Results 28,981-29,000 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Expenditure (17 Jul 2014)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Tobacco Control Measures (17 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I would like to assure the Deputy that I am confident that the Public Health (Standardised Packaging of Tobacco) Bill 2014 will have a positive impact on health and is a proportionate measure. As the Deputy may be aware, the tobacco industry has argued that standardised or plain packs would be easier to forge and would lead to growth in illicit trade of tobacco products. However, the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (17 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: In relation to the detailed queries raised by the Deputy, as these are service matters they have been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Data Protection (17 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The HSE has confirmed that the Healthcare Pricing Office (HPO) does not make hospital patients’ personal records available to pharmaceutical companies, insurers or any other commercial entities. The HPO may provide statistics on hospital activity to third parties. Such information is of an aggregate statistical nature which means that patients cannot be identified. More detailed...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Departmental Reports (17 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act provides that I, as the Minister for Health, must publish a report covering the operation of the Act in the preceding year by 30 June each year and lay it before the Houses of the Oireachtas. As the Act was commenced on 1 January 2014, the first annual report covering its operation will be published in June 2015.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Sport and Recreational Development (17 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The provision of outdoor health equipment in public parks is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Environment and Local Government.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Ministerial Adviser Appointments (17 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 721 and 753 together. The necessary arrangements in respect of the appointment of my Special Advisors in my new role as Minister for Health are currently being made by my Department. Subject to receipt of sanction from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform it is my intention to make the following appointments. NAME POSITION ANNUAL SALARY ...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Appointments to State Boards (17 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The Government decision S21590E of March, 1995 regarding the appointment of women to State Bodies states that there is a requirement for a minimum of 40% of both men and women appointed as Ministerial representatives to all State Bodies. Although the overall current membership of State boards under the aegis of my Department is well balanced, with 56% of the membership being male and 44%...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Departmental Strategies (17 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I was appointed Minister for Health on 15 July. Since my appointment, I have been engaging with officials in my Department and the Health Service Executive, familiarising myself with the issues. I intend to continue that engagement, including with relevant stakeholders, before making decisions on priorities. I can assure the Deputy that addressing financial and budgetary issues, extending...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Ministerial Correspondence (17 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I intend to publish a copy of this briefing on the Department's web site in due course, once appropriate redactions are made, in line with the Freedom of Information Acts.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospitals Capital Programme (17 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Delivery of healthcare facilities is a service matter. Therefore your question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Care Professionals (17 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Hospital consultants working in the public health service have their professional indemnity covered by the State's Clinical Indemnity Scheme since 2004. Consultants working in full-time private practice and those with B* contracts which permit off-site practice must obtain indemnity cover from medical defence organisations. One of the medical defence organisations, the Medical Protection...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Applications (17 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible. The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Services (17 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: In relation to the specific query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service issue it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Provision (17 Jul 2014)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Children's Hospital (17 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 748 to 750, inclusive, together. The new children's hospital is a commitment in the Programme for Government. In November 2012 the Government announced its decision that the new children’s hospital will be co-located with St James’s on its campus, ensuring it benefits from the broadest possible range of adult sub-specialty expertise and...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Vaccination Programme (17 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I am aware that there are currently issues concerning the supply of BCG vaccine in Europe. The Health Service Executive has been working to secure supplies of the vaccine as quickly as possible. However, new supplies may not be available until early August. Principal Medical Officers have been advised that any remaining BCG stock should be prioritised for neonatal vaccination.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff Remuneration (17 Jul 2014)

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

Seanad: Eye Care: Motion (16 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I am delighted it is in large print.

Seanad: Eye Care: Motion (16 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: -----although we must never forget the importance of taking personal responsibility for our own health. The projected growth in incidence of chronic disease risks leading Ireland into an unhealthy and costly future. Action is required to create change and try to address these negative health trends before our problems grow larger. In particular, we need to increase the proportion of people...