Results 11,101-11,120 of 21,128 for speaker:James Reilly

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (19 Dec 2012)

James Reilly: The Deputy has raised a number of issues with regard to hospitals. In relation to the collection of waiting time data, the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) collects information on (a) hospital in-patients and day case waiting times and (b) outpatient waiting times. In relation to in-patient and daycases, information on the median (average) waiting time in each hospital for the top...

Seanad: Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2012)

James Reilly: Many statements have been made here. I thank Senators for engaging with the Bill. The Central Bank is the Financial Regulator for the country and, as such, regulates for matters governing the prudential and solvency requirements for the health insurance market. Insurers wishing to operate in the Irish market must satisfy the Central Bank and other requirements before they are authorised to...

Seanad: Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (19 Dec 2012)

James Reilly: Senator Barrett and I are on the same page when it comes to competition and getting the best for our people. I must point out, however, that there is no question of the health market being allowed to operate as a free market because the risk for older people is much greater. Senator Barrett is deluding himself and misleading the House if he believes it could be otherwise. I cannot believe...

Seanad: Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2012)

James Reilly: And Waterford, too.

Seanad: Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2012)

James Reilly: This amendment has nothing to do with the Bill. The Bill deals with the current market, which is voluntary and open to those who wish to avail of it and can afford to do so. The Government believes in a health system that provides care to people on the basis of medical need rather than ability to pay. Unlike Sinn Féin, however, we have a plan that has been enacted. It is not a fanciful...

Seanad: Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2012)

James Reilly: What did you say?

Seanad: Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2012)

James Reilly: He is always focused on inputs.

Seanad: Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2012)

James Reilly: His party did a lot of shroud waving last February when people were told that we could not maintain a safe service with the numbers of staff leaving. The men and women who work in our health services have in fact improved it by reducing by 25% the number of people who have to endure long trolley waits, although I acknowledge that we still have a long way to go. They reduced the inpatient...

Seanad: Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2012)

James Reilly: I do not want to delay progress, but I must challenge some of the assertions made by Senator Cullinane. I apologise for not addressing some of the issues he raised in the context of bigger hospitals and money following the patient. I believe smaller hospitals will be well able to compete and will have an advantage in this area. We intend to ensure that people are not sent to have...

Seanad: Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2012)

James Reilly: I appreciate what Senator Barrett has said. There is no attempt of any kind being made to diminish or undermine the Legislature's involvement. The fact is that the previous risk equalisation scheme of 2003 was mainly set out in regulations. However, the new scheme, including rates for risk equalisation, credits and stamp duty levies, will be strengthened in the future by being set in...

Seanad: Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2012)

James Reilly: As I will not be making regulations to provide for risk equalisation schemes in the future, these subsections are no longer required. As I said, it will be done by way of primary legislation which this and the other House will have ample opportunity to discuss and debate. There is no attempt to diminish in any way the power of this or the other House. If it were, as a legislator, I would...

Seanad: Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2012)

James Reilly: I thank the Senator. This provision is necessary and I will explain why. God knows, we have had enough concerns about regulation in this country, so much so that, when in opposition, I did not like to even talk about having a regulator of the health insurance agency and much preferred to talk about having a scrutineer because regulation had become devalued. If we are to have serious...

Leaders' Questions (20 Dec 2012)

James Reilly: That is outrageous.

Leaders' Questions (20 Dec 2012)

James Reilly: I challenge Deputy McDonald to say that outside the House.

Leaders' Questions (20 Dec 2012)

James Reilly: Repeat the charge outside the House.

Leaders' Questions (20 Dec 2012)

James Reilly: The Deputy wants to twist the facts. Repeat that charge outside this House.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Budget Targets (20 Dec 2012)

James Reilly: A total of €308m in pay-related savings has been targeted for the health services in 2013. These savings will be achieved under three separate headings: firstly, by intensifying the implementation of the Public Service Agreement within the health services, secondly, through the negotiation of an agreement on further workplace change and savings with public sector unions, as has been...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Budget Targets (20 Dec 2012)

James Reilly: The adjustments to the Department of Health Vote, Vote 38, are set out in the Budget book published recently and available on the website of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. The Department of Health Vote is being reduced by €90m. This arises from a range of measures. Even allowing for additional expenditure related to the EU Presidency, there will be a reduction in...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Special Educational Needs (20 Dec 2012)

James Reilly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 279, 297 and 298 together. The HSE has recognised the need to increase the level of consistency and standardisation in the way both early intervention services and services for school-aged children with disabilities are delivered. It is currently engaged in a reconfiguration of existing therapy resources to geographic based teams for children (0-18 years)...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Services for People with Disabilities (20 Dec 2012)

James Reilly: As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.