Results 781-800 of 2,980 for speaker:Marcella Corcoran Kennedy

Topical Issue Matters: Hospital Services (9 Feb 2017)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy: I thank Deputy Rock for giving me this opportunity to update the House on this very important issue. Narcolepsy is a chronic brain disorder and people with this disorder experience periods of extreme daytime sleepiness and sudden, irresistible bouts of sleep that can strike at any time. These sleep attacks usually last from a few seconds to several minutes. I acknowledge the impact on the...

Topical Issue Matters: Hospital Services (9 Feb 2017)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy: I know the Deputy, like myself, would welcome the fact work is under way on the proposed centre of excellence. I do not have the level of detail on the timelines that the Deputy asked for, but I will be happy to provide him with that separately.

Topical Issue Debate: Orthodontic Services Waiting Lists (8 Feb 2017)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy: I assure the Deputy there is no question but that the requirement to reduce waiting lists is a priority for the Government. As he outlined, patients waiting three to four years is unacceptable. There is no denying it. I look forward to the HSE's waiting list action plan and welcome its commitment that no patient will be waiting longer than 15 months by the end of October. That is what we...

Topical Issue Debate: Orthodontic Services Waiting Lists (8 Feb 2017)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy: I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle. I also thank Deputy O'Rourke for raising this matter and for giving me an opportunity to update the House on the position on orthognathic surgery in St. James's Hospital as advised to me by the HSE. Orthognathic surgery, or corrective jaw surgery, is performed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon to correct a wide range of minor and major skeletal and...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Electronic Cigarettes (8 Feb 2017)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy: Vaping is a relatively new occurrence. While the market share for electronic cigarettes and refill containers is growing, the long-term effects of vaping on public health are not yet known. Electronic cigarettes are regulated by the European Union (Manufacture, Presentation and Sale of Tobacco and Related Products) Regulations 2016. These Regulations transposed the European Tobacco...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (8 Feb 2017)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy: The most recent National Stroke Audit reported that patients who suffer a stroke in Ireland now have a better chance of surviving and with less disability; and that the health service has made significant cost savings in terms of saved bed days, people returning to work and reduced costs of residential care. There are already 3 Early Supported Discharge (ESD) pilot sites for stroke at...

Seanad: Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2016: Committee and Remaining Stages (7 Feb 2017)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy: I thank Senators for their contributions on Committee Stage of the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2016. The provisions of this Bill will allay the fears of recipients of ex gratiaawards which have been approved by the Government. It would be most unfair if people who received an ex gratiaaward were then to be disadvantaged regarding their financial assessment for support under the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Provision (7 Feb 2017)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy: The commitment referred to by the Deputy is largely a function of the annual Estimates process and it is in this context that funding may be pursued. Meanwhile, community groups may apply to the HSE for lottery funding to help with the purchase of defibrillators. One of the means to help improve health outcomes in this area is through the expansion of the National First Response...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Defibrillators in Schools Provision (7 Feb 2017)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy: The decision to install a defibrillator is made at local school level and is a matter for the board of management of each individual school. Applications to the HSE for lottery funding to help with the purchase of defibrillators may be made. One of the means to help improve health outcomes in this area is through the expansion of the National First Response Network. Community first...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Legislative Measures (7 Feb 2017)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy: The Government approved the publication of the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill as a direct policy response to reduce the harms caused by alcohol. Recognising that there is no single simple answer, the Bill includes a range of measures designed to collectively have a positive impact on the health and well-being of Irish people. The Department considered the specific retail environment at...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Provision (2 Feb 2017)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy: Epilepsy is a neurological condition that is associated with seizures. While many causes are unknown, it may be the result of a brain injury, stroke, infection, malignancy or genetic conditions. It is diagnosed using a variety of tests including an EEG, brain scans and blood tests. These diagnostic tests are available in hospitals. It can be managed by anticonvulsant medication which are...

Seanad: Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2016: Second Stage (1 Feb 2017)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy: I am very pleased to have the opportunity to address the House on Second Stage of the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, which was passed on 6 December last by Dáil Éireann. The Bill includes some provisions which relate specifically to my health promotion portfolio. When it comes to health promotion and encouraging behavioural change in relation to tobacco, alcohol and...

Seanad: Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2016: Second Stage (1 Feb 2017)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy: I thank the Senators for their contributions to the Second Stage debate on the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill. The provisions in this Bill will allay the fears of the recipients of the ex gratiaawards that have been approved by Government. It would be most unfair if people who receive such an award were then disadvantaged in their financial assessment for support under the nursing...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products Reimbursement (1 Feb 2017)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy: The HSE has advised my Department that the terms of reference for the proposed Rare Diseases Technology Review Group are being finalised. They will be discussed at an upcoming meeting of the HSE Optimising Pharmaceutical Value Group prior to being submitted to the National Drugs Management Programme Sponsorship Group for consideration. The timeline for establishment of this group is...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Rare Diseases (1 Feb 2017)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy: The HSE has advised my Department that the terms of reference for the proposed Rare Diseases Technology Review Group are being finalised. They will be discussed at an upcoming meeting of the HSE Optimising Pharmaceutical Value Group prior to being submitted to the National Drugs Management Programme Sponsorship Group for consideration. The timeline for establishment of this group is...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Rare Diseases Strategy (1 Feb 2017)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy: The Deputy's question is best addressed in the context of an update on implementing Ireland's National Rare Disease Plan. The National Rare Disease Plan for Ireland (2014 - 2018) recommended that an Oversight Implementation Group of relevant stakeholders, including patients' groups, be established to oversee and monitor implementation of the plan's recommendations. This group was...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Chronic Disease Management Programme (1 Feb 2017)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy: As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Expenditure (1 Feb 2017)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy: I propose to take Questions Nos. 283 and 284 together. The HSE, through the Health and Wellbeing Division, which received an increase in budget in 2017, funds a large number of organisations to provide a range of services including education, awareness, advocacy and support in order to tackle the causes of preventable chronic disease. There is no mechanism for the Department of Health to...

Topical Issue Debate: Disabilities Assessments (31 Jan 2017)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy: Clearly, I regret, as does the HSE, the difficulties some families experience in accessing the assessment of needs service. The HSE has confirmed that it is working to reduce waiting times and address the issues arising for all children and their families through a number of measures. The HSE is pursuing the filling of vacant posts and is highlighting the need for additional disability and...

Topical Issue Debate: Mental Health Services Provision (31 Jan 2017)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy: Deputy Eugene Murphy will be pleased the replacement post has finally been approved by the HSE and that finding a replacement is being treated as a matter of priority. I am told by the HSE that the intention is to fill the post as soon as possible. The Deputy will understand that I cannot comment on the specific cases he has raised but it is helpful to outline them. In response to what...