Results 2,321-2,340 of 2,569 for speaker:Peter Fitzpatrick

Order of Business (22 Oct 2013)

Peter Fitzpatrick: When can we expect the publication of the radiological protection Bill? This will put in place the legislative basis required for the merger of the RPI with the EPA and to ensure that Irish legislation is compatible with the terms of the convention on physical protection of nuclear material and nuclear facilities, and that Ireland may ratify this convention.

Cochlear Implants: Motion [Private Members] (17 Oct 2013)

Peter Fitzpatrick: Universal newborn hearing screening, UNHS, is in place in the HSE south, Dublin mid-Leinster and Dublin north east regions. HSE west has been going live throughout 2013, with UNHS already rolled out in Letterkenny and at Sligo General Hospital. Front-line audiology staff are currently being recruited to support the newborn hearing screening programme. A procurement exercise for the...

Cochlear Implants: Motion [Private Members] (17 Oct 2013)

Peter Fitzpatrick: A memorandum of understanding has been developed between Deafhear, HSE audiology, HSE speech and language therapy, the Beaumont Hospital cochlear implant team and visiting teacher services to ensure that all groups are working together to provide services to people with hearing impairment.

Cochlear Implants: Motion [Private Members] (17 Oct 2013)

Peter Fitzpatrick: A cochlear implant is a highly sophisticated device which provides access to sound for people with severe to profound hearing loss. The surgical implant device, when coupled with an external processor, can provide access to speech and everyday sound to aid or improve communication ability. Beaumont Hospital is the centre for the delivery of Ireland's national cochlear implant programme, but...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Update on Health Issues: Discussion (17 Oct 2013)

Peter Fitzpatrick: Almost 2 million of the population, or 43%, are covered either by a medical card or a GP visit card. As Mr. O'Brien stated, there has been a 74% increase since 2005. The question I came with today relates to the hardship issue. On grounds of hardship, the HSE can apply discretion and grant a medical card. Mr. O'Brien stated here that, as of 1 October 2013, 52,733 medical cards were issued...

Financial Resolutions 2014 - Financial Resolution No. 8: General (Resumed) (16 Oct 2013)

Peter Fitzpatrick: Budget 2014 has been crafted in as fair a manner as possible, which will allow us to continue to make progress in getting people back to work. Since coming to office, the Government has been focusing on our biggest challenge, which is getting people off the live register and back into the workforce. These efforts are starting to bear fruit, with the unemployment rate falling for the past 15...

Order of Business (16 Oct 2013)

Peter Fitzpatrick: When can we expect the publication of the Noise Nuisance Bill, which is to extend and improve the power available to enforcement authorities to prevent, reduce and abate noise nuisance by allowing for on-the-spot fines and providing for mediation between neighbours?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Children and Youth Affairs: Discussion (10 Oct 2013)

Peter Fitzpatrick: I believe the Minister and the Minister for Health, Deputy Reilly, will launch a three-year media campaign on obesity. Will the Minister elaborate on this?

Criminal Justice (Forensic Evidence and DNA Database System) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (9 Oct 2013)

Peter Fitzpatrick: The Bill seeks to provide for the establishment, management and oversight of a DNA database system, which will be used in criminal investigations and also to assist in finding missing persons and identifying unknown persons. The Bill provides for the taking of samples for the purpose of the DNA database system. It also seeks to replace the existing statutory and common law arrangements for...

Order of Business (9 Oct 2013)

Peter Fitzpatrick: When can we expect the retention of certain records Bill - the purpose of which is to allow for the retention of the records of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse, the Residential Institutions Redress Board and the Residential Institutions Review Committee - to be published?

Order of Business (8 Oct 2013)

Peter Fitzpatrick: When does the Taoiseach expect publication of the Health Information Bill which will provide a legislative framework for the better governance of health information and initiatives, including data matching and health information resources for use in the health service?

Freedom of Information Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (3 Oct 2013)

Peter Fitzpatrick: In 1997 the then Government enacted the Freedom of Information Bill 1997 which was identified as a key to delivering openness and transparency in government. In April 2003 the Act was amended by the Freedom of Information (Amendment) Act 2003. The changes made in the Act were widely criticised. The Bill before us seeks to restore freedom of information legislation to its pre-2003 state and...

Order of Business (2 Oct 2013)

Peter Fitzpatrick: When can we expect the publication of the licensing of health care facilities Bill, which is to provide for a mandatory system of licensing for public and private health care facilities?

Order of Business (1 Oct 2013)

Peter Fitzpatrick: When can we expect publication of the education (admission to school) Bill, which will ensure schools' enrolment policies are more open, credible and consistent?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion (26 Sep 2013)

Peter Fitzpatrick: I am very confused. If a person with a medical card goes to visit a GP and needs a blood test, can the doctor charge the person extra for getting a blood test?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion (26 Sep 2013)

Peter Fitzpatrick: I thank the witnesses for attending this morning. The presentations were excellent. Each witness made a good case for their budget and I wish them the best in the future. The Minister, Deputy Reilly, is a firm believer in the policy that money follows the patient. I fully support that. As Deputy Regina Doherty said, it is important that older people stay at home for as long as possible....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion (26 Sep 2013)

Peter Fitzpatrick: I agree with Mr. Macey on obesity. For the past 12 months I have been working on obesity. I have looked at reports for the past five, ten and 15 years. Every approach was continually requested. At this stage of the game something needs to be done to tackle obesity. I will take into account what he said this morning and will send a copy of my report in two weeks. I would be interested to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion (26 Sep 2013)

Peter Fitzpatrick: I welcome the witnesses. My first question is for Mr. Chris Macey of the Irish Heart Foundation. We are all aware of the obesity crisis in Ireland. As he stated, 61% of adults are obese or overweight. He believes the over-consumption of processed foods and sugar-sweetened drinks are the main contributors. If tax on sugar-sweetened drinks were increased by 20%, he maintains it would...

Fines (Payment and Recovery) Bill 2013: Second Stage (25 Sep 2013)

Peter Fitzpatrick: The Fines Payment and Recovery Bill 2013 will give courts the ability to attach a fine to earnings and directly recover the fine from a person's pay cheque. Courts will have to consider the financial circumstances of an offender in determining the level of a fine. The Bill will also put in place a system of receivers who will seize and sell property in order to recover the value of a fine,...

Order of Business (25 Sep 2013)

Peter Fitzpatrick: When does the Taoiseach expect the publication of the criminal law (sexual offences) Bill to implement recommendations of the second interim report of Joint Committee on the Constitutional Amendment on Children and further protect vulnerable persons against exploitation and abuse?