Results 6,921-6,940 of 9,393 for speaker:Alex White

Topical Issue Debate: Home Help Service (23 Oct 2012)

Alex White: I have been assured that the HSE is working towards positive engagement at the Labour Relations Commission by the end of November, as the Labour Court recommended. The court has seisin of the issue at the moment so I do not think it would be appropriate to comment further given that the issues are being dealt with in that manner through the Labour Court. The date of 30 November is not too...

Topical Issue Debate: Medical Cards Eligibility (23 Oct 2012)

Alex White: I take the Deputy's point. It would never be the intention or wish of the HSE or any of us to discommode individual applicants, particularly those in the kind of circumstances outlined by the Deputy. I reiterate that there are more than 1.8 million medical cards and in excess of 130,000 GP-visit cards in circulation. This means that almost 43% the population is covered by either medical...

Topical Issue Debate: Home Help Service (23 Oct 2012)

Alex White: I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. I wish to acknowledge his strong and impressive track record on the issue of carers and home helps for many years. As the Deputy noted, I had some experience of the Labour Court in a previous professional life. I was often - as I am sure he was - at the receiving end of its various recommendations, not all of which were favourable to...

Topical Issue Debate: Medical Cards Eligibility (23 Oct 2012)

Alex White: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. More than 1.8 million medical cards have been issued to individuals, the highest number in the history of the State. It represents an increase of approximately 500,000 since the end of 2008. It is expected that the provision of GP services and prescription drugs under the general medical services scheme will cost almost €2 billion in 2012....

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Freedom of Information Legislation (23 Oct 2012)

Alex White: Did he take any notes?

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Service Expenditure (23 Oct 2012)

Alex White: I propose to take Questions Nos. 588, 624 and 625 together. HSE expenditure on drugs and non-drug items (dressings, etc.) under the GMS and community drug schemes for the years 2010 and 2011, including mark ups and dispensing fees for pharmacists and wholesalers, is set out in the following table: 2011 2010 Cost of drugs prescribed under the GMS and community drug schemes...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Cards Eligibility (23 Oct 2012)

Alex White: As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Applications (23 Oct 2012)

Alex White: As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drugs Payment Scheme (23 Oct 2012)

Alex White: Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Bill, the Irish Medicines Board has statutory responsibility for establishing and publishing a list of interchangeable medicinal products in respect of which it is satisfied that all the medicinal products which fall into a group of interchangeable medicinal products are, for prescription purposes, interchangeable with each other. It is...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Appeals (23 Oct 2012)

Alex White: As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: EU-IMF Agreement (23 Oct 2012)

Alex White: The Memorandum of Understanding agreed with the EU/IMF in December 2010 provided that the Government would introduce legislative changes to remove restrictions to trade and competition in sheltered sectors including eliminating restrictions on the number of GPs qualifying and removing restrictions on GPs wishing to treat public patients as well as restrictions on advertising; ensuring that...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Applications (23 Oct 2012)

Alex White: As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Primary Care Services (23 Oct 2012)

Alex White: My Department has been advised by the HSE's National Primary Care Office that it has not been informed of the removal of any services from Primary Care Centres around the country. However, I understand the Deputy is referring specifically to the withdrawal of counselling and psychological services in Primary Care Centres in Dublin 17. Therefore, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Applications (23 Oct 2012)

Alex White: In cases where a decision is made not to grant a medical card, the applicant is informed of the decision. The applicant is notified of the right to appeal the decision and contact details for the appeals office are provided. Where a person submits an appeal to a decision not to renew a medical card within 21 days of that decision, the individual retains the medical card or GP visit card until...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drug Treatment Programmes (23 Oct 2012)

Alex White: I propose to take Questions Nos. 639, 649, 678 and 701 together. In line with the National Drugs Strategy, the Government is committed to continuing support for initiatives to tackle the drug problem, including programmes to help young parents overcome addiction. Coolmine Therapeutic Community (CTC) receives funding from my Department and the HSE to provide a range of services, including a...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Applications (23 Oct 2012)

Alex White: As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Primary Care Services (23 Oct 2012)

Alex White: I propose to take Questions Nos. 655 and 656 together. As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Primary Care Centres (23 Oct 2012)

Alex White: The HSE has not carried out an analysis of the effectiveness of Primary Care Centres which have been developed across the country. However, it is accepted that in most instances a modern, well-equipped, accessible premises is central to the effective functioning of the Primary Care Team and evidence from Teams accommodated in new Primary Care Centres is very positive. Co-location of all...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Aids and Appliances (23 Oct 2012)

Alex White: As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (23 Oct 2012)

Alex White: Section 67 of the Health Act 1970 requires the Health Service Executive (HSE) to make dental, ophthalmic and aural treatment and dental, optical and aural appliances available for persons with full eligibility without charge. In addition, section 7 of Health Act 2004 requires that the HSE have regard to the resources available to it and the need to secure the most beneficial, effective and...