Results 8,621-8,640 of 21,128 for speaker:James Reilly

Universal Health Insurance (19 Jun 2012)

James Reilly: The Government is committed to fundamental reform of health care that will deliver a single tier health system, supported by universal health insurance, where access is based on need, not income. A new insurance fund will subsidise or pay insurance premiums for those who qualify for a subsidy. As part of the reform programme, the Government is committed to introducing universal GP care...

Universal Health Insurance (19 Jun 2012)

James Reilly: The Deputy has asked a number of questions. We all understand that nothing is free and that somebody must pay. However, we are discussing making something free at the point of delivery so that no one need be concerned about being able to pay. I hope all sides of the House agree on this point. We do not want a situation in which someone must make a decision between attending a doctor or...

Universal Health Insurance (19 Jun 2012)

James Reilly: The Deputy has raised a number of issues. I assure him that I, as the VHI's major shareholder, have made it clear that it is not the company's job to determine the market. However, as a court case involving a particular hospital is ongoing, it is not wise for me to comment on the specifics of this issue.

Medical Inquiries (19 Jun 2012)

James Reilly: In 2011, I indicated that the issues raised by the case of Michael Shine would be the subject of an inquiry by an Oireachtas committee. This was dependent on the powers that had been proposed under the Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution Bill. As I cannot now proceed as proposed, I am considering how best to deal with these issues. I must take into account the fact that Garda...

Medical Inquiries (19 Jun 2012)

James Reilly: All options are being looked at, but it would be premature at this point to go into specifics. I am concerned that we need to bring closure for those who have suffered in this instance. I am, however, somewhat hamstrung by the fact that there is litigation pending.

Medical Inquiries (19 Jun 2012)

James Reilly: On the Deputy's last point, I am afraid there is not. I share his frustration at the delay in the investigation. I understand it is not with the Garda, but there is a multiple of files with the Director of Public Prosecutions who is, correctly, independent of the Government. It is a cause of concern, however, that it seems to take forever to have a decision made on some files. As things...

Early Retirement Scheme (19 Jun 2012)

James Reilly: The Government is committed to reducing the cost of the public service through reducing the numbers employed, combined with measures to increase efficiency. We must ensure the maximum levels of safe services are provided within the resources available. I acknowledge and welcome the improvements in productivity being achieved by health service staff through the public service agreement...

Early Retirement Scheme (19 Jun 2012)

James Reilly: The figure of 600 to 700 rehired retirees which has been quoted in the media relates to the years 2010 and 2011. Since the grace period, 38 people have been rehired out of a total workforce of 103,000, which is pretty minimal. I have made it clear that I do not want staff rehired if people are available to be hired. I want to give young nurses, doctors, administrators and anybody due to...

Early Retirement Scheme (19 Jun 2012)

James Reilly: There is very often a lack of clarity around this. The grace period to the end of February did not relate to an incentivised retirement scheme. Those who had the option to retire could do so on their current terms and conditions before-----

Early Retirement Scheme (19 Jun 2012)

James Reilly: I did not interrupt the Deputy but I need to correct the record of the House. It was not an incentivised retirement scheme; it was simply a case of those who had the option to retire doing so on their current terms and conditions which were due to change. Some people took the option to retire while many others did not. We are grateful to those who did not because we had a challenge in the...

Hospital Waiting Lists (19 Jun 2012)

James Reilly: There has been no reduction in 2012 in the number of scheduled outpatient clinics for the specialties referred to due to cost containment at Waterford Regional Hospital. I have circulated a table with the activity for the hospital for the first five months in 2011 and 2012. The current initiatives to address waiting times at the hospital are as follows: the existing patient administration...

Hospital Waiting Lists (19 Jun 2012)

James Reilly: I assure the Deputy that it is the Government's priority to ensure waiting lists are tackled, and we have prioritised action in this area in a very logical fashion. The most acutely suffering patients are those awaiting treatment in emergency departments, a situation that is being tackled by the special delivery unit. I am pleased to report that the first five months of this year saw a 20%...

Hospital Waiting Lists (19 Jun 2012)

James Reilly: I have no difficulty in accepting that, which is why the Government has made it a priority that a system of universal health insurance will be introduced during its lifetime in order that people will be treated based on their medical need, not on what they can afford.

Accident and Emergency Services (19 Jun 2012)

James Reilly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 110 and 121 together. In July last year I announced the establishment of the special delivery unit, the development of which is a key part of my plans to radically reform the health system in Ireland. I identified two key priorities for it, namely, addressing trolley waiting times and reducing the maximum waiting time for elective surgery. I am happy to say...

Accident and Emergency Services (19 Jun 2012)

James Reilly: As I stated in response to an earlier question, we have reduced the number of people on trolleys by 20%. I have acknowledged there are too many people waiting on trolleys and that we are now to move to a model using the total patient journey time. There has been much criticism in some newspapers of the employment of consultants from the United Kingdom who have behind them the achievement of...

Accident and Emergency Services (19 Jun 2012)

James Reilly: The Deputy's contention on packing trolleys into wards is utterly untrue.

Accident and Emergency Services (19 Jun 2012)

James Reilly: There is a full capacity protocol, which has four bars to it. It has been in operation. It is not ideal but it is far safer to have patients in wards than in emergency departments. International practice and research have proven that. It is a matter of working differently and having shorter stays in hospital, more primary care and chronic illness care in the community. All these...

Accident and Emergency Services (19 Jun 2012)

James Reilly: There were many issues raised. We have had the emergency department crisis running for several years. There was a ten-point plan issued several years ago at the height of the Celtic tiger and it failed to address this issue. The issue here has not been money per se alone. It must be about reforming the way we work and the system we work in, and that is what we are about. I want to place...

Hospital Services (19 Jun 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 inpatient 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...

Hospital Services (19 Jun 2012)

James Reilly: I made quite clear what we have done to address it. I will relieve Deputy Ó Caoláin's confusion for him on why different procedures have different catchment areas. It is simple and we alluded to it only a minute ago. There are hospitals that are local, there are hospitals that provide regional services and, therefore, the region becomes their catchment areas, and there are hospitals that...