Results 14,101-14,120 of 24,635 for speaker:Mary Harney

Seanad: Patient Safety: Statements (Resumed) (22 Apr 2008)

Mary Harney: The plan for Roscommon County Hospital was to merge its surgical department with that of Portiuncula Hospital. I have not seen the latest proposals. When the HSE is briefing, it is required, like all Departments, to brief Government and Opposition alike. It seems that the county council and, perhaps, the regional forum were briefed in this instance. Neither the HSE nor the various...

Seanad: Patient Safety: Statements (Resumed) (22 Apr 2008)

Mary Harney: The HSE recently went to tender for primary care units in 100 different places, including Athlone. I understand from Mr. Brian Gilroy, who is the HSE's head of capital planning, that many expressions of interest have been received. I cannot give specific details of the expressions of interest for Athlone. I think a major programme of primary care centres will be rolled out over the next...

Seanad: Patient Safety: Statements (Resumed) (22 Apr 2008)

Mary Harney: I will respond to the issues raised by Senators White and Feeney. Ten days ago, four beds were opened in Galway to cater for adolescents with psychiatric problems. A number of beds will be opened shortly on the north side of Dublin and in Cork. I understand that 15 of the 120 consultants who are being recruited at present will work in child and adolescent psychiatry. Substantial...

Seanad: Patient Safety: Statements (Resumed) (22 Apr 2008)

Mary Harney: The Minister of State, Deputy Devins, is handling that. I know he has been talking to the National Office for Suicide Prevention. I do not have the details to hand.

Seanad: Patient Safety: Statements (Resumed) (22 Apr 2008)

Mary Harney: We treat 400,000 more people in our hospitals each year than we did ten years ago. Some 24,000 people with disabilities are getting day services. More than 8,000 people are in residential care. Some 4,000 people are getting respite care. Such services did not exist ten years ago. There is no question of a reduction.

Seanad: Patient Safety: Statements (Resumed) (22 Apr 2008)

Mary Harney: We are increasing services.

Seanad: Patient Safety: Statements (Resumed) (22 Apr 2008)

Mary Harney: There are issues that arise, to be honest. I am aware of one service where one third of the staff will go on maternity leave in May. This is an incredible statistic. We have pressure points and I will not pretend for one moment we will not have difficulties and services will have to adapt to budgetary issues. It does not make sense to keep services open if they do not run effectively and...

Tributes to the Taoiseach (23 Apr 2008)

Mary Harney: It is a great pleasure for me to join other party leaders in paying tribute to the Taoiseach, Deputy Bertie Ahern, as he stands down. I am very conscious of the comment made by Deputy Gilmore that two weeks in the life of this Taoiseach is a long time. I know he goes to America next week and there is a presidential election there.

Tributes to the Taoiseach (23 Apr 2008)

Mary Harney: You never know what he might pull out of the hat, to use your own phrase. I am the only leader in this House who in the past 11 years has not been in a position to put questions to the Taoiseach from the Opposition benches, as did the former Deputy John Bruton, Deputy Noonan, former Deputy Spring, Deputy Rabbitte, Deputy Ó Caoláin, the Minister, Deputy Gormley, the Minister of State, Deputy...

Tributes to the Taoiseach (23 Apr 2008)

Mary Harney: In 1997 when we went into Government, most people did not give us a chance. The previous experience of Fianna Fáil in coalitions was that they ended prematurely. Not only was it a coalition Government, it was a minority coalition. It survived because of your skills. Although you are the leader of the largest party on this island, you understood the importance of accommodating small...

Written Answers — Hospital Services: Hospital Services (23 Apr 2008)

Mary Harney: Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services is a matter for the Health Service Executive and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall Vote. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular case raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division...

Written Answers — Health Service Staff: Health Service Staff (23 Apr 2008)

Mary Harney: The main source of employment data in the health services is the Health Service Executive's Health Services Personnel Census. The census collects data on actual staffing levels for each staff grade in each health agency at a given point in time. The census is carried out quarterly at the end of March, June, September and December each year and is derived from payroll history in each agency....

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (23 Apr 2008)

Mary Harney: Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services is a matter for the Health Service Executive and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall vote. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular question raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Masts: Telecommunications Masts (23 Apr 2008)

Mary Harney: The World Health Organisation (WHO) assesses on an ongoing basis the many reviews carried out in this area and has indicated that exposures below the limits recommended by the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) in their 1998 Guidelines do not produce any known adverse health effects. These guidelines are based on a careful analysis of all peer-reviewed...

Written Answers — Pharmacy Services: Pharmacy Services (23 Apr 2008)

Mary Harney: The information sought by the Deputy relates to matters within the area of responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Cancer Screening Programme: Cancer Screening Programme (23 Apr 2008)

Mary Harney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 140 to 143, inclusive, together. The roll out of a national cervical screening programme is the most efficient population approach to preventing and controlling cervical cancer. The National Cancer Screening Service (NCSS) is planning to roll out such a programme on a national basis around the middle of this year. Women aged 25 to 44 years old will be...

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (23 Apr 2008)

Mary Harney: Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services is a matter for the Health Service Executive and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall Vote. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular case raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division...

Written Answers — Vaccination Programme: Vaccination Programme (23 Apr 2008)

Mary Harney: I understand from the Health Service Executive (HSE) that, owing to regulatory difficulties experienced by the manufacturer of the BCG vaccine, there was a shortage of the vaccine from late 2007. This was a Europe-wide problem as the manufacturer in question is the only company which supplies the vaccine to the European Market. Unfortunately, it is not possible to stockpile the vaccine as it...

Written Answers — Cancer Screening Programme: Cancer Screening Programme (23 Apr 2008)

Mary Harney: Cervical smear testing is not currently provided by GPs or family planning clinics under the scheme for medical card holders. However, where cervical smears form part of recognised protocols for the ongoing treatment of individual patient illnesses, they should be provided free of charge to eligible women under the General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme. Any necessary follow-up treatment is...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (23 Apr 2008)

Mary Harney: The Revised Estimates Volume for Public Services 2008 provides for net current expenditure of €508.8 million for my Department, Vote 39, and €583.8 million for Vote 41, the Office of the Minister for Children. Based on the returns for the 1st Quarter 2008 it is expected that expenditure for both Votes will remain within profile throughout the year.