Results 241-260 of 1,371 for speaker:Máire Hoctor

Seanad: Social Welfare Offices (17 Dec 2008)

Máire Hoctor: The Senator is probably also aware of the availability of resources through the community welfare officer who will always ensure people do not endure hardship in the interim before the claim is properly processed. I am obviously speaking to the converted here, but that is another area. Nevertheless, I will address this issue and bring it to the attention of the Minister, Deputy Hanafin, on...

Seanad: Schools Patronage (17 Dec 2008)

Máire Hoctor: I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Education and Science. I thank the Senator for raising the matter as it affords me the opportunity to outline to the Seanad the current issues surrounding recognition and patronage in general and the position regarding the request from Educate Together to become a patron of second level schools in particular. The Department of Education...

Seanad: Schools Patronage (17 Dec 2008)

Máire Hoctor: I will do that and come back to the Senator in writing.

Seanad: Care of the Elderly (17 Dec 2008)

Máire Hoctor: I thank Senator Norris for raising this issue. It provides me with an opportunity to outline to this House the background to the current situation and the action taken by the HSE, and to reassure the older people concerned about the future. I have been informed by the HSE that it has not made a decision to close the facility. Government policy on older people is to support people to live in...

Seanad: Care of the Elderly (17 Dec 2008)

Máire Hoctor: All I can do is read the statement that is given to me. To be fair to the HSE, if it has not made a decision, I accept that and I ask the Senator to accept it. I appreciate the power of suggestion; it can have a great impact. I hope those who are worried are worrying unnecessarily. Do I recall correctly that the Senator's questions related to whether the people in question have been told...

Seanad: Care of the Elderly (17 Dec 2008)

Máire Hoctor: I will get back to the Senator in writing on those questions.

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (16 Dec 2008)

Máire Hoctor: I propose to take Questions Nos. 105 and 125 together. The Specialist Palliative Care In-Patient Unit for Waterford is currently included in the Development Control Plan (D.C.P) for Waterford Regional Hospital, which is nearing completion. It is anticipated that the appointed architects will commence design of the Hospital D.C.P in January 2009. The Design Team and HSE Estates Management...

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (16 Dec 2008)

Máire Hoctor: Under the Programme for Government, the Government has committed to removing the regional disparities in the provision and funding of palliative care, and to ensuring that the needs of all those who require palliative care are met. The Department of Health and Children is committed to working with the HSE and other key stakeholders in developing palliative care services throughout Ireland....

Written Answers — Housing Aid for the Elderly: Housing Aid for the Elderly (16 Dec 2008)

Máire Hoctor: The Deputy will appreciate that since the end of August 2008, the Housing Aid for Older People (HAOP) scheme, which includes the Essential Repairs Grant has been administered by the local authorities. The Health Service Executive has confirmed that it does not have an application on hand for the individual referred to by the Deputy. The issue raised therefore in this case is primarily a...

Written Answers — Health Service Funding: Health Service Funding (16 Dec 2008)

Máire Hoctor: The commissioning of new capital units, including that referred to by the Deputy in County Limerick, is a matter for the Health Service Executive in the context of its overall priorities for Palliative Care and in line with agreed capital and revenue resources. Accordingly, as this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Written Answers — Community Care: Community Care (16 Dec 2008)

Máire Hoctor: As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2008)

Máire Hoctor: Yes, we can get that information directly from those sources to update our records.

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2008)

Máire Hoctor: The Senator will appreciate that there is sometimes a time lag between the death of a person and the registration of his or her death. There are also cases, of course, where deaths are not registered. As a GP, Senator Twomey will appreciate that doctors are requested and obliged, indeed, to inform the HSE when patients die and——

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2008)

Máire Hoctor: ——-when there is a change of address, for example.

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2008)

Máire Hoctor: Where the information is available to the GP, he or she is obliged to inform the HSE so that it can have its records updated.

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2008)

Máire Hoctor: The person would be assessed only on the interest of the bank deposit. I understand the Senator's questions and I appreciate that the person in question might not have a house. For example, he or she could have only half of a house.

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2008)

Máire Hoctor: He or she might need to pay rent. All of these matters would need to be taken into account in an assessment. Only the interest on what is lodged in a bank is assessed.

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2008)

Máire Hoctor: The phrase "similar investments" was included to refer to, for example, shares. We are still discussing the interest generated from a lump sum lodged.

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2008)

Máire Hoctor: We must recognise that this legislation provides that the Minister, following a review, can only increase rates. They cannot be reduced. The Senator referred to inflation, but protection is provided for on page 5, line 29, which reads, "specified for the purposes of this section".

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2008)

Máire Hoctor: It must be pointed out that the Minister cannot reduce the gross income limits.