Results 23,181-23,200 of 24,635 for speaker:Mary Harney
- Health (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee and Remaining Stages. (8 Mar 2005)
Mary Harney: All of the areas I mentioned need to be brought together in order that access is simpler for those who are most in need, particularly the elderly, but also for families where somebody becomes disabled and there is a need to adapt the home. Unfortunately, I am not in a position to accept the amendment for a number of reasons. It is not a good idea to have a statutory requirement to bring...
- Health (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee and Remaining Stages. (8 Mar 2005)
Mary Harney: The health spend amounts to approximately 25% of what the Government spends on a day-to-day basis. There are still huge deficiencies in our health service right across the board. Resources are not unlimited. They are finite. If the economy was not doing so well, we would not be able to spend even the kind of resources we are spending. We must make choices. Clearly, in that context, choices...
- Health (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee and Remaining Stages. (8 Mar 2005)
Mary Harney: Some are making the contribution; others are not. We are paying approximately â¬120 million in subvention, which is not an inconsiderable amount. However, making up the gap between the subvention and the cost can be a burden on many families. Tax relief also applies. We all accept the system is not easy to fund which is why the concept of making a contribution towards shelter and maintenance...
- Health (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee and Remaining Stages. (8 Mar 2005)
Mary Harney: With regard to the points made by Deputy McManus, I am not seeking to eliminate the element of discretion because the purpose in having a medical card based on hardship is to ensure there is such an element. However, my understanding is that there are huge disparities from one place to another. There are places where it seems a high proportion of the population have medical cards but this...
- Health (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee and Remaining Stages. (8 Mar 2005)
Mary Harney: I am not a great fan of the concept of universality.
- Health (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee and Remaining Stages. (8 Mar 2005)
Mary Harney: It is not affordable and countries which have it are quickly trying to withdraw from such schemes because of the difficulty in funding them. Apart from the funding issue, there is the issue of equity and fairness. If everybody has something, it means others cannot have something that they need. I accept that when a benefit has been introduced, it is a different story to withdraw it. We all...
- Health (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee and Remaining Stages. (8 Mar 2005)
Mary Harney: That happened but we must move on.
- Health (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee and Remaining Stages. (8 Mar 2005)
Mary Harney: My philosophy is that we have to make choices and have priorities. As we cannot do everything, we must decide what is the fairest and best way of using the resources available in the health care system. It is about giving benefits to those who need them most rather than giving them to those who may not need them at the expense of others who could do with them more. That is the consequence of...
- Health (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee and Remaining Stages. (8 Mar 2005)
Mary Harney: If one wins the lotto or inherits â¬2 million and one's medical card is withdrawn, what about softening the landing in such circumstances? Income criteria apply. We factor in the cost of mortgages, rent, travel to work and the number of children involved. We have to stick to the criteria. As I said in response to a question from Deputy McManus, we have the hardship based medical card where...
- Health (Amendment) Bill 2005: Committee and Remaining Stages. (8 Mar 2005)
Mary Harney: They do but it also depends on factors such as the cost of the rent or mortgage.
- Written Answers — Crisis Pregnancy Information Services: Crisis Pregnancy Information Services (3 Mar 2005)
Mary Harney: Recent research commissioned and published by the Crisis Pregnancy Agency refers to the unworthy practices of so called rogue agencies. The reported behaviour of these agencies towards vulnerable women experiencing crisis pregnancies is objectionable and unprofessional; it shows that they are not focused on helping women. Indeed the research found that their tactics extended to lies, threats...
- Written Answers — Crisis Pregnancy Information Services: Crisis Pregnancy Information Services (3 Mar 2005)
Mary Harney: The Crisis Pregnancy Agency, CPA, has informed me that the nine agencies participating in the Positive Options campaign provide counselling on abortion; but some do not provide information likely to be necessary in order for a woman to avail of pregnancy termination services. The CPA is compiling a manual of good practice for crisis pregnancy counsellors in conjunction with crisis pregnancy...
- Written Answers — Hospital Staff. : Hospital Staff. (3 Mar 2005)
Mary Harney: The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive has the responsibility to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. This includes responsibility for the appointment of nursing staff to the community mothers scheme in Newbridge, County Kildare....
- Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (3 Mar 2005)
Mary Harney: The Revised Estimates Volume 2005 shows a gross current figure of â¬10.975 billion for the HSE's Vote 40. This is an increase of â¬1.209 billion or 12.4% over the 2004 notional out-turn. The 2005 figure includes funding for technical adjustments necessary due to the establishment of the new HSE Vote, as explained in the Revised Estimates Volume 2005. Within the overall increase for the HSE,...
- Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (3 Mar 2005)
Mary Harney: On publication of the Estimates for 2005, I announced a ten point action plan to improve the delivery of accident and emergency services. Additional revenue funding of â¬70 million and additional capital funding of â¬10 million is available to the Health Service Executive this year for these initiatives. I have met with senior management of the HSE and my Department is working closely with...
- Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (3 Mar 2005)
Mary Harney: It is not always possible for an agency to commence approved developments on schedule. Developments can get delayed for a number of reasons, such as the recruitment of appropriate personnel, or the acquisition of appropriate premises. When this occurs, it is normal practice for the funding to be carried forward into the following year. Accordingly, unspent development funds will form part of...
- Written Answers — Cancer Screening Programme: Cancer Screening Programme (3 Mar 2005)
Mary Harney: The roll-out of the national breast screening programme to the remaining counties is a major priority in the development of cancer services. This will ensure that all women in the relevant age group in every county have access to breast screening and follow up treatment where appropriate. A capital investment of approximately â¬21 million has been approved to construct and equip two static...
- Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (3 Mar 2005)
Mary Harney: I have arranged to meet representatives of the Parents for Justice group at2 p.m. on Thursday, 24 March 2005 in Leinster House.
- Written Answers — Medical Aids and Appliances: Medical Aids and Appliances (3 Mar 2005)
Mary Harney: The cost of medical equipment, including that referred to by the Deputy, depends primarily on specification requirements and the response to tender procedures in specific instances. The Health Service Executive has responsibility for the procurement of medical equipment in the public health sector. I have requested the executive to provide the Deputy with an indication of costs incurred in...
- Written Answers — Hospital Services: Hospital Services (3 Mar 2005)
Mary Harney: The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive has the responsibility to manage and deliver or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. This includes responsibility for the provision of services at Waterford Regional Hospital. Accordingly, my Department has requested the...