Results 6,821-6,840 of 11,491 for speaker:Mary Butler

Covid-19 Vaccine Roll-out: Statements (27 May 2021)

Mary Butler: The Deputy is quite right. Over the weekend, it became obvious that people in the likes of Tallow, Ballyduff and Aglish in west Waterford were being asked to go to Killarney for their vaccine and that those living in the Ferrybank area were being asked to go to Kilkenny. I made inquiries immediately. This was a postcode error. I advise that those who received their first dose in Killarney...

Covid-19 Vaccine Roll-out: Statements (27 May 2021)

Mary Butler: TAPS for nursing homes was introduced last year as a temporary support to nursing homes during the most awful time. They needed all these supports, so the supports were put in place. The temporary assistance payment has been extended twice already and is due to cease at the end of June. My understanding is that the financial payments will cease at that time. However, all other supports...

Covid-19 Vaccine Roll-out: Statements (27 May 2021)

Mary Butler: I agree that it is very important that we keep our residents in nursing homes safe. There are approximately 30,000 nursing home residents in the country. I am glad to have an opportunity to respond on this issue. This was always a temporary assistance payment to support nursing homes when they needed extra staff and preventative measures like infection prevention and control, IPC. This...

Covid-19 Vaccine Roll-out: Statements (27 May 2021)

Mary Butler: The programme for vaccination for those who are housebound began in March 2021. To date, there have been 3,900 referrals. The portal closed for referrals in mid-April. The National Ambulance Service is currently operating a seven-day service to ensure all individuals are vaccinated as quickly as possible. To date, it has administered 2,700 dose one vaccines scenes and 1,400 dose two...

Covid-19 Vaccine Roll-out: Statements (27 May 2021)

Mary Butler: The temporary assistance payment scheme was facilitated for nursing homes all over Ireland since last year. Initially, finances were made available up to June and this was extended up to December. Some €93 million was made available last year and €41 million was made available this year. It is a temporary assistance payment to support nursing homes and it will come to its...

Covid-19 Vaccine Roll-out: Statements (27 May 2021)

Mary Butler: In relation to the day care centres, we all understand the important role that day centres play. Our elderly population has not been able to access day care centres since March 2020. An announcement will be made in respect of the reopening of those centres tomorrow, and a timeline will be included.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Code (25 May 2021)

Mary Butler: 181. To ask the Minister for Finance the position regarding the official State recognition of partners who have been long-term co-habiters 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 a partner prior to marriage; his plans to examine the issue further; and if he will make a statement on the...

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...