Results 7,161-7,180 of 11,572 for speaker:Mary Butler

Written Answers — Department of Health: Home Care Packages (20 Sep 2022)

Mary Butler: As this is an operational 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 (20 Sep 2022)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Mental Health Services (20 Sep 2022)

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

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Mental Health Services (21 Sep 2022)

Mary Butler: I thank the Senator for raising this important matter. As some Members will be aware, the Mental Health Commission has made the decision to put a restriction on the registration of the mental health care and recovery approved centre in Bantry General Hospital, given its concerns over the size of residents' bedrooms in the centre. I will touch on Bantry General Hospital. I visited it three...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Mental Health Services (21 Sep 2022)

Mary Butler: I thank the Senator for the way he has addressed this issue. I am conscious that the centre is home for many of the residents in Bantry. As I have said, in CHO 4 the chief officer and the area lead for mental health have put in place a comprehensive plan, which I have seen, in relation to capital projects across counties Cork and Kerry. That is the first point. The plan is being given...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Medical Cards (21 Sep 2022)

Mary Butler: I thank the Senator for raising this matter. I am responding on behalf of the Minister for Health, but can I just say that from my own perspective, as Minister of State with responsibility for older people, I am of the view that the rent-a-room scheme is invaluable in light of the challenges we have in the context of accommodation and the pressures that exist. It is also invaluable from the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Medical Cards (21 Sep 2022)

Mary Butler: I again thank the Senator for raising the issue and will take on board the points she made, which I will feed back to the Minister. As she will be aware, persons aged 70 or older are assessed under the over-70s medical card income thresholds, which are based on gross income. Income from the rent-a-room scheme is not currently exempt from the medical card assessment process. This issue not...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Assisted Human Reproduction (21 Sep 2022)

Mary Butler: I thank the Senator for giving me, on behalf of the Minister for Health, this opportunity to inform the House on the progress made to date in respect of introducing the regulation of international surrogacy. I acknowledge, and thank her for, all the work she has done in regard to surrogacy. The undertaking of surrogacy arrangements in other jurisdictions raises complex ethical questions...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Assisted Human Reproduction (21 Sep 2022)

Mary Butler: I thank the Senator for sharing her personal experience. I can understand her upset and frustration. It must be borne in mind, however, that policy and legislative proposals that may arise following the completion of the Department's examination of the committee's recommendation will require consideration and approval by Government. The Senator will be aware that, overall, there are...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Rail Network (21 Sep 2022)

Mary Butler: I thank both Senators. In fairness, the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, is currently in the Dáil taking a Private Members' motion on the cost-of living challenges and different issues. He was in situas I was leaving the Dáil Chamber. On behalf of the Minister for Transport, I thank the Senators for the opportunity to address the issue before the House. It is not my area of...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Rail Network (21 Sep 2022)

Mary Butler: On behalf of the Minister for Transport, I thank both Senators for their comments and interest in the important issue of rail infrastructure concerning their counties of Wexford and Wicklow. If we are serious about climate change, rail infrastructure must be important. I have further news. Iarnród Éireann has been monitoring this line and the effects of coastal erosion on it for...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Dental Services (21 Sep 2022)

Mary Butler: I thank the Deputy for raising the issue of access to dental treatment for medical card holders. She is right, and there is nothing she has said with which I could disagree. It is the same in every constituency office and the situation is difficult the length and breadth of the country, more so in some areas than others. Swords in north County Dublin has a large population. I am taking...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Dental Services (21 Sep 2022)

Mary Butler: As I mentioned, additional funding has been provided to resolve the current problems with accessing the dental treatment services scheme. The preventive scale and polish, which has been reintroduced, is being accessed by patients. However, the Minister and the Government recognise that the current model of provision of oral healthcare is in need of fundamental reform. I think we all agree...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Childcare Services (21 Sep 2022)

Mary Butler: I thank Deputy Richmond for raising this really important issue and offering the opportunity to respond. The biggest issue anybody with young children will deal with is trying to make sure they are well cared for and looked after before and after school. On 15 September, the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth launched Together for Better, which is the new...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Childcare Services (21 Sep 2022)

Mary Butler: I listened intently to what the Deputy said. The one thing we have to consider is that this is a voluntary scheme. Some 90% of providers overall have signed up to it but, as the Deputy said, it varies from 81% in some areas to 100% in others. There are positives here in that there is a total annual budget of €221 million to support the childcare sector. This includes €138...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Sep 2022)

Mary Butler: I thank the Deputy for the question. I will bring her concerns to the attention of the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, and ask him to respond to her in writing.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Sep 2022)

Mary Butler: I thank the Deputy for his constant advocacy concerning UHK. He raised the issue concerning haematology and also referred to an isolator for chemotherapy. It would be helpful if he could put this information into an email and I will ask the Minister for Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, to respond directly. Three or four issues were raised, but I do not have details available here on the...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (21 Sep 2022)

Mary Butler: I think there is some confusion here. Personalised budgets are only facilitated for people with disabilities; they are not part of the older persons' model. As we speak, 55,000 people will receive home care at a cost of €670 million annually. The tender for these services is currently up for renewal and a new call for tenders will be issued on 1 January 2023. We are considering...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Nursing Homes (21 Sep 2022)

Mary Butler: As this is an operational 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 (21 Sep 2022)

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