Results 5,921-5,940 of 9,393 for speaker:Alex White

Health (Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) Bill 2013: Second Stage (20 Mar 2013)

Alex White: Did you read it in the meantime?

Health (Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) Bill 2013: Order for Second Stage (20 Mar 2013)

Alex White: I move: "That Second Stage be taken now."

Health (Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) Bill 2013: Second Stage (20 Mar 2013)

Alex White: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." The maintenance of health services is a priority in 2013 for the Government despite the need for significant and difficult financial savings in the health area. It has been our intention that front-line health services would be protected to the greatest extent possible. As part of budget 2013, over €13.6 billion in current funding...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Health Service Recruitment (20 Mar 2013)

Alex White: I understand the point raised by the Deputy, but we are proceeding with the recruitment of the posts. I have indicated that already in terms of the mental health posts for which my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, has principal responsibility. The primary care posts will be filled. There is not a basis for any nervousness about the posts. I say that in good faith,...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Health Service Recruitment (20 Mar 2013)

Alex White: There will be no unhinging of any fence with regard to these posts. The Deputy is correct to raise the issue and I have no difficulty with her doing so and pressing me on it. My job is to deliver and I will deliver.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Health Service Recruitment (20 Mar 2013)

Alex White: The Government is committed to reforming our model of delivering health care so that we can reduce the cost of achieving the best health outcomes for our citizens. The implementation of the primary care strategy continues to be a priority for the Government. The objective is to develop services in the community that will give people direct access to integrated multidisciplinary teams of...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Medical Card Review (20 Mar 2013)

Alex White: Under the provisions of the Health Act 1970, as amended, determination of eligibility for a medical card is the responsibility of the HSE. The HSE has produced national assessment guidelines to provide a clear framework to assist the making of reasonable, consistent and equitable decisions when assessing an applicant. These guidelines are publicly available and can be downloaded from the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Medical Card Review (20 Mar 2013)

Alex White: I can only agree with the Deputy that this should not occur. I ask him to relay to me details of cases where people were not notified in the manner that I have been advised is practice. I am satisfied there have been significant improvements recently in the administration of the medical cards system and primary care reimbursement system, PCRS. While it may well be the case that the system...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Universal Health Insurance Provision (20 Mar 2013)

Alex White: The Government's Programme for Government committed it to major reforms of the manner in which health services are delivered. As part of the reform programme, Universal Primary Care is to be introduced on a phased basis during its term of office. Primary legislation is being prepared to give effect to this commitment. The wording of this legislation, which will allow the Minister for Health...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Misuse of Drugs (20 Mar 2013)

Alex White: The Department is reviewing the Misuse of Drugs Regulations with a view to, amongst other issues, introducing additional controls on certain prescription drugs being traded illicitly, including benzodiazepine medicines and z-drugs. A consultation process has taken place with key stakeholders in relation to the proposed amendments, which include introducing import and export controls on...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products Availability (20 Mar 2013)

Alex White: Dr James Reilly TD, Minister for Health announced, on the 1st February 2013, that Kalydeco, a new innovative medicine for the treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF) in patients who have the G551D mutation, would be made available for patients in Ireland from the 1st of March. The HSE has circulated a detailed protocol to hospitals in relation to the administration of the medication.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products Prices (20 Mar 2013)

Alex White: I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 88 together. The prices of drugs vary between countries for a number of reasons, including different prices set by manufacturers, different wholesale and pharmacy mark-ups, different dispensing fees and different rates of VAT. In recent years, a number of changes to the pricing and reimbursement system have been successfully introduced in Ireland....

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Eligibility (20 Mar 2013)

Alex White: As part of Budget 2013, it was announced that the income thresholds for medical cards for the over 70’s age group are to be changed. The intention is that:- - persons aged 70 years and over, whose gross weekly income is not more than €600 in the case of single persons and €1,200 in the case of couples, will qualify for full eligibility (medical cards). - persons...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Pharmacy Services (20 Mar 2013)

Alex White: As the Deputy will be aware, the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Bill, passed Committee Stage yesterday. Under the Bill, Irish Medicines Board has statutory responsibility for establishing and publishing a List of Interchangeable Medicinal Products. In deciding whether to add a group of medicinal products to the List of Interchangeable Medicinal Products, the Board must be...

Written Answers — Department of Health: General Medical Services Scheme (20 Mar 2013)

Alex White: I have been advised by the HSE that there are instances where doctors may decline to take on extra patients due to the number of patients already on their General Medical Services (GMS) list. In cases where an eligible person is having difficulty accessing a General Practitioner's GMS list, they should contact either their HSE Local Health Office or the HSE's Central Medical Card Office, who...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Nursing Staff Provision (20 Mar 2013)

Alex White: The Government has decided that the numbers employed across the public service must be reduced to address public expenditure levels and meet its fiscal and budgetary targets. The health sector must make its contribution to that reduction. The primary aim is to cut the cost of services and not the services themselves. However, in 2013, Primary Care funding of €20 million nationally...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Eligibility (20 Mar 2013)

Alex White: The Government's Programme for Government committed it to major reforms of the manner in which health services are delivered. As part of the reform programme, Universal Primary Care is to be introduced on a phased basis during its term of office. Primary legislation is being prepared to give effect to this commitment. The wording of this legislation, which will allow the Minister for Health...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Water Fluoridation (20 Mar 2013)

Alex White: I propose to take Questions Nos. 446 and 486 together. The report to which the Deputy refers was referred to the Irish Expert Body on Fluorides and Health for examination in 2012. The Expert Body concluded that the report is not reliable. The Expert Body's Appraisal and an Executive Summary of the Appraisal are available on the Expert Body's website, www.fluoridesandhealth.ie. The Expert...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Eligibility (20 Mar 2013)

Alex White: As part of Budget 2013, it was announced that the income thresholds for medical cards for the over 70’s age group are to be changed. The intention is that:- - persons aged 70 years and over, whose gross weekly income is not more than €600 in the case of single persons and €1,200 in the case of couples, will qualify for full eligibility (medical cards) - persons aged 70...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products Supply (20 Mar 2013)

Alex White: As the Deputy will be aware, the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Bill, passed Committee Stage yesterday. Under the Bill, Irish Medicines Board has statutory responsibility for establishing and publishing a List of Interchangeable Medicinal Products. In deciding whether to add a group of medicinal products to the List of Interchangeable Medicinal Products, the Board must be...