Results 6,021-6,040 of 11,565 for speaker:Mary Butler

Written Answers — Department of Health: Mental Health Services (1 Feb 2022)

Mary Butler: 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: Mental Health Services (1 Feb 2022)

Mary Butler: As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Mental Health Services (2 Feb 2022)

Mary Butler: I thank Deputy Griffin for raising this important issue. I know that I have the support of everyone in the House in working to address the challenges throughout our mental health system, in particular those arising from the report on CAMHS in south Kerry. This is a priority for me and for the Government as a whole. As Members know, the report by Dr. Seán Maskey was published last...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Mental Health Services (2 Feb 2022)

Mary Butler: I would rather not comment on that individual case but I will check it out for the Deputy and see what is the position of the review of that young child's case. I offer my sincere condolences to the family. I can only imagine what it has been like for them in the intervening five months of waiting. The Deputy is quite right that we need confidence in CAMHS both in Kerry and all over the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Health Services Staff (2 Feb 2022)

Mary Butler: I thank Deputy MacSharry for raising the matter of the recruitment of additional nurse specialists in neurology for Sligo University Hospital. The issue has come to the fore as part of a national campaign organised by the Neurological Alliance of Ireland. I could be standing where the Deputy is standing and raising the exact same issue about the south east. I compliment the alliance on...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Health Services Staff (2 Feb 2022)

Mary Butler: I appreciate the Deputy's contribution on the neurological service at Sligo University Hospital. I can read a script here and read out the commitment to the national clinical programme for neurology, to meeting the needs of patients, as illustrated by the proposed appointment of a third consultant neurologist to help fulfil the neurology care needs of the population of the north west, but it...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Job Losses (2 Feb 2022)

Mary Butler: I thank all of the Deputies. I apologise for the Minister of State, Deputy Troy, who was not available this morning. I will start by acknowledging that this is an extremely difficult and stressful time for the workers of B. Braun and their families. The firm was a significant source of employment for Sligo and this news will have struck a heavy blow to the community there. I understand...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Job Losses (2 Feb 2022)

Mary Butler: I thank all the Deputies who intervened today. I very much share their concern about the impact of this announcement. In any area, the loss of 80 jobs is a massive blow to staff and the local community and will have knock-on effects on families. IDA Ireland and B. Braun will collaboratively seek a buyer for the company’s site. I am hopeful that, given its size and location, it will...

Cancer Care: Motion [Private Members] (2 Feb 2022)

Mary Butler: I thank Deputies Shortall and Murphy and their colleagues for tabling the motion. It is a welcome opportunity to discuss what is set out in it. The Deputy is quite right that every three minutes somebody gets that call. Unfortunately, mine was one of the families that got the call 15 months ago when my husband was diagnosed with cancer. Thankfully, he has come through it so far. I...

Easing of Covid-19 Restrictions: Statements (2 Feb 2022)

Mary Butler: The past two years have been hugely challenging for our public services, our health system and the people of Ireland. I would like to acknowledge the enormous and continuing contributions made by our health and social care staff in providing vital services across the country during the pandemic. As the Minister of State, Deputy Feighan, outlined, the current outlook remains positive and...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Nursing Homes (2 Feb 2022)

Mary Butler: I propose to take Questions Nos. 128 and 129 together. The Nursing Homes Support Scheme (Amendment) Act 2021, which was signed into law on 22 July 2021, introduced further safeguards into the NHSS to further protect the viability and sustainability of family farms and businesses. It also includes an amendment in relation to applying the 3-year cap to the proceeds of sale of a house while a...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Mental Health Services (2 Feb 2022)

Mary Butler: I propose to take Questions Nos. 160 and 161 together. The report on Child and Adolescent Mental Health services in South Kerry has been considered locally and nationally by the HSE. It has acknowledged the systemic failures that occurred over a sustained period of time and accepted the recommendations. There were many contributory factors that led to this catalogue of failures,...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (3 Feb 2022)

Mary Butler: I thank the Deputy for raising that issue. We have spoken about it previously. The Government has provided, both last year and this year, €666 million for home care. That is a phenomenal amount of money. It is a huge increase and is very welcome. In 2021, we managed to deliver 2.7 million more hours than in 2020, with 55,000 people receiving home care supports. My problem, at...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Mental Health Services (3 Feb 2022)

Mary Butler: I thank Senator Cassells so much for raising this issue in the Seanad. It is a hugely importantly issue. I have consistently sought the reinstatement of a national director for mental health post in the HSE since coming into my post a year and a half ago. The previous mental health strategy, A Vision for Change, recommended that a national mental health director be established under the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Mental Health Services (3 Feb 2022)

Mary Butler: The rationale provided at the time for the restructuring of these posts was to enhance integration. I have no problem with enhanced integration across care groups, which is of course required. We want to take the stigma away from mental health. I can understand the rationale. However, because of where we are today in 2022, there is an ongoing need for a dedicated focus on mental health...