Results 9,601-9,620 of 11,246 for speaker:Colm Burke

Seanad: Children (Amendment) Bill 2015: Order for Second Stage (14 May 2015)

Colm Burke: I move: "That Second Stage be taken today."

Seanad: Children (Amendment) Bill 2015: Second Stage (14 May 2015)

Colm Burke: I welcome the Minister and the Bill. In dealing with any aspect of children getting into difficulty, one of the concerns I have is whether, before they get into the court system, we have adequate procedures and supports in place for those coming to the notice of gardaí. It is an area in which I have worked in Cork for over 20 years, having been involved in facilities where a large...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Update on Health Issues: Department of Health and Health Service Executive (14 May 2015)

Colm Burke: I thank the Minister and Mr. O'Brien for their presentations. I will touch on the Portlaoise report briefly. There are 19 maternity units around the country. Is information available on the perinatal mortality rate for all 19 units? It is important to reassure people. There are 19 units and there are people working who are concerned and it is important that the information is put out...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Update on Health Issues: Department of Health and Health Service Executive (14 May 2015)

Colm Burke: I raise it because of all the coverage of Galway, Ballinasloe, Portlaoise and Cavan. It would be helpful if people had access to information that is reasonably positive about most units throughout the country. This is a problem about which patients and staff are concerned. The coverage is very negative, although there is some positive information from the units.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Update on Health Issues: Department of Health and Health Service Executive (14 May 2015)

Colm Burke: I accept that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Update on Health Issues: Department of Health and Health Service Executive (14 May 2015)

Colm Burke: People are experiencing problems in this regard.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: HIQA Investigation into Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise: Health Information and Quality Authority (13 May 2015)

Colm Burke: I thank Mr. Quinn for his report and presentation. I will go through a few matters because some members have touched on some of the issues that I wanted to raise. Regarding the numbers in Portlaoise hospital, my understanding is that the number of deliveries in the hospital increased from approximately 1,000 a year to 2,300 over a short time period. Mr. Quinn referred in his report to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: HIQA Investigation into Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise: Health Information and Quality Authority (13 May 2015)

Colm Burke: The key time was between 2003 and 2009 when there was a huge increase in the number of deliveries. Was the response during that period appropriate? I know that we have now responded, but that period predates any of our major financial problems nationally. Surely there was someone in charge at managerial level. How come there was no response at that stage?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: HIQA Investigation into Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise: Health Information and Quality Authority (13 May 2015)

Colm Burke: That suggests to me that when the health service identifies an increased demand, it is too slow in responding, regardless of the service in question. I know of a person who worked in the health service in the United Kingdom. A sudden increase in demand was identified and within six months a new clinic had been opened. The person in question came back to Ireland to work and also saw an...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children: HIQA Investigation into Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise: Health Information and Quality Authority (13 May 2015)

Colm Burke: Was the issue of managerial skills evident in that matter? We are all identifying a lack of skills, for instance nursing or medical skills, but has poor judgment been identified in the placing of 1,500 people into jobs on the administration side without an interview?

Seanad: Order of Business (13 May 2015)

Colm Burke: That is not true.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 May 2015)

Colm Burke: It is not correct.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 May 2015)

Colm Burke: It is important to respond to what has been said about the health services. I would welcome a debate on the matter. All the information on the health services needs to be out there. I ask the House to understand what this Government inherited. I have gone through the Portlaoise report. In fairness, some patients were not given adequate care. Certainly, the treatment provided to them was...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 May 2015)

Colm Burke: I am.

Seanad: Order of Business (13 May 2015)

Colm Burke: I remind the Senator that according to the 2003 Hanly report on maternity services, there were 93 obstetrics and gynaecology consultants in HSE hospitals at that time. The report recommended that there should be 190 people in such roles by 2012, but the reality is that there was no real change in the period from 2003 to 2011. The number of births increased from 61,500 in 2003 to 75,500 in...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Regeneration Projects Funding (12 May 2015)

Colm Burke: I welcome the Minister of State and thank her for taking this matter. My concern relates to Knocknaheeny and what is now known as the north-west regeneration project in Cork city. I represented that area of the city for 12 years on Cork City Council. When I left the city council in 2007, the project was being planned but since then, progress has been extremely slow. I am particularly...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Regeneration Projects Funding (12 May 2015)

Colm Burke: I have two concerns. First, I have no details on the amount of money allocated for 2014 and what was subsequently drawn down. That is the reason I raise this issue. The project is progressing extremely slowly. As I stated, there are 1,150 local authority houses in this area. For 2015, a total of 23 will be completed. I am not saying all 1,150 houses will be affected by the changes but...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Regeneration Projects Funding (12 May 2015)

Colm Burke: Can I ask about-----

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Regeneration Projects Funding (12 May 2015)

Colm Burke: -----the amount allocated in 2014 also?

Seanad: Order of Business (12 May 2015)

Colm Burke: I wish to support Senator Whelan with regard to the report relating to Portlaoise hospital. It is important that this matter be debated. In that context, a number of key issues must be considered. In the first instance, there are 19 maternity units throughout the country. Why is it not possible to publish perinatal morality rates relating to each of these units, particularly when, as I...