Results 8,361-8,380 of 21,128 for speaker:James Reilly

Prescription Charges (16 May 2012)

James Reilly: I have just signalled very clearly that in the future I hope to be able to introduce the repeal of these charges as the economy improves and we make savings in health as we have done to date. Last year, through the new clinical programmes and the special delivery unit in conjunction with front-line services, we saved 70,000 bed days at a value of €63 million to the State. That money has...

Prescription Charges (16 May 2012)

James Reilly: As we are having a little history lesson, may I remind the Deputy that I was only in the door as Minister for Health when I gave that interview on prescription charges and that I had not had the opportunity to examine every cupboard? I certainly was not given the opportunity to check behind all the radiators where certain other reports had been lost. The Deputy might ask his leader about...

Prescription Charges (16 May 2012)

James Reilly: It is not budget neutral at all. It brings in €27 million per annum, and I would dearly love to find that money elsewhere. I will continue to seek it elsewhere so that I can fulfil that promise. I, along with many other people in the country, was not aware of the depth of the destruction the Deputy's Government wreaked on the country until we got a complete look at what was going on in...

Prescription Charges (16 May 2012)

James Reilly: Exactly. Who are the Greens?

Hospital Services (16 May 2012)

James Reilly: I am aware that Deputy Kelleher has claimed there may be some issues with trolley counts in some hospitals. I draw the Deputy's attention to the statement issued by the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, INMO, acknowledging and confirming the reduction by 17% overall in the numbers of people on trolleys in accident and emergency departments in the first four months of 2012 compared with...

Hospital Services (16 May 2012)

James Reilly: I am glad the Deputy qualified his statement. If there is a question, as has been suggested by some, that patients are being hidden around hospitals, it will be fully investigated. I would be pleased to deal with anybody engaging in that practice. There is absolutely no question that international information shows very clearly the patient is better off in a ward than in an accident and...

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (16 May 2012)

James Reilly: The HSE National Service Plan sets out the type and volume of service the HSE will provide directly, or through a range of funded agencies, during 2012. The Plan was prepared in the context of the challenges faced by the health services this year in terms of reduced staffing levels, and a reduced budget, combined with increasing demand for services. The Plan also takes account of additional...

Written Answers — Symphysiotomy Report: Symphysiotomy Report (16 May 2012)

James Reilly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 12, 15 and 56 together. My Department has received a draft report from the independent academic researcher who was appointed to complete a report into the practice of symphysiotomy in Ireland. I asked the Attorney General to consider the draft research report and I have recently received her advice. There is no legal impediment to publishing the research with...

Written Answers — Hospital Services: Hospital Services (16 May 2012)

James Reilly: Under the provisions of the Health Act 1970, eligibility for public health services in Ireland is based primarily on residency and means. All persons normally resident in the state are eligible for in-patient and outpatient public hospital services including consultant services. It is unacceptable for a patient to be informed at short notice that a hospital will not treat them because they...

Written Answers — European Court of Human Rights Judgments: European Court of Human Rights Judgments (16 May 2012)

James Reilly: The terms of reference of the Expert Group on the ABC v Ireland Judgment, as approved by Government on 29th November 2011, are as follows: · To examine the A, B and C v Ireland judgment of the European Court of Human Rights; · To elucidate its implications for the provision of health care services to pregnant women in Ireland; · To recommend a series of options on how to implement the...

Written Answers — Primary Care Centres: Primary Care Centres (16 May 2012)

James Reilly: New primary care centres are being procured by the HSE through two different methods, (1) lease agreements with private developers and (2) Exchequer capital funding. There is no "policy" of reliance on public-private partnerships in this regard. I am actively exploring other options regarding the funding of Primary Care Centres.

Written Answers — Hospital Services: Hospital Services (16 May 2012)

James Reilly: I have set out the information requested by the Deputy in the following table. The information was supplied by the Busness Intelligence Unit (BIU) of the Health Service Executive. Due to national industrial relations issues in 2010 data was not collected/provided from February 2010 to June 2010. Therefore the closest comparable figures from 2010 are from July. Delayed Discharges (Source:...

Written Answers — Tobacco-Related Diseases: Tobacco-Related Diseases (16 May 2012)

James Reilly: Smoking is the greatest single cause of preventable illness and premature death in Ireland, killing over 5,200 people a year. Ireland's public health policy objective in relation to tobacco is to promote and subsequently move towards a tobacco free society. I am committed to moving us closer towards that objective. The Tobacco Policy Review Group will be reporting to me shortly. The...

Written Answers — Vaccination Programme: Vaccination Programme (16 May 2012)

James Reilly: In response to the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic, the HSE procured two vaccines. The HSE, with the approval of my Department and the Department of Finance, indemnified the suppliers from and against loss and damage in respect of any claim against the supplier arising from or in connection with the use and administration of licensed or unlicensed vaccine supplied except in cases of negligence,...

Written Answers — Hospital Procedures: Hospital Procedures (16 May 2012)

James Reilly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 24, 174 and 199 together. The Chief Medical Officer of my Department has met and is engaging with the treating clinics with a view to ensuring that best practice and patient support is paramount in the service provided to concerned recipients of PIP implants. He has discussed the concerns raised by affected clients including access to surgeons for...

Written Answers — Health Insurance: Health Insurance (16 May 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. I am strongly committed to protecting community rating, whereby older and sicker customers should pay the same amount for the same cover as younger and healthier people. Community Rating means...

Written Answers — Hospital Staff: Hospital Staff (16 May 2012)

James Reilly: I have forwarded this query to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Food Safety: Food Safety (16 May 2012)

James Reilly: To explore the scope for greater efficiencies and to eliminate waste, both my Department and our counterparts in Northern Ireland are conducting reviews on the roles and responsibilities of organisations working in the food safety, diet and nutrition areas in our respective jurisdictions. These will help clarify the role to be undertaken by Food Safety Promotion Board (FSPB) and will inform...

Written Answers — Hospitals Building Programme: Hospitals Building Programme (16 May 2012)

James Reilly: Following the completion of the Comprehensive Expenditure Review by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in 2011, I announced that funding would support the delivery of the new Children's Hospital and the associated Paediatric Ambulatory & Urgent Care Centre in AMiNCH Tallaght; the replacement of the Central Mental Hospital and its associated facilities; and the National Project...

Written Answers — Obesity Levels: Obesity Levels (16 May 2012)

James Reilly: The high levels of obesity in all age groups of the Irish population are of increasing concern to me but of particular concern are the rising levels of obesity in young children. The Growing Up in Ireland Survey, 2011 found that 1 in 4 children as young as 3 years of age are overweight or obese. The situation in Ireland mirrors the global obesity epidemic, with 61% of Irish adults now...