Results 8,481-8,500 of 21,128 for speaker:James Reilly

Written Answers — Food Safety: Food Safety (24 May 2012)

James Reilly: The proposed renewal of the ban on the sale of raw milk for direct human consumption has been the subject of detailed consideration in both my Department and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, including contacts at Ministerial and official level. Careful consideration has to be given to the legal options available to move the issue forward and the deliberative process in that...

Written Answers — Hospital Waiting Lists: Hospital Waiting Lists (24 May 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 improving the flow of patients through the system, and by streamlining waiting lists, including the management of referrals from GPs by hospitals. The...

Written Answers — Hospitals Building Programme: Hospitals Building Programme (24 May 2012)

James Reilly: The nominated SDU liaison officer is currently working with the hospital concerned, in relation to formulating a proposal for submission. On receipt of the proposal, it will be given due consideration.

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (24 May 2012)

James Reilly: The current moratorium on the filling of posts has meant that my Department has not been in a position to fill the post of Chief Dental Officer. Future decisions on this post will be taken against the backdrop of my Department's need to balance the delivery of business priorities with falling levels of overall resources.

Written Answers — EU Regulations: EU Regulations (6 Jun 2012)

James Reilly: I take it that the Deputy is referring to Section 2(2)(b) of the Cruelty to Animals Act, 1876 which was inserted by Regulation 2(c) of the European Communities (Amendment of Cruelty to Animals Act 1876) Regulations 2002 (S.I. No. 566 of 2002). This sub-section states that "an experiment shall not be performed if another scientifically satisfactory method of obtaining the result sought, not...

Written Answers — Alcohol Sales: Alcohol Sales (6 Jun 2012)

James Reilly: In its report on alcohol, the National Substance Misuse Strategy Steering Group recommended - among other things - the introduction of a legislative basis for minimum pricing per gram of alcohol. As minimum pricing is a mechanism of imposing a statutory floor in price levels for alcohol products that must be legally observed by retailers, its primary function would be thus to discourage at...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (6 Jun 2012)

James Reilly: I can confirm that the two "G" certificates referred to in the 2010 statistics are the same ones listed in the 2009 statistics. Typically, licences are held for 5 years so these certificates will also be recorded in subsequent years. "G" certificates are issued on a case-by-case basis and are issued only in exceptional circumstances where the project is of sufficient importance for meeting...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (6 Jun 2012)

James Reilly: Further to my reply on 21st March, the Deputy may wish to note that the National Consent Advisory Group recently made its Draft National Consent Policy available for public consultation. The consultation process runs until the 28th June. Following that all comments and submissions will be reviewed and considered in the development of a final policy which is due for completion by September 2012.

Written Answers — Pharmacy Regulations: Pharmacy Regulations (6 Jun 2012)

James Reilly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 830, 885, 892 and 968 together. The manufacturer of Fingolimod (Gilenya®) has submitted an application to the HSE for the product to be reimbursed through community pharmacies under the High-Tech Drug Scheme. The list of medicinal products provided under the High-Tech Drug Scheme is reviewed on a regular basis. The application in respect of the product in...

Written Answers — Ambulance Service: Ambulance Service (6 Jun 2012)

James Reilly: The period spent by an emergency ambulance at an emergency department varies for a number of reasons, including the presenting patient's condition and the complexity of the clinical handover. The National Ambulance Service (NAS), as part of ongoing work to minimise delays in releasing ambulances from EDs, has introduced named officers to liaise with relevant hospital staff and management...

Written Answers — Hospital Staff: Hospital Staff (6 Jun 2012)

James Reilly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 837, 838, 877 and 878 together. While there have been increases in productivity on foot of the Programme for Government and the 2008 Consultant Contract, one of my immediate priorities is to achieve more effective implementation of the 2008 Contract so that patients get faster access to services and achieve better outcomes within the budgets available to...

Written Answers — Hospital Accommodation: Hospital Accommodation (6 Jun 2012)

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

Written Answers — Health Service Staff: Health Service Staff (6 Jun 2012)

James Reilly: It is essential that organisations funded by the HSE to provide services on its behalf comply in full with Government policy on public service pay. Following publication of the recent HIQA report on Tallaght Hospital, which identified the issue of additional payments being made to a small number of executives, the Secretary General of my Department wrote to the CEO of the HSE, asking him to...

Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (6 Jun 2012)

James Reilly: The interim HSE Board which I established in May 2011 was designed to facilitate greater coordination and integration and less duplication between the senior management teams in my Department and the HSE. The interim Board has provided a basis on which to make early progress on the health reform agenda, facilitating a greater unity of purpose. It also streamlines reporting relationships to...

Written Answers — Health Insurance Market: Health Insurance Market (6 Jun 2012)

James Reilly: While there has been a decrease in the numbers with private health insurance, by 76,000 in the year to end-March 2012, it is important to note that the decline in private health insurance coverage is modest to-date, at less than 4% of the overall market. This leaves some 2.139 million, or 46.6% of the population, covered by private health insurance. Even in the current difficult financial...

Written Answers — Ambulance Service: Ambulance Service (6 Jun 2012)

James Reilly: Last year, I received a number of unsolicited submissions about the provision, by the private sector, of dedicated aeromedical support services in the west of Ireland. I also considered the possibility of provision from within existing state resources. The absence of data for aeromedical support in the Irish context indicated the need for a pilot project, in order to assess the type and...

Written Answers — Hospital Services: Hospital Services (6 Jun 2012)

James Reilly: The HSE has no statutory obligation to provide patient transport, other than emergency transport. The cost to the health service of providing non-emergency patient transport, in particular for outpatient (OPD) appointments, has been escalating in recent years and non-essential provision has been identified as an area suitable for budgetary control. Accordingly, criteria have been restricted...

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (6 Jun 2012)

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

Written Answers — Ambulance Service: Ambulance Service (6 Jun 2012)

James Reilly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 855, 874 and 875 together. As these are service issues, they have been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (6 Jun 2012)

James Reilly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 856 to 858, inclusive, together. My Department's priority at all times has been that the three treating clinics involved in the PIP breast implant issue provide professional and appropriate care to their affected clients. The Chief Medical Officer has met with and continues to engage with the clinics to ensure that best practice and patient support is...