Results 28,441-28,460 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Health: HSE Waiting Lists (9 Oct 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The HSE has stated clearly that it has no knowledge of any "confidential internal memo" that allegedly "urged employees to manipulate waiting lists to meet health service targets". The policy of the HSE on this matter is clear. All hospital managers are expected to efficiently manage waiting lists in chronological order, except where clinical need dictates that a patient needs to be...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Ambulance Service Response Times (9 Oct 2014)

Leo Varadkar: A response to the Deputy's original question was issued to him by the HSE on 2nd May 2014. I have asked the HSE to provide the Deputy with an update.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Provision (9 Oct 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 156 to 158, inclusive, together. As these are service matters, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Registration of Nurses (9 Oct 2014)

Leo Varadkar: A new Nurses and Midwives Act was passed into legislation in 2011. The Act provides, inter alia, for the protection of the public in its dealings with nurses and midwives and the enhancement of their high standards of professional education and competencies. The Department of Health is responsible for oversight of the governance of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI). The...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Chronic Disease Management Programme (9 Oct 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The diagnosis and management of coeliac disease is largely managed by GPs in community services. Screening for coeliac disease is not routinely carried out in Ireland. The simple blood test required is reasonably, but not completely, accurate. This means that routinely, screening the entire population could potentially produce a high number of false-positive results. In effect, people...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff Remuneration (9 Oct 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I have no direct role in this matter. These are matters for the HSE and as such, I have asked them to respond to you directly.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Ambulance Service Provision (9 Oct 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 166 and 168, inclusive, together. As these are service matters, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Public Sector Staff Data (9 Oct 2014)

Leo Varadkar: My Department has staff on secondment or on loan from other agencies within the health group who are not direct employees of the Department. In addition there are also a number of staff on fixed term (pensionable) contracts including advisors, civilian drivers and other staff engaged by Ministers in accordance with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform guidelines for ministerial...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Public Sector Staff Data (9 Oct 2014)

Leo Varadkar: In the years specified by the Deputy, one person was appointed on a contract of indefinite duration in the Department of Health in 2011. The information relating to staff of non-commercial State Agencies under the remit of my Department is being compiled and will be forwarded separately to the Deputy. The HSE has been asked to reply directly to the Deputy in respect of its staff.

Topical Issue Debate: Services for People with Disabilities (8 Oct 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I thank Deputy Bannon for his kind offer of a half-day trip to visit a particular service in another part of the country. He will be aware from the debate that I get such invitations almost every ten minutes. I will try to make as many visits as I can, but even responding to them is starting to become a full-time job.

Topical Issue Debate: Services for People with Disabilities (8 Oct 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I had a meeting with the directorate of the HSE this morning. The Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, was also present. We asked the officials to engage again with the board of directors on the matter. If it is the case that there has not been engagement since August, there certainly should be soon, but it must be about finding savings and not securing additional money, as there is...

Topical Issue Debate: Services for People with Disabilities (8 Oct 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I thank Deputies Bannon and Troy for raising this matter. I am pleased to take this opportunity to outline the Government's position on the matters raised by the Deputies. I am taking this debate on behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch. Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive, HSE, is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its...

Topical Issue Debate: Accident and Emergency Departments Waiting Times (8 Oct 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The 20 beds that were closed due to a virus in St. John's Hospital have been reopened and this may explain the considerable improvement in the numbers waiting on trolleys in the past few days. As Deputy O’Donnell said, a new emergency department is being built in Limerick, which will provide additional bed capacity. While the HSE will consider interim solutions in the meantime,...

Topical Issue Debate: Accident and Emergency Departments Waiting Times (8 Oct 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I thank Deputies Breen and O'Donnell for raising this issue and for giving me an opportunity to outline in the House the current position on this matter. In regard to trolleys, it is important to recognise that while there has been a deterioration in recent months in the number of patients on trolleys waiting to be seen, the situation throughout the country remains much better than it was in...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Commissions of Investigation (8 Oct 2014)

Leo Varadkar: From time to time, a Minister for Health may seek a report into certain issues but in the main, bodies such as the Health Service Executive or the Health Information and Quality Authority carry out investigations or inquiries into health related issues. The Commissions of Investigation Act 2004 provides for the establishment of commissions to investigate into and report on matters considered...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Registration of Nurses (8 Oct 2014)

Leo Varadkar: A new Nurses and Midwives Act was passed into legislation in 2011. The Act provides, inter alia, for the protection of the public in its dealings with nurses and midwives and the enhancement of their high standards of professional education and competencies. The Department of Health is responsible for oversight of the governance of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI). The...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Ambulance Service Provision (8 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: Departmental Expenditure (8 Oct 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The Royal College of Physicians in Ireland has not received any such funding from the Department in the past three years. In 2012 and 2013, registration and conference fees of €784 and €100 were paid respectively. I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy regarding any relevant funding it may have provided.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Cancer Screening Programmes (8 Oct 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 122, 124 and 125 together. BreastCheck utilises digital mammography as it is the most advanced method available, giving enhanced image quality and significant reductions in the radiation dose associated with screening examinations. Information regarding manufacturers' manuals and safety data for digital mammography equipment is included as part of the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Provision (8 Oct 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Integrative medicine relates to the combining of alternative therapies with those of evidence based medicine. Complementary and alternative therapies and are not funded through the public health system and are not regulated by the Department. All regulated healthcare professionals are required to practice in accordance with their respective professional and ethical codes of conduct and the...