Results 6,381-6,400 of 9,393 for speaker:Alex White

Written Answers — Department of Health: Orthodontic Services (23 Jan 2013)

Alex White: The HSE provides orthodontic treatment to patients based on their level of clinical need. An individual's access to orthodontic treatment is determined against a set of clinical guidelines and priority is given to patients with greatest needs. The HSE has been asked to examine the specific query raised by the Deputy and to reply to him as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (23 Jan 2013)

Alex White: The HSE is responsible for the administration of the Long Term Illness Scheme, therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Dental Services (23 Jan 2013)

Alex White: The Dental Treatment Service Scheme (DTSS) provides access to dental treatment for adult medical card holders. The HSE prioritises for treatment patients with special needs, high risk patients and those who have greater clinical needs. A free oral examination every calendar year and free emergency dental treatment with a focus on relief of pain and sepsis are available to all eligible...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Applications (23 Jan 2013)

Alex White: The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Education (Welfare) (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012: Second Stage [Private Members] (22 Jan 2013)

Alex White: Yes, with Deputies Paul J. Connaughton, Joanna Tuffy, Mary Mitchell O'Connor and Dominic Hannigan.

Education (Welfare) (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012: Second Stage [Private Members] (22 Jan 2013)

Alex White: While the Minister for Education and Skills and I acknowledge the best intentions and good faith of Deputy O'Brien and his colleagues in tabling this legislation, the Government will be opposing this Bill for reasons that I will outline in due course. I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this important debate on bullying and I would like to apologise on the Minister, Deputy Quinn's...

Topical Issue Debate: Insurance Coverage (22 Jan 2013)

Alex White: I do not believe I can add further to the reply I gave earlier. I acknowledge the strength of the arguments Deputy Daly has made and the undoubted frustration, and worse, experienced by his constituents when faced with these eventualities. Indeed, I am familiar with similar experience in other parts of the country, including in my constituency. Other Deputies will have experience of this...

Topical Issue Debate: EU-IMF Programme of Support (22 Jan 2013)

Alex White: I again thank the Deputy and assure him and the House that these issues have been a constant preoccupation of the Government and of the Minister for Finance, in particular, throughout the Government’s tenure in office. That continues to be the case and every opportunity has been and will continue to be taken to advance the country’s position, as is desired by all of us, to...

Topical Issue Debate: Insurance Coverage (22 Jan 2013)

Alex White: I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. It should be noted that flood cover and its unavailability has been raised in this House on a number of occasions, not least by Deputy Daly and others. It is a subject with which I am most familiar. I am also conscious of the difficulties that the absence of such cover can cause to householders and businesses. The Deputy outlined them...

Topical Issue Debate: VAT Rates (22 Jan 2013)

Alex White: The Deputy makes a strong case. At the outset and in his rejoinder, he outlined the undoubted value of defibrillators. He made the case well and compellingly. There is no argument about the inherent value in and importance and necessity of the provision of defibrillators. The Deputy referred to the VAT treatment of defibrillators as an anomaly. It is reasonable to describe it as such,...

Topical Issue Debate: EU-IMF Programme of Support (22 Jan 2013)

Alex White: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue and for his words of welcome. I welcome his welcome, if I might put it that way, for these important developments. The meeting of the Eurogroup - the eurozone finance Ministers - yesterday had a broad agenda covering a number of issues, all of which related to the health of the euro and were important to Ireland. However, for the purpose of this...

Topical Issue Debate: VAT Rates (22 Jan 2013)

Alex White: I am pleased, on behalf of the Minister for Finance, to have the opportunity to speak on the question of the VAT treatment of defibrillators purchased by voluntary and charitable groups. While I appreciate and am conscious of the health concerns that form the basis of the Deputy's argument, he may be aware that in matters relating to the VAT rating of goods and services, the Government is...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products (22 Jan 2013)

Alex White: 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. These have resulted in reductions in the prices of...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drugs Payment Scheme (22 Jan 2013)

Alex White: The HSE is responsible for the administration of the Drug Payment Scheme. Therefore, this matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Primary Care Centres (22 Jan 2013)

Alex White: The Government is committed to moving the focus of health care from secondary care to primary care, key aspects of which include the continued development of Primary Care Teams and Primary Care Centres. Up to 95% of people's health and social service needs can be properly met within a primary care setting. The HSE has responsibility for the provision of Primary Care Centres, therefore, this...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Eligibility (22 Jan 2013)

Alex White: I have asked the Health Service Executive for a report on the issues raised by the Deputy. I will revert to the Deputy on the matter as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Pharmacy Regulations (22 Jan 2013)

Alex White: The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) is an independent statutory body, established by the Pharmacy Act 2007. It is charged with, and is accountable for, the effective regulation of pharmacists and pharmacies in Ireland, including responsibility for supervising compliance with the Act. Part 6 of the Act deals with the complaints, inquiries and discipline (fitness to practise)...

Written Answers — Department of Health: General Medical Services Scheme (22 Jan 2013)

Alex White: Clinician Led Multidisciplinary Medicines Management Programme has been established to provide national leadership on issues relating to quality of medicines management processes, access to medicines and cost of medicines. As part of this work, those products that are less suitable for prescribing will be identified and considered for delisting in compliance with the Health  (Pricing and...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products (22 Jan 2013)

Alex White: I propose to take Questions Nos. 595 and 649 together. The HSE proposes to introduce a formal returns arrangement with suppliers of High Tech Medicines in cases where a community pharmacy no longer has a requirement for particular medicine previously delivered to that pharmacy location.  Such a returns arrangement will have to comply with relevant legislative and regulatory...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (22 Jan 2013)

Alex White: Preparations for the national roll out of the Integrated Care Diabetes Programme are at an advanced stage. The HSE recently held interviews for 17 Integrated Care Diabetes Nurse Specialist posts and it is expected that these posts will be filled early in 2013. One Diabetes Nurse Specialist will be assigned to each of the HSE's 17 Integrated Service Areas (ISAs). The HSE National...