Results 7,461-7,480 of 49,836 for speaker:Stephen Donnelly

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Overcrowding (18 Jan 2024)

Stephen Donnelly: As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the deputy directly.

Written Answers — Department of Health: State Properties (18 Jan 2024)

Stephen Donnelly: As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the management of the public healthcare property estate, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to you in relation to this matter. As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday 6thOctober. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Staff (18 Jan 2024)

Stephen Donnelly: As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly. As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday 6th October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Equality Issues (18 Jan 2024)

Stephen Donnelly: Access to health services for those who are ordinarily resident in Ireland is based on a determination of eligibility in accordance with the Health Act 1970 (as amended). This is primarily based on a financial assessment which is conducted by the Health Service Executive (HSE) upon receipt of the relevant application. Further information can be found at:...

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Treatment Purchase Fund (18 Jan 2024)

Stephen Donnelly: The National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) works with public hospitals, as opposed to with patients directly, to offer and provide the funding for treatment to clinically suitable long waiting patients who are on an Inpatient/Day case or Outpatient waiting list. The key criteria of the NTPF is the prioritisation of the longest waiting patients first. While the NTPF identifies patients...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Cards (18 Jan 2024)

Stephen Donnelly: As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible. As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday 6th October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Departmental Policies (18 Jan 2024)

Stephen Donnelly: Progressing women’s health is a priority for myself and for this Government. We made a strong commitment to promoting women’s health in the Programme for Government 2020 and are fully committed to the continued development and improvement of women’s health services and to working with women and girls to improve their health outcomes and experiences of healthcare across...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (18 Jan 2024)

Stephen Donnelly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 326 and 328 together. I want to acknowledge that waiting lists for scoliosis and spina bifida services are unacceptably long. I am acutely conscious of the burden that this places on patients and their families. I have committed €19 million under the 2022 and 2023 Waiting List Action Plans to tackle these waiting lists. This investment has...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Healthcare Infrastructure Provision (18 Jan 2024)

Stephen Donnelly: As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter. As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday 6thOctober. As a consequence of this industrial action, members...

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Treatment Purchase Fund (18 Jan 2024)

Stephen Donnelly: It is recognised that waiting times for many scheduled appointments and procedures are too long and continue to be impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. The Department of Health continues to work with the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) to identify ways to improve access to care. The NTPF approved 3 insourcing cataracts initiatives for funding in 2023, which...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Departmental Priorities (18 Jan 2024)

Stephen Donnelly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 330 and 331 together. The multi-annual approach to reforming and reducing waiting lists and waiting times, which began in Q4 2021, is a key reform initiative under Sláintecare. The core target of achieving a 10% reduction in the number of patients breaching the Sláintecare waiting times was exceeded, with an 11% reduction achieved, and the target of...

Written Answers — Department of Health: General Practitioner Services (18 Jan 2024)

Stephen Donnelly: GPs are self-employed practitioners and therefore may establish practices at a place of their own choosing. There is no prescribed ratio of GPs to patients and the State does not regulate the number of GPs that can set up in a town or community. Under the GMS scheme, the HSE contracts GPs to provide medical services without charge to medical card and GP visit card holders. Currently, there...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff (18 Jan 2024)

Stephen Donnelly: As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently not in a position to answer PQs due to industrial action. It is hoped that normal services will resume soon. In the meantime, this Department will continue to refer PQs to HSE for their direct reply as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff (18 Jan 2024)

Stephen Donnelly: As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently not in a position to answer PQs due to industrial action. It is hoped that normal services will resume soon. In the meantime, this Department will continue to refer PQs to HSE for their direct reply as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Health: General Practitioner Services (18 Jan 2024)

Stephen Donnelly: GPs are self-employed practitioners and therefore may establish practices at a place of their own choosing. There is no prescribed ratio of GPs to patients and the State does not regulate the number of GPs that can set up in a town or community. Under the GMS scheme, the HSE contracts GPs to provide medical services without charge to medical card and GP visit card holders. Currently there...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Cards (18 Jan 2024)

Stephen Donnelly: The Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) provides dental care, free of charge, to medical card holders aged 16 and over. Services available annually and on demand include an examination including preventative elements, two fillings, emergency extractions, and a scale and polish. More complex care, such as dentures, and a broader range of treatments for patients with additional needs and...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Cards (18 Jan 2024)

Stephen Donnelly: Medical Card provision is primarily based on financial assessment. In accordance with the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE, which assesses each application on a qualifying financial threshold. The issue of granting medical or GP visit cards based on having a particular disease or illness was previously examined in 2014 by the HSE...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Healthcare Policy (18 Jan 2024)

Stephen Donnelly: The shared vision of Sláintecare is to introduce a universal health and social care system where everyone has equitable access to services based on need, and not ability to pay. The Government is fully committed to the continued delivery of Sláintecare reform. Health Budget 2024 provided €22.5 billion to continue the delivery and expansion of quality, affordable healthcare...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products (17 Jan 2024)

Stephen Donnelly: Following the announcement of the budget allocation for my Department, I have issued a Letter of Determination to the HSE outlining my priorities and funding levels for 2024. This will be the basis on which the HSE will draw up its National Service Plan (NSP) for 2024. The HSE is required to prepare and submit an NSP within 21 days of receipt of the letter of determination. Once I have agreed...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Primary Care Centres (17 Jan 2024)

Stephen Donnelly: As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter. As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday 6thOctober. As a consequence of this industrial action, members...