Results 15,221-15,240 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Health: Universal Health Insurance (9 Jul 2015)

Leo Varadkar: Following publication of the White Paper on Universal Health Insurance,a major costing exercise, involving the Department of Health, the ESRI and others, was initiated. The purpose of the exercise is to examine the cost implications of a change to a multi-payer, universal health insurance model, as proposed in the White Paper. Draft results from the initial phase of the costing exercise were...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Maternity Services (9 Jul 2015)

Leo Varadkar: The Deputy may wish to note that my Department is currently developing a National Maternity Strategy which will set out policy direction for maternity services. A working group, with appropriate stakeholder representation, has been established to develop the strategy and work is progressing. A public consultation is currently underway and will run until 15th July. Publication of the Strategy...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Accident and Emergency Department Staffing (9 Jul 2015)

Leo Varadkar: I am committed to the further development of the role of Portlaoise Hospital as a constituent hospital within the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group, which also includes St. James's, Tallaght, Tullamore, Naas and the Coombe Hospitals. The Dublin Midlands Hospital Group and the HSE Acute Hospitals Division are examining the scope of services in Portlaoise, and other hospitals in the Group,...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Orthodontic Service Waiting Lists (9 Jul 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.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Vaccination Programme (9 Jul 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 and international best...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Universal Health Insurance White Paper (9 Jul 2015)

Leo Varadkar: Following publication of the White Paper on Universal Health Insurance,a major costing exercise, involving the Department of Health, the ESRI and others, was initiated. The purpose of the exercise is to examine the cost implications of a change to a multi-payer, universal health insurance model, as proposed in the White Paper. Draft results from the initial phase of the costing exercise were...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Ambulance Service Provision (9 Jul 2015)

Leo Varadkar: The National Ambulance Service (NAS) has undergone significant reform and modernisation in recent years and this continues in 2015. Key to the reform is the development of a single national control system and the rationalisation of control centres to one national centre. This project is introducing better technology and improving response times. Developments such as national digital radio,...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Vaccination Programme (9 Jul 2015)

Leo Varadkar: Immunisation is regarded as one of the safest and most cost-effective of health care interventions. International studies and scientific assessments suggest that the best way to prevent most disease due to human papilloma virus (HPV) is to vaccinate as many girls and women as possible. The HPV vaccine protects girls from developing cervical cancer when they are adults. It is available free...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Vaccination Programme (9 Jul 2015)

Leo Varadkar: Immunisation is regarded as one of the safest and most cost-effective of health care interventions. International studies and scientific assessments suggest that the best way to prevent most disease due to human papilloma virus (HPV) is to vaccinate as many girls and women as possible. The HPV vaccine protects girls from developing cervical cancer when they are adults. It is available free...

Written Answers — Department of Health: HSE Expenditure (9 Jul 2015)

Leo Varadkar: The April Health Service Performance Report, the latest published, shows year to date net expenditure of €4.116 billion against a profile of €3.980 billion, leading to a variance of €136m. The acute hospital sector is reporting a deficit of €61m, which represents 45% of the overall deficit; PCRS and Local Schemes account for €39m; and Social Care is...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Conditions (9 Jul 2015)

Leo Varadkar: Fibromyalgia is a medical disorder which causes chronic pain in addition to other symptoms such as fatigue and reduced physical function. The medical management of fibromyalgia relates to careful management of the symptoms including pain control. Patients with fibromyalgia can avail of a variety of treatments and support in the primary care and hospital settings. These can include patient...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Conditions (9 Jul 2015)

Leo Varadkar: In responding to the Report on Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) which was compiled earlier this year by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children, I indicated my support for an all-island approach to the provision of this treatment and committed to progressing this matter in talks with my counterpart in Northern Ireland. The North/South Ministerial Council deals with a variety of...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Vaccination Programme (9 Jul 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 and international best...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Obesity Levels (9 Jul 2015)

Leo Varadkar: In recognition of the challenges caused by obesity, the Department of Health is currently developing an Obesity Policy and Action Plan. A National consultation day was held recently and further consultation is being organised. The fiscal, marketing and educational issues raised in the correspondence will be considered as part of the Obesity Policy and Action Plan.

Written Answers — Department of Health: EU Directives (9 Jul 2015)

Leo Varadkar: The revised Tobacco Products Directive came into force in May 2014 following approval by the European Parliament. The Directive sets out rules for tobacco products and e-cigarettes, including labelling and packaging, ingredients and emissions, traceability and security features, which member States must transpose into national law by 20th May 2016. In addition, the Directive contains a...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Tobacco Control Measures (9 Jul 2015)

Leo Varadkar: As the Deputy will be aware, the Public Health (Standardised Packaging of Tobacco) Act 2015 was passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas and signed into law by the President on 10 March 2015. Prior to enactment, the draft legislation was formally notified to the Commission and to Member States under the EU Technical Standards Directive (98/34/EC) and the Tobacco Products Directive...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Departmental Legal Costs (9 Jul 2015)

Leo Varadkar: The information requested by the Deputy is not immediately available. The information will be compiled and forwarded to the Deputy once it becomes available.

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Children's Hospital (9 Jul 2015)

Leo Varadkar: Your question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply as the management of the healthcare property estate is a service matter. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office who will follow up.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Departmental Budgets (9 Jul 2015)

Leo Varadkar: The once-off revenue measures relate principally to quicker settlement of hospital bills by health insurers; additional receipts from the United Kingdom in respect of health services provided under EU Regulations; and a technical adjustment to the Vote as a result of the disestablishment of the Vote of the HSE. Almost €190 million has been achieved to date from UK receipts and the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff Recruitment (9 Jul 2015)

Leo Varadkar: The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform announced in the latest budget, that he intends to delegate greater autonomy to Departments and Agencies to manage their own staffing levels. The change from the application of a rigid employment control framework, with its particular focus on a moratorium on recruitment and compliance with employment ceilings and targets, to one operating...