Results 4,701-4,720 of 24,635 for speaker:Mary Harney

Written Answers — Health Service Staff: Health Service Staff (5 Nov 2009)

Mary Harney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 89 and 90 together. Subject to overall parameters set by Government, the Health Service Executive has the responsibility for determining the composition of its staffing complement. In that regard, it is a matter for the Executive to manage and deploy its human resources to best meet the requirements of its Annual Service Plan for the delivery of health and...

Written Answers — Health Service Staff: Health Service Staff (5 Nov 2009)

Mary Harney: There has been a growing demand for, and investment in, physiotherapy services over the last number of years. A particular priority for my Department and the Department of Education and Science in recent years has been the expansion of the supply of therapy graduates. The Government has also invested heavily in the education and training of such personnel in order to secure a good supply of...

Written Answers — Hospital Services: Hospital Services (5 Nov 2009)

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

Written Answers — Health Service Staff: Health Service Staff (5 Nov 2009)

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

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (5 Nov 2009)

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

Written Answers — Pharmacy Regulations: Pharmacy Regulations (5 Nov 2009)

Mary Harney: I presume that the Deputy is referring to the fees charged by the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) under Schedule 1, Section 20 of the Pharmacy Act 2007. The PSI have recently made an application seeking my consent to their fees for 2010 and the matter is currently being considered. The Society will be advised of my decision shortly. I would also like to point out to the Deputy that...

Written Answers — Medical Aids and Appliances: Medical Aids and Appliances (5 Nov 2009)

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

Written Answers — Infectious Diseases: Infectious Diseases (5 Nov 2009)

Mary Harney: As part of the pandemic planning process, the Health Services Executive has provided guidance and protocols concerning swine flu incidences in schools. This guidance advises that in the event of an unusual number of students or staff within a particular school presenting with influenza like illness, the principal of that school should inform the Department of Public Health of the HSE....

Written Answers — Hospital Waiting Lists: Hospital Waiting Lists (5 Nov 2009)

Mary Harney: The management of waiting lists generally is a matter for the Health Service Executive and the individual hospital concerned. I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to the Executive for direct reply. The National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) arranges treatment for patients who have been on a surgical waiting list for more than three months. It is open to the person in question,...

Written Answers — Vaccination Programme: Vaccination Programme (5 Nov 2009)

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

Written Answers — Representations to Ministers: Representations to Ministers (5 Nov 2009)

Mary Harney: I have received representations in regard to this matter. I have consulted with my colleague, the Minister for Transport, in whose area of Ministerial responsibility this falls and I am satisfied that the Minister is fully apprised of the issues involved. I would note that these matters have also been before the Courts and that the person mentioned has spoken to a number of former Ministers...

Written Answers — Health Service Staff: Health Service Staff (5 Nov 2009)

Mary Harney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 110 to 113, inclusive, together. In his Supplementary Budget Statement of 7 April 2009, the Minister for Finance announced that he would make available three schemes to reduce the number of public sector employees in the wider public sector. My Department issued a suite of three circulars to the HSE on 15 May 2009 to give effect to this measure in the public...

Written Answers — Health Service Staff: Health Service Staff (5 Nov 2009)

Mary Harney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 118 and 119 together. The Performance Related Award Scheme was introduced following a decision by the Government on the implementation of recommendations of the Review Body on Higher Remuneration in the Public Sector. The primary function of the Review Body is to advise the Government from time to time on the general levels of remuneration appropriate to...

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (5 Nov 2009)

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

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (5 Nov 2009)

Mary Harney: The matter raised by the Deputy relates to the provision of healthcare services and accordingly, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on the matter.

Written Answers — Assisted Human Reproduction: Assisted Human Reproduction (4 Nov 2009)

Mary Harney: My Department is developing proposals for an appropriate regulatory framework, including legislation, in respect of Assisted Human Reproduction. The work involves, among other things, examining the approaches to regulation in other jurisdictions and considering the ethical and legal issues that arise. It will also take into account any report by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and...

Written Answers — Hospital Accommodation: Hospital Accommodation (4 Nov 2009)

Mary Harney: I am aware of the Irish Nurses' Organisation survey which suggests that 705 acute and non-acute beds were closed at the beginning of October 2009. The most recent HSE acute hospital bed census indicates that, at 25 October 2009, there were 554 acute beds closed for cost containment reasons. A further 226 beds were closed for clinical and operational reasons. This includes infection control...

Written Answers — National Treatment Purchase Fund: National Treatment Purchase Fund (4 Nov 2009)

Mary Harney: I have no plans to review the NTPF's statutory remit. Its operation is subject to ongoing monitoring and review to ensure that resources are used efficiently and are targeted so that they achieve the greatest benefit for patients. I have emphasised to the Fund the need for maximum cost-effectiveness, consistent with safe and effective care. I have asked it to seek even better value from...

Written Answers — Cystic Fibrosis Screening: Cystic Fibrosis Screening (4 Nov 2009)

Mary Harney: The report of the Working Group established by the HSE on Services for People with Cystic Fibrosis was recently published on the HSE's website. Amongst its recommendations was that a neonatal screening programme should be established. A Steering Group, 'Newborn Screening for Cystic Fibrosis', was established in June 2009, under the Chairmanship of Professor Gerry Loftus, Professor of...

Written Answers — Medical Cards: Medical Cards (4 Nov 2009)

Mary Harney: In 2008, the Health Service Executive (HSE) spent nearly €1.786 billion on the medical card and GP visit card schemes. The 2009 allocation is €1.888 billion. To date, the HSE's monthly Service Plan reports show that the medical card and GP visit card monthly expenditure has been within the overall expenditure projected for the General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme. My Department and the...