Results 3,821-3,840 of 24,635 for speaker:Mary Harney

Written Answers — Vaccination Programme: Vaccination Programme (3 Feb 2010)

Mary Harney: I have always accepted the consensus view of the relevant expert bodies that the introduction of a universal high uptake vaccination programme in young girls, in conjunction with population based cervical screening, could significantly reduce overall cervical cancer incidence. The issue was not, therefore, whether the case for a cervical cancer vaccination programme was accepted by myself and...

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (3 Feb 2010)

Mary Harney: As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Written Answers — Health Service Staff: Health Service Staff (3 Feb 2010)

Mary Harney: I have no function in assigning doctors to provide medical examinations for Australian visa applicants.

Written Answers — Thalidomide Survivors' Compensation: Thalidomide Survivors' Compensation (3 Feb 2010)

Mary Harney: Each Irish victim of thalidomide receives a tax free monthly payment from my Department, has a medical card and is eligible to receive the full range of public health services from the Health Service Executive. I have met with the Irish Thalidomide Association on a number of occasions and I am considering the issues raised by the Deputy in the context of their submissions to me.

Written Answers — Medical Cards: Medical Cards (3 Feb 2010)

Mary Harney: As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Hospital Security: Hospital Security (3 Feb 2010)

Mary Harney: The HSE has been asked to reply directly to the Deputy on the specific issues relating to the number of reported incidents of robbery of patients' personal property and any compensation which may have been paid as a result. The number of cases which may have resulted in a Garda investigation and criminal proceedings are not matters for my Department.

Written Answers — Accident and Emergency Services: Accident and Emergency Services (3 Feb 2010)

Mary Harney: As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Written Answers — Hospital Charges: Hospital Charges (3 Feb 2010)

Mary Harney: The Health (In-Patient Charges) (Amendment) Regulations, 2008, impose a charge of €75 per night up to a maximum of €750 in any twelve consecutive months, during which an individual is maintained as an in-patient in a public hospital or is admitted to the hospital as a day case. This charge applies to everyone receiving treatment in a public hospital with the exception of, inter alia,...

Written Answers — Medical Cards: Medical Cards (3 Feb 2010)

Mary Harney: As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Vaccination Programme: Vaccination Programme (3 Feb 2010)

Mary Harney: I have always accepted the consensus view of the relevant expert bodies that the introduction of a universal high-uptake vaccination programme in young girls, in conjunction with population-based cervical screening, could significantly reduce overall cervical cancer incidence. The issue was not, therefore, whether the case for a cervical cancer vaccination programme was accepted by myself...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (3 Feb 2010)

Mary Harney: My Department is not one of the Departments scheduled for decentralisation under the Government's Decentralisation Programme. The information relating to the agencies that come under the aegis of my Department is currently being collected and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is available.

Written Answers — Medical Cards: Medical Cards (3 Feb 2010)

Mary Harney: My Department has made enquiries of the Health Service Executive (HSE) regarding the status of its reply to the Deputy's Parliamentary Question No. 305 of 20th October 2009 and I understand that the Executive issued a reply yesterday to the Deputy in this matter. The Health Act 2008 allows for a surviving spouse of an over-70s medical card holder to retain their card for a period of three...

Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (3 Feb 2010)

Mary Harney: I currently make appointments to over forty agencies, councils, offices, advisory committees and other bodies. More than twenty bodies, including the former health boards have been abolished during the period in question. The information being sought by the Deputy is not routinely collected or compiled by my Department. So the Deputy will appreciate that the provision of the information...

Written Answers — Medical Cards: Medical Cards (3 Feb 2010)

Mary Harney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 240 and 241 together. The Health Service Executive (HSE) has the operational and funding responsibility for the medical card and GP visit card benefits. It collates medical card and GP visit card data by county, age and gender. Therefore, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to address this matter and to...

Written Answers — Nursing Homes Repayment Scheme: Nursing Homes Repayment Scheme (3 Feb 2010)

Mary Harney: As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Written Answers — Stem Cell Research: Stem Cell Research (3 Feb 2010)

Mary Harney: For the area of embryonic stem cell research, the Commission on Assisted Human Reproduction recommended that: "Embryo research, including embryonic stem cell research, for specific purposes only and under stringently controlled conditions, should be permitted on surplus embryos that are donated specifically for research. This should be permitted up to fourteen days following fertilisation."...

Seanad: Head Shops: Statements (3 Feb 2010)

Mary Harney: With the permission of the Cathaoirleach, rather than making an opening statement, I would like to hear the contributions of the Senators and then respond to them. It would be more meaningful if I could respond to what they have to say.

Seanad: Head Shops: Statements (3 Feb 2010)

Mary Harney: I congratulate the Seanad for adopting a unanimous stance. A sensible approach has been taken by all Members. Senator Feeney referred to head shops as being a plague on society. That is certainly an appropriate way to describe what they do. However, if it were possible to simply bring forward legislation to ban products such as snow, blow, ice or charge plus, we could have it this evening....

Seanad: Head Shops: Statements (3 Feb 2010)

Mary Harney: He is one of the leading emergency medical physicians in the country and he suggested that although legislation has a part to play, a greater part must be played by education, awareness and changing the culture here. This is why I welcome such programmes as Joe Duffy's "Liveline" which concentrated on this issue. Recently, I was out with several leading consultants at a function. I asked...

Seanad: Head Shops: Statements (3 Feb 2010)

Mary Harney: Products are sold in that way and we cannot ban bath salts. Given the expertise we have, we can use the chemical compounds, put them in the form of regulation, ban them and the Garda Síochána will be in a position then to enforce the law. I have made the point at Government and I believe there should be a wider Government response, including product liability legislation. Consumer...