Results 2,121-2,140 of 9,393 for speaker:Alex White

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Telecommunications Services Provision (15 Jul 2014)

Alex White: Under the terms of licences issued by the telecommunications regulator, ComReg, Mobile Network Operators are required to provide a minimum level of national population coverage. The design of the network is a matter entirely for the operator concerned although operators tend to exceed their minimum coverage requirements for commercial reasons. However, given that mobile telephone services are...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Telecommunications Infrastructure (15 Jul 2014)

Alex White: Under the terms of licences issued by the telecommunications regulator, ComReg, Mobile Network Operators are required to provide a minimum level of national population coverage. The design of the network is a matter entirely for the operator concerned although operators tend to exceed their minimum coverage requirements for commercial reasons. However, given that mobile telephone services are...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Minister for Health (10 Jul 2014)

Alex White: I also wish the Chairman well.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Minister for Health (10 Jul 2014)

Alex White: In the circumstances to which Deputy Seamus Healy refers, people need the assurance of getting a card promptly. However, in the event of a delay of, perhaps, one month what would typically happen to the expenses which would otherwise be covered by the medical card? In other words, would the applicant be at a loss for that month?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Minister for Health (10 Jul 2014)

Alex White: All of the expenses, such as hospitals and drugs -----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Minister for Health (10 Jul 2014)

Alex White: In such circumstances, could Mr. Hennessy deal with the issue? I know it is not possible to backdate eligibility but perhaps the date of application rather than the date of grant could become the operative date. This sounds to me like a problem that could be addressed.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Minister for Health (10 Jul 2014)

Alex White: That is not to say public representatives should not have every opportunity to advocate on behalf of their constituents. I support that as a public representative myself. Deputy Robert Dowds asked about the costs associated with an illness or condition, which is exactly what the discretionary regime is there to deal with where a person is over the limits. Costs associated with the illness...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Minister for Health (10 Jul 2014)

Alex White: Deputy Sandra McLellan referred to the forthcoming extension of free GP care to the over-70s. She asked us to look at net, rather than gross, income, but that will not apply because there will be no charge. Once it is universal for all those over70 years the income limits will be irrelevant. One simple way to deal with the over-70s issue in legislation, although I am not saying it is the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Minister for Health (10 Jul 2014)

Alex White: I am answering the question I was asked. What I wrote down was "when considering the over-70s". That is what the Deputy said.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Minister for Health (10 Jul 2014)

Alex White: Can I deal with the Deputy's question? If Deputy Seamus Healy has questions, I can answer them also.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Minister for Health (10 Jul 2014)

Alex White: I reject that suggestion. As the Chairman knows, I do not tend to react to such remarks, but I reject Deputy Seamus Healy's suggestion I am trying to avoid any question or change a question in any way. I am trying to be helpful. Most Deputies and Senators will know that I have tried, at all times, to be helpful in answering questions. The Deputy, therefore, really should not have made...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Minister for Health (10 Jul 2014)

Alex White: I will ask either Ms McGuinness or Mr. Hennessy to deal with the specific matter of issuing an emergency medical card and the delay referred to by Deputy Sandra McLellan. Based on what she described, the delay does not sound acceptable at all.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Minister for Health (10 Jul 2014)

Alex White: I will ask the HSE representatives to deal with the matter. The role of public representatives, including the Minister, arises in that regard. It is important for public representatives to have the opportunity to raise these issues. The Minister and I have communicated privately and are now doing so publicly that public representatives should be facilitated in a timely and efficient manner.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Minister for Health (10 Jul 2014)

Alex White: Absolutely. The issue of public representatives was raised, but, of course, citizens should also be facilitated. However, I need to remind colleagues about the HSE governance legislation. It is not open to a Minister to give a direction to the HSE in respect of an individual's eligibility for services. In fact, a Minister is prohibited from doing that under the HSE legislation. He or she...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Minister for Health (10 Jul 2014)

Alex White: On Deputy Maloney's question regarding Sativex and similar products, I agree with him and agree with his remarks on the value of making this available. It is critical that this be done. His direct questions relate first to the regulations that are necessary because it is not lawful at present to manufacture, produce, prepare or in any way deal with cannabis or cannabis-based medicinal...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Minister for Health (10 Jul 2014)

Alex White: Each individual is different and some people over 70 will retain the full medical card.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Minister for Health (10 Jul 2014)

Alex White: What we are talking about regarding universal primary care is access to GP services. We are always trying to improve access to services for the entire population. The key point is to get people the services they need but access to GP services is an important but narrow issue. People over 70 years of age are a public health priority group and should have access to a GP to manage health,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Minister for Health (10 Jul 2014)

Alex White: No, the extension of free GP care to the people over 70 will not be retrospective but prospective. There will be a change in legislation that will apply prospectively, not retrospectively. Senator van Turnhout mentioned the gagging clause and I completely accept her point on her support for this legislation because she made it clear in the Seanad. I did not say to anyone that I regard...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Minister for Health (10 Jul 2014)

Alex White: On the question of the particular amendment, it is an issue that can be resolved through negotiations between the Health Service Executive, HSE, and the Department on one side and the Irish Medical Organisation, IMO, on the other. My overarching point yesterday, which was not fully accepted by Senator Crown and others, was that negotiation on the contract is a matter for the parties to the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Minister for Health (10 Jul 2014)

Alex White: I have no idea how Senator Crown could interpret my words in this way.