Results 8,361-8,380 of 49,836 for speaker:Stephen Donnelly

Written Answers — Department of Health: Food Safety (22 Nov 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: Food safety policy is a priority for my Department, and this is informed by scientific advice from the Food Safety Authority of Ireland(FSAI) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). I am advised by FSAI that newly developed synthetic foods are classified as novel foods. Novel foods are foods which have not been consumed to a significant extent in the EU before May 1997. Regulation...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Departmental Policies (22 Nov 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: There is no process being considered to reclassify Section 39 with those on a S38 contract and therefore no costings are available. It is worth noting that Section 39 are not public bodies, and the terms and conditions of employment for staff in these organisations are ultimately between the employer and the employee. Although we are not the employers, the Department is aware that staff...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Strategies (22 Nov 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: The information requested by the Deputy is being collated by Department officials and a deferred reply will be submitted within ten working days.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Staff (22 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 (22 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: Hospital Staff (22 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 (22 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: Hospital Staff (22 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 (22 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: Hospital Staff (22 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 (22 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: Hospital Services (22 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: Health Service Executive (22 Nov 2023)

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 Appointments Status (22 Nov 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: I fully acknowledge the distress and inconvenience for patients and their families when elective procedures are cancelled, particularly for clinically urgent procedures. While every effort is made to avoid cancellation or postponement of planned procedures, the HSE has advised that planned procedures and operations can be postponed or cancelled for a variety of reasons including capacity...

Written Answers — Department of Health: General Practitioner Services (22 Nov 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 209 and 210 together. Last August, I welcomed the publication by the National Cancer Registry 'Childhood Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer: Cancer Trends Report'. The report describes ongoing significant improvements in 5-year survival and reductions in mortality for childhood, adolescent, and young adult (CAYA) cancers. This reflects advances in early...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff (22 Nov 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, a reform process aimed at strengthening Public Health in Ireland has been underway. Implementation of a national hub-and-spoke model for Public Health based on the introduction of the role of Consultant in Public Health Medicine is underway. The recruitment of 84 new Consultant in Public Health Medicine posts is being implemented on a phased basis....

Written Answers — Department of Health: Pharmacy Services (22 Nov 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: I recognise the significant role community pharmacists play in the delivery of patient care and acknowledge the potential for this role to be developed further in the context of healthcare service reform. In that regard, various approaches to extending the scope of practice of community pharmacists are being progressed by my Department. The implementation of these necessitates engagement with...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Promotion (22 Nov 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: The current focusis to reduce smoking and second-hand smoke (SHS) exposure in pregnancy as the medical evidence shows that smoking complicates pregnancy and leads to poor outcomes including impaired foetal growth and development, pre-term delivery, birth defects and sudden infant death. Health impacts continue past childhood and into later life, since children born to mothers who smoke have...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Tobacco Control Measures (22 Nov 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: Funding for cessation services provided by the HSE has increased from €11.8 million in 2017 to €15.7 million in 2022. In Budget 2024, €1.1m. additional funding was allocated for the Tobacco Free Ireland Programme for the provision of free NRT through the HSE Quit Service, bringing the total funding to €1.8 million in 2024. €1.1m additional funding was also...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Pharmacy Services (22 Nov 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: I recognise the significant role community pharmacists play in the delivery of patient care and acknowledge the potential for this role to be developed further in the context of healthcare service reform. In that regard, various approaches to extending the scope of practice of community pharmacists are being progressed by my department. The implementation of these necessitates engagement with...