Results 7,321-7,340 of 11,470 for speaker:Mary Butler

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Covid-19 Pandemic (12 Feb 2021)

Mary Butler: It is not so much about playing catch-up. I looked into this situation to see why some religious orders were registered with HIQA and others were not. They took that decision themselves. My understanding is that this situation dates to 1992 when nursing homes were first regulated. I am open to correction on that but there was an opportunity then. Some religious orders that operate...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Health Services Staff (12 Feb 2021)

Mary Butler: I will respond to this on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Donnelly. I welcome the opportunity to address the House on this issue and I thank Senator Buttimer for raising it. I express my sincere gratitude to our public health doctors, who have been at the forefront of our response to the pandemic and have made an enormous contribution to the protection of everyone living in...

Seanad: Mental Health and Covid-19: Statements (12 Feb 2021)

Mary Butler: My understanding was that I would only have seven minutes at the end to wrap up and that I would not be making an opening statement. That was what my office was told.

Seanad: Mental Health and Covid-19: Statements (12 Feb 2021)

Mary Butler: That would be great.

Seanad: Mental Health and Covid-19: Statements (12 Feb 2021)

Mary Butler: I thank the Members for their time today. It was a very good debate. The standard of the contributions was excellent. They were well thought out. Obviously, there were criticisms but they were constructive. I take on board everything that has been said in the debate, and I welcome it. I will try to respond as far as possible to the questions that were raised. How much time do I have?

Seanad: Mental Health and Covid-19: Statements (12 Feb 2021)

Mary Butler: I will try my best. I welcome the opportunity to restate my and the Government's commitment to the continued development of mental health services and supports during and beyond Covid-19. The pandemic has been very challenging and, in response, a range of mental health supports has been established. At the outset, we put in place proactive measures to provide for any increase in service...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: National Broadband Plan (11 Feb 2021)

Mary Butler: I have listened to the points the Deputy has raised, especially on tree-trimming, Safepass issues and the others. As we all know, the pandemic has highlighted the importance of good, reliable broadband to ensure citizens across Ireland can avail of remote working. Every parent in Ireland who has home-schooled knows the importance of good broadband. We have all taken Zoom meetings at home...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Covid-19 Pandemic (11 Feb 2021)

Mary Butler: It would be remiss of me not to say that the Minister for Health, Deputy Donnelly, was here this afternoon speaking on the Covid-19 vaccines question-and-answer session. I believe the Minister had another appointment. I thank Deputy Higgins for raising this important matter. An evidence synthesis paper on vitamin D and Covid-19 prepared for national public health emergency team was...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: National Broadband Plan (11 Feb 2021)

Mary Butler: My thanks to Deputy Ó Murchú for raising this issue. As the Deputy rightly said, I am taking this for the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Deputy Ryan, this afternoon. The national broadband plan contract was signed with National Broadband Ireland in November 2019 to roll out a high-speed and future-proof broadband network within the intervention area....

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Covid-19 Pandemic (11 Feb 2021)

Mary Butler: I thank Deputy Higgins for raising this important matter. Vitamin D is essential for bone and muscle health and to support the normal functioning of the immune system. Vitamin D can be found in a variety of foods, including in fortified cereal and dairy products, and humans can also absorb it from the sun. I take this opportunity to highlight the importance of a balanced diet that not only...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Paediatric Services (11 Feb 2021)

Mary Butler: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue and for setting out clearly the history in this situation, which gives me the opportunity to provide an update to the House in regard to the concerns relating to the paediatric diabetes service at the Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar. The HSE has advised that the Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar, has a comprehensive diabetes and...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Paediatric Services (11 Feb 2021)

Mary Butler: I thank the Deputy for the constructive manner in which he has approached this matter. I take on board his acknowledgement of Professor O'Grady and all of the work he has done over the past eight years to develop this service, which is very important. The Government is committed to further developing and strengthening diabetes services throughout the country, for both children and...

Covid-19 Vaccination Programme: Statements (11 Feb 2021)

Mary Butler: Deputy Michael Collins stated that those in nursing homes were left to die. I think that is a very unfair comment. It is scaremongering. To date, 1,734 people have died in nursing homes, but the nurses, staff and carers have worked their fingers to the bone to try to ensure that these people were not left to die. It is unfair of the Deputy to say that.

Covid-19 Vaccination Programme: Statements (11 Feb 2021)

Mary Butler: I refer to the comments of Deputy Harkin regarding those with disabilities and front-line workers. The Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, confirmed this week that disability service staff are included in vaccination plans for front-line healthcare workers in the coming weeks. I know this was a significant concern for front-line disability service workers and it has been welcomed.

Covid-19 Vaccination Programme: Statements (11 Feb 2021)

Mary Butler: I will answer the question on mental health. All residents aged 65 years and older within registered nursing homes, disability residential care facilities and mental health residential care facilities have been offered vaccination. Some mental health staff came under cohort 2 but the AstraZeneca roll-out now includes all mental health staff. Everyone is encouraged to apply on the portal.

Covid-19 Vaccination Programme: Statements (11 Feb 2021)

Mary Butler: I thank the Deputy for her question on nursing homes. Residents in the initial 27 nursing homes that were done the first week have received their second dose. For the next two weeks, starting next Monday, all nursing homes will get their second dose and they have received their date for that. As regards the people who have-----

Covid-19 Vaccination Programme: Statements (11 Feb 2021)

Mary Butler: I was just going to answer that.

Covid-19 Vaccination Programme: Statements (11 Feb 2021)

Mary Butler: It is hard to give an estimated date because those who missed out have to be 28 days clear of Covid to get the vaccine. These vaccinations will be conducted, where possible, alongside delivery of the second dose, which will happen in the next two weeks. At CHO level, targeted clinics-----

Covid-19 Vaccination Programme: Statements (11 Feb 2021)

Mary Butler: My understanding is that it is approximately 3,000 people.

Covid-19 Vaccination Programme: Statements (11 Feb 2021)

Mary Butler: I thank the Deputy for the question. For those people in assisted living facilities that are not registered with HIQA, mostly religious organisations, vaccination commenced on Monday, 8 February for people over the age of 65. It is for those people living in accommodation such as the Matthew Shea Home, the Sue Ryder homes, and the non-registered facilities that are, as I said, run by...