Results 1,021-1,040 of 2,980 for speaker:Marcella Corcoran Kennedy

Topical Issue Debate: Homeless Accommodation Provision (21 Jul 2016)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy: I was told it was being withdrawn.

Topical Issue Debate: Hospital Procedures (21 Jul 2016)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy: I am taking this matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health, Deputy Simon Harris, who has asked me to extend his apologies to the Deputy as he is unavoidably occupied elsewhere. The debate gives me the opportunity to update the House on the transcatheter aortic valve implant, TAVI, procedures at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, as raised by Deputy Chambers. Aortic...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Obesity Strategy (21 Jul 2016)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy: Childhood obesity is a major public health issue. In Ireland one in four children is currently either overweight or obese. Overweight and obesity are conditions which develop over a number of years and obesity tends to track into adulthood. Overweight and obesity are not just about the shape or size of the individual. These conditions are associated strongly with chronic diseases such as...

Domiciliary Care Allowance: Motion [Private Members] (19 Jul 2016)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy: I welcome this opportunity to address the House on the Government's commitment to extend medical card provision to all children in receipt of the domiciliary care allowance, DCA, as we set out in our agreed programme for a partnership Government. I have listened carefully to the contributions of Deputies from all the various grouping. It is clear that the cross-party agreement that we...

Order of Business (19 Jul 2016)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy: Deputy McDonald took up all the time so I think I am entitled to ask a question. When will the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill resume progression through the Houses of the Oireachtas? It was almost finished during the last term. It is very important legislation and I want it to resume as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Patient Data (19 Jul 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. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.

Topical Issue Debate: Hospital Closures (14 Jul 2016)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy: The Deputy is right that the whole idea of respite beds is that the family at home, while they love their loved ones and want to care for them at home because that is their wish, needs a break. That is why it is critical that the HSE put in place alternative respite beds so that the families can continue to avail of the opportunity for respite. However, the other aspect of it is that there...

Topical Issue Debate: Hospital Closures (14 Jul 2016)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy: I thank the Deputy for raising this very important issue. I also convey the apologies of the Minister, Deputy Harris, and the Minister of State, Deputy McEntee, for being unavoidably absent. I hope the Deputy with be happy that I am responding. The overarching policy of the Government is to support older people to live in dignity and independence in their homes and communities for as long...

Topical Issue Debate: Accident and Emergency Departments Closures (14 Jul 2016)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy: I propose to take Deputy Burke’s and Deputy Smith’s issues together given they both refer to the same recent media reports concerning trauma services. I thank both Deputies for raising the issue, which I know exercised many people over the weekend, not only in the counties the Deputies are from but also in others which are referred to in the report. I welcome the chance to...

Topical Issue Debate: Accident and Emergency Departments Closures (14 Jul 2016)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy: I understand where both Deputies are coming from. Any person who heard this news at the weekend, whether one is a politician or not, was naturally concerned, not only for potential patients but also for staff and the people connected to the hospitals to which the Deputies referred. It is unfortunate there would be the type of confusion, concern and uncertainty raised as a result of a news...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Alcohol Treatment Services (14 Jul 2016)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy: I thank the Senator for raising this matter and I acknowledge her good wishes to me in my new role. I wish to reassure the Senator that the Government is committed to tackling alcohol misuse and is cognisant of the widespread harm and pain it causes. Alcohol is causing significant problems across the population - in workplaces and to children - and is a substantial burden to all in society....

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Alcohol Treatment Services (14 Jul 2016)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy: I very much look forward to working with the Senator on this because her expertise in this area is acknowledged. I am concerned about the point she raised regarding the lack of services in some counties. I will follow up on that to ascertain what can be done to fill the gaps she has identified. Every county is affected by this issue. If there are services in one county, there should be...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Alcohol Pricing (14 Jul 2016)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy: I propose to take Questions Nos. 170 and 171 together. The Public Health (Alcohol) Bill remains a priority for this Government. The Bill is part of a suite of measures agreed on foot of the recommendations in the Steering Group Report on a National Substance Misuse Strategy. The Government approved the publication of the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill and the introduction of the Bill in...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Treatment Benefit Scheme Eligibility (12 Jul 2016)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy: Entitlement to travel for the purpose of receiving medical treatment in an EU/EEA Member State or Switzerland is provided for by EC Regulation 883/2004, which has as its objective the coordination of national social security systems within the EU/EEA and Switzerland. One of the conditions set out in this Regulation is that authorisation for treatment in another Member State will be allowed "...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Childhood Obesity (12 Jul 2016)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy: Childhood obesity is reaching alarming proportions in many countries and poses an urgent and serious challenge. In Ireland 1 in 4 children are currently overweight or obese. Overweight and obesity are conditions which develop over a number of years in both children and adults. The determinants are multiple and include the built environment, access to healthy and affordable food, exercise...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Alcohol Pricing (12 Jul 2016)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy: I propose to take Questions Nos. 475 and 532 together. The Public Health (Alcohol) Bill remains a priority for this Government. The Bill is part of a suite of measures agreed on foot of the recommendations in the Steering Group Report on a National Substance Misuse Strategy. The Government approved the publication of the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill and the introduction of the Bill in...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Diabetes Strategy (12 Jul 2016)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy: Diabetes has become an important public health issue for Ireland as diabetes is now one of our most common chronic diseases, affecting nearly 5% of Irish adults and consuming up to 10% of the Irish healthcare budget. A number of strategic developments are now in place as follows: In October, 2015 a Cycle of Care for patients with Type 2 Diabetes who hold a medical card or GP visit card was...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Perinatal Data (12 Jul 2016)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy: The 2013 National Perinatal Report (HSE, 2014) reported breast-feeding rates of 55.7% on discharge from hospital, an increase from 53% in 2009 and 46% in 2004. Rates of exclusive breast-feeding (babies receiving only breast milk) were 46.3%. Health and Wellbeing is a theme throughout the new National Maternity Strategy 2016-2026; Creating a Better Future Together(DoH, 2016). Breast-feeding...

Written Answers — Department of Health: HIV-AIDS Programmes (12 Jul 2016)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy: The National Sexual Health Strategy 2015 – 2020 and Action Plan 2015 – 2016 were launched in October 2015. The National Sexual Health Strategy aims to improve sexual health and well-being and reduce negative sexual health outcomes by ensuring that everyone living in Ireland has access to high quality sexual health information, education and services throughout their lives. The...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Provision (7 Jul 2016)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy: As the Deputy's questions relate to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.