Results 7,981-8,000 of 11,470 for speaker:Mary Butler

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: General Practitioner Services (1 Oct 2020)

Mary Butler: This is my first time to speak in this fantastic Seanad Chamber. I took Commencement matters in the Dáil yesterday, but I think at times we forget that this is such a fantastic building. I am pleased to be here. I want to thank Senator Kyne for raising this important issue and I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly. There are huge challenges to...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: General Practitioner Services (1 Oct 2020)

Mary Butler: I acknowledge the important role that GPs play in the delivery of our health service and their commitment to providing a responsive and high-quality out-of-hours service to patients. This has never been more visible than in recent months but at any time it is a key strength in the delivery of healthcare. The Senator is quite right that GPs are the beating heart of most communities, and it...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Vaccination Programme (1 Oct 2020)

Mary Butler: I thank Senator Keogan for welcoming me to the Seanad and congratulate her on being selected to become a Senator. The Senator has tabled a very important Commencement matter. She mentioned older persons and I am very conscious that this is International Day of Older Persons. This discussion is also timely as we face into a winter with Covid-19, the winter vomiting bug and the winter flu....

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Vaccination Programme (1 Oct 2020)

Mary Butler: The 2020-21 influenza vaccination season will be the tenth year that pharmacists have been permitted to provide a vaccination service to patients on pharmacy premises. It is considered appropriate to build on the existing good practice and patient trust to further develop this service in order to meet the evolving healthcare needs of the public. The Senator is quite right that the community...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Vaccination Programme (1 Oct 2020)

Mary Butler: I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach and the Senator for their kind words. This is an important issue, and my answer almost follows on from the previous Commencement matter. I thank the Senator for raising the issue. Seasonal influenza poses a significant challenge to vulnerable patients, the healthcare system and, in particular, the hospital sector. That challenge has never been more...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Vaccination Programme (1 Oct 2020)

Mary Butler: As we know, influenza can be a serious illness for people in the at-risk groups, which can lead to hospitalisation and even death. To take on board the Senator's point again, the quantities of vaccines made available to sites will be increased in line with the amounts received into the country. I take on board the Senator's point, however, and I will bring it back to the Minister. When...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Nursing Home Accommodation (1 Oct 2020)

Mary Butler: I thank Senator Bacik for raising this issue in such a constructive manner. Obviously, for the service users and some of the former residents and their families, this has been very challenging and difficult. A key principle underpinning Government policy is to support older people to live in their own homes with dignity and independence for as long as possible, with the correct wraparound...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Nursing Home Accommodation (1 Oct 2020)

Mary Butler: I thank the Senator very much for her answer and for the constructive approach she has taken on this matter. As she has quite rightly said, this centre is these people's home from home. It is where they have spent many years of their lives. Their families have gone through many challenges because, as the Senator correctly stated, the HSE advised that this action was neither expected nor...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Home Care Packages (1 Oct 2020)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Home Care Packages (1 Oct 2020)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Home Care Packages (1 Oct 2020)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (1 Oct 2020)

Mary Butler: Since 2009 the Health Information and Quality Authority, HIQA, is the statutory independent regulator in place for the nursing home sector.  HIQA has significant and wide-ranging powers up to and including withdrawing the registration of a nursing home facility, which means that it can no longer operate as a service provider. This responsibility is underpinned by a comprehensive quality...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Expenditure (1 Oct 2020)

Mary Butler: As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Expenditure (1 Oct 2020)

Mary Butler: I propose to take Questions Nos. 279 and 280 together. The Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS), commonly referred to as Fair Deal, is a system of financial support for people who require long-term residential care. Participants contribute to the cost of their care according to their means while the State pays the balance of the cost. The Scheme aims to ensure that long-term nursing home care...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Mental Health Services (1 Oct 2020)

Mary Butler: Protection of the vulnerable continues to be a Government priority, especially in these challenging times, and those with mental health issues are often among the most vulnerable in society. Access to services is central to the Government’s commitments under Sláintecare and the new national mental health policy, Sharing the Vision, and the Programme for Government:...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointments Status (1 Oct 2020)

Mary Butler: As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Nursing Homes Support Scheme (1 Oct 2020)

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

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Mental Health Services (30 Sep 2020)

Mary Butler: I thank the Acting Chairman and Senator O'Loughlin for the warm wishes extended to me. I thank Senator O'Loughlin for raising the issue of the opening of a branch of Jigsaw, the mental health organisation, in Newbridge, County Kildare. She is quite right that I have heard her talk about this over many years; it is not something I have heard for the first time today. As we all know, Jigsaw...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Mental Health Services (30 Sep 2020)

Mary Butler: The Senator will appreciate that the HSE has statutory responsibility for the planning and delivery of health and personal social services at local level. The HSE, as is reflected in its annual service plan, strives to deliver services in the best possible manner. Currently, Jigsaw has 66% coverage throughout the country but I would love to see a situation where we have 100% coverage as...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Schools Building Projects (30 Sep 2020)

Mary Butler: Yes.