Results 7,261-7,280 of 21,128 for speaker:James Reilly

Written Answers — Health Service Staff: Health Service Staff (24 Jan 2012)

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

Written Answers — Assisted Human Reproduction: Assisted Human Reproduction (24 Jan 2012)

James Reilly: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that my Department is refining policy proposals to regulate the area of Assisted Human Reproduction and related practices in Ireland. I will be examining the proposals with a view to submitting them to Government later this year. With regard to surrogacy, guidance notes are being prepared on an inter-departmental basis and are due to be published shortly.

Written Answers — Hospital Waiting Lists: Hospital Waiting Lists (25 Jan 2012)

James Reilly: I am determined to address the issues which cause unacceptable delays in patients receiving treatment in our hospitals. In this regard I have established the Special Delivery Unit (SDU), which will work to unblock access to acute services by dramatically improving the flow of patients through the system, and by streamlining waiting lists, including referrals from GPs. The SDU is working...

Written Answers — Accident and Emergency Services: Accident and Emergency Services (25 Jan 2012)

James Reilly: The Special Delivery Unit has a special focus on trolley issues. During October 2011, the SDU wrote to hospitals with the highest numbers waiting on trolleys seeking proposals aimed at reducing those numbers over the critical period of November 2011 to January 2012. A range of measures were approved across 16 hospital sites and funding of €4.85 million was allocated for the purpose with...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (25 Jan 2012)

James Reilly: In an effort to combat the dangerous levels of obesity in all age groups of the Irish population, and as one measure among many, recommended by the Special Action Group on Obesity, late in 2011 I wrote to Fast Food companies operating here in Ireland to request that they introduce calorie posting in their restaurants, on a voluntary basis immediately. A follow up letter has also issued and...

Written Answers — Hospital Waiting Lists: Hospital Waiting Lists (25 Jan 2012)

James Reilly: I am determined to address the issues which cause unacceptable delays in patients receiving treatment in our hospitals. In this regard I have established the Special Delivery Unit (SDU), which will work to unblock access to acute services by dramatically improving the flow of patients through the system, and by streamlining waiting lists, including referrals from GPs. The SDU is working...

Written Answers — Hospital Services: Hospital Services (25 Jan 2012)

James Reilly: As the Deputy was informed by the HSE in November 2011, it was initially anticipated that upgrading of the existing Radiology system in the Galway University Hospitals Group would take place in January 2012 with the subsequent implementation of a remote access system in Roscommon in February 2012. Due to technical difficulties, the project has been delayed by a number of weeks and it is...

Written Answers — Hospital Services: Hospital Services (25 Jan 2012)

James Reilly: I am determined to address the issues which cause unacceptable delays in patients receiving treatment in our hospitals. In this regard I have established the Special Delivery Unit (SDU), which will work to unblock access to acute services by dramatically improving the flow of patients through the system, and by streamlining waiting lists, including referrals from GPs. The SDU is working...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (25 Jan 2012)

James Reilly: The functions of State agencies under the remit of my Department are primarily set out in statute. Part of the statutory requirement is that annual business/service plans are submitted to the Department for approval. These service plans are monitored on an ongoing basis. For those agencies funded by my Department, annual income and expenditure profiles are approved, monitored and controlled...

Written Answers — Health Service Staff: Health Service Staff (26 Jan 2012)

James Reilly: The moratorium on recruitment was introduced in late March 2009 and was incorporated into the Employment Control Framework (ECF) for the health sector for 2009. The ECF provided an exemption for a number of grades which had been prioritised by Government. The Framework also provides for the filling of exceptional posts in order to protect frontline services in so far as possible while still...

Written Answers — Health Service Staff: Health Service Staff (26 Jan 2012)

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

Written Answers — Health Insurance: Health Insurance (26 Jan 2012)

James Reilly: I am concerned that private health insurance is becoming harder to afford, especially for older people, as insurers increasingly tailor their insurance plans towards younger, healthier customers. Under Universal Health Insurance, everyone will be insured for health care and the current unfair discrimination between public and private patients will be removed. In the meantime, I am focusing on...

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (26 Jan 2012)

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

Written Answers — Hospital Services: Hospital Services (26 Jan 2012)

James Reilly: I am determined to address the issues which cause unacceptable delays in patients receiving treatment in our hospitals. In this regard I have established the Special Delivery Unit (SDU), which will work to unblock access to acute services by dramatically improving the flow of patients through the system, and by streamlining waiting lists, including referrals from GPs. The SDU is working...

Written Answers — Health Service Staff: Health Service Staff (26 Jan 2012)

James Reilly: 6153I propose to take Questions Nos. 211 and 212 together. The Health and Social Care Professionals Council was established in March 2007 to implement the Health and Social Care Professionals Act, 2005. The Act provides for the establishment of a system of statutory registration for twelve health and social care professions including podiatrists. It will apply to the designated professions...

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (26 Jan 2012)

James Reilly: 1In the context of my Special Advisor reducing his work commitment from full time to one-third time, I am currently engaged in discussions with my colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform about the appointment of a second Special Advisor on a two-thirds time basis. These discussions, which have yet to be finalised, include consideration of an appropriate salary level. The...

Written Answers — Accident and Emergency Services: Accident and Emergency Services (26 Jan 2012)

James Reilly: 1I propose to take Questions Nos. 214 and 215 together. Immediately following my appointment I set about establishing the Special Delivery Unit to unblock access to acute services by improving the flow of patients through the system. The SDU was established in June last year and quickly began work with the HSE to put in place a systematic approach to eliminate excessive waiting in emergency...

Written Answers — Hospital Services: Hospital Services (26 Jan 2012)

James Reilly: 1I am determined to address the issues which cause unacceptable delays in patients receiving treatment in our hospitals. In this regard I have established the Special Delivery Unit (SDU), which will work to unblock access to acute services by dramatically improving the flow of patients through the system, and by streamlining waiting lists, including referrals from GPs. The SDU is working...

Written Answers — Health Insurance: Health Insurance (26 Jan 2012)

James Reilly: 1Minimum benefit is one of the key principles on which the Irish private health insurance regulatory system is based. Minimum Benefit Regulations, made under the Health Insurance Acts, require insurers to offer a minimum benefit to every insured person. The key purpose of the Regulations is to ensure the continued availability of the type of broad hospital cover traditionally held as a...

Written Answers — Health Service Staff: Health Service Staff (26 Jan 2012)

James Reilly: The Government has determined that, in line with its commitment to reduce the size of the public service, health sector employment numbers must be reduced to approximately 102,000 in 2012. The most recent HSE data indicates that, over the two-month period to end-February 2012, some 2,100 health service staff will retire from the health service. Of this figure approximately 1,000 are nurses....