Results 4,961-4,980 of 24,635 for speaker:Mary Harney

Written Answers — Medical Cards: Medical Cards (20 Oct 2009)

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 — Medical Cards: Medical Cards (20 Oct 2009)

Mary Harney: There are three routes by which a person aged 70 or over may qualify for a medical card. Firstly, under the Health Act 2008, a single person will qualify if his/her gross income is €700 per week or less. The figure for a couple is €1,400 per week or less. The 2008 Act does not allow any discretion to the Health Service Executive (HSE) to grant medical cards to persons who are in excess...

Written Answers — Community Care: Community Care (20 Oct 2009)

Mary Harney: In line with Government Policy the Health Service Executive is refocusing its services to give people direct access in the community to multi-disciplinary teams including general practitioners, nurses, health care assistants, home helps and occupational therapists. This policy is designed not only to maintain and support people in their own homes and communities for as long as possible, but...

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (20 Oct 2009)

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

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (20 Oct 2009)

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

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (20 Oct 2009)

Mary Harney: To date, eight officials at Principal Officer or higher level, representing 7.5 whole equivalents, have applied and been approved for the Incentivised Scheme of Early Retirement in my Department. This represents 1.5% of the total number employed as of 30 September 2009. The final closing date for applications for the scheme has recently been extended by the Department of Finance to 23rd...

Written Answers — Long-Term Illness Scheme: Long-Term Illness Scheme (20 Oct 2009)

Mary Harney: There are currently no plans to extend the list of eligible conditions covered by the Long Term Illness Scheme, which was introduced on a statutory basis in 1971. Under the Drugs Payment Scheme, which was introduced in 1999, no individual or family unit pays more than €100 per calendar month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The scheme is easy to use and significantly...

Written Answers — Medical Cards: Medical Cards (20 Oct 2009)

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 Procedures: Hospital Procedures (20 Oct 2009)

Mary Harney: Since the publication of the White Paper on Private Health Insurance in 1999, Government policy has been to move towards charging the full economic cost of private patient care and to end the subsidisation of private practice in public hospitals, while being sensitive to the need for continuing stability in the private health insurance market. This policy has seen significant increases in...

Written Answers — Health Service Staff: Health Service Staff (20 Oct 2009)

Mary Harney: I am advised by the HSE that there are currently 2,337 medical consultants in the public health system, of whom 1,986 are permanent and 351 are temporary/part-time locums. It would be difficult to calculate precise savings on the basis of the Deputy's suggestion, since the years of service of each consultant would have to be inputted to an assumed, but unspecified, salary scale between the...

Written Answers — Hospital Accommodation: Hospital Accommodation (20 Oct 2009)

Mary Harney: The Government is committed to proceeding with the current hospital co-location programme. It is the responsibility of the successful bidders to arrange the financing of the individual co-location projects. However it is an essential requirement that each co-location project demonstrates clear value for money to the taxpayer. The Finance Act 2009 provides that the schemes of capital...

Written Answers — General Medical Services Scheme: General Medical Services Scheme (20 Oct 2009)

Mary Harney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 269, 295 and 296 together. I have no plans to nationalise the wholesale distribution of drugs and medicines supplied under the GMS and community drugs schemes. My Department and the Health Service Executive (HSE) have been reviewing the pharmaceutical supply chain, from manufacturers and wholesalers through to community pharmacists, with a view to seeking...

Written Answers — Medical Cards: Medical Cards (20 Oct 2009)

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 — Pharmaceutical Services: Pharmaceutical Services (20 Oct 2009)

Mary Harney: I understand that the Deputy is referring to the supply of unauthorised medicines to patients. Following discussions between my Department and the Health Service Executive, it has been decided to reimburse pharmacists at invoice prices for such products.

Written Answers — Health Service Staff: Health Service Staff (20 Oct 2009)

Mary Harney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 277 and 293 together. As this is a service issue it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Written Answers — Ambulance Service: Ambulance Service (20 Oct 2009)

Mary Harney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 279 and 300 together. As this is a service issue it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Written Answers — Health Repayment Scheme: Health Repayment Scheme (20 Oct 2009)

Mary Harney: Under the provisions of the Health (Repayment Scheme) Act 2006, the Health Service Executive appointed an external service provider to act as Scheme Administrator for the Health Repayment Scheme. The service provider is a consortium which includes KPMG Accountants and McCann Fitzgerald Solicitors. As per the contract agreement with the Scheme Administrator the HSE make payments to the...

Written Answers — Health Service Staff: Health Service Staff (20 Oct 2009)

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

Written Answers — Medical Records: Medical Records (20 Oct 2009)

Mary Harney: The management of medical records, including their storage within or outside the State, must currently comply with the Data Protection Acts 1988 and 2003. Those Acts apply to all personal information. All bodies in Ireland who control and process personal data are obliged under the Data Protection Acts to register with the Data Commissioner and to abide by the rules of Data Protection in...

Written Answers — Ministerial Travel: Ministerial Travel (20 Oct 2009)

Mary Harney: All agencies under the aegis of my Department are required to comply with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies in their governance practices and procedures and with the Department of Finance guidelines on foreign travel. The Code and the guidelines are available on the website of the Department of Finance. Their guidance on accommodation, travel, entertainment and...