Results 9,441-9,460 of 21,128 for speaker:James Reilly

Seanad: Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012: Second Stage (26 Sep 2012)

James Reilly: I thank the Chair and will be grateful for his protection. Now we do not just measure the number of patients on trolleys at 8 a.m. with the INMO, we measure the number again at 2 p.m. and again at 8 p.m. in order that we can now predict a pattern and know at 8 p.m. the night before if we will be in trouble the next morning and can take corrective action. That is why, although many people...

Seanad: Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012: Second Stage (26 Sep 2012)

James Reilly: I have yet to respond to many Members. Must I conclude at 4.30 p.m.?

Seanad: Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (26 Sep 2012)

James Reilly: I appreciate the intervention. Senator Byrne referred to the same staff being in place but I already have made clear the staff has changed considerably. Many have made the point that the board of the HSE was abolished last year. However, it was not abolished - its membership changed - but this governance Bill will abolish the board. As for talking about two terms to implement the reform,...

Seanad: Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (26 Sep 2012)

James Reilly: The Senator raised an issue about section 16 and the national directors. I have reservations about that and I would be happy to take amendments on Committee Stage. The rationale is as follows. The jobs for national directors can be advertised and then they become eligible to go on the directorate. As this is a temporary arrangement we made a decision to limit it to the wider health family...

Seanad: Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (26 Sep 2012)

James Reilly: I agree that we need to flatten the pyramid of management and devolve more authority to the local level to which I have alluded. I want more power locally the people who do the job locally. Senator Darragh O'Brien talked about the OPD figures. I spoke about this issue in his absence. He is back now. He asked when GP care would be provided. I have covered that issue. It was suggested...

Seanad: Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (26 Sep 2012)

James Reilly: However, I agree with the Senator that we need a permanent physiotherapist in situ there. I will need to check the situation regarding ambulance cover.

Seanad: Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (26 Sep 2012)

James Reilly: I am nearly finished. I am very grateful to Senators for their forbearance. Senator Kelly made a number of excellent suggestions. It is eminently sensible to share facilities to give services in areas, particularly where the populations are small. We would need to examine the suggestion regarding community employment schemes. While it is a great suggestion, there are issues that would...

Topical Issue Debate: Bullying in Schools (27 Sep 2012)

James Reilly: I am taking this Topical Issue debate on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Ruairí Quinn. I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. Suicide is a tragedy that we strive constantly to prevent and also we are working to give more support to the families and school communities affected. Changes in society and technology have added...

Topical Issue Debate: Bullying in Schools (27 Sep 2012)

James Reilly: I thank the Deputy for giving me the opportunity to outline some of the ongoing developments that are most pertinent to the matter he has tabled for debate. I will take on board his concerns about bullying in the workplace, particularly that involving teachers in schools. Thankfully, this country has not yet reached the stage that has been reached in other countries where teachers feel...

Topical Issue Debate: Job Retention (27 Sep 2012)

James Reilly: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. The facility in question which manufactures safety and anchor bolts used in the construction industry has been in operation in Killorglin since establishment by Liebig in 1970. In 2008 the business was acquired by Simpson Manufacturing, a California-based manufacturer of metal fixings and hangers used in the construction of wooden frame housing....

Topical Issue Debate: Job Retention (27 Sep 2012)

James Reilly: It is important to remember that Ireland continues to be competitive in attracting new investment. Over 1,000 multinational corporations have chosen Ireland as their strategic European base. Multinationals currently employ 146,000 people directly and many more indirectly. In spite of the latest CSO figures, the positive impact of the Government's policies on job creation are beginning to...

Topical Issue Debate: Industrial Relations Issues (27 Sep 2012)

James Reilly: I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. The Government has confirmed on a number of occasions the unprecedented nature and scale of the financial pressures facing the State. Ongoing reform and increased efficiency in service delivery is essential. It is imperative that consultants, given their role within the health system, lead this process. The recent discussions with the...

Topical Issue Debate: Industrial Relations Issues (27 Sep 2012)

James Reilly: The proposals agreed with the representative organisations put a range of productivity flexibilities on a formal basis. The organisations have agreed to present the agreed proposals on reforms to their members for consideration. I expect this to be done in a timely manner, having regard to the relevant provisions in the public service agreement. Separately, new consultants will be...

Topical Issue Debate: Redundancy Payments (27 Sep 2012)

James Reilly: I am responding to this matter on behalf of the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Joan Burton. I thank Deputy Mattie McGrath for raising the issue. The job initiative, JI, programme provides full-time employment to those who are long-term unemployed over the age of 35 years. In 2004, a Government decision was made to allow participants on the job initiative programme to remain on it...

Topical Issue Debate: Redundancy Payments (27 Sep 2012)

James Reilly: In these tough times nobody wants to see anybody lose their job. However, on behalf of the Department I must point out a number of facts. Tipperary Hostel Limited was the employer. All the JI participants were offered similar, alternative positions with the same terms and conditions. No one was made redundant. Only one of the JI participants opted to continue on the programme. The...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Primary Care Centres Provision (27 Sep 2012)

James Reilly: Early in 2012 the HSE embarked on a prioritisation exercise for primary care, PC, centres across the country. It is the intention of the Government to develop as many centres as possible by one of three separate methods: direct investment; by way of leasing arrangements; or by way of public private partnership. The locations were then considered for development by way of PPP as part of the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Primary Care Centres Provision (27 Sep 2012)

James Reilly: I agree absolutely that primary care centres should be chosen on the basis of need. The widening of the criteria helped to meet those needs in a much more complete manner. That manner and those criteria are transparent and I have outlined them to the Deputy today. I also indicated that as long ago as 2007, when his Government was in power - which is purely coincidental - the HSE identified...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Primary Care Centres Provision (27 Sep 2012)

James Reilly: I have no wish to enter into argy-bargy with the Deputy opposite and I know that is not the tenor of his comments. However, I must point out that in my initial answer I stated that the deprivation index was but one of three criteria used in this process. There were also the service priority as identified by each integrated service area or local health office, and an accommodation...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Cancer Screening Programme (27 Sep 2012)

James Reilly: I am very pleased to confirm that the colorectal screening programme will commence, as promised, on a phased basis in the fourth quarter of this year. This delivers on a key commitment of the Government. Colorectal cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer among both men and women in Ireland. Approximately 2,200 new cases are diagnosed each year and it is cause of death in...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Cancer Screening Programme (27 Sep 2012)

James Reilly: I agree with the Deputy that this programme will save many lives and it will save money, but it will not save money now. It will save money in the years to come. It has always been the struggle with preventative medicine and with screening that the savings come later but the saving of lives is immediate and that is something on which we have to put the priority. However, most people would...