen Donnelly: I have secured funding of €0.5 million for Lung Fibrosis initiatives as part of Budget 2025. The specifics of the allocation of this funding are currently being worked on as part of the preparation of the HSE’s National Service Plan for 2025 (NSP 2025).

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Complaints Procedures (22 Oct 2024)

Stephen Donnelly: The Medical Council has seen a rise in the number of serious cases it is dealing with in recent years. This in turn has resulted in an increase in the number of referrals to Fitness to Practise, as well as an increase in the number of cases considered pursuant to section 60 of the Medical Practitioners Act 2007, (i.e. cases where the Council must consider whether to make an application to...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health 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.