Results 28,681-28,700 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Health: Cancer Screening Programmes (30 Sep 2014)

Leo Varadkar: As indicated in previous replies, I fully support the proposed extension of the Breastcheck screening programme to the 65-69 year age cohort. The timing of the implementation of this extension of the service will depend on the availability of resources.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Insurance Prices (30 Sep 2014)

Leo Varadkar: My Department and the Health Insurance Authority (HIA) monitor the factors that contribute to costs on an ongoing basis. The cost of private health insurance is influenced by issues such as the number of persons and the age profile of those holding private health insurance, ongoing medical innovations which can have an impact on the cost of care and the cost of claims. I am determined to...

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Children's Hospital Expenditure (30 Sep 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The National Paediatric Hospital Development Board was established in 2007 as the body with statutory responsibility for the planning, design, building and equipping of the new children's hospital. As shown in the Board's financial statements for 2012, an amount of €39.98m in respect of construction work-in-progress is included in the balance sheet, relating to expenditure on the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (30 Sep 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 455 and 461 together. In relation to the detailed information sought by the Deputy, as these are service matters they have been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Services (30 Sep 2014)

Leo Varadkar: In relation to the detailed query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to him directly.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Services (30 Sep 2014)

Leo Varadkar: It is not currently possible to undertake direct comparisons between the cost of hospital care in the public and private sectors because neither my Department, nor the HSE, have access to private hospital cost data. However, steps are being taken to help ensure that public hospitals have a better understanding of the costs involved with the provision of services. Such an understanding is...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Non-Consultant Hospital Doctors Recruitment (30 Sep 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The question raised by the Deputy is a matter for the HSE and I have requested that they respond directly to you.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Narcolepsy Issues (30 Sep 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The Health Service Executive and the Department of Education and Skills continue to provide a range of services and supports to individuals diagnosed with narcolepsy following pandemic vaccination regardless of age, on an ex-gratia basis. These services and supports which are co-ordinated by the HSE National Advocacy Unit are intended to provide that individuals receive tailored assistance...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Universal Health Insurance Provision (30 Sep 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I am committed to a major agenda of health reform, in line with the commitments contained in the Programme for Government and our policy statement, Future Health. I want to push ahead as soon as possible with key reforms in areas such as extending free GP care on a phased basis, improving the management of chronic diseases, implementing key financial reforms including Money Follows the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Patient Safety (30 Sep 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Patient safety has become both a national and international imperative in recent years, with increased emphasis on patient safety in policy reform, legislative changes and development of standards of care driven by quality improvement initiatives. The Commission on Patient Safety and Quality Assurance was established in Ireland in January 2007 and published its report in August 2008. The...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff Data (30 Sep 2014)

Leo Varadkar: In the Health Sector which provides 24/7 care 365 days of the year, flexibility is required that allows the use of overtime and agency staff to meet agreed and approved service levels. Recourse to overtime or agency is necessary for a variety of reasons including, for example, over-runs in operating theatres, sudden increases in service demand, to cover for sick leave, annual leave and...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (30 Sep 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 466, 468 and 469 together. Officials from my Department continuously monitor expenditure and costs throughout the health service and meet on a monthly basis with officials from the Health Service Executive (HSE) to discuss the monthly Performance Assurance Reports and Management Data Reports produced by the HSE. These monthly reports detail activity and...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Acquired Infections (30 Sep 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The prevention of Healthcare Associated Infections (HCAIs) and colonisation/infection of patients with antimicrobial-resistant organisms (AMR) is one of my Department's priorities in protecting patient safety. HCAIs represent a major cause of preventable harm and increased healthcare costs. As the Deputy will be aware, the prevalence of MRSA has dropped considerably in recent years....

Written Answers — Department of Health: Ebola Outbreak (30 Sep 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Ireland is very supportive of measures to fight the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. My colleague the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade has provided significant additional resources through Irish Aid to help the measures to control the outbreak. To date a number of Health Service Executive staff have spent periods of time working with Aid Agencies such as Médecins Sans...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Services (30 Sep 2014)

Leo Varadkar: As the Deputy is aware, the Protection During Pregnancy Act was enacted in July 2013 and commenced in January 2014. This is the law that now regulates access to lawful termination of pregnancy in Ireland and, as such, it is expected that all medical professionals will comply with it. The registration of medical professional is a matter for the Medical Council. I have been advised that ...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Departmental Agencies (30 Sep 2014)

Leo Varadkar: There are eighteen agencies and bodies which operate under the aegis of the Department which have a role in delivering health services. Some are involved in delivering services while others are regulatory or advisory. This information is available on the Department’s website The name, function, establishing legislation, date of establishment, employment control ceiling and funding...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Disability Support Services Provision (25 Sep 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I appreciate that clarification, because there are Deputies and Senators who ask me to intervene in such cases.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Disability Support Services Provision (25 Sep 2014)

Leo Varadkar: That is fine. I fully accept the clarification. What it means is that this is a matter for the Estimates process and the service plan. As the Senator is aware, the HSE is running over budget under almost all headings. The Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, and I are working very hard to secure a realistic budget for next year so that in the 21 days after the budget we can develop a...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Disability Support Services Provision (25 Sep 2014)

Leo Varadkar: There are many crisis places.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Nursing Homes Support Scheme Applications (25 Sep 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Senator for raising the issue. I am taking this Adjournment matter on behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, who has responsibility for older people and who is speaking at a health-related conference. The nursing homes support scheme is a system of financial support for individuals who require long-term nursing home care. Anyone who is ordinarily resident in the...