Results 16,481-16,500 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Cancer Strategy Publication (26 Nov 2015)

Leo Varadkar: A National Cancer Strategy Steering Group is working on the development of a draft Cancer Strategy for 2016-2025. The draft Strategy will be submitted to me for consideration by the end of the year with a view to publication early in 2016.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (26 Nov 2015)

Leo Varadkar: I wish to thank the Deputy for the matter raised. Given that this is an operational matter, it is appropriate that it should be dealt with by the NMBI. I have referred the Deputy's question to the NMBI for attention and direct reply. If you have not received a reply from the NMBI within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (26 Nov 2015)

Leo Varadkar: Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual. The National...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Services (26 Nov 2015)

Leo Varadkar: Additional funding of €16.9m (€8.9m revenue and €8m capital) was provided in July to support acute hospitals over the winter period. This ‘winter capacity’ funding is being applied to a range of initiatives including additional bed capacity. In preparation for the 2015/16 winter period, hospital groups have provided comprehensive winter resilience plans to...

Seanad: Emergency Department Waiting Times: Statements (26 Nov 2015)

Leo Varadkar: I welcome the opportunity to update the House on what is being done to improve access to services in hospitals. I acknowledge that too many patients across Ireland are still spending far too long in emergency departments waiting to be seen, admitted or sent home. This causes difficulties and distress for patients and families and makes working conditions difficult for staff. That is why...

Seanad: Emergency Department Waiting Times: Statements (26 Nov 2015)

Leo Varadkar: Senator Darragh O'Brien made comments in the newspapers. Perhaps Senator Byrne does not listen to his colleagues.

Seanad: Emergency Department Waiting Times: Statements (26 Nov 2015)

Leo Varadkar: I am not involved with organising the business of the House.

Seanad: Emergency Department Waiting Times: Statements (26 Nov 2015)

Leo Varadkar: I cancelled a visit to Tallaght hospital today - which would have included a trip to the accident and emergency department - in order to be here. That was on the basis of a 40-minute debate. If the House arranged its business for a longer debate, I could have made alternative arrangements. I cannot do so now.

Seanad: Emergency Department Waiting Times: Statements (26 Nov 2015)

Leo Varadkar: I absolutely have to leave by 6 p.m. but I would be happy to waive my time to allow others to speak up to 6 p.m., if permitted. I cannot organise the business of the House, Senators must do that. This is a regular occurrence.

Seanad: Emergency Department Waiting Times: Statements (26 Nov 2015)

Leo Varadkar: I apologise to Senator Thomas Byrne for making a short speech. Sometimes, it is possible to say what one wants to say concisely without repeating the same things ad nauseamall the time, as if it would achieve anything. Solutions are not found in long speeches, commentary or analysis. That is why my job is to be in HSE headquarters, where I was today, in my Department, where I was...

Seanad: Emergency Department Waiting Times: Statements (26 Nov 2015)

Leo Varadkar: I visited a second time officially. I regularly visit hospitals at short notice. I can do so, given that I know many people who work in hospitals and can walk in. I have visited, without notice, Connolly hospital in Blanchardstown, St. James’s Hospital, the Mater Hospital, Tallaght hospital at 8 p.m. and St. Vincent’s University Hospital and will do so again. Any time a...

Estimates for Public Services 2015 (1 Dec 2015)

Leo Varadkar: I move the following Supplementary Estimate: Vote 35 – Army Pensions (Supplementary)That a supplementary sum not exceeding €6,500,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2015, for retired pay, pensions, compensation, allowances and gratuities payable under sundry statutes to or in respect of...

Topical Issue Debate: Hospital Investigations (1 Dec 2015)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy for raising this case and for affording me the opportunity to offer my sincerest condolences to the family involved. The Deputy will appreciate that I have a no role in individual cases and do not have access to individual patient files or personal information. I am informed that the Health Service Executive, HSE, and the Coombe hospital have been in contact with this...

Topical Issue Debate: Hospital Investigations (1 Dec 2015)

Leo Varadkar: The Deputy will know that I receive a lot of requests to meet patients and their families-----

Topical Issue Debate: Hospital Investigations (1 Dec 2015)

Leo Varadkar: -----as he would have during his term as Minister for Health and Children.

Topical Issue Debate: Hospital Investigations (1 Dec 2015)

Leo Varadkar: I also do so on occasion. I have met the families in Portlaoise and Mr. Rowlette and Mr. Kivlehan. I met the patients' councils at Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, and Cavan Monaghan Hospital. I meet patients and patient groups all the time. There are, however, 2 million patient attendances in the public health service every year. If one goes back 20 years, that is 40 million...

Topical Issue Debate: Hospital Investigations (1 Dec 2015)

Leo Varadkar: In terms of accountability, if there is a complaint against a particular doctor, the Deputy knows that the complaint is to be brought to the Medical Council. The situation is made difficult if the person is not in the State because no one in the State has the authority to act extrajudicially. If it is a criminal matter, a complaint would have to be made to An Garda Síochána.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Funding (1 Dec 2015)

Leo Varadkar: The National Cancer Control Programme made a grant of €.3m to the Irish Cancer Society to assist with the cost incurred in the Travel2Care programme in 2015. It is planned to continue such funding in 2016.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (1 Dec 2015)

Leo Varadkar: I can assure the Deputy that improving waiting times for out-patients and in-patient care is a key priority for the Government. In January, taking into account current pressures on acute hospital services, I put in place maximum permissible waiting times for in-patient and day case treatment and outpatient appointments of 18 months by 30 June and 15 months by year end. The HSE was provided...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Transfers (1 Dec 2015)

Leo Varadkar: The Deputy's questions relate to service delivery matters and accordingly I have asked the HSE to respond directly to him. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.