Results 8,681-8,700 of 24,635 for speaker:Mary Harney

Medical Cards: Motion (21 Oct 2008)

Mary Harney: Deputy Rabbitte is wrong. I will go through the figures.

Medical Cards: Motion (21 Oct 2008)

Mary Harney: If the Deputies opposite would allow me to speak, I might not have to respond to interruptions

Medical Cards: Motion (21 Oct 2008)

Mary Harney: The proposal that the Government announced this morning will save €100 million in 2009. As the House knows, we have established a process and are not allowed to negotiate with the IMO under Irish competition law. A process is to be established, to be chaired by Mr. Eddie Sullivan. He will receive submissions from the Irish Medical Organisation this week, from individual practitioners and...

Medical Cards: Motion (21 Oct 2008)

Mary Harney: That it is not sustainable, particularly in the context of doctors seeking to work in areas of disadvantage — and neither is it fair to the patients. The hope is that we will have a single capitation fee for all patients over 70, the same fee regardless whether they had a means-tested card before they reached that age. I believe that is appropriate. Dr. Michael Barry, the leading expert...

Medical Cards: Motion (21 Oct 2008)

Mary Harney: I would say to Deputy Perry that we must bring legislation to the House to do what he suggests. It is a fair that to each doctor a patient who reaches the age of 70 should be worth the same. Everybody would subscribe to that. It is particularly important for doctors working in disadvantaged areas. In regard to the wider issues, of course we deeply regret the upset and hurt caused to many...

Medical Cards: Motion (21 Oct 2008)

Mary Harney: I would say to Deputy Bannon that we all have older family members and we know how older people are feeling. The vast majority of older people were not affected by the decision made by the Government. Some 65% of people over 75 years have their medical cards based on means. They were never affected by this decision. The income thresholds, which the Government announced today, are €700...

Medical Cards: Motion (21 Oct 2008)

Mary Harney: Unfortunately, the average income of people over 70 years is approximately €260 per week, believe it or not. Only 57,000 people over the age of 65 years ever reach a taxable income. We are confident that no more than 20,000 people, or 5% of those persons aged over 70 years, will not be entitled to a medical card as a result of this decision.

Medical Cards: Motion (21 Oct 2008)

Mary Harney: There are competition, contractual and many other issues.

Medical Cards: Motion (21 Oct 2008)

Mary Harney: In regard to the challenges facing this country, the health service consumes approximately 30% of the money we spend running this country. In recent years, health spending has been increasing by just under 9%. It is the second highest growth in health spending in all the OECD group of countries. We spend 9% of our national income on health, yet we know we have huge challenges. When the...

Medical Cards: Motion (21 Oct 2008)

Mary Harney: ——when we raise €10 million less per day than we spend, we know the consequences. Notwithstanding that, Deputy Bannon's party has suggested we should cut health by a further €700 million. I invite Deputy Reilly to spell out to me where he would get this additional €700 million on top of the decisions which have already been made.

Medical Cards: Motion (21 Oct 2008)

Mary Harney: There is universal entitlement to hospital care, except for a small charge. Some people earning €300 per week cannot get a medical card. Some 30% of our population have a medical card and we know, notwithstanding that, there are many people in difficult situations. We do not have unlimited budgets.

Medical Cards: Motion (21 Oct 2008)

Mary Harney: I know of no other health ministry in the world that has an unlimited budget, no matter how it is funded, whether by private insurance, social insurance or taxation. There are limitations on what we can spend. When there are limitations, we must make choices. In particular, we must seek to target resources at those who need them most. That was the essence of the decision-making process in...

Medical Cards: Motion (21 Oct 2008)

Mary Harney: One would not even save a €1 million there. Let us put things into perspective. Even with the money available, we will face immense challenges trying to provide services at hospital, community and primary care levels and home supports. There will be major challenges next year and it is in that context that this decision was made. I commend the Government amendment and I hope it will be...

Written Answers — Cancer Screening Programme: Cancer Screening Programme (16 Oct 2008)

Mary Harney: The Deputy's specific question in relation to BreastCheck in County Donegal is the responsibility of the National Cancer Screening Service. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Chief Executive Officer of the Service to respond directly to the Deputy in relation to the matter raised.

Written Answers — Health Service Expenditure: Health Service Expenditure (16 Oct 2008)

Mary Harney: As the Health Service Executive has the operational and funding responsibility for Primary Care Services, it is the appropriate body to consider the particular case raised by the Deputy. My Department has therefore requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to address this matter and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Nursing Homes Repayment Scheme: Nursing Homes Repayment Scheme (16 Oct 2008)

Mary Harney: The Health Repayment Scheme Appeals Office is an independent office established to provide an appeals service to those who wish to appeal the decision of the Scheme Administrator under the Health (Repayment Scheme) Act 2006. The Health Repayment Scheme Appeals Office has advised my Department that the claimant referred to by the Deputy lodged an appeal form with the Health Repayment Scheme...

Written Answers — Cancer Screening Programme: Cancer Screening Programme (16 Oct 2008)

Mary Harney: The Deputy's specific question in relation to the roll out of BreastCheck to County Waterford is the responsibility of the National Cancer Screening Service. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Chief Executive Officer of the Service to respond directly to the Deputy in relation to the matter raised.

Written Answers — Hospital Services: Hospital Services (16 Oct 2008)

Mary Harney: I was not aware of this particular case and I sympathise with the person concerned. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Health Service Executive, as the appropriate body to arrange to have the case investigated as a matter of urgency and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Hospital Hygiene Standards: Hospital Hygiene Standards (16 Oct 2008)

Mary Harney: Achieving and maintaining the highest possible standards of hygiene in our hospitals and healthcare facilities generally is a priority for this Government and for the Health Service Executive (HSE). Hygiene and infection control measures are key to the prevention of the spread of Health Care Associated Infections in our hospital system. Hand hygiene surveys were carried out recently in HSE...

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (16 Oct 2008)

Mary Harney: I advised the Deputy in my reply of 30th September that the Health Service Executive Service Plan for 2008 included provision for the implementation of a plan for screening newborns for cystic fibrosis and commencement of screening by the end of 2008. My Department is now advised that it will not be possible to commence the screening programme as planned in 2008. The position will require to...