Results 11,901-11,920 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Health: HSE Waiting Lists (9 Oct 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The HSE has stated clearly that it has no knowledge of any "confidential internal memo" that allegedly "urged employees to manipulate waiting lists to meet health service targets". The policy of the HSE on this matter is clear. All hospital managers are expected to efficiently manage waiting lists in chronological order, except where clinical need dictates that a patient needs to be...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Ambulance Service Response Times (9 Oct 2014)

Leo Varadkar: A response to the Deputy's original question was issued to him by the HSE on 2nd May 2014. I have asked the HSE to provide the Deputy with an update.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Provision (9 Oct 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 156 to 158, inclusive, together. As these are service matters, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Registration of Nurses (9 Oct 2014)

Leo Varadkar: A new Nurses and Midwives Act was passed into legislation in 2011. The Act provides, inter alia, for the protection of the public in its dealings with nurses and midwives and the enhancement of their high standards of professional education and competencies. The Department of Health is responsible for oversight of the governance of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI). The...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Chronic Disease Management Programme (9 Oct 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The diagnosis and management of coeliac disease is largely managed by GPs in community services. Screening for coeliac disease is not routinely carried out in Ireland. The simple blood test required is reasonably, but not completely, accurate. This means that routinely, screening the entire population could potentially produce a high number of false-positive results. In effect, people...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff Remuneration (9 Oct 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I have no direct role in this matter. These are matters for the HSE and as such, I have asked them to respond to you directly.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Ambulance Service Provision (9 Oct 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 166 and 168, inclusive, together. As these are service matters, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Public Sector Staff Data (9 Oct 2014)

Leo Varadkar: My Department has staff on secondment or on loan from other agencies within the health group who are not direct employees of the Department. In addition there are also a number of staff on fixed term (pensionable) contracts including advisors, civilian drivers and other staff engaged by Ministers in accordance with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform guidelines for ministerial...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Public Sector Staff Data (9 Oct 2014)

Leo Varadkar: In the years specified by the Deputy, one person was appointed on a contract of indefinite duration in the Department of Health in 2011. The information relating to staff of non-commercial State Agencies under the remit of my Department is being compiled and will be forwarded separately to the Deputy. The HSE has been asked to reply directly to the Deputy in respect of its staff.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Registration of Nurses (14 Oct 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 154, 160 and 165 together. A new Nurses and Midwives Act was passed into legislation in 2011. The Act provides, inter alia, for the protection of the public in its dealings with nurses and midwives and the enhancement of their high standards of professional education and competencies. The Department of Health is responsible for oversight of the governance...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Obesity Strategy (14 Oct 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I wish to thank the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland for their policy statement and for the important contribution they have made in tackling the obesity challenge. Tackling overweight and obesity remains a public health priority for my Department. It is recognised that alone no single initiativewill reverse the growing obesity trend, but a combination of measures should make a...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Departmental Funding (14 Oct 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I am advised by the Health Research Board (the health research agency of my Department) that it funded a project on Vertigo (related to vestibular rehabilitation) in the Royal College of Surgeons in 2010. I am also advised that it has not received any other applications for funding on this topic since the establishment of its database in 2000. Health research projects in Ireland,...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Procedures (14 Oct 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.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Insurance Cover (14 Oct 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The maximum waiting periods for eligibility for payment under a health insurance contract are set out in the Health Insurance Act, 2001 (Open Enrolment) Regulations 2005 and vary by age, whether medical conditions existed before the contract commenced and where the level of cover is upgraded. Age on joining Illnesses that commence after joining Illnesses that commenced before joining...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Staff Data (14 Oct 2014)

Leo Varadkar: As I have no direct role in this matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Indemnity Cover (14 Oct 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 173, 177 and 188 together. This matter is sub-judice and I am therefore restricted in the response I can give to your question. My role as Minister for health primarily relates to national policy decisions, legislation, implementing the programme for government and securing an overall budget for health and accounting for it to the Oireachtas. I am in no...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (14 Oct 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: Tobacco Control Measures (14 Oct 2014)

Leo Varadkar: As the Deputy will be aware, the Public Health (Standardised Packaging of Tobacco) Bill 2014 covers all tobacco products legally available for retail sale in Ireland. All tobacco products have been shown to negatively affect health and as such it was considered appropriate that all tobacco products should be treated equally under the Bill. The preamble to the World Health Organisation...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drug Treatment Programmes Policy (14 Oct 2014)

Leo Varadkar: In line with the National Drugs Strategy, the Health Service Executive has developed a national treatment and rehabilitation service which provides drug free and harm reduction approaches and is capable of dealing with all substances. In addition, Drug and Alcohol Task Forces play a key role in assessing the extent and nature of the drug problem in their areas and coordinating action at...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (14 Oct 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The allocation of HSE accommodation for public use is a service matter. Therefore your question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.