Results 1,341-1,360 of 11,255 for speaker:Colm Burke

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Mental Health Services: Mental Health Reform (23 Oct 2014)

Colm Burke: I thank Dr. McDaid for the comprehensive presentation. In fairness, it outlines the positives and where there is a need for action. With regard to staff shortages, the witness indicates that over 12,000 people are required. Will she indicate where is the shortfall between the 9,000 people and the 12,482 people? Per head of population, is the 12,482 figure comparable with what is available...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Business of Joint Committee (23 Oct 2014)

Colm Burke: I thank Paul for all the work he has done. Organising all the witnesses for the public hearings was not an easy task. He did the work very efficiently. The public hearings were very balanced as the views of everyone directly or indirectly involved were presented. I thank Paul and all the staff, but particularly Paul, for their contribution. I wish him well in his new role. I welcome...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Discussion (23 Oct 2014)

Colm Burke: I thank everyone for attending this morning. My question 20 was specifically on consultant vacancies and I was astonished by the reply I received in that the information has not been given to me. I do not accept that the information is not available. We are talking about 41 hospitals. If I got the name of a porter in each of the hospitals, I have no doubt they would be able to give me the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Discussion (23 Oct 2014)

Colm Burke: There are deficiencies in hospital services relating to junior doctors and consultants, and we must quickly identify the location of the shortfall. We are sweeping this issue under the carpet and it must be addressed.

Seanad: Health Services: Statements (4 Nov 2014)

Colm Burke: I thank the Minister for a comprehensive statement on the programme for 2015. There are many challenges but it is important to state that both the Department and the Health Service Executive are facing up to those challenges. It is important to note that funding of over €13 billion is being put into this budget but that funding does not belong to the Government. It belongs to the...

Seanad: Health Services: Statements (4 Nov 2014)

Colm Burke: At 10.30 a.m. on Wednesday, 5 November 2014.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Update on Child Protection Services: Discussion (4 Nov 2014)

Colm Burke: I apologise for being late but I had to attend a health debate in the Seanad for the past two and half hours which included the Minister's responses to questions. I have a question on Dr. Coulter's report on records and refer to paragraph 19 which states: "The Courts Service has no national template for recording applications, and there may be double counting". Has there been any...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Update on Child Protection Services: Discussion (4 Nov 2014)

Colm Burke: I am involved in a project in Cork city with 30 children who have dropped out of school. We are getting €47,500 from the Department to run the centre. One of the religious orders put in €90,000 and a private enterprise is now prepared to put up €45,000 but neither Department will put in support funding. Technically, the schools these 30 children attended are still...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Nov 2014)

Colm Burke: They are also investments.

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Nov 2014)

Colm Burke: I would have no difficulty with holding a referendum on Irish Water. As to Senator Leyden's comments, a 20-year contract was given because there was an investment in infrastructure. To ensure a refund on that investment, it was necessary to have such a contract. There is no reason that this type of system could not continue even if a referendum was held to ensure that Irish Water's...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Nov 2014)

Colm Burke: This matter needs to be resolved. People are entitled to be paid for the work they do, particularly in the court system. Decisions on payment are being delayed for as much as four years.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Nov 2014)

Colm Burke: With regard to yesterday's debate, an intern from the US is working in my office at present. His response to yesterday was to ask whether it was the normal way we carry on business in the House.

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Nov 2014)

Colm Burke: It was wrong it occurred. It sent out the wrong message not only to the Irish people, but also to people abroad. I ask that it never occur again during the lifetime of this Seanad.

Seanad: Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Second Stage (6 Nov 2014)

Colm Burke: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and welcome this legislation. It is extremely complex legislation in the sense that it contains 44 sections and I note it proposes to amend a total of 19 different Acts. I pay tribute to the Minister of State, to the Department of Health and to those involved in drafting this legislation because it was not an easy Bill to draft. It is important...

Seanad: Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Second Stage (6 Nov 2014)

Colm Burke: On Tuesday next.

Seanad: Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: Second Stage (6 Nov 2014)

Colm Burke: At 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday next.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Hospital Appointments Administration (6 Nov 2014)

Colm Burke: I thank the Minister of State for dealing with this matter. The matter I wish to raise relates to work being referred to Cork University Hospital. I will read from something that was sent to me: Two of the large Dublin hospitals, namely St James's & St Vincent's hospitals, are unilaterally imposing very narrow catchment areas and returning letters to GPs with 'Out of Catchment' or...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Hospital Appointments Administration (6 Nov 2014)

Colm Burke: While I fully accept the Minister of State's response and the response from the HSE, the logistics of someone travelling from Wexford to Cork are not practical. The natural area for Wexford should be towards Dublin. The reason I am raising this issue is not so much that I am concerned about patients from Wexford, although I am concerned about them, but rather about the overloading of the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Acquired Brain Injuries: Discussion (6 Nov 2014)

Colm Burke: Some of the questions I intended asking have been asked. I thank the witnesses for their comprehensive presentation. If one were to pick out one area that would have an immediate effect in terms of assisting someone who had a similar experience as they have had if it were prioritised, what would it be? As we heard, acquired brain injury arises not only as a result of road traffic accidents...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Acquired Brain Injuries: Discussion (6 Nov 2014)

Colm Burke: On the question I raised of inpatient beds, there are only six such beds. What is Dr. O'Doherty's view in this regard? Is this adequate?