Results 11,241-11,260 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Records (15 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: As my predecessor indicated to the Deputy last week, the Healthcare Pricing Office (HPO) has advised my Department that it does not make patients' personal records available to pharmaceutical companies, insurers or any other commercial entities. In carrying out its function and in order to protect patient identities, the HPO does not collect name, address or specific date of birth from the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (15 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: In relation to the specific query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Applications (15 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible. The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to...

Written Answers — Department of Health: HSE Staff Remuneration (15 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: In relation to the specific query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Vaccination Programme (15 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) has not made any recommendation in relation to the use of Meningitis B vaccine in the primary childhood immunisation programme in Ireland. However NIAC has issued guidance in relation to the use of the Meningitis B vaccine in the control of clusters or outbreaks of Meningococcal B disease.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Staff Recruitment (15 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: In relation to the specific query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Tobacco Control Measures (15 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I wish to inform the Deputy that there is no maximum price applied to a packet of cigarettes in this jurisdiction. Tobacco Free Ireland, our latest policy document in the area, sets a target of lowering smoking prevalence to below 5% by 2025. It notes that research has found that pricing is a key tool in the efforts to control smoking and in particular preventing children and adolescents from...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Tobacco Control Measures (15 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Although I am aware that the tobacco industry has argued that standardised packaging will lead to smokers choosing cheaper brands, I have not seen any research that conclusively demonstrates that cheaper cigarettes have a greater impact on a person’s health, or that cheaper tobacco causes more disease than so-called “premium brands”. On the contrary, I would like to...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Tobacco Control Measures (15 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The revised EU Tobacco Products Directive, which has been in force since 20 May 2014, states that “A unit packet of roll-your-own tobacco shall contain tobacco weighing not less than 30g.” Member States have two years to transpose the new rules into national law and Ireland will be introducing appropriate legislation in due course.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Dental Services Provision (15 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Dental services for children up to 16 years of age and persons of all ages with special needs are provided by the Public Dental Service of the HSE through its dental clinics. All HSE dental clinics prioritise emergency care for children up to 16 years of age, treatment for special needs patients and screening of children aged from 11 to 13 years, including referral for orthodontic services...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Departmental Reports (15 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: My Department's Annual Report for 2013 is at final draft stage and will be published on the Department's website shortly.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Primary Care Services Provision (15 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: As the Deputy will be aware, the then Minister of State for Primary Care, Alex White T.D., met with the National Association of General Practitioners (NAGP) on January 31 and invited them to revert with any and all issues they may wish to raise concerning the draft contract published that day. The NAGP did not make a submission to the HSE on the draft contract but instead wrote to the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Administration (15 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The Health Service Executive (HSE) is responsible for the administration of the primary care schemes, therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Special Educational Needs Data (15 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Part 2 of the Disability Act 2005 was commenced on 1 June 2007 in respect of children aged under 5. In 2008, the then Government decided, in the light of financial circumstances, to defer further implementation of the Disability Act 2005 and the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004. However, in light of legal advice following on a ruling of the High Court, children...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (15 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: In relation to the specific query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Access (15 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: A review of primary care ophthalmic services is due to get underway in the HSE. This will provide recommendations for the service, which will address current inadequacies and inconsistencies including access and identify priorities to be addressed in the short term.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Treatment Abroad Scheme (15 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The Treatment Abroad Scheme (TAS) as provided for in EU Regulations and Department of Health Guidelines does not include a provision for travel and or subsistence expenses for patients or their relatives travelling abroad to avail of approved treatments.  However, the HSE and specifically the TAS may provide assistance towards reasonable economic air or sea travel fares for...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Audiology Services Provision (15 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The Health Service Executive Community Audiology service administers and monitors hearing tests for adults who are at risk for hearing loss. Appointments for the audiology service are sent in a strict chronology according to clinical priorities and date of receipt of referral. The HSE has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Reviews (15 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible. The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Applications (15 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible. The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to...