Results 8,421-8,440 of 24,635 for speaker:Mary Harney

Written Answers — Long-term Illness Scheme: Long-term Illness Scheme (11 Nov 2008)

Mary Harney: Under the 1970 Health Act, the Health Service Executive may arrange for the supply, without charge, of drugs, medicines and medical and surgical appliances to people with a specified condition, for the treatment of that condition, through the Long Term Illness Scheme (LTI). The LTI does not cover GP fees or hospital co-payments. The conditions are: mental handicap, mental illness (for people...

Written Answers — Ambulance Service: Ambulance Service (11 Nov 2008)

Mary Harney: For many years Dublin City Council, through Dublin Fire Brigade, has provided the emergency ambulance service in Dublin City on behalf of the statutory health authorities. The relevant authority since 2005 is the Health Service Executive. The HSE provides mainly the non-emergency patient transport in the Dublin area under the auspices of its National Ambulance Service. I am committed to...

Written Answers — Drugs Payment Scheme: Drugs Payment Scheme (11 Nov 2008)

Mary Harney: Following the reduction in pharmaceutical reimbursement prices on 1 March 2008, claims made by patients to Health Service Executive (HSE) local health offices were paid at the new lower reimbursement rate. I understand that payment of some claims was delayed because the pharmacy had charged the patient at the higher price, not the lower reimbursement price. Following a recent High Court...

Written Answers — National Centre for Medical Genetics: National Centre for Medical Genetics (11 Nov 2008)

Mary Harney: I received correspondence from the Genetic and Inherited Disorders Organisation which was referred by my Department to the Health Service Executive for examination and direct reply. I understand that a reply issued to the Organisation from the Executive. The National Centre for Medical Genetics seeks to provide a comprehensive service for all patients and families in the Republic of...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (11 Nov 2008)

Mary Harney: As the Deputy will be aware my Department is not one of the Departments scheduled for decentralisation under the Government's Decentralisation Programme.

Vaccination Programme: Motion (11 Nov 2008)

Mary Harney: She is in the Deputy's constituency; the Deputy should know her.

Vaccination Programme: Motion (11 Nov 2008)

Mary Harney: I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following: "—reiterates its support for the comprehensive work by the Government to bring cancer care, treatment and survival to the best international standards and to offer every person in Ireland equal access to the best possible cancer care in eight designated centres; welcomes the additional €15...

Vaccination Programme: Motion (11 Nov 2008)

Mary Harney: The decision that we made was not to introduce the vaccine in 2009. I have heard phrases like "scrapped", "changed her mind", "U-turn" and all the rest. When I made the announcement in August, following the advisory group report and the report from HIQA, I made it in good faith. Following the advice given to me, I said that this vaccine was a good thing and should be introduced on the...

Vaccination Programme: Motion (11 Nov 2008)

Mary Harney: By the end of the year, 100,000 women will have come forward for a smear test. By any standards, that is a high level of success for a programme introduced in September.

Vaccination Programme: Motion (11 Nov 2008)

Mary Harney: We anticipate that next year some 300,000 women will come forward. As the Deputy knows, this programme is geared to 1.1 million women in the State aged between 25 and 60. I emphasise that the screening programme can reduce the incidence of cervical cancer by over 80% and in an individual context by about 95%. I certainly hope that much of the publicity surrounding this issue will encourage...

Vaccination Programme: Motion (11 Nov 2008)

Mary Harney: I accept that many countries have, but quite a few have not. I am sure they did not lightly come to the conclusion that they should not do it as quickly as possible.

Vaccination Programme: Motion (11 Nov 2008)

Mary Harney: I am sure that, like me, they have different economic challenges and choices must be made. That is the context in which this decision was made for 2009.

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (6 Nov 2008)

Mary Harney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 119 and 120 together. The following table details the number of staff employed in my constituency office and those of the Ministers of State in my Department. The table gives a breakdown of the number of staff located in Hawkins House and each of the individual constituency offices. Minister/Minister of State No. of staff located in Hawkins House...

Written Answers — Hospital Waiting Lists: Hospital Waiting Lists (6 Nov 2008)

Mary Harney: Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services is a matter for the Health Service Executive and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall Vote. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular issues raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division...

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (6 Nov 2008)

Mary Harney: I have identified the need to improve services for persons with cystic fibrosis as a priority in the Estimates process over recent years. Since 2006, additional revenue funding of €6.78m has been allocated to the Health Service Executive (HSE) to develop services for patients with cystic fibrosis. The HSE has advised that 44 additional staff dealing with cystic fibrosis have been appointed...

Written Answers — Special Educational Needs: Special Educational Needs (6 Nov 2008)

Mary Harney: Almost 130,000 people work full-time or part-time in our public health services. In recent years, the Government's ongoing high level of investment in health has achieved and maintained significant increases in the numbers of doctors, nurses and other health care professionals employed in the public health services. The Government has also invested heavily in the education and training of...

Written Answers — Pharmacy Services: Pharmacy Services (6 Nov 2008)

Mary Harney: The Health Service Executive (HSE) have reinstated the previous level of payment to pharmacists from October 2008 forward. The question of outstanding payments for the period March to September 2008 is under consideration by the HSE.

Written Answers — Medical Cards: Medical Cards (6 Nov 2008)

Mary Harney: Following the recent Government decision to withdraw automatic entitlement to a medical card for persons aged 70 and over and to raise the means assessment threshold for persons in that age cohort, it is estimated that approximately 5% (20,000) of persons aged 70 and over will no longer qualify for a medical card. Persons whose income is above the threshold and whose circumstances are such...

Written Answers — National Treatment Purchase Fund: National Treatment Purchase Fund (6 Nov 2008)

Mary Harney: Regulation (EC) 1408/71 provides, inter alia, that people who are insured with or covered by the health care system of one member state may access health care in the public system of another member state in certain circumstances. Article 22 (1) (c) of the Regulation governs the referral of patients for public health services to another member state. In accordance with this article, a person...

Written Answers — Medical Cards: Medical Cards (6 Nov 2008)

Mary Harney: With effect from the 1st January, 2009 the new income thresholds for entitlement to a medical card for persons aged 70 or over are €700 (gross) per week for a single person and €1,400 (gross) per week for a couple. Gross income refers to income before tax and PRSI deductions.