Results 29,001-29,020 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Seanad: Eye Care: Motion (16 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I thank Senators for their kind words of welcome and congratulation. As I said last week, I do not believe I am going to be able to pour sweet wine from the poisoned chalice. I do not think for a second that I will be able to solve all the problems of the health service in the next 18 months just through the force of my personality but I hope with a good deal of help from others, and I will...

Seanad: Eye Care: Motion (16 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I hope the Senator still thinks that six months hence. I thank the Senator.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff Remuneration (16 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 221 to 228, inclusive, together. Having clarified with Caroline in the Deputy's office, I understand that the figures sought are the pay scale for each grade in question. The scales for each grade are listed in the table. They are taken directly from the 1st November 2013 pay scales. The Deputy also sought the total cost of hiring an administrator however...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (16 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: As this is a service issue, the matter has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Patient Safety (16 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Action 7.3.1 of the Health Reform Programme is that the Department of Health will work with the HSE and the State Claims Agency to develop a risk based approach to provision of indemnity to services and professionals. The State underwrites indemnity for all public services and the professionals who provide them. In effect, this means that the State carries the risk of services which may...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Departmental Reports (16 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The review of corporate functions and resources, staff and budget of the various corporate/support/shared services as they currently exist within the HSE is ongoing. This review is being undertaken in parallel with the establishment of the revised divisional organisational structure, shared services and governance arrangements in the HSE. The HSE is working towards a December 2014...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Departmental Budgets (16 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Successful transformation of our health services requires a corresponding transformation of the existing funding model. The first stage in transforming this funding model is to clarify funding streams through the creation of directorates and corresponding programme based budgets. In Vote terms, programme based budgets have already been established for the Primary Care Reimbursement Service...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Ambulance Service Provision (16 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The National Ambulance Service is continuing to modernise and reconfigure its services, to ensure that emergency pre-hospital care is delivered in an appropriate and timely manner. A significant reform programme is currently underway which will provide a clinically driven, nationally co-ordinated system, supported by improved technology. In that regard, additional funding of €3.6...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Ambulance Service Response Times (16 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Firstly I would like to express my sympathy to the family of the person concerned. The National Ambulance Service is satisfied that all appropriate procedures were followed with regard to the handling of this tragic incident and that all available resources were deployed. Out of respect for the family concerned, I do not wish to comment further on this matter. With regard to the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Ambulance Service Provision (16 Jul 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 Data (16 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 242 to 247, inclusive, together. 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: Nursing Education (16 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: As this question relates to an operational matter, I have forwarded it to the HSE for direct reply.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Departmental Investigations (16 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: A literature review of Independent Hospital Trusts was requested from the Health Research Board by my Department in 2012, to inform policy development. It is regarded as best practice that academic articles and reviews undergo peer review prior to publication. The Health Research Board advised my Department that the peer review undertaken identified a requirement for some further work on this...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospitals Data (16 Jul 2014)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospitals Data (16 Jul 2014)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Insurance Data (16 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: In accordance with the VHI Acts, the VHI is required to submit its Annual Report and Accounts to the Minister, and I am required to lay the Annual Report and Accounts before the Houses of the Oireachtas. The relevant legislation does not make provision for a specific time frame for so laying the Annual Report and Accounts. I understand the VHI's 2013 Annual Report and Accounts will be...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospitals Data (16 Jul 2014)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Bed Data (16 Jul 2014)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Alcohol Pricing (16 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The Government has approved an extensive package of measures to deal with alcohol misuse to be incorporated in a Public Health (Alcohol) Bill. These measures are based on the recommendations contained in the Steering Group Report on a National Substance Misuse Strategy, 2012 and include provisions for the introduction of minimum unit pricing for alcohol products. Work on developing a...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Admissions (16 Jul 2014)

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