Results 11,881-11,900 of 21,128 for speaker:James Reilly

Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (28 Feb 2013)

James Reilly: I thank the Deputies who have supported the Bill and contributed to the debate on it as it has passed through the House. Their support for the important work of reducing the number of smokers is heartening. The Department of Health and the HSE continuously monitor the marketing tactics of the tobacco industry. As these tactics evolve, so too must our legislative and policy framework. I am...

Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (28 Feb 2013)

James Reilly: The images being displayed on cigarette packets show the reality of what smoking does to people. We want them to understand the consequences of smoking include peripheral vascular disease, the amputation of legs, rotten lungs and cancer. When they see these images on the front of cigarette packets every time they open them, I hope they will realise the harm they are doing to themselves. We...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Alcohol Pricing (28 Feb 2013)

James Reilly: Real and tangible proposals are currently being finalised on foot of the recommendations in the National Substance Misuse Strategy report. These proposals cover all of the areas mentioned in the report, including: legislation on minimum unit pricing which is about setting a statutory floor price per gram of alcohol. Following consideration by the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy and...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Calorie Posting on Menus (28 Feb 2013)

James Reilly: There is currently no proposal to introduce legislation for calorie posting. As one initiative among others, to halt the rising levels of overweight and obesity, I initially wrote to 19 fast-food and coffee shop businesses to voluntarily display the calorie content of food and drinks offered on their menus. Calories on menus help people make healthier more informed choices. I requested...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Services (28 Feb 2013)

James Reilly: In relation to the particular query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy in this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (28 Feb 2013)

James Reilly: In relation to the particular query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy in this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Treatment Abroad Scheme (28 Feb 2013)

James Reilly: The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Departmental Bodies (28 Feb 2013)

James Reilly: The information requested by the Deputy with regard to my Department and in respect of the Non-Commercial State Agencies under the aegis of my Department is currently being collated and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is available.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Service Executive Staff Remuneration (28 Feb 2013)

James Reilly: The Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012 Bill provides for the replacement of the HSE Board with a Directorate structure. e Directorate will be comprised of the Director General and a number of senior managers, and will have collective responsibility as the governing authority for the HSE. As well as chairing the Directorate, the Director General will be responsible for the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Service Executive Staff Remuneration (28 Feb 2013)

James Reilly: The salary rate for Hospital Group CEOs has been set at National Director Level 3 - €145,959. The feasibility of offering a more flexible package encompassing higher on target earnings associated directly with improved performance was explored but it was decided that this would not be sustainable in current circumstances. The salary for these positions, as with all senior public...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Staff (28 Feb 2013)

James Reilly: The Deputy will be aware that the Government has decided that the numbers employed across the public service must be reduced in order to meet its fiscal and budgetary targets. The health sector must make its contribution to that reduction. However, the HSE can make staff appointments once it remains within its overall employment ceiling and has the financial resources to do so. In relation...

Meath East By-election: Issue of Writ (5 Mar 2013)

James Reilly: They will remember the promises made by the former Minister, Noel Dempsey.

Health Insurance: Motion [Private Members] (5 Mar 2013)

James Reilly: I move amendment No. 1:To delete all words after “Dáil Éireann” and substitute the following: “strongly endorses the principal of community rating, whereby people can buy health insurance for the same price irrespective of their age or health status; acknowledges with satisfaction the passing by the Oireachtas of the Health Insurance (Amendment) Act 2012,...

Health Insurance: Motion [Private Members] (5 Mar 2013)

James Reilly: I welcome the opportunity to participate in the debate in order to set out some of the progress achieved to date by my Department which underpins the development of universal health insurance by 2016. The preparatory legislative and organisational groundwork for the UHI system currently in progress will be put in place and completed within the Government's term of office. The Government is...

Health Insurance: Motion [Private Members] (5 Mar 2013)

James Reilly: When I was listening on the monitor earlier, I did not hear anybody interrupting Deputy Kelleher.

Health Insurance: Motion [Private Members] (5 Mar 2013)

James Reilly: Nobody likes to hear the truth, but as an old lady once said to me "The truth is not fragile, doctor, it won't break." The truth is that the Government of which Deputy Kelleher was part had the power for 14 years and did nothing to address this issue. I wish to correct the record of the House because all sorts of outlandish claims have been made from the far side on increases in insurance....

Health Insurance: Motion [Private Members] (5 Mar 2013)

James Reilly: I welcome that there are now four insurers competing in the Irish market. If our policies were erroneous and misguided further insurers would not be coming into the market. What they value is certainty into the future. Insurers see risk equalisation for what it is. It gives them the sense of certainty they need to compete in that market. The Health Insurance (Amendment) Act 2012 which I...

Health Insurance: Motion [Private Members] (5 Mar 2013)

James Reilly: That was the policy of Fianna Fáil. The Deputy should not confuse this Government's policy with that of Fianna Fáil. It is open to insurers to introduce new non-advanced products at any time, subject to meeting the qualifying criteria and adhering to a 30-day notice period to the Health Insurance Authority. I understand - I am sure if the Deputy is not interested in this that his...

Health Insurance: Motion [Private Members] (5 Mar 2013)

James Reilly: I want now to turn to the issue of costs, an issue fundamental to the Government's programme of reform. I do not accept that medical inflation is in some way special or should be allowed to jeopardise affordable health care. I have emphasised to insurers to do everything possible to keep down the cost of health insurance so that it is affordable for as many people as possible. I have...

Health Insurance: Motion [Private Members] (5 Mar 2013)

James Reilly: It is not fair and I am committed to addressing it by charging a realistic amount for this service. The recently published money follows the patient policy paper proposes the introduction of a new model of funding for public hospital care. It involves changing from the current inefficient system of block grant budgets to a new approach where hospitals are paid for the actual level of...