Results 4,961-4,980 of 21,128 for speaker:James Reilly

Written Answers — Health Insurance: Health Insurance (19 Apr 2011)

James Reilly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 340 to 343, inclusive, together. The VHI continues to be exempt from prudential solvency requirements arising from a derogation under the 3rd Non-Life Directive. The Voluntary Health Insurance (Amendment) Act 2008 provided for the VHI to acquire sufficient funding in terms of its capital reserves to enable it to make an application to the Financial Regulator...

Written Answers — Smoking Ban: Smoking Ban (19 Apr 2011)

James Reilly: Currently there are no plans to introduce such a ban. My immediate priority is to introduce the legislation required for the combined text and photo warnings on tobacco products. However I am aware of such moves in Australia and will study the success of these measures within the constraints of current E.U policy.

Written Answers — Medicinal Products: Medicinal Products (19 Apr 2011)

James Reilly: Following discussion with my Department and the HSE, members of the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA) agreed a series of measures to deliver savings on drug expenditure of €200 million in 2011. Savings of €155 million are expected under the GMS and community drug schemes, €35m under the High Tech Scheme and €10m on hospital medicines. As a result, the prices of over...

Written Answers — Hospital Services: Hospital Services (19 Apr 2011)

James Reilly: Letterkenny General Hospital is categorised as a Category 2 Hospital for the purpose of public hospital charges. Private, semi private and day case charges for hospitals in this category were increased this year by between 29% and 42%. The issue of reimbursement of hospitals for private patient treatment was examined in the 'Value for Money and Policy Review of the Economic Cost and Charges...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (19 Apr 2011)

James Reilly: Between 2010 and 2011, over €2 billion in savings have been identified within the Health Sector. The 2010 Budget provided for over €600 million in pay savings, and €400 million in non-pay savings. The pay savings took account of the Government decisions on public service pay reductions, including general pay reductions, higher reductions for those on higher pay on foot of the Report...

Written Answers — National Treatment Purchase Fund: National Treatment Purchase Fund (19 Apr 2011)

James Reilly: The National Treatment Purchase Fund is responsible for arranging care for those patients who have been waiting longest for hospital treatment and for the negotiation, on behalf of the HSE, of nursing home prices under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme. The NTPF has also instituted standard national arrangements for the collection and reporting of waiting lists across 44 hospitals, through the...

Written Answers — Hospital Services: Hospital Services (19 Apr 2011)

James Reilly: The development of the new 100 bed Unit being built at St. Vincent's Hospital encompasses both in-patient and day care facilities for patients with Cystic Fibrosis. It represents a major improvement in the care of Cystic Fibrosis patients in Ireland. It is essential that all in-patients are cared for by multidisciplinary teams with special training in Cystic Fibrosis in single en suite...

Written Answers — Substance Abuse: Substance Abuse (20 Apr 2011)

James Reilly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 153 and 157 together. The level of alcohol consumption in the population coupled with the predominant pattern of "binge drinking" is a matter of significant concern. The National Substance Misuse Strategy (NSMS) Steering Group has been working to develop proposals and make recommendations to address the problems caused by alcohol misuse in Irish society. The...

Written Answers — Departmental Surveys: Departmental Surveys (20 Apr 2011)

James Reilly: My Department is currently considering how up-to-date National Health and Lifestyle Survey (SLAN) data on the adult population might be gathered taking account of the reduced resources available for such surveys. At this stage my Department is considering the requirements for a lifestyle survey to be carried out in 2012.

Written Answers — Public Sector Pay: Public Sector Pay (20 Apr 2011)

James Reilly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 155 and 166 together. I recently approved a review of the rationale for the total abolition of payments to student nurses during their 4th year pre-registration rostered placement. As part of this review, my Department has sought the views of the relevant nursing unions. The Deputies may wish to note that the review does not encompass the arrangements for...

Written Answers — Health Service Staff: Health Service Staff (20 Apr 2011)

James Reilly: The Employment Control Framework for the Health Sector 2011-2014 provides exemptions for a number of specific grades from the general moratorium on recruitment and promotion. It provides that vacant Speech and Language Therapist posts may be filled. In addition, the Framework also provides for the creation of a combined total of 380 speech & language therapist, physiotherapist and...

Written Answers — Long-Term Illness Scheme: Long-Term Illness Scheme (20 Apr 2011)

James Reilly: Under the 1970 Health Act, the Health Service Executive may arrange for the supply, without charge, of medicines and medical and surgical appliances to people with specified conditions, for the treatment of that condition, through the Long Term Illness Scheme (LTI). The LTI does not cover GP fees or hospital co-payments. The conditions are: mental handicap, mental illness (for people under...

Written Answers — Voluntary Sector Funding: Voluntary Sector Funding (20 Apr 2011)

James Reilly: Under the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP), cancer surgery and diagnosis are undergoing a process of consolidation into eight centres (and one satellite centre) while radiation oncology services are provided in a limited number of centres. Consequently, patients may need to travel for treatment. There are a number of systems of support in place for these patients through the Community...

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (20 Apr 2011)

James Reilly: As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Written Answers — Smoking Ban: Smoking Ban (20 Apr 2011)

James Reilly: The Health Service Executive is responsible for enforcing the Smoke-free at Work legislation, including the provisions relating to outdoor areas. Accordingly, it would be inappropriate for me to comment on an individual case.

Written Answers — Child Abuse: Child Abuse (20 Apr 2011)

James Reilly: Every organisation involved with children has a duty to protect the child and to safeguard them from harm. "Children First", the National Guidelines for the protection and welfare of children, provide that the Health Service Executive (HSE), as the agency with statutory responsibility, should always be notified where there are reasonable grounds for concern that a child may have been abused,...

Written Answers — National Treatment Purchase Fund: National Treatment Purchase Fund (20 Apr 2011)

James Reilly: As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (20 Apr 2011)

James Reilly: As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Written Answers — Pension Levy: Pension Levy (20 Apr 2011)

James Reilly: All staff in my Department have been liable for the pension related deduction since its introduction in March 2009. In 2010, the employment of fourteen members of staff came to an end due to retirement, expiry of contract and death in service . This figure does not include staff who left the Department during 2010, following transfer to another Department, secondment to another Department,...

Written Answers — Mental Health Services: Mental Health Services (20 Apr 2011)

James Reilly: The implementation of 'A Vision for Change' is primarily the responsibility of the Health Service Executive (HSE). In 2009, the Board of the Health Service Executive approved an Implementation Plan for 'A Vision for Change' for the period 2009 - 2013. In November 2009, the HSE also appointed an Assistant National Director as the national lead to ensure the delivery of mental health...