Results 11,381-11,400 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Health: Constitutional Amendments (17 Sep 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Article 40.3.3 of the Irish Constitution states that: 'The State acknowledges the right to life of the unborn and, with due regard to the equal right to life of the mother, guarantees in its laws to respect, and, as far as practicable, by its laws to defend and vindicate that right.' The interpretation of Article 40.3.3 was considered by the Supreme Court in Attorney General v X (the X...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Tobacco Control Measures (17 Sep 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 764, 766, 777 and 878 together. In June 2014, the Government approved the drafting of a General Scheme of a Bill to provide for the introduction of a licensing system and other measures in relation to the sale of tobacco products and non-medicinal nicotine delivery systems (including e-cigarettes). The proposed licensing system will facilitate stricter...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointment Status (17 Sep 2014)

Leo Varadkar: In relation to the detailed information requested by the Deputy, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to her directly.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Tobacco Control Measures (17 Sep 2014)

Leo Varadkar: At present it is illegal to sell tobacco products to those under 18 years. Tobacco Free Ireland, the latest policy document on smoking in this country, has the protection of children as one of its main themes. One of the key strategies for protecting children and young people, as well as for moving towards the creation of a tobacco free society, is the denormalisation of tobacco use. Making...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff Recruitment (17 Sep 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 772, 1154 and 1155 together. As these questions relate to an operational matter, I have referred the Deputy's questions to the HSE for direct reply.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (17 Sep 2014)

Leo Varadkar: As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Insurance Levy (17 Sep 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I am committed to maintaining a sustainable private health insurance market, and I am keen to create the best possible environment within which more people, particularly younger people, will want to obtain and retain private health insurance cover that is affordable, competitive and meets consumers' needs. As required under the Health Insurance Acts 1994 to 2013, the Health Insurance...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Regulatory Impact Assessment Data (17 Sep 2014)

Leo Varadkar: As the Deputy will be aware, a Regulatory Impact Analysis was carried out in connection with the Public Health (Standardised Packaging of Tobacco) Bill 2014, and it is now available on the Department of Health’s website at . As part of the Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) process, submissions were sought by the Department of Health from stakeholders, including the tobacco industry...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Tobacco Control Measures (17 Sep 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I assume that the Deputy is referring to the World Cancer Report 2014, issued by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). The report notes the need for multipronged preventive action including treaties and laws extending tobacco-style restrictions to alcohol and sweetened beverages in order to address the alarming rise in the cancer burden. Ireland is supportive of the World...

Written Answers — Department of Health: EU Issues (17 Sep 2014)

Leo Varadkar: As the Deputy is aware, Government approved the publication of the Public Health (Standardised Packaging of Tobacco) Bill 2014 on 10thJune 2014 and the presentation of the Bill in the Seanad. The Bill was initiated in the Seanad on the 19thJune and completed Committee and Report Stage on the 24thJune. The Bill commenced Second Stage in the Dáil on 2ndJuly 2014. On 17thJune, formal...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products Availability (17 Sep 2014)

Leo Varadkar: As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Services for People with Disabilities (17 Sep 2014)

Leo Varadkar: As the particular issue raised by the Deputy relates to an individual case, this is a service matter for the Health Service Executive. Accordingly, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drug Rehabilitation Clinics (17 Sep 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 785 and 887 together. In line with the National Drugs Strategy, it is Government policy to expand the availability of, and access to, detoxification facilities and treatment services. As the HSE has lead responsibility for the development of the spread and range of treatment services available, including implementation of the Report referred to by the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Early Child Care Education (17 Sep 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme, which is the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, provides for a free pre-school year to eligible children in the year before they commence primary school. The objective of this scheme is to support early learning in a formal setting in advance of starting school. I understand that certain...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Staff (17 Sep 2014)

Leo Varadkar: As the query raised by the Deputy relates to a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to investigate the position and to respond to him directly.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drug Treatment Programmes Funding (17 Sep 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 800, 819, 823, 889 and 1101 together. In furtherance of the National Drugs Strategy (NDS), my Department administers a Drugs Initiative which primarily funds community based drugs projects supported by the Drug and Alcohol Task Forces. The level of funding provided in the Drugs Initiative since 2008 has changed significantly, due to the transfer of...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Records (17 Sep 2014)

Leo Varadkar: My Department does not hold the detailed information requested. For this reason, I have asked that the HSE respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff (17 Sep 2014)

Leo Varadkar: As this relates to an operational matter, I have passed the Deputy's question to the HSE for direct reply.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (17 Sep 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The National Waiting List Management Policy, A standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2014,has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Services (17 Sep 2014)

Leo Varadkar: In relation to the particular patient query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to him directly.