Results 8,161-8,180 of 49,836 for speaker:Stephen Donnelly

Written Answers — Department of Health: Primary Care Centres (29 Nov 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: As the Health Service Executive (HSE) holds responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Vaccination Programme (29 Nov 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: The immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The committee's recommendations are based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practice in relation to immunisation. NIAC continues to revise recommendations to allow for the introduction of new vaccines in Ireland and to keep abreast of...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (29 Nov 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Tests (29 Nov 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: Public health advice relating to COVID-19 is available on the website of the HSE. This advice is kept under continuing review. At present, the advice is that people with symptoms of COVID-19 should stay at home until 48 hours after symptoms are mostly or fully gone and avoid contact with other people, especially people at higher risk from COVID-19. The public health rationale for testing,...

Written Answers — Department of Health: EU Directives (29 Nov 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: There are currently no EU Directives, which have not yet been ratified, within the Department of Health.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff (29 Nov 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: General Practitioner Services (29 Nov 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: GPs are private practitioners, most of whom hold a GMS contract with the HSE for the provision of health services without charge to medical card and GP visit card holders. GPs contracted under the GMS Scheme are required to make arrangements for their patients to be able to make contact outside of normal practice hours. Commonly, GPs will work with out of hours co-operatives to meet this...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointments Status (29 Nov 2023)

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.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Services (29 Nov 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: As this is an operational 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...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff (29 Nov 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: Vaccination Programme (29 Nov 2023)

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...

Policing, Protests and Public Order: Statements (28 Nov 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: Hear, hear.

Policing, Protests and Public Order: Statements (28 Nov 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: The vicious attack on three young children and their care worker last Thursday night was horrific. It was beyond every parent's worst nightmare and our thoughts are with the children, the woman who was attacked and their families. As Minister for Health, I thank our health workers for what they did to care for the victims of Thursday's attack. Even for those who are used to treating...

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (28 Nov 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: I thank the Senators for tabling the amendment, which is a prohibition on the advertisement of nicotine inhaling products in the cinema. It is designed to remove the exemption for films that are directed at persons over 18 years of age. The prohibition was modelled on a similar provision in the Public Health (Alcohol) Act, which contains an exemption for films classified for persons over...

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (28 Nov 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: I thank Senators for the points they made. With regard to product placement, I am watching a particular series at the moment where there is very obvious product placement going on. In that case, it is alcohol. I take the Senator's point but I will have to revert to him on the specific point he raises. In response to Senator Boyhan's question, what I am saying is that we have a second Bill...

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (28 Nov 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: I thank the Senators. Broadly, we are all on the same page in what we are trying to achieve. On the point concerning advertising, I am keeping an open mind on this. It is not something I want to commit to here because I do want to be seen to be directing where this public consultation process goes. It is important for us to say that the advertising of vapes or e-cigarettes is already...

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (28 Nov 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: I thank the Senator for tabling these amendments. While I cannot accept them, I support the Senator's intention here in respect of reducing the prevalence of smoking. I looked into this matter in some detail and it was the subject of discussion, I believe, on Second Stage here and certainly during previous Stages in the Dáil and the health committee. Senator Boyhan is not alone in...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (28 Nov 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: Firstly, I want to express my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their diligent efforts during the Covid 19 Pandemic. Last year the Government announced a once-off, ex-gratia COVID-19 pandemic recognition payment for certain frontline public sector healthcare workers, to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. Eligibility criteria for the payment were set following...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Staff (28 Nov 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: Health Services Staff (28 Nov 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