Results 8,541-8,560 of 49,836 for speaker:Stephen Donnelly

Written Answers — Department of Health: Home Care Packages (15 Nov 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: As this is an operational 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, 6 October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (15 Nov 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: I acknowledge that waiting lists and times for scoliosis and spina bifida services are unacceptably long. I am acutely conscious of the burden that this places on patients and their families. I have committed €19 million under the 2022 and 2023 Waiting List Action Plans to tackle these waiting lists. To date this has meant an additional 193 health care professionals across Temple...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff (15 Nov 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: Firstly, I would like to acknowledge the dedication, professionalism, and commitment of all Medical Scientists throughout the country. I am very conscious of the MLSA's long-standing claim for pay parity with Clinical Biochemists. Following productive talks at the Workplace Relations Commission back in May and June of 2022, agreement was reached to conduct an independent assessment of the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Primary Medical Certificates (15 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. 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 these grades are not engaging with political forums...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Departmental Inquiries (15 Nov 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: When I met with the patient groups involved with this issue, I supported their call for an inquiry into sodium valproate and I committed to making that happen. I was delighted to secure Government approval for the establishment of an inquiry which will examine the licensing and use of sodium valproate in women of child-bearing potential in the State. I am very pleased to be able to progress...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Disease Management (15 Nov 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: Under the GMS scheme, the HSE contracts GPs to provide medical services without charge to medical card and GP visit card holders. The General Practitioner (GP) Chronic Disease Management (CDM) Programme commenced in 2020 and has been rolled out on a phased basis to adult GMS (Medical Card and GP Visit Card) patients over a 4-year period. The specified chronic conditions included in the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Service Executive (15 Nov 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: As this Parliamentary Question relates to an administration 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 Appointments Status (15 Nov 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual. In relation to the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Cards (15 Nov 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: The Health Act 1970 (as amended) provides for two categories of eligibility for persons ordinarily resident in the country, i.e. full eligibility (medical card holders) and limited eligibility (all others). People with full eligibility (medical card holders) can currently access a range of services including GP services, prescribed drugs and medicines, public in-patient hospital services,...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Insurance Coverage (15 Nov 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: The Minister thanks the Deputy for his question. The number of persons availing of private health insurance, by age group, is detailed in the following table:  Age Insured Population as at 1 July 2023 0-17 527,570 18-29 298,129 30-39 308,162 40-49 374,389 ...

Written Answers — Department of Health: General Practitioner Services (15 Nov 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: GPs are self-employed practitioners and therefore may establish practices at a place of their own choosing. There is no prescribed ratio of GPs to patients and the State does not regulate the number of GPs that can set up in a town or community. Under the GMS scheme, the HSE contracts GPs to provide medical services without charge to medical card and GP visit card holders....

Written Answers — Department of Health: General Practitioner Services (15 Nov 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: In cooperation with my Department, the HSE and the ICGP introduced this year a non-EU Rural GP Programme which is on target to bring 100 additional non-EU GPs into the State. These GPs work in GP practices providing healthcare to patients, and will, on successful completion of the 2-year programme, be eligible to practice independently and take up a GMS contract. The programme targets...

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill 2023: Second Stage (14 Nov 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: I am delighted to be in the Seanad to introduce this important legislation to the House. The Bill is designed to reduce the health harms of smoking through reducing the use of tobacco products and nicotine inhaling products, such as e-cigarettes, in particular by young people. The Bill will achieve these objectives through further restrictions on the sale and advertising of these products,...

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill 2023: Second Stage (14 Nov 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: I thank colleagues across the Seanad for their contributions and support for this Bill. This Bill will do three important things. First, it will make it illegal to sell vapes to people under the age of 18. Second, it will bring in more restrictions on advertising for vapes. Third, it will bring in additional controls on the sale of both tobacco and nicotine inhaling products. This...

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill 2023: Second Stage (14 Nov 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: We looked in the round at a lot of different issues, and-----

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill 2023: Second Stage (14 Nov 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: -----that issue-----

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill 2023: Second Stage (14 Nov 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: -----can be considered in the public consultation, which will open up next week. If the Senator or others want to-----

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill 2023: Second Stage (14 Nov 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: Obviously, Senator, I would view that as a-----

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill 2023: Second Stage (14 Nov 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: -----comment that it is not based in fact. Obviously, we take this seriously. We obviously do. Look at the range of measures-----

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) Bill 2023: Second Stage (14 Nov 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: Look at the range of measures that-----