Results 38,461-38,480 of 49,836 for speaker:Stephen Donnelly

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Sick Pay Scheme (20 Oct 2020)

Stephen Donnelly: As the Deputy is aware, the State is not the employer of staff in early learning and care or school-age childcare services. My Department does not pay their wages nor does it determine working conditions for staff, including sick pay. I am, however, very aware of the negative impact that low pay and poor working conditions in the sector have on staff recruitment and retention and thereby...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Food Safety Authority of Ireland (20 Oct 2020)

Stephen Donnelly: The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) is the competent authority with overall responsibility for the enforcement of food safety legislation in Ireland. Responsibility for enforcement of food legislation is managed through service contracts between the FSAI and a number of competent authorities, also known as ‘Official Agencies’. These official agencies include the Health...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Pharmacy Services (20 Oct 2020)

Stephen Donnelly: I wish to fully acknowledge that community pharmacy has played a pivotal role in responding to the health needs of the public during the COVID-19 crisis. It is recognised that community pharmacists have ensured the continued availability of a professional, accessible service for the public and have successfully managed to alleviate the worries and concerns of the population around continuity...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (20 Oct 2020)

Stephen Donnelly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 546 and 691 together. As the Deputy is aware, the Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19 was published by the Government on 15 September, 2020. This Plan provides a framework setting out Ireland's approach to managing and living with COVID-19 in a range of areas over the next 6 - 9 months. The framework sets out five levels of...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Capital Expenditure Programme (20 Oct 2020)

Stephen Donnelly: The Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery and management of healthcare infrastructure, including the new National Forensic Mental Health Service (Portrane). The construction of the NFMHS is due to be completed in Q4 2020. There have been some delays to the completion of the project due to the response to the Covid 19 National Emergency. As the construction contract is...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Vaccination Programme (20 Oct 2020)

Stephen Donnelly: Given the potential for the winter flu season in 2020/2021 to coincide with a resurgence of COVID, and the importance of minimising hospital attendance, the Government has expanded the provision of vaccination without charge to all of those in the HSE defined at-risk groups, including healthcare workers. All children aged from 2 to 12 years inclusive will also have access to vaccination...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Cannabis for Medicinal Use (20 Oct 2020)

Stephen Donnelly: One of the Commitments in the Programme for Government-Our Shared Future is to "Examine the regulations and legislation that apply to cannabis use for medical conditions and palliative care having regard to the experience in Northern Ireland and Great Britain" which Departmental officials are currently working on. On 26th June 2019, the Minister for Health signed legislation to allow for the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (20 Oct 2020)

Stephen Donnelly: The National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) currently collects and collates information in respect of the Inpatient, Day Case, and Outpatient (OP) Waiting Lists. The monthly waiting list figures are published on the NTPF website, and a breakdown of the Inpatient/Day Case waiting list by Adult & Child Analysis is published by hospital. NTPF waiting lists are collected in respect...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Research and Training (20 Oct 2020)

Stephen Donnelly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 556 and 557 together. My Department plays a lead role in public health and medical research in Ireland. The Department supports research in these areas through the Health Research Board (HRB), a statutory body under the aegis of the Department and a lead agency in Ireland supporting and funding health research. With an annual budget of approximately...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Patient Transport (20 Oct 2020)

Stephen Donnelly: As this is a service matter for the Health Service Executive (HSE) I have referred the Deputy's question to the HSE for direct reply. In addition, the Deputy may wish to note that under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, administered by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, a person may be eligible to apply for an Exceptional Needs Payment to help meet...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (20 Oct 2020)

Stephen Donnelly: As the Deputy is aware, the Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19 was published by the Government on 15 September, 2020. This Plan provides a framework setting out Ireland's approach to managing and living with COVID-19 in a range of areas over the next 6 - 9 months. The framework sets out five levels of response, each with a number of measures designed to help us...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Services (20 Oct 2020)

Stephen Donnelly: As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Tests (20 Oct 2020)

Stephen Donnelly: As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Vaccination Programme (20 Oct 2020)

Stephen Donnelly: As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Waste Disposal (20 Oct 2020)

Stephen Donnelly: I have no function in relation to the disposal of municipal medical waste. The Deputy may wish to note that the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment is responsible for national waste management policy, and has recently published a new National Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy (2020 – 2025). I also understand that waste management planning is the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Cards (20 Oct 2020)

Stephen Donnelly: Eligibility reviews were temporarily suspended by the HSE Primary Care and Eligibility Reimbursement Service (PCERS) during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. Cards that were due to expire during March and August 2020 were automatically extended for up to one year and will be re-assessed on a planned basis. This temporary measure was taken in the initial phase of the Covid-19...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Staff (20 Oct 2020)

Stephen Donnelly: As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy, as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (20 Oct 2020)

Stephen Donnelly: It is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been impacted as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic. In response to the Covid-19 pandemic the HSE had to take measures to defer most scheduled care activity in March, April, and May of this year. This was to ensure patient safety and that all appropriate resources were made available for Covid-19...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Departmental Expenditure (20 Oct 2020)

Stephen Donnelly: As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Tests (20 Oct 2020)

Stephen Donnelly: As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.