Results 50,621-50,640 of 51,089 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Seanad: Hospital Services: Motion. (30 Jun 2004)

Micheál Martin: Last year we asked the system to come up with a more innovative approach on how to deal with the discharge policy. The Southern Health Board came up with a very good initiative which the Department funded and asked to be replicated in the eastern region. It has worked more effectively in the south through the effective management of the discharge which leads to a better turnover. We have met...

Seanad: Hospital Services: Motion. (30 Jun 2004)

Micheál Martin: That is what they say, but we have no facts. I have received no documents and seen no presentation or study. We must question those figures rather than simply repeat them. I apologise for interrupting, but it is critically important for the debate that we analyse this a little more.

Seanad: Hospital Services: Motion. (30 Jun 2004)

Micheál Martin: The Senator should go down there, for God's sake.

Seanad: Hospital Services: Motion. (30 Jun 2004)

Micheál Martin: The Senator asked me the question. That is what drives me mad about the health debate. Anyone who knows anything knows the radiotherapy unit in Cork has a brand new system.

Seanad: Hospital Services: Motion. (30 Jun 2004)

Micheál Martin: It is not.

Seanad: Hospital Services: Motion. (30 Jun 2004)

Micheál Martin: How many beds?

Seanad: Hospital Services: Motion. (30 Jun 2004)

Micheál Martin: I thank Senators for the opportunity to discuss the health service. I am glad the amendment to the motion has been moved on behalf of the Government. This Government has invested unprecedented levels of capital and revenue funding in our health services. It is important to appreciate that from a very low base, we have built up and will continue to enhance the infrastructure of our health...

Seanad: Hospital Services: Motion. (30 Jun 2004)

Micheál Martin: That needs to be said. I accept the criticisms as well. There are many drawbacks and deficiencies in the system that we must correct. In accepting the deficiencies, we must acknowledge that major improvements have been made and get the balance sheet right. It does no one any good to use such general labels about the system.

Seanad: Hospital Services: Motion. (30 Jun 2004)

Micheál Martin: It feeds into the notion that there is no point in spending money on health because it all goes into a black hole. It is a dangerous philosophy to keep peddling the line that the money is going into a black hole. That is the greatest disservice to the health service.

Seanad: Hospital Services: Motion. (30 Jun 2004)

Micheál Martin: New radiotherapy facilities have been built in Cork and in Galway. In Galway they are coming on stream. Major construction is under way at St. Vincent's Hospital in Dublin, at Tullamore General Hospital, at Cork University Hospital and at many other hospitals. With regard to the fiscal position, the Government has maintained a strong economic policy. It has meant that national priorities had...

Seanad: Hospital Services: Motion. (30 Jun 2004)

Micheál Martin: The ELS concept has had the result of delaying the full opening of some new units which are now built and ready to open. As the economic position improves it will allow Government an opportunity to examine existing policies and consider their relative priority. We are equipping the units. They could not all be opened tomorrow.

Seanad: Hospital Services: Motion. (30 Jun 2004)

Micheál Martin: They must be equipped and staffed. That involves negotiations. Industrial relations issues are holding up the opening of some of these new units. People are saying they need this and that in order to move from a very dilapidated old system to a modern facility. It beggars belief that people are making that type of demand when I would have thought there would be an enthusiasm to move to a new...

Seanad: Hospital Services: Motion. (30 Jun 2004)

Micheál Martin: I recently attended an OECD Health Ministers meeting. The Senator will be glad to know that every health system in the world is facing the same pressures.

Seanad: Hospital Services: Motion. (30 Jun 2004)

Micheál Martin: There are issues of an ageing population and in terms of financial sustainability right across the globe. We are hearing the same refrain from Health Ministers all over the world. We have just been through the EU Health Presidency. I am on first-name terms with all my colleagues at this stage. There are similarities in terms of the issues. There are no big surprises. The big issues at global...

Written Answers — Health Board Services: Health Board Services (17 Jun 2004)

Micheál Martin: Responsibility for the funding of services at the Adelaide and Meath Hospital, incorporating the National Children's Hospital, Tallaght rests with the Eastern Regional Health Authority. My Department has therefore asked the regional chief executive of the authority to investigate the matter raised by the Deputy and to reply to him directly.

Written Answers — Hospital Services: Hospital Services (17 Jun 2004)

Micheál Martin: The provision of hospital services for people living in County Mayo is a matter for the Western Health Board. My Department has asked the chief executive officer of the board to investigate the position in relation to this case and to reply directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Hospital Services: Hospital Services (17 Jun 2004)

Micheál Martin: The provision of hospital services for people living in County Kilkenny is a matter for the South Eastern Health Board. My Department has, therefore, asked the chief executive officer of the board to investigate the position in relation to this case and to reply directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Hospital Services: Hospital Services (17 Jun 2004)

Micheál Martin: The provision of hospital services for people living in County Mayo is a matter for the Western Health Board. My Department has asked the chief executive officer of the board to investigate the position in relation to this case and to reply directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Health Board Services: Health Board Services (17 Jun 2004)

Micheál Martin: The provision of health services to people with a physical and-or sensory disability rests with the Eastern Regional Health Authority and the health boards in the first instance. Accordingly, the Deputy's question has been referred to the regional chief executive of the Eastern Regional Health Authority with a request that he examine the matter raised and reply directly to the Deputy, as a...

Written Answers — Health Board Services: Health Board Services (17 Jun 2004)

Micheál Martin: Responsibility for the provision of orthodontic treatment to eligible persons in County Donegal rests with the North Western Health Board. Therefore, my Department has asked the chief executive officer to investigate the matter raised by the Deputy and to reply to her directly.