Results 28,301-28,320 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Health: Trade Agreements (23 Oct 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The Public Health (Standardised Packaging of Tobacco) Bill 2014 is a public health measure, the objective of which is to make all tobacco packs look less attractive to consumers, to make health warnings more prominent, and to prevent packaging from misleading consumers about the harmful effects of tobacco. Standardised packaging of tobacco products, also known as generic packaging, means...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Food Safety Standards Regulation (23 Oct 2014)

Leo Varadkar: My Department is aware of the recent World Health Organisation study and is considering its recommendations. The use of energy drinks has increased considerably in recent years and therefore we have asked Safefood to consider the current evidence and the World Health Organisation's study. Safefood will then advise my Department as appropriate, of any necessary future actions.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Bed Data (23 Oct 2014)

Leo Varadkar: As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Charges (23 Oct 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Charges for long-stay in-patient services, which may include respite in-patient services, were provided for under the Health (Amendment) Act 2005 and came into effect on 15 July 2005 under the Health (Charges for In-Patient Services) Regulations 2005. The Regulations have been amended on a number of occasions since 2005, most recently by the Health (Charges for In-patient Services)...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Organ Donation (23 Oct 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The HSE has a bilateral arrangement in place with the UK National Health Service Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) service. Any organs that are not utilised in Ireland are offered to the UK system through the NHSBT who manage the process of organ donation for all of the UK. Similarly, Ireland is offered organs that are not utilised in the UK.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Registration of Nurses (23 Oct 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The Nurses and Midwives Act 2011 does not require written consent of the Minister of Health to increase the nurses' and midwives' retention fee. As previously advised, my Department has no role in setting or approving registration fees by the Nursing and Midwifery Board (NMBI). The NMBI may set fees, determined by the Board, for the annual registration fee.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Capital Programme Expenditure (23 Oct 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The Health capital allocation for 2016 will be €450m and will be made up of a combination of Exchequer funding and funding from the proceeds of the sale of the National Lottery. Work on the Capital Plan 2015-2019 is under way and the overall funding available will be allocated across the relevant programmes for the period. As the Deputy will be aware, the health infrastructure...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Public Sector Staff Remuneration (23 Oct 2014)

Leo Varadkar: In relation to the Non-Commercial Semi State Bodies under the aegis of my Department, no bonus payments were made to staff in 2013, or to July 2014.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Hospitals Inspections (22 Oct 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I have worked in Tallaght hospital in the past and I did some of my training there. It is a hospital that I am very fond of. I have worked in the medicine for the elderly services and therefore I know the William Stokes unit well. I was there last month. The fact that the hospital has hired a new microbiologist and has put in place additional resources is welcome. It is important to put on...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Medical Indemnity Cover (22 Oct 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I thank Senator Conway for raising this matter. Subject to overall Government policy, staffing of the health service is primarily a matter for the Health Service Executive, HSE. However, there are issues concerning the provision of midwives for home births and I welcome the opportunity to comment on these. There are a number of areas of the health service where staffing shortages exist,...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Hospitals Inspections (22 Oct 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Senator for raising this important matter and for the opportunity to update the House on the response to the recommendations of the HIQA report on the unannounced inspection of Tallaght hospital. As Minister for Health, I take the prevention and control of health care associated infections very seriously and I welcome the publication of this report. Health care associated...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Infectious Disease Surveillance (22 Oct 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) of the HSE is responsible for the surveillance of notifiable infectious diseases such as Lyme Disease. The HPSC is presently involved in establishing a Lyme Borreliosis Sub-Committee with the primary aim of examining best practice in prevention and surveillance of Lyme Disease and to develop strategies to undertake primary prevention in order...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Food (22 Oct 2014)

Leo Varadkar: As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff Remuneration (22 Oct 2014)

Leo Varadkar: As this is a service matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the HSE for direct reply.

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Lottery Funding Applications (22 Oct 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I have requested the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy in relation to the specific issues raised.

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Lottery Funding Applications (22 Oct 2014)

Leo Varadkar: My Department has received an application for funding from the 2014 National Lottery allocation from the organisation in question. This is one of a large number of applications currently being assessed by my Department. The organisation will be informed of the outcome of the application as soon as a decision has been made.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Services (22 Oct 2014)

Leo Varadkar: As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Midwifery Services (22 Oct 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I have been informed by the HSE that there were 12 mothers-to-be contracted for homebirths with Ms Canning at the time of her suspension. Three mothers have delivered of their babies. The remaining mothers-to-be are awaiting delivery of their babies. Of the remaining mothers, some have accepted the services of the Self-Employed Community Midwives (SECM), some are still deciding, some have...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Cross-Border Health Initiatives (22 Oct 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The Health Service Executive operates the Directive on Patients’ Rights in Cross Border Healthcare in Ireland under Statutory Instrument 203 of 2014 which commenced on 1st June 2014. The Directive provides rules for the reimbursement to patients’ of the cost of receiving treatment abroad, where the patient would be entitled to such treatment in their home Member State (Member...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Water Quality (22 Oct 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I am informed by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government that the Environmental Protection Agency has initiated enforcement proceedings against Kerry County Council and Irish Water. As the matter is currently before the courts, it is not appropriate for me to comment on the specifics of this case. I am aware that the Health Service Executive has issued advice to...