Results 13,621-13,640 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Health: Programme for Government Initiatives (4 Mar 2015)

Leo Varadkar: The Government has embarked on a major reform programme for the health system, the aim of which is to deliver a single-tier health service, supported by universal health insurance, where access is based on need, not income. The White Paper on Universal Health Insurance (UHI) was published on 2 April 2014 and provides detailed information on the UHI model for Ireland. When I became Minister...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Universal Health Insurance (4 Mar 2015)

Leo Varadkar: The White Paper on Universal Health Insurance,which was published in April 2014, provides that under Universal Health Insurance everyone will have access to care based on need, not income. Each person will have a choice of health insurer and will be covered for a standard package of health services. The White Paper also sets out a process for determining the UHI standard package of health...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (4 Mar 2015)

Leo Varadkar: As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up with them.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Vaccination Programme (4 Mar 2015)

Leo Varadkar: The immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). NIAC is a committee of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland comprising of experts in a number of specialties including infectious diseases, paediatrics and public health. The committee's recommendations are informed by public health advice, international best practice,...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Consultants Contract (4 Mar 2015)

Leo Varadkar: Consultant Contract 2008 provides that a common waiting list operated by the public hospital will apply to both public and private patients undergoing diagnostic investigations, tests and procedures (including radiology and laboratory procedures) on an out-patient basis in public hospitals (including referrals from General Practitioners).

Written Answers — Department of Health: Appointments to State Boards (4 Mar 2015)

Leo Varadkar: The information requested by the Deputy in relation to retired civil servants serving on boards is not readily available, but I will forward a detailed reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Topical Issue Debate: Hospitals Building Programme (5 Mar 2015)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy for again raising this issue and giving me an opportunity to outline to the House the current position. During a previous Topical Issue debate last October we both acknowledged the high level of activity at the emergency department in Galway, with approximately 66,000 annual attendances, making it one of the busiest emergency departments in the State. The HSE is working...

Topical Issue Debate (Resumed) (5 Mar 2015)

Leo Varadkar: I do not necessarily want to make promises that I might not be able to deliver but, I suppose, reading between the lines what I am saying is that I acknowledge there is a serious problem with overcrowding in the emergency department in UHG, about which I want to do something. It is better than it was in 2011 but it is starting to get worse again. It is certainly worse than it was this time...

Topical Issue Debate (Resumed): Hospital Accommodation Provision (5 Mar 2015)

Leo Varadkar: I thank Deputy Durkan for raising this issue and giving me an opportunity to outline the current position on this matter. As the House will know, I cannot comment on individual cases for reasons of privacy and confidentiality. Moreover, I do not have access to any individual's patient files or patient information, so I cannot speak authoritatively on any individual case. I appreciate that...

Topical Issue Debate (Resumed): Hospital Accommodation Provision (5 Mar 2015)

Leo Varadkar: I thank Deputy Durkan for the invitation. I would like to visit Naas and intend to do so in the coming months. It is a case of trying to fit it into the diary between everything else I am asked to do in addition to my commitments in the Dáil and Seanad. It is a visit I intend to make whenever it can be scheduled. There are developments happening at the hospital. The phase 3C...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Civil Marriages Data (5 Mar 2015)

Leo Varadkar: Under Part 6 of the Civil Registration Act 2004, where a couple attend a registrar’s office and notify the registrar of their intention to marry they are required to pay a fee of €200. This fee was increased from €150 by way of Statutory Instrument 17/2013 which came into effect on 23 January 2013. The number of notifications received between 23 January 2013 and 3 March...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Tobacco Control Measures (5 Mar 2015)

Leo Varadkar: Research and experience in other countries has shown that health warnings combined with coloured photographs can be an effective means of discouraging smoking and informing people about the health risks related to smoking. The image referred to in the details supplied by the Deputy is one of 42 images provided to Member States by the European Commission. However, there is a new library of...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Magdalen Laundries (5 Mar 2015)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 171 to 177, inclusive, together. When the Redress for Women Who Were Resident in Certain Institutions Bill has completed its passage in the Oireachtas, the final provisions will be determined. The HSE is currently considering the practical arrangements to be put in place for access to health services for participants living in the State and abroad when the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: HSE National Service Plan (5 Mar 2015)

Leo Varadkar: As these are service matters, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up with them.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (5 Mar 2015)

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 Facilities (5 Mar 2015)

Leo Varadkar: I am aware of the correspondence referenced by the Deputy. I am also aware that a business case, prepared by University Hospital Waterford, for the development of a second catheterisation lab and a 24 hour emergency PCI service, is under consideration within the South West Hospital Group. As for any complex acute hospital service, a key criterion for deciding whether a 24 hour PCI...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drug Treatment Programmes (5 Mar 2015)

Leo Varadkar: Methadone maintenance treatment is a critical stabilising treatment that enables the people involved to counter their drug problem use and to rebuild their lives. Government policy in relation to drugs, emphasises the need to provide opportunities for people to move on from illicit drug use to a drug-free life where that is achievable. However, different people in various circumstances may...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospitals Policy (5 Mar 2015)

Leo Varadkar: As Minister for Health I believe that every individual who uses our health services is entitled to expect and receive care of the highest standard and to be treated in an atmosphere of safety and care. This is true for all age groups but particularly important for the vulnerable elderly whose families have entrusted them to the care of professional staff. Person-centred care and support...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (5 Mar 2015)

Leo Varadkar: As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up with them.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Staff Data (5 Mar 2015)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 187 and 188 together. In relation to the detailed queries raised by the Deputy, as these are service matters, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up with them.