Results 5,021-5,040 of 9,393 for speaker:Alex White

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drug Treatment Programmes Policy (18 Jul 2013)

Alex White: I have been informed by the HSE that the Social Inclusion Care Group has a strategy/policy implementation remit for a range of areas which includes drug treatment. The Care Group is under the direction of the National Primary Care and Social Inclusion Manager and governance is via the National Social Inclusion Governance Group (SIGG). The National Addiction Advisory Governance Group (NAAGG)...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Substance Misuse (18 Jul 2013)

Alex White: As the Deputy will be aware, I announced details of a series of measures last December arising from a review of Drugs Task Forces, in order to better equip them to respond to the current pattern of substance misuse. These measures included the extension of the remit of the Task Forces to include alcohol addiction and the establishment of a National Coordinating Committee for Drug and Alcohol...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Pharmacy Services (18 Jul 2013)

Alex White: Pharmacists play an important role in the delivery of healthcare in Ireland, including in ensuring that patients are provided with safe and appropriate medicines and advice, and have the potential to play a central role in the development and delivery of our health services. In recent years, community pharmacists have broadened their range of services to include flu vaccinations, emergency...

Seanad: Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013: Committee Stage (17 Jul 2013)

Alex White: On a point of information, there is no provision exempting hospitals or allowing them to say they would not provide the service the Senator is talking about.

Seanad: Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013: Committee Stage (17 Jul 2013)

Alex White: It is not in there.

Seanad: Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013: Committee Stage (17 Jul 2013)

Alex White: The main purpose of the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013 is to restate the general prohibition on abortion in Ireland in line with Article 40.3.3° of the Constitution while regulating access to lawful termination of pregnancy in accordance with the X case and the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in the A, B and C v. Ireland case. Section 22 which lays out the...

Seanad: Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013: Committee Stage (17 Jul 2013)

Alex White: I do not propose to say very much more at this point because I know there has been a very good and wide-ranging discussion on these amendments and I thank the Senators who tabled them. They are very well motivated in what they have done. Senator Fiach Mac Conghail mentioned something I said, so I should respond briefly to his comments on this issue which were directed towards me.

Seanad: Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013: Committee Stage (17 Jul 2013)

Alex White: It is always to help the debate, of course.

Seanad: Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013: Committee Stage (17 Jul 2013)

Alex White: The first point is in regard to constitutionality. This is a human business. Politicians, members of Government, judges and doctors are all human beings. There is very little absolute certainty in any of this. There are very few things we can say with absolute certainty. Unless we have an opportunity in our laws to ask the court in advance whether it is of the view that something is...

Seanad: Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013: Committee Stage (17 Jul 2013)

Alex White: I stand by that.

Seanad: Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013: Committee Stage (17 Jul 2013)

Alex White: The Title is accurate and fairly comprehends the constitutional requirement to protect unborn life with due regard to the equal right to life of the mother. It does both and comprehends both requirements. It is a fair and accurate Title and there is no intention to review it between now and Report Stage. That is the Title that the Government proposes will remain.

Seanad: Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013: Committee Stage (17 Jul 2013)

Alex White: That was the first of three short points I wished to make: when initiated, the Bill had the Title it now has. We published heads of the Bill which were discussed in this Chamber and had a different title. For the record, however, it should be clear that the Title of the Bill has always been the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013. I know the Leas-Chathaoirleach does not wish us to...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Applications (17 Jul 2013)

Alex White: The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible. The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Applications (17 Jul 2013)

Alex White: The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible. The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Applications (17 Jul 2013)

Alex White: The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible. The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Applications (17 Jul 2013)

Alex White: The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible. The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Water Fluoridation (17 Jul 2013)

Alex White: Water fluoridation is the adjustment of a naturally occurring element found in water in order to prevent tooth decay. The benefits of water fluoridation, one of the most widely studied public health policy initiatives in the world, are long established. The Irish Expert Body on Fluorides and Health, established in 2004, monitors new and emerging issues on fluoride and its effects. It...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Dental Services Provision (17 Jul 2013)

Alex White: Dental services to children up to 16 years are provided by the Public Dental Service of the HSE. The service is targeted at children at key stages in their development. Children are given dental examinations and any follow-up treatment required at these stages. When required, emergency dental treatment is available to all children up to 16 years. The HSE has been asked to examine the specific...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Reviews (17 Jul 2013)

Alex White: The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible. The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Long-Term Illness Scheme Issues (17 Jul 2013)

Alex White: Persons suffering from prescribed conditions, who are not already medical card holders, can get free drugs, medicines and medical and surgical appliances for the treatment of that condition under the Long Term Illness Scheme. Medical card holders are required to pay prescription charges. Prescription charges are not payable in respect of items supplied under the Long Term Illness Scheme....