Results 7,721-7,740 of 49,836 for speaker:Stephen Donnelly

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Services (17 Jan 2024)

Stephen Donnelly: The Government and I are fully committed to improving genetics services in Ireland. One of the key ambitions of the National Strategy for Accelerating Genetic and Genomic Medicine in Ireland, launched in December 2022, is to build a strong national genetics service. This will be a patient and family-centred service that can be accessed equitably across the country and across the lifespan of...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Services (17 Jan 2024)

Stephen Donnelly: As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Seanad: Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2023: Second Stage (14 Dec 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: I am pleased to introduce the Bill to the Seanad. As colleagues will be aware, the Bill passed all Stages in Dáil Éireann with broad support and today I am presenting it to the Seanad for consideration. In doing so, I am cognisant that this issue is not new to this House and that legislation with a similar purpose and intent was passed by the House in April of last year. In this...

Seanad: Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2023: Second Stage (14 Dec 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: I thank colleagues for their contributions to this Second Stage debate. I am aware that this is an issue close to the hearts of Senators and the Seanad has played a leading in this through the cross-party sponsorship of a previous Bill. I also recognise the civil society work done to date on this by Together for Safety. It has played a really important role getting us to where we are...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Services (14 Dec 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 494 and 495 together. The Government and I are fully committed to improving genetics services in Ireland. One of the key ambitions of the National Strategy for Accelerating Genetic and Genomic Medicine in Ireland, launched in December 2022, is to build a strong national genetics service. This will be a patient and family-centred service that can be accessed...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Care Services (14 Dec 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: I wish to advise the Deputy that this is a matter for the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (14 Dec 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: I can confirm to the Deputy that correspondence has been received by my Department from the person concerned and that it has been redirected to the HSE for direct reply. Regarding the reference to publicly-funded IVF (in-vitro fertilisation), as the Deputy may be aware, a commitment to “introduce a publicly funded model of care for fertility treatment” is included in the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (14 Dec 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy 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, 6 October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (14 Dec 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: Tá an Roinn Sláinte ag obair lena chinntiú go gcaitear 5% de bhuiséad fógraíochta 2023 ar fhógraíocht a dhéanamh sna meáin Ghaeilge. Tá an Roinn Sláinte tiomanta go hiomlán dár ndualgais reachtúla faoi Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003 agus Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021, a cuireadh i...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (14 Dec 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: Toisc go mbaineann an cheist seo go díreach le Feidhmeannacht na Seirbhíse Sláinte, d'iarr mé orthu freagra díreach a thabhairt don Teachta, chomh luath agus is féidir. Baineann faisnéis ar na comhlachtaí poiblí a thagann faoi scáth mo Roinne le cúrsaí oibríochtúla na gcomhlachtaí atá i gceist agus mholfainn go...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (14 Dec 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: Tá oifigigh mo Roinne ag obair lena chinntiú go bhfuil 20% de fhógraí, chumarsáid ghinearálta agus chumarsáid tráchtála a phléann leis an bpobal i nGaeilge sa bhliain 2023. Tá an Roinn Sláinte tiomanta go hiomlán dár ndualgais reachtúla faoi Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003 agus Acht na dTeangacha...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Transfers (14 Dec 2023)

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: Departmental Budgets (14 Dec 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: My Department is aware of and has reviewed the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council’s latest Fiscal Assessment Report, including its analysis in relation to Health budget. While IFAC's report is produced independently of the Department of Health, its findings in relation to the demands on health expenditure, in particular in relation to demographic pressures and increased demand for health...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Departmental Contracts (14 Dec 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: My Department liaises closely with the Office of Government Procurement on all matters related to public procurement and monitors all areas of expenditure on an ongoing basis to ensure that value for money is being achieved. Under Department of Finance Circular 40/02, my Department makes annual returns to the Comptroller and Auditor General in respect of contracts above a €25,000...

Written Answers — Department of Health: General Practitioner Services (14 Dec 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: While the collection of taxes and issues relating to the interpretation of tax law are a matter for the Revenue Commissioners, I am aware of the concerns around the new guidance on the tax treatment of GPs' GMS income that has now been issued by the Revenue Commissions. The guidelines illustrate how GPs’ GMS income should be treated for the purposes of tax under current tax law....

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointments Status (14 Dec 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual. In relation to...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Staff (14 Dec 2023)

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: Emergency Departments (14 Dec 2023)

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 in...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Emergency Departments (14 Dec 2023)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (14 Dec 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 514 and 515 together. It is recognised that waiting times for many scheduled appointments and procedures were too long before and have been made worse 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 2023 Waiting List Action...