Results 8,461-8,480 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Leaders' Questions. (31 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: In reply to Deputy Rabbitte's questions, there are 96 patients in the unit, 21 of whom are private. Therefore, most of the people in the home are public patients who are being fully or partially funded by the State. These figures are not the most up to date, but a large proportion — almost 80% — of the residents are public patients. Deputy Rabbitte is correct in his assertion regarding...

Leaders' Questions. (31 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I do not know the answer to Deputy Seán Ryan's question. The decision on the independent inspectorate was part of the health reform programme. As already announced, the social services inspectorate will be set up on a statutory basis. It has also been announced that it will form part of the health information and standards Bill, which is in preparation. I cannot tell the Deputy at what stage...

Leaders' Questions. (31 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: As already stated, a governance board will be set up and will include a geriatrician, a general practitioner and relatives of residents. While most people have opted to stay in the home, if some of the public patients wish to move they will be accommodated elsewhere. An inquiry team will examine the other issues raise by the "Prime Time" programme as well as any other relevant issues.

Leaders' Questions. (31 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The standards of care are set by geriatricians who design them to achieve the best level of care. That is what takes place in all private nursing homes. While the Health Service Executive does not run this particular home because it is not a public facility, its involvement in examining the issues raised by "Prime Time" is appropriate. In future, the inspector will be independent of the HSE....

Leaders' Questions. (31 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: At the time of the opening, the home had 30 beds; now it has 90 beds. The issues were about the management, care provided and maintenance of the home. When the home was opened, it was confirmed that its policies were up to Eastern Health Board and Department of Health and Children standards. Unfortunately, I have not been out there inspecting the standards every day since then, so the...

Leaders' Questions. (31 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: It is important that there is a professional body in place that can inspect facilities on an unannounced basis. That is the only way that we can keep standards to the highest level, keep people on their toes and ensure that standards which are set on the opening of a facility are maintained.

Leaders' Questions. (31 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Standards can slip in both public and private nursing homes.

Leaders' Questions. (31 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I hope staff in these nursing homes feel they have an obligation to maintain high standards. If people work in places that are substandard or where treatment does not adhere to high standards, it is an issue for them.

Leaders' Questions. (31 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: It is not self-assessment but there are responsibilities. Every day, people who work in these institutions report issues relating to standards to their superiors.

Leaders' Questions. (31 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: They would not be out the door by 6 o'clock.

Leaders' Questions. (31 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: There are many nursing homes that adhere to the highest standards, as has been stated earlier on. For some years, the social services inspectorate has stated that it should be put on a statutory basis. Health board checks on nursing homes have been carried out since the 1990 Act. There has been a legislative basis for these checks for the past 15 years. Deputy Kenny stated that two...

Order of Business. (31 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: It is proposed to take No. 20, Grangegorman Development Agency Bill 2004 — Order for Report, Report and Final Stages; and No. 21, Maritime Safety Bill 2004 [Seanad] — Second Stage (resumed). Private Members' business shall be No. 49, motion re: nursing homes.

Order of Business. (31 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The Health Bill includes provision for the establishment on a statutory basis of the Health Information Quality Authority and the Irish Social Services Inspectorate. The defeat of the European constitution in the recent referendum in France and the outcome of the forthcoming referendum in the Netherlands will be discussed at a meeting of the Council of the European Union. We will proceed with...

Order of Business. (31 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The legislation is being prepared and is due for 2006.

Order of Business. (31 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: As I said, the charity regulation Bill is due next year. I will be talking to Prime Minister Blair at the European Council meeting in two weeks.

Order of Business. (31 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill is awaiting Second Stage in the House at present.

Order of Business. (31 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: It is a matter for the Whips.

Order of Business. (31 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: It is a major Bill and it has not changed. It was planned for 2005 and it is currently being prepared. It is planned to enact the Bill in the autumn this year.

Order of Business. (31 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: It is due to be published early next week. The request for a debate in the House can be taken up with the Whips.

Order of Business. (31 May 2005)

Bertie Ahern: A Cheann Comhairle——