Results 901-920 of 2,980 for speaker:Marcella Corcoran Kennedy

Topical Issue Debate: Ambulance Service Accommodation (8 Nov 2016)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy: As Deputy Cowen will recall, the Edenderry district convened a meeting with all of the Oireachtas Members and local councillors recently. Due to the considerations and concerns mooted by everybody, I proposed that we would arrange a meeting with the HSE, because it is delivering the service and not the Department, senior management in the ambulance service and the Minister for Health to...

Written Answers — Department of Health: State Investments (8 Nov 2016)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy: The Minister for Finance informs me that as at 31 October 2016 the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF) had equity holdings in three tobacco companies with a value of €1.5m or .02 per cent of its total assets. I understand from my colleague, the Minister for Finance, that the Fund operates to high international standards and invests in line with both the UN-sponsored Principles...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Voluntary Sector Funding (8 Nov 2016)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy: Community groups may apply for lottery funding to help with the purchase of defibrillators and the HSE has also supported local community initiatives with this. In addition, one of the means to help improve health outcomes in this area is through the expansion of the National First Response Network. Community first responder groups comprise this national network. These are people from...

Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2015 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (3 Nov 2016)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy: I would rather not leave the Chief Whip out of the debate. I strongly believe that we need to be real about this. People should read the joint Oireachtas committee's report on this legislation. Joint Oireachtas committees undertake fantastic work in the area of pre-legislative scrutiny. Some of the most affecting people I have met in my time are the Irish woman who survived prostitution....

Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2015 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (3 Nov 2016)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy: I welcome the opportunity to speak on this long-awaited Bill. One of the most enlightening committees I worked on in the previous Dáil was the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality, which undertook significant research in examining whether this country's prostitution laws should be reformed. The committee was ably chaired by my colleague, the current Minister of State,...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Alcohol Pricing (3 Nov 2016)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy: Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) is one of a package of measures to be implemented in the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill. MUP sets a minimum price per gram of alcohol, where the minimum price is based on the number of grams of alcohol in the product. This is a targeted measure, aimed at those who drink in a harmful and hazardous manner, and designed to prevent the sale of alcohol at very cheap...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Provision (3 Nov 2016)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy: As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Services (3 Nov 2016)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy: As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Stroke Programme Implementation (3 Nov 2016)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy: The National Stroke Audit of Rehabilitation Units (2016) acknowledged that the care of people with stroke in Ireland has improved since the HSE established its National Clinical Programme for Stroke in 2010. The audit noted that stroke deaths in Ireland have reduced by more than 15% and that the emergency care for stroke patients provided in most Irish acute hospitals is now quite good. In...

Topical Issue Debate: Primary Care Services Provision (2 Nov 2016)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy: I wish to reassure Deputy Dooley that I will certainly convey his strong and articulate feelings on the matter to the Minister and the Health Service Executive. The challenge facing Shannon Doc, as I am advised by the Health Service Executive, is that the operation is in this predicament due to a shortage of doctors. As a result, Shannon Doc simply cannot maintain the services. I have been...

Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2015: Second Stage (Resumed) (2 Nov 2016)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy: She will be back.

Topical Issue Debate: Primary Care Services Provision (2 Nov 2016)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy: I thank Deputy Dooley for raising this important issue. I can hear the anxiety he has conveyed on behalf of his constituents. That would be replicated by any of us in these circumstances. As the Deputy knows, GPs who are contracted under the General Medical Services, GMS, scheme must make suitable arrangements to enable contact to be made with them, or a locum or deputy, for emergencies...

Topical Issue Debate: Hospital Services (2 Nov 2016)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy: I thank Deputy Stanley for bringing this important matter to the attention of the Minister for Health, who sends his sincere apologies that he cannot be here and has asked me to respond on his behalf. This is a good opportunity to update the Deputy and the House on the future of services at the Midland Regional Hospital in Portlaoise. I acknowledge the presence in the Gallery of the people...

Topical Issue Debate: Hospital Services (2 Nov 2016)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy: It is a stretch too far to suggest that the Government is acting as a bystander in this matter. That is especially the case when one acknowledges the improvements that have been prioritised in the hospital. For example, additional consultant posts have been created in anaesthetics, surgery, emergency medicine, paediatrics and obstetrics in addition to physician and midwifery posts. An...

Topical Issue Debate: Hospital Services (2 Nov 2016)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy: I cannot give it to Deputy Stanley but I will try to find out.

Topical Issue Debate: Hospital Services (2 Nov 2016)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy: I am keen to see the plan as soon as possible, but it is important that adequate consultation is carried out and that those who wish to submit ideas will be given every opportunity to do so. It might be helpful for Deputy Stanley to hear that a plan - The Future of Acute Services in the Midlands Regional Hospital, Portlaoise: The Local Stakeholder Perspective - was submitted to the HSE...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Legislative Process RIA (2 Nov 2016)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy: A Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) was conducted with respect to the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015. The RIA examined a range of options available to reduce alcohol consumption and associated harms including: No Policy Change, Undertake an Awareness/Information Campaign, Provide for Self-Regulation/Co-Regulation, Seek Higher Taxes on all alcohol products, Legislate for the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Obesity Strategy (27 Oct 2016)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy: I recently launched 'A Healthy Weight for Ireland – Obesity Policy and Action Plan 2016 - 2025'. This Obesity Policy and Action Plan is the result of the Government's desire to assist its people to achieve better health and in particular to reduce the levels of overweight and obesity. It also acknowledges that the solutions are multiple and that every sector has a role in reducing...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Mental Health Services (26 Oct 2016)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy: I thank Senator Hopkins for raising this matter, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Helen McEntee, who sends her apologies as she is unable to be here today. The Senator has asked when the external review of mental health services in Roscommon will be completed and made available. The development of all aspects of mental health services...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Mental Health Services (26 Oct 2016)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy: The Senator's question on the review was comprehensively answered. As to the specific issues raised, I will ensure that they are conveyed and that someone from the HSE informs her of what is happening with communications on these issues, which are of such concern to people who avail of them, their families and us as public representatives.