Results 59,481-59,500 of 74,100 for speaker:Bernard Durkan

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products (2 Dec 2020)

Bernard Durkan: 164. To ask the Minister for Health the reason melatonin was previously available to a person (details supplied) and now appears to be no longer available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40628/20]

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Investment Limited Partnerships (Amendment) Bill 2020 [Seanad]: Committee Stage (2 Dec 2020)

Bernard Durkan: On the same issue, the Minister of State has given a good explanation as to the controlling entities and the degree to which they will be visible to the general public, to possible investors and so on. Could two or more entities separate their visible contacts while still maintaining a beneficial interest in the operation and control of the overall policy thereof? In other words, could two...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Investment Limited Partnerships (Amendment) Bill 2020 [Seanad]: Committee Stage (2 Dec 2020)

Bernard Durkan: Is the Minister of State satisfied that, insofar as is possible, this legislation gives total and adequate protection to the consumers and investors? Is he satisfied that the necessary alarms are in place should there be a need to invoke other powers such as the Central Bank? In the past, we have sometimes had occasion to comment unfavourably on the lack of alacrity with which some of the...

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 38 - Department of Health (Supplementary) (2 Dec 2020)

Bernard Durkan: When will it be possible to conclude discussions with a view to making an offer that will at least ease the tension in the system at present?

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 38 - Department of Health (Supplementary) (2 Dec 2020)

Bernard Durkan: The consultant-----

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 38 - Department of Health (Supplementary) (2 Dec 2020)

Bernard Durkan: Yes, and public health doctors.

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 38 - Department of Health (Supplementary) (2 Dec 2020)

Bernard Durkan: As quickly as possible is a bit too loose for what I had in mind and I believe the Minister would say the same thing if he were sitting here. I know how the health system works. Every year we all strive to achieve particular targets and invariably fall slightly short. Given that other negotiations are taking place which may or may not have knock-on effects - some in the health service say...

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 38 - Department of Health (Supplementary) (2 Dec 2020)

Bernard Durkan: Does the Minister mean July 2020?

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 38 - Department of Health (Supplementary) (2 Dec 2020)

Bernard Durkan: I have several questions and I want to try to move through them as quickly as possible. The Minister referred to different vaccines for different people. I realise that the Government has had to indemnify the producers in the usual way. I accept all that. Is the Minister aware of any system whereby people may be tested before vaccination for a potential reaction or side effects?

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 38 - Department of Health (Supplementary) (2 Dec 2020)

Bernard Durkan: Presumably, the distribution of the vaccines will flow in the way that has been outlined by my colleague, in line with the requirements, whatever they may be. There should not be glitches appearing mid-stream giving rise to questions being asked about why this happened. I trust that is all being provided for. Does the Minister believe that the provisions in respect of the winter plan...

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 38 - Department of Health (Supplementary) (2 Dec 2020)

Bernard Durkan: Is it true, as has been referred to already, that several people have been tentatively identified as being future employment prospects in the health service, and that they have not been approved or that they are pending? Has any thought been given to non-binding temporary appointments that could be carried forward to the future and approved or not, as the case may be? Can that be done in...

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 38 - Department of Health (Supplementary) (2 Dec 2020)

Bernard Durkan: Is it being done?

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 38 - Department of Health (Supplementary) (2 Dec 2020)

Bernard Durkan: So what is the status of the appointments? Are they temporary whole-time, temporary part-time or just temporary?

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 38 - Department of Health (Supplementary) (2 Dec 2020)

Bernard Durkan: Correct. Are there posts waiting to be filled at the present time that could be filled on a temporary basis?

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 38 - Department of Health (Supplementary) (2 Dec 2020)

Bernard Durkan: Could that and will that be done in order to address deficiencies in the labour force, for the want of a better description, in the short term?

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 38 - Department of Health (Supplementary) (2 Dec 2020)

Bernard Durkan: When consideration is being given to the possibility of agency staff or temporary, whole-time or part-time staff, is the advice towards the appointment of the temporary staff, as opposed to the agency staff? Which is it?

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 38 - Department of Health (Supplementary) (2 Dec 2020)

Bernard Durkan: Yes, please. I will move on. Could I ask the Minister the extent to which Sláintecare has bedded into the system, albeit in the face of considerable other challenges? Has adequate, sufficient or anticipated progress been made in incorporating into the health service the terms of the Sláintecare report?

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 38 - Department of Health (Supplementary) (2 Dec 2020)

Bernard Durkan: I thank the Minister. I wish to ask about elective procedures, which are stockpiled at this stage to a considerable extent. Was consideration given to referring them under the treatment purchase scheme to the private hospital sector, which has been available? Some criticism has been made of the fact that it has been underutilised. To what extent, if at all, has it been utilised? To what...

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2020
Vote 38 - Department of Health (Supplementary) (2 Dec 2020)

Bernard Durkan: So they should be contract out quickly. I thank the Minister. Scoliosis was raised earlier. For parents with a child awaiting scoliosis procedures, a month is a long time and a year is an awful long time. In some cases, the wait has gone on far longer, which is interminable and unacceptable. I ask that the Minister put in place some emergency measures, whether outsourcing to the...

Finance Bill 2020: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (3 Dec 2020)

Bernard Durkan: Like other speakers, I welcome this important provision in the Finance Bill and congratulate the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, and my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Heydon, for the work that they put into it. It is long overdue and, as other speakers have pointed out, there is still more to be done, especially the updates to machinery that are simple to apply and do not take even a day...