Results 6,801-6,820 of 11,464 for speaker:Mary Butler

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Eligibility (25 May 2021)

Mary Butler: 375. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position regarding the official State recognition of partners that have been long-term cohabiters but are not yet married; the position regarding financial assistance and tax credits available to a person in such a situation upon the death of partner prior to marriage; her plans to examine the issue further; and if she...

Nursing Home Support Scheme (Amendment) Bill 2021: Referral to Select Committee (20 May 2021)

Mary Butler: I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Health pursuant to Standing Orders 95 and 181.

Nursing Home Support Scheme (Amendment) Bill 2021: Second Stage (Resumed) (20 May 2021)

Mary Butler: I thank all the Deputies for their valuable contributions. I greatly appreciate the positive words and the cross-party support for the Bill. We have heard many contributions over the past three days. I understand that the Bill is technical and complex in nature and that there will be some further work required to refine it as it passes through the Houses. I look forward to working...

Nursing Homes Support Scheme (Amendment) Bill 2021: Order for Second Stage (18 May 2021)

Mary Butler: I move: "That Second Stage be taken now."

Nursing Homes Support Scheme (Amendment) Bill 2021: Second Stage (18 May 2021)

Mary Butler: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am very pleased to have the opportunity to introduce the Bill to the House. Since I was appointed in July 2020 as Minister of State with responsibility for mental health and older people, updating the fair deal legislation to enhance protections for farmers and small business owners has been an absolute priority for me. I look forward...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Cancer Services (17 May 2021)

Mary Butler: I thank Senator Boyhan for giving me the opportunity to update the House on this important matter. There is probably not a house in Ireland that has not been affected by cancer. I did not realise the Senator was a former director of the National Treatment Purchase Fund so he has a very good understanding of how it actually works. I am pleased to say that our three cancer screening...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Cancer Services (17 May 2021)

Mary Butler: As the Senator said, every area of the health services has been affected by Covid-19 and our national screening cancer services are no exception. The HSE and the National Screening Service are working hard to provide cancer screening in a safe environment and to get screening back to full capacity. I take the Deputy's point and I agree with him wholeheartedly that we have to ensure that...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Health Services (17 May 2021)

Mary Butler: I thank Senator O'Loughlin for raising this important issue, which was also discussed in the Dáil during the Topical Issues debate on Thursday last. Sometimes Ministers can be asked to respond to questions in an area with which they are not especially familiar, but when it came to talking about the menopause, I was well qualified to answer. It is great to hear what has happened on the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Health Services (17 May 2021)

Mary Butler: As outlined, menopause has been recognised by the women's health task force as a priority healthcare issue impacting women. Significant activity is planned for this year to increase awareness and access to information, which was a key ask from the women of Ireland. As the Senator has said, it is only right and fitting to acknowledge the work of the Minister for Health, who is progressing...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Primary Care Centres (17 May 2021)

Mary Butler: I thank Senator Ahearn for raising this issue. He described a vibrant community supported by many community groups and also the importance of the new proposed primary care centre for Fethard, County Tipperary. I welcome the opportunity to provide an update to the House. The ongoing development of both community and primary care is the core of the Sláintecare vision. This Government...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Primary Care Centres (17 May 2021)

Mary Butler: I again thank the Senator for raising this matter I understand the importance of the development of such facilities to local people in communities such as Slieveardagh. As I have said, the development of primary care centres is an important part of the Sláintecare vision. These facilities provide a single point of access to health services and offer a means of supporting people to...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Hospital Overcrowding (13 May 2021)

Mary Butler: I have with me the response from the Minister's office. To be clear, Project Ireland 2040 includes provision for a 96-bed replacement ward block at UHL. Funding for this design work has been provided for in the 2021 HSE capital plan. Following receipt of planning permission in early March, the design team has commenced work on the detailed design and preparation of the procurement...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Hospital Overcrowding (13 May 2021)

Mary Butler: I welcome this opportunity to address the House on the issues raised by Deputies Quinlivan and O'Donnell. I have heard both Deputies raise similar issues on many occasions. I acknowledge the distress that overcrowded emergency departments cause to patients, their families, and the front-line staff working in very challenging conditions in hospitals throughout the country. I also...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Health Promotion (13 May 2021)

Mary Butler: I thank Deputy Smyth for providing the opportunity to speak to the activity both under way and intended in this area. I agree with the Deputy that the broadcasting in the last two weeks, although I have not heard all the programmes myself and will listen to them later, did the State some service. I was looking over the notes tonight and saw that the topic was menopause. As one of the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Health Promotion (13 May 2021)

Mary Butler: The Government is committed to improving health experiences and outcomes for all women and girls. The women’s health task force, set up in 2019 to drive progress on this issue, identified menopause as a priority issue. It has listened to women about what they would like to see delivered in this area, and the call for information and education has been heard strongly. The three key...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Service Executive (13 May 2021)

Mary Butler: As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Home Help Service (13 May 2021)

Mary Butler: As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (13 May 2021)

Mary Butler: As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Nursing Homes (13 May 2021)

Mary Butler: As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Services (12 May 2021)

Mary Butler: I propose to take Questions Nos. 237 and 239 together. As these are operational matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.