Results 7,341-7,360 of 24,635 for speaker:Mary Harney

Written Answers — Medical Cards: Medical Cards (19 Feb 2009)

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

Written Answers — Health Service Staff: Health Service Staff (19 Feb 2009)

Mary Harney: The Performance Related Awards Scheme was introduced following a decision by the Government on the implementation of recommendations of the Review Body on Higher Remuneration in the Public Sector. The primary function of the Review Body is to advise the Government from time to time on the general levels of remuneration appropriate to certain public sector posts, including higher management...

Written Answers — Medical Cards: Medical Cards (19 Feb 2009)

Mary Harney: Details of the number of medical card holders are provided to my Department each month by the Health Service Executive (HSE). The figures are provided on a net basis, showing the balance after new cards have been issued and other cards, as appropriate, have been deleted from the Executive's database, e.g. following a review of a person's circumstances. The following table shows the number...

Written Answers — Medical Cards: Medical Cards (19 Feb 2009)

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

Written Answers — Nursing Education: Nursing Education (19 Feb 2009)

Mary Harney: An Bord Altranais has statutory responsibility for the registration of nurses under the Nurses Act, 1985. I am sure that the Deputy will appreciate that An Bord Altranais must process each application thoroughly to ensure that all those entered on the Register of Nurses are deemed professionally qualified and competent for such registration. Given the statutory functions of the Board and...

Written Answers — General Medical Services Scheme: General Medical Services Scheme (19 Feb 2009)

Mary Harney: Any person ordinarily resident in the State is entitled to anti-natal and post-natal care regardless of whether or not they hold a medical card. I am not aware of the particular circumstances pertaining to this case but I have referred the matter to the HSE for investigation and direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Hospital Services: Hospital Services (19 Feb 2009)

Mary Harney: The treatment provided to a patient is a matter for clinical decision, in consultation with the patient, where appropriate, and his or her family. I have no function in such matters. The case raised by the Deputy has therefore been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Hospital Accommodation. (19 Feb 2009)

Mary Harney: I am determined to ensure that all possible measures are taken to facilitate the discharge of patients in a timely manner. At present, there are approximately 750 patients whose discharge is delayed. That represents more than 6% of the total inpatient capacity. There are many reasons for discharges being delayed, including the need for long-stay capacity, community-based supports and, in...

Hospital Accommodation. (19 Feb 2009)

Mary Harney: The Deputy seems to have it every which way. St. Patrick's Hospital, which I have visited, and also Bethany House in Carlow, are very inadequate facilities in modern circumstances. One centre is a former work house and both centres are being closed down for health and safety reasons.

Hospital Accommodation. (19 Feb 2009)

Mary Harney: Deputy Reilly——

Hospital Accommodation. (19 Feb 2009)

Mary Harney: I know Deputy Reilly is an expert on many subjects but I do not believe he is a health and safety expert. I know the expertise that was sought. I had a meeting with the HSE this very week on those matters. I have now signed into law standards of care for residential settings, which will be enforced from the summer of this year by HIQA and we must prepare for that environment. In the...

Hospital Accommodation. (19 Feb 2009)

Mary Harney: I know the Deputy does not have much faith in me. He accused me of criminal negligence in the House last week. He should reflect on some of the things he says. Deputy Reilly cannot have it every which way. He has opposed every single reform for political reasons, and he made complaints about the many initiatives that were taken to improve the performance of the hospital system, especially...

Hospital Accommodation. (19 Feb 2009)

Mary Harney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 2 and 4 together. The co-location initiative is a complex process but it is an efficient means of delivering extra bed capacity. Significant progress has been made in advancing the individual projects involved. The board of the HSE has approved preferred bidder status for the development of co-located hospitals at Beaumont Hospital, Cork University Hospital,...

Hospital Accommodation. (19 Feb 2009)

Mary Harney: When the Deputy reads reports, she should read them thoroughly because the first page of the famous Goodbody report states, "The co-location initiative is highly beneficial for the public health system and the Exchequer. It delivers great value for money". Goodbody is working on behalf of the promoter of one of the sites and not the State. We take the advice of the National Development...

Hospital Accommodation. (19 Feb 2009)

Mary Harney: If the Deputy accepts the policy of charging the market price for these beds, it will have a knock on effect on the cost of insurance. Every year insurers have complained but that is a complaint worth hearing because this cost is not acceptable. The policy behind this is right. If we were establishing a greenfield health system in Ireland from scratch and recruiting consultants, we would...

Hospital Accommodation. (19 Feb 2009)

Mary Harney: I have never turned a sod on a private sector development nor do I intend to do so, and I rarely turn sods on public sector developments. I have been involved in openings but the majority were public sector openings. The Deputy is involved in private health care and I was lobbied by him previously for tax breaks on private health care. I do not understand why he believes private health...

Hospital Accommodation. (19 Feb 2009)

Mary Harney: We have to go through appropriate procurement and tendering procedures, value for money audits and the planning process because it is a private sector initiative. A former Member, for ideological reasons, appealed most of the planning permissions for these projects to An Bord Pleanála and that delayed them by up to 12 months. Planning for the Beaumont Hospital project was granted only at...

Hospital Accommodation. (19 Feb 2009)

Mary Harney: I presume the Deputy would like to know the facts.

Hospital Accommodation. (19 Feb 2009)

Mary Harney: Planning permission has not been granted for a number of these projects and clearly I am not in a position to say when the beds will be available. I hope we will see the beginning of this investment as soon as possible.

Hospital Accommodation. (19 Feb 2009)

Mary Harney: Every day the House discusses the financial difficulties confronting this country and many others relating to public and private projects. I do not want to be dishonest and, therefore, securing money for an investment currently is a challenge in Ireland, as it is elsewhere. I refer to the study the Deputy mentioned. The tax generated on an annual basis will be more than €200 million and...