Results 3,081-3,100 of 3,998 for speaker:Michael Harty

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Vacant Properties (3 Oct 2017)

Michael Harty: 605. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his views on whether reconstituting derelict public buildings as apartments such as the former Our Lady's Hospital in Ennis might make a useful contribution to dealing with the social housing crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41464/17]

Leaders' Questions (28 Sep 2017)

Michael Harty: Direct provision needs to be reviewed in its entirety because it has become an institutional form of living. Many asylum seekers have been waiting more than five years to have their asylum application processed. That leads them to live in accommodation that is entirely unsuitable for them for prolonged periods. They are banned from taking up work, live in a state of idleness and are...

Leaders' Questions (28 Sep 2017)

Michael Harty: I wish to raise the issue of direct provision, specifically in the context of the recent issuing of letters to single male asylum seekers who are on deportation orders telling them that they must vacate their direct provision centres within four weeks. Many are from countries, such as, for example, Somalia and Palestine, to which Ireland cannot deport people. Will this new policy extend to...

Housing: Motion [Private Members] (27 Sep 2017)

Michael Harty: I will make a proposal to the Minister of State that I made to the Minister regarding a solution - not the solution - to the housing situation in Dublin and other high-pressure areas. There is a surplus of housing in rural Ireland. There are many vacant properties in provincial towns and villages. We should be able to marry the pressure for housing in Dublin with the availability of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2017: Vote 38 - Department of Health (27 Sep 2017)

Michael Harty: The purpose of the meeting this morning is to engage with the Minister for Health, Deputy Simon Harris, to follow up on scrutiny of the Revised Estimate for 2017, which took place at the select committee on 2 March 2017 and prior to the budget of 2018, and to consider any Supplementary Estimates the Government may intend to propose. This engagement occurs in the context of the publication by...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2017: Vote 38 - Department of Health (27 Sep 2017)

Michael Harty: I thank the Minister for his opening statement. I will now open the discussion to members of the committee and will take the questioners in groups of three. The first three members to indicate were Deputies Kelly, Murphy O'Mahony and Kelleher. I call Deputy Kelly.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2017: Vote 38 - Department of Health (27 Sep 2017)

Michael Harty: I invite the Minister and his officials to address those questions.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2017: Vote 38 - Department of Health (27 Sep 2017)

Michael Harty: Perhaps the Minister would address some of the questions the other Deputies have submitted.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2017: Vote 38 - Department of Health (27 Sep 2017)

Michael Harty: I thank the Minister. Before I bring in Deputy Durkan, I have a few observations and comments. The document notes an underspend in primary care of several million and an overspend in the hospital service of €104 million. I think these items are related. There is evidence to show that for every €1 spent in primary care, one will save €5 in secondary and tertiary care....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2017: Vote 38 - Department of Health (27 Sep 2017)

Michael Harty: I am glad the Minister made the distinction with GP fees.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2017: Vote 38 - Department of Health (27 Sep 2017)

Michael Harty: It is income, but a substantial proportion goes to running the practice.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2017: Vote 38 - Department of Health (27 Sep 2017)

Michael Harty: Unfortunately, the financial emergency measures legislation applied to the whole fee rather than just the income component. That has been the single most destructive factor in general practice over the past five years. As Deputy Durkan implied, one cannot fill a GP practice now because the financial model is unsustainable and not viable because the emergency legislation was applied to the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2017: Vote 38 - Department of Health (27 Sep 2017)

Michael Harty: I have spoken to the Minister about postgraduate education for general practice on a number of occasions, particularly the appointment of GP tutors to run our postgraduate medical education scheme, which is essential to keep GPs up to date and informed about new procedures, policies and protocols as well as keeping them educated. It is very hard to understand how that cannot be funded to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2017: Vote 38 - Department of Health (27 Sep 2017)

Michael Harty: Did Senator Burke want to come in?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2017: Vote 38 - Department of Health (27 Sep 2017)

Michael Harty: I wish to make another comment before the Minister leaves the discussion on the acute hospital sector. The Minister asked why some hospitals are performing better than others. Apart from some hospitals having a greater catchment population than others, there are numerous other issues. Some hospitals have senior decision-makers on the floor on a 24-7 basis. It is vital that hospitals have...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2017: Vote 38 - Department of Health (27 Sep 2017)

Michael Harty: There is another factor relating to the integration of primary and secondary care and greater communication between primary and secondary care. Many patients would not end up in hospital if their problem could be solved through day case or ambulatory care services as opposed to being brought in to be investigated. They should be investigated with a view to not being admitted. If there was...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2017: Vote 38 - Department of Health (27 Sep 2017)

Michael Harty: I referred to a 28% reduction in the numbers of patients seen by public health nurses.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2017: Vote 38 - Department of Health (27 Sep 2017)

Michael Harty: While I accept the Minister cannot speak about an issue that issub judice, on the proposal to build a 50-bed unit at St. Joseph's hospital in Ennis, surely the four-year planning process can be shortened? One year has been provided for design, procurement, and tendering. Surely the planning process for an essential facility should be shorter than four years? I ask the Minister to examine...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2017: Vote 38 - Department of Health (27 Sep 2017)

Michael Harty: I thank the Minister and his officials, Mr. Greg Dempsey, Ms Fiona Prendergast and Mr. Martin Woods, for taking the time to attend the committee to provide us with a comprehensive review of expenditure to date.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products Availability (26 Sep 2017)

Michael Harty: 397. To ask the Minister for Health when the access scheme for medicinal cannabis products will be established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40687/17]