Results 7,581-7,600 of 24,567 for speaker:Róisín Shortall

Nurses and Midwives Bill 2010: From the Seanad (15 Dec 2011)

Róisín Shortall: After the Bill had progressed through the Dáil and prior to its passage through the Seanad, legal advice was received on the need to include more detail on what the board may include on criteria in rules. These amendments are for clarification on this matter. Amendment No. 3 clarifies what criteria can be used for assessing applications for registration. It provides that criteria can...

Nurses and Midwives Bill 2010: From the Seanad (15 Dec 2011)

Róisín Shortall: The issue Deputy Ó Caoláin raised was very well ventilated during the passage of the Bill through both Houses. It does not fall within the scope of any of the amendments today and, therefore, I understand it is not in order to have a discussion thereon. The HSE and the Department will continue to engage with midwives. They are part of the new set-up. This is ground-breaking legislation...

Nurses and Midwives Bill 2010: From the Seanad (15 Dec 2011)

Róisín Shortall: Seanad amendments Nos. 7 and 8 are technical amendments. The term "or permitted", which is being deleted in subsection (1), was included in the Bill as published to ensure information could be disclosed in regard to the Ethics in Public Office Act 1995. After the Bill had been passed by the Dáil, but prior to its consideration in the Seanad, the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel advised...

Nurses and Midwives Bill 2010: From the Seanad (15 Dec 2011)

Róisín Shortall: This amendment removes a provision that prohibited members of the board or committee members from being members of a local authority. This issue was raised in the Seanad and the amendment was accepted in that House. It reflects amendments agreed earlier in the passage of the Bill through the Houses which removed the provision prohibiting board employees from being members of local...

Nurses and Midwives Bill 2010: From the Seanad (15 Dec 2011)

Róisín Shortall: There would be much potential for conflicts of interest if the people making the legislation also served on some of the public bodies established under the legislation and which were governed by it. This issue relates to a prohibition that existed in regard to the involvement of members of local authorities. There is no reason whatsoever they should not be involved with bodies such as those...

Nurses and Midwives Bill 2010: From the Seanad (15 Dec 2011)

Róisín Shortall: This amendment amends section 28 by the inclusion of a new subsection, subsection (7), to provide for circumstances where the CEO is absent or the position of CEO is vacant. In such cases, the board can designate an employee to perform the functions of the CEO.

Nurses and Midwives Bill 2010: From the Seanad (15 Dec 2011)

Róisín Shortall: The purpose of the amendment is to address a situation that is likely to arise where, for example, a CEO is ill for a certain period. Clearly another member of the board would have to take on the functions of the CEO in such circumstances. The amendment enables the board to continue functioning. It might transpire that a CEO dies in office and until such time as the position is advertised...

Nurses and Midwives Bill 2010: From the Seanad (15 Dec 2011)

Róisín Shortall: The error is on my part. The position will be filled by an employee rather than a member of the board. I apologise for any confusion I may have caused.

Nurses and Midwives Bill 2010: From the Seanad (15 Dec 2011)

Róisín Shortall: I am not aware of any legislation that sets out the length of time that a CEO may be absent. It is a question of good governance. The amendment provides for the replacement of a CEO a temporary basis while he or she is absent, for example, on sick leave. If the CEO was absent for an extended period the board would presumably address the governance issues arising. I am not sure we can set...

Nurses and Midwives Bill 2010: From the Seanad (15 Dec 2011)

Róisín Shortall: It would not be appropriate for us to state that it is acceptable for a CEO to be ill for a given number of months or years.

Nurses and Midwives Bill 2010: From the Seanad (15 Dec 2011)

Róisín Shortall: This amendment permits another employee to be appointed as acting CEO so that the board can continue to function. It is not appropriate to set a time limit on the length that somebody could be absent on sick leave or for another reason. If the CEO is absent from his or her post for an inordinate length of time, thereby causing difficulties for the board, it is the latter's responsibility to...

Nurses and Midwives Bill 2010: From the Seanad (15 Dec 2011)

Róisín Shortall: Subject to oversight.

Nurses and Midwives Bill 2010: From the Seanad (15 Dec 2011)

Róisín Shortall: Seanad Amendment No. 17 requires the board to seek the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in addition to the Minister for Finance when borrowing money. This amendment is required due to the functions being transferred to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. The Minister for Finance is not removed because the provisions involve borrowing by a State body,...

Written Answers — Medical Cards: Medical Cards (15 Dec 2011)

Róisín Shortall: As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (15 Dec 2011)

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

Written Answers — Long-Term Illness Scheme: Long-Term Illness Scheme (15 Dec 2011)

Róisín Shortall: There are approximately 35,500 persons with diabetes that receive medicines under the Long Term Illness Scheme.

Written Answers — Prescription Charges: Prescription Charges (15 Dec 2011)

Róisín Shortall: Medical card holders are required to pay a 50c charge for medicines and other prescription items supplied to them by community pharmacists, subject to a cap of €10 per month for each person or family. Charges are not payable in respect of items supplied under the Long Term Illness Scheme. Prescription charges do not apply to children in the care of the HSE or to methadone supplied to...

Written Answers — Drugs Task Forces: Drugs Task Forces (15 Dec 2011)

Róisín Shortall: I propose to take Questions Nos. 319 to 342, inclusive, together. More than €30 million has been made available to Local and Regional Drugs Task Forces this year for community-based drugs initiatives and the allocation to each Drugs Task Force is set out in the table below. The allocation in respect of Ballyfermot Local Drugs Task Force includes an additional €116,000 in respect of a...

Written Answers — Drugs Task Forces: Drugs Task Forces (15 Dec 2011)

Róisín Shortall: The 2011 funding allocation to the Drugs Task Force referred to by the Deputy is €1,600,987. This allocation supports 32 community based drugs initiatives. A comprehensive breakdown of the funding by salary, administration and programme costs is not readily available. I will arrange to have this information forwarded to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Drugs Task Forces: Drugs Task Forces (15 Dec 2011)

Róisín Shortall: The role of Local and Regional Drugs Task Forces is to assess the extent and nature of the drug problem in their areas and co-ordinate action at local level in order to ensure a targeted response to the drug problem in local communities. With a view to strengthening their effectiveness, I have initiated a review of Drugs Task Forces and the National Drugs Strategy structures under which they...