Results 2,421-2,440 of 11,979 for speaker:Billy Kelleher

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Legislative Programme (21 Mar 2017)

Billy Kelleher: 1260. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the reason there has been a delay in the enactment of the Companies (Accounting) Bill 2016; when it will be enacted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13791/17]

Misuse of Drugs (Supervised Injecting Facilities) Bill 2017: Second Stage (Resumed) (8 Mar 2017)

Billy Kelleher: I did not realise that I was able to get in. I also welcome the Bill. It is a positive step in addressing the issues faced on a daily basis by drug addicts on the streets of the capital city. I realise it is based on a pilot. Mr. Tony Duffin and others have been before the Joint Committee on Health in recent years to explain the concept. Like many others, I did not have a great...

Misuse of Drugs (Supervised Injecting Facilities) Bill 2017: Second Stage (Resumed) (8 Mar 2017)

Billy Kelleher: No.

Misuse of Drugs (Supervised Injecting Facilities) Bill 2017: Second Stage (Resumed) (8 Mar 2017)

Billy Kelleher: I thought you were implying that I had some knowledge of it already.

Misuse of Drugs (Supervised Injecting Facilities) Bill 2017: Second Stage (Resumed) (8 Mar 2017)

Billy Kelleher: I will take the hint from the Ceann Comhairle. While it is a pilot scheme, I believe we should examine the international evidence and embrace the concept more widely to ensure we can assist more people who are chronically addicted to substances and who inject. There are such people in many of our major cities and towns throughout the country. There are always objections and the view...

Health (Amendment) Bill 2017: Second Stage (8 Mar 2017)

Billy Kelleher: To live up to their promises.

Health (Amendment) Bill 2017: Second Stage (8 Mar 2017)

Billy Kelleher: On a point of order, I point out that Deputy Bernard J. Durkan has eight minutes left, for fear he was not aware of it.

Health (Amendment) Bill 2017: Second Stage (8 Mar 2017)

Billy Kelleher: If the Minister does not believe me, I am afraid they have pulled the wool over his eyes as well-----

Health (Amendment) Bill 2017: Second Stage (8 Mar 2017)

Billy Kelleher: -----because that is what they are at. The bluff is continuing. The IMO and the boys are inside, they are sitting down and they will start scratching each other's backs. The Department of Health, the IMO and others have no interest in negotiating a new contract. They are just tinkering with the old one. I urge the Minister to consider this.

Health (Amendment) Bill 2017: Second Stage (8 Mar 2017)

Billy Kelleher: I wish to share my time with Deputies Jack Chambers and Eugene Murphy.

Health (Amendment) Bill 2017: Second Stage (8 Mar 2017)

Billy Kelleher: We will be supporting the Bill. We thank the Minister for bringing it to the House in a reasonably timely fashion on foot of the commitments that were made in the programme for Government and the negotiations in that context. This measure was contained in most parties' manifestos in the run up to last year's general election. However, that is as far as I can go in welcoming it. This...

Other Questions: Mental Health Services Staff (8 Mar 2017)

Billy Kelleher: I will read an extract from a letter sent from a medical centre in my constituency to the HSE about the same issue:My colleagues and I at the [health centre] are extremely alarmed and worried at the lack of a Consultant in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in our area [the north Lee area] ... we have no access to appropriate Psychiatric intervention for the seriously distressed child or...

Other Questions: Hospital Beds Data (8 Mar 2017)

Billy Kelleher: 20. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the hospital bed capacity review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12078/17]

Other Questions: Hospital Beds Data (8 Mar 2017)

Billy Kelleher: I wish to ask the Minister for Health about the status of the bed capacity review. I have raised this issue on a number of occasions and I would like to know the status of the review and where we are in the context of the terms of reference. Who will be independently validating the bed capacity review, particularly in view of the fact that for many years it was the policy of the Department...

Other Questions: Hospital Beds Data (8 Mar 2017)

Billy Kelleher: I thank the Minister for his reply. The fact that there is outside oversight in the context of the bed capacity review is welcome. Let us be under no illusions. For the past six years, the policy of the Department of Health, regardless of which Minister was defending it, has been to reduce the capacity of beds in the public hospital system. This policy was robustly defended for a long...

Other Questions: Hospital Beds Data (8 Mar 2017)

Billy Kelleher: I thank the Minister. While we are asking questions in the context of the bed capacity review, there is not much point, as the Minister stated previously, in having the beds if we do not have blankets and mattresses. More important is the staff for these beds. Will that feed in to the assessment of the manpower requirements, training programmes and all that flows from that report;...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Legislative Reviews (8 Mar 2017)

Billy Kelleher: 14. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to review the Health (Amendment) Act 2013, specifically in respect of its impact on the hospital sector. [12346/17]

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Legislative Reviews (8 Mar 2017)

Billy Kelleher: I am in training so my oxygen levels are not too bad. Does the Minister have any plans regarding the Health (Amendment) Act 2013, specifically in respect of its impact on the hospital sector and the concerns about the treatment of private patients in public hospitals? I know he has made an announcement since I tabled the question.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Legislative Reviews (8 Mar 2017)

Billy Kelleher: I welcome the fact that there will be a review, which we requested. There are concerns about this. It has been brought to my attention by some health care providers in the private sector that there is now competition in certain areas in trying to attract private patients and treating them on public beds. The concept of the 20% designation in public hospitals with treatment of private...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Legislative Reviews (8 Mar 2017)

Billy Kelleher: One should never ask the fox to carry out an inspection of the fence around the hen house, but that is what the Minister is doing in respect of the Department of Health on this occasion. It is a policy decision of the Department of Health to bring forward the 2013 Act, which allows for a designation of all beds in public hospitals for private patients. There is no doubt, even in the context...