Results 19,861-19,880 of 22,424 for speaker:Finian McGrath

Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2018 [Seanad]: Second Stage (6 Dec 2018)

Finian McGrath: Relative to other countries, health insurance is held by a large proportion of people in Ireland. It is important to take the opportunity to discuss this Bill and the positive effect that community ratings and other aspects of health insurance regulation have on people's daily lives. As stated earlier, Sláintecare will introduce change in how people access health services and may mean...

Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2018: Referral to Select Committee (6 Dec 2018)

Finian McGrath: I move:That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Health pursuant to Standing Orders 84A(3)(a) and 149(1).

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Emergency Departments (6 Dec 2018)

Finian McGrath: I thank Deputy Michael Harty for raising this very important issue. I also thank him for his own contribution in the broader area of health. He has made many sensible and practical proposals, particularly in recent years. I welcome the opportunity to address the issues he has raised. The Minister for Health acknowledges the distress caused by crowded emergency departments to patients,...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Emergency Departments (6 Dec 2018)

Finian McGrath: It must be acknowledged that attendances in emergency departments are growing year on year and that the health service capacity review indicates that Ireland has among the highest acute bed occupancy rates in the developed world. The objective of the plan is to ensure the most effective response within available resources to the winter challenges in terms of unscheduled care provision....

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Health Services Funding (6 Dec 2018)

Finian McGrath: I thank the Deputy for her important question. I hope we can get to the bottom of the issue. The HSE national service plan set out in 2018 funding for health services totalling €14.556 billion. A sum of €14.411 billion was originally allocated to the HSE by the Department, with €145.9 million held back for new developments, most of which sum has since been released....

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Health Services Funding (6 Dec 2018)

Finian McGrath: I do. I am confused myself.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Health Services Funding (6 Dec 2018)

Finian McGrath: I thank the Deputy for raising these very important questions. There are times when I get confused myself. My initial response is that the HSE said there was a need for savings, and the bottom line is that this involves a number of areas, including emergency departments in hospitals. I know from my work in the disability sector that sometimes an emergency case can go from a normal...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Health Services Funding (6 Dec 2018)

Finian McGrath: The Minister is tied up.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Health Services Funding (6 Dec 2018)

Finian McGrath: The Minister is at a European Council meeting.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Health Services Funding (6 Dec 2018)

Finian McGrath: Yes. She will be back tomorrow.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Health Services Funding (6 Dec 2018)

Finian McGrath: It is agreed.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla (Atógáil) - Topical Issue Debate (Resumed): Women's Resource Centres (6 Dec 2018)

Finian McGrath: I thank Deputy Ferris for raising this very important issue. I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Catherine Byrne. The Tralee Women's Resource Centre is a drop-in centre funded by the HSE, Tusla and the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection. It had a dedicated support worker for violence against women. The brief for the centre is to...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla (Atógáil) - Topical Issue Debate (Resumed): Women's Resource Centres (6 Dec 2018)

Finian McGrath: I thank Deputy Ferris for raising this important issue and I do not doubt for one minute his sincerity. I value the work voluntary organisations do. I know this myself as I came into politics through the voluntary sector. Voluntary organisations play a key role in the provision of health and social care services. It includes the areas Deputy Ferris mentioned, as well as the elderly, care...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Neuro-Rehabilitation Services (6 Dec 2018)

Finian McGrath: I propose to take Questions Nos. 154 and 155 together. The Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Services for People with Disabilities (6 Dec 2018)

Finian McGrath: The Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Illness Benefit Payments (6 Dec 2018)

Finian McGrath: The Qualified Adult allowance increase for the person concerned has been processed and arrears owing to him for this allowance have been issued. The Illness Benefit claim is medically certified up to the 2nd December 2018 and now fully paid up to the 1st December 2018. If the person concerned remains ill and unfit for work, a further medical certificate should be submitted to the Department...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Illness Benefit Applications (6 Dec 2018)

Finian McGrath: The Illness Benefit claim for the person concerned for the period 7th September 2018 to 11th October 2018 has been processed and all arrears owing to her have been issued. A final certificate was then received and as such the claim is now closed I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Illness Benefit Payments (6 Dec 2018)

Finian McGrath: The Illness Benefit claim for the person concerned has been put back into payment and all arrears owing to her have been issued. The claim is medically certified up to the 13th May 2019 and has been paid up to the 12th December 2018. Illness Benefit payments will continue to automatically issue up to the certified date. If the person concerned remains ill and unfit for work after the 13th...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Disability Allowance Payments (6 Dec 2018)

Finian McGrath: I can confirm that the person concerned is in receipt of disability allowance (DA) at the maximum personal rate payable for a single person. If the gentleman’s circumstances have changed and he wishes to have his claim reviewed, he may apply in writing to the disability allowance section, Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Ballinalee Road, Longford. DA and...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Illness Benefit Applications (6 Dec 2018)

Finian McGrath: The Department administers the Illness Benefit scheme to those customers who cannot work because they are sick or ill provided they are covered by the appropriate class of social insurance (PRSI) and satisfy the PRSI conditions. Unfortunately no Illness Benefit claim has been received from the person concerned. An application form (IB1) for Illness Benefit has issued to the person concerned...