Results 39,061-39,080 of 49,836 for speaker:Stephen Donnelly

Written Answers — Department of Health: Maternity Services (1 Oct 2020)

Stephen Donnelly: I acknowledge that the current restrictions in maternity hospitals are presenting difficulties and this is hugely regrettable.  However, it is necessary to reduce footfall in order to protect women, babies, staff and our maternity service as a whole.  Maternity hospitals have performed well during the pandemic and have continued to keep women, babies and staff safe. ...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Cards (1 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 (1 Oct 2020)

Stephen Donnelly: The HSE has placed orders for 1.35 million doses of the Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine for the forthcoming winter. This vaccine will be made available to all persons in an at-risk group from 6 months up, other than children aged from 2 to 12 years old inclusive. The HSE has also ordered 600,000 doses of the Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine, which is delivered via nasal drops rather than...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff (1 Oct 2020)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff (1 Oct 2020)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointments Status (1 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: Medical Aids and Appliances (1 Oct 2020)

Stephen Donnelly: Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Dental Services (1 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 Aids and Appliances (1 Oct 2020)

Stephen Donnelly: Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Seanad: National Screening Advisory Committee Bill 2020: Second Stage (30 Sep 2020)

Stephen Donnelly: I welcome the opportunity to address the House today on the National Screening Advisory Committee Bill 2020. I thank Senators Norris, Craughwell and Boyhan for their interest in this crucial topic which is so important to parents all over Ireland and I acknowledge the ongoing campaigning work and push from Senator Norris on this matter. I would not oppose this Bill in any event because of...

Seanad: National Screening Advisory Committee Bill 2020: Second Stage (30 Sep 2020)

Stephen Donnelly: That is what we are going to do. The only question before us is what is the best way to do that. Everyone in this House is trying to do exactly the same thing, which is to introduce the best possible regime for newborn screening in the country. I believe we can and must do more. Speaking specifically to the Bill, the reason I asked for a timed amendment was that I believe the committee...

Seanad: National Screening Advisory Committee Bill 2020: Second Stage (30 Sep 2020)

Stephen Donnelly: I thank the Senator. I wish to make a point about public health, which is what this is all about. My strong suspicion and the view of public health professionals is that public health has been a poor relation of other healthcare in this country for a very long time. I was before the Special Committee on Covid-19 Response earlier today. Today we made two very significant announcements....

Seanad: National Screening Advisory Committee Bill 2020: Second Stage (30 Sep 2020)

Stephen Donnelly: That is true. It is significant. The enabling legislation was sanctioned yesterday and we will create public health consultant contracts for the first time. The other aspect is that I announced a few hours ago that we will double our public health workforce. The HSE will begin that recruitment in the coming two weeks. I thank Senators for their comments on public health and the need for...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Staff (30 Sep 2020)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Dental Services (30 Sep 2020)

Stephen Donnelly: I have received correspondence from the Irish Dental Association (IDA) on matters concerning PPE and the Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS). My Department, in conjunction with the HSE, is examining the issue of the provision of PPE across all parts of the health service, including health service contractors. In relation to the DTSS, there is an acceptance that it will need to be...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff (30 Sep 2020)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (30 Sep 2020)

Stephen Donnelly: Further to Parliamentary Question number 812 of 22 September 2020, while Denmark did consider using their app to record the number of close contacts a user has on a daily basis during the development of their app, they did not proceed with this functionality in the final design.  Similar to Ireland, Denmark were of the view that recording the number of close contacts a user has on a...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Cards (30 Sep 2020)

Stephen Donnelly: The Health (General Practitioner Service and Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) Bill 2020, enacted on 2nd August 2020, provided for an increase to the gross medical card income limits for those aged 70 and over to €550 per week for a single person and to €1,050 per week for a couple. Although it had been originally intended that this measure would be implemented from...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (30 Sep 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: Health Promotion (30 Sep 2020)

Stephen Donnelly: Mass media campaigns, particularly in conjunction with robust tobacco control measures, are effective as part of wider communications and education in preventing smoking initiation and promoting smoking cessation. As the Health Service Executive is responsible for researching and commissioning such campaigns, I have asked the Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.