Results 25,141-25,160 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Health: HSE Expenditure (9 Jul 2015)

Leo Varadkar: The April Health Service Performance Report, the latest published, shows year to date net expenditure of €4.116 billion against a profile of €3.980 billion, leading to a variance of €136m. The acute hospital sector is reporting a deficit of €61m, which represents 45% of the overall deficit; PCRS and Local Schemes account for €39m; and Social Care is...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Conditions (9 Jul 2015)

Leo Varadkar: Fibromyalgia is a medical disorder which causes chronic pain in addition to other symptoms such as fatigue and reduced physical function. The medical management of fibromyalgia relates to careful management of the symptoms including pain control. Patients with fibromyalgia can avail of a variety of treatments and support in the primary care and hospital settings. These can include patient...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Conditions (9 Jul 2015)

Leo Varadkar: In responding to the Report on Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) which was compiled earlier this year by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children, I indicated my support for an all-island approach to the provision of this treatment and committed to progressing this matter in talks with my counterpart in Northern Ireland. The North/South Ministerial Council deals with a variety of...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Vaccination Programme (9 Jul 2015)

Leo Varadkar: The immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). NIAC is a committee of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland comprising of experts in a number of specialties including infectious diseases, paediatrics and public health. The committee's recommendations are informed by public health advice and international best...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Obesity Levels (9 Jul 2015)

Leo Varadkar: In recognition of the challenges caused by obesity, the Department of Health is currently developing an Obesity Policy and Action Plan. A National consultation day was held recently and further consultation is being organised. The fiscal, marketing and educational issues raised in the correspondence will be considered as part of the Obesity Policy and Action Plan.

Written Answers — Department of Health: EU Directives (9 Jul 2015)

Leo Varadkar: The revised Tobacco Products Directive came into force in May 2014 following approval by the European Parliament. The Directive sets out rules for tobacco products and e-cigarettes, including labelling and packaging, ingredients and emissions, traceability and security features, which member States must transpose into national law by 20th May 2016. In addition, the Directive contains a...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Tobacco Control Measures (9 Jul 2015)

Leo Varadkar: As the Deputy will be aware, the Public Health (Standardised Packaging of Tobacco) Act 2015 was passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas and signed into law by the President on 10 March 2015. Prior to enactment, the draft legislation was formally notified to the Commission and to Member States under the EU Technical Standards Directive (98/34/EC) and the Tobacco Products Directive...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Departmental Legal Costs (9 Jul 2015)

Leo Varadkar: The information requested by the Deputy is not immediately available. The information will be compiled and forwarded to the Deputy once it becomes available.

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Children's Hospital (9 Jul 2015)

Leo Varadkar: Your question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply as the management of the healthcare property estate is a service matter. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office who will follow up.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Departmental Budgets (9 Jul 2015)

Leo Varadkar: The once-off revenue measures relate principally to quicker settlement of hospital bills by health insurers; additional receipts from the United Kingdom in respect of health services provided under EU Regulations; and a technical adjustment to the Vote as a result of the disestablishment of the Vote of the HSE. Almost €190 million has been achieved to date from UK receipts and the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff Recruitment (9 Jul 2015)

Leo Varadkar: The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform announced in the latest budget, that he intends to delegate greater autonomy to Departments and Agencies to manage their own staffing levels. The change from the application of a rigid employment control framework, with its particular focus on a moratorium on recruitment and compliance with employment ceilings and targets, to one operating...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff Recruitment (9 Jul 2015)

Leo Varadkar: I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on the matter. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointment Status (9 Jul 2015)

Leo Varadkar: Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual. The National...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointment Status (9 Jul 2015)

Leo Varadkar: Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual. The National...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Equipment (9 Jul 2015)

Leo Varadkar: As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (9 Jul 2015)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 220 and 223 together. As these are service matters, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Nursing Staff Remuneration (9 Jul 2015)

Leo Varadkar: Given the significant downturn in the economy in the period from 2007, there was a requirement to reduce public service numbers and maximise savings in the public service. The HSE introduced an embargo on recruitment in 2007, and this was followed by the moratorium on recruitment and promotion in the public sector in 2008. This curtailed nursing recruitment across the public health service....

Written Answers — Department of Health: Nursing Staff Provision (9 Jul 2015)

Leo Varadkar: I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on the matter. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Midwifery Services (9 Jul 2015)

Leo Varadkar: I wish to thank the Deputy for the matter raised. Given that this is an operational matter, it is appropriate that it should be dealt with by the HSE. I have referred the Deputy's question to the HSE for attention and direct reply. If you have not received a reply from the NMBI within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff Recruitment (9 Jul 2015)

Leo Varadkar: The HSE, in conjunction with my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, is currently progressing a range of measures to support the recruitment and retention of consultants, doctors and nurses into the future. The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform announced in the last budget, that he intends to delegate greater autonomy to Departments and Agencies to manage...