Results 11,201-11,220 of 13,214 for speaker:Pat Gallagher

Schools Building Projects. (9 Apr 2008)

Pat Gallagher: I thank Deputy Jim O'Keeffe for raising this matter as it provides me with the opportunity to outline to the House on behalf the Minister for Education and Science how projects are selected for inclusion in a school building programme and what the position is for the proposed building project for Kinsale community school in his constituency. First, by way of background, all applications for...

Hospitals Building Programme. (9 Apr 2008)

Pat Gallagher: I will take this matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, who is unavoidably absent.

Hospitals Building Programme. (9 Apr 2008)

Pat Gallagher: She is on business.

Hospitals Building Programme. (9 Apr 2008)

Pat Gallagher: Is Deputy Allen going to answer or will I?

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (8 Apr 2008)

Pat Gallagher: The Health Service Executive has established a Working Group to implement the recommendations of The Report of the National Taskforce on Obesity, for which it has the lead responsibility. A sum of €3 million was allocated for this purpose in 2006. This in addition to the annual spend of €25 million on health promotion activities, €5 million of which is also utilised in specifically...

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (8 Apr 2008)

Pat Gallagher: In August 2007 my Department published The Health Behaviour in School Children (HBSC) survey 2006. This data from the HBSC survey provides a comprehensive picture of the health behaviours of school aged children. The data has shown a need to continue promoting the consumption of fruit and vegetables among children. Likewise, the data in relation to physical activity highlights the need to...

Written Answers — Tobacco-Related Diseases: Tobacco-Related Diseases (8 Apr 2008)

Pat Gallagher: The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Special Educational Needs. (8 Apr 2008)

Pat Gallagher: I apologise on behalf of the Minister of State with responsibility for children, Deputy Brendan Smith, who is unavoidably absent as he had another engagement outside the city in an area under his responsibility. He asked me to convey his apologies to Deputy Naughten. To respond to the Deputy, it is necessary first to give a brief explanation of the equal opportunities child care programme...

Special Educational Needs. (8 Apr 2008)

Pat Gallagher: ——funded by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform under the enhancing disabilities services programme. The Office of the Minister for Children provides funding on an annual basis to support activities set out in the action plans of the 33 city and county child care committees. The total funding provided to the 33 committees to support their action plan activities this year...

Special Educational Needs. (8 Apr 2008)

Pat Gallagher: On a per capita basis, this is one of the highest allocations in the country. Many child care services throughout Roscommon have benefited from grant assistance under both programmes. To date, funding of more than €10 million has been approved for child care in Roscommon under both child care programmes. Funding provided under the EOCP supported the provision of 579 new child care places...

Hospital Services. (8 Apr 2008)

Pat Gallagher: I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Mary Harney. She has asked me to apologise to Deputy Michael D. Higgins as she is unable to attend the House at this time. The Health Service Executive has advised that University College Hospital Galway has been extremely busy over the past 24 hours or so. Deputy Higgins has provided information to the...

Hospital Services. (8 Apr 2008)

Pat Gallagher: In addition, as part of the developments to improve accident and emergency services, a 13-bed medical unit is under construction at the hospital, which is expected to be completed towards the end of this year. Improving the delivery of accident and emergency services continues to be a top priority for the Government and the Health Service Executive.

Hospital Services. (8 Apr 2008)

Pat Gallagher: At national level, significant additional resources have been provided to address the problems which manifest in emergency departments.

Hospital Services. (8 Apr 2008)

Pat Gallagher: Among the developments which have taken place are additional public and private long-stay beds, additional home care packages and home-help hours.

Hospital Services. (8 Apr 2008)

Pat Gallagher: The developments also include major capital developments in emergency departments, the provision of acute medical assessment units, a hospital-in-the-home service in the greater Dublin area, rapid assessment clinics to support the catchment population of the Mater Hospital, and an expansion of the GP out-of-hours services in north Dublin. In terms of waiting times, a revised target of 12...

Hospital Services. (8 Apr 2008)

Pat Gallagher: The HSE is also working closely with those hospitals that are experiencing difficulties in meeting waiting time targets. The focus is on improving and streamlining hospital processes and patient pathways to ensure that care is provided in a more timely, appropriate and efficient manner. Targeted initiatives include setting up consultant-led clinical decision units and acute short stay...

Hospital Services. (8 Apr 2008)

Pat Gallagher: Other targeted initiatives include updating the bed management system and processes with a focus on improved discharge planning, reducing inappropriate referrals from GPs to emergency departments, reducing admissions with the duty medical registrar deciding on admissions, standardising assessment processes and enhancing diagnostic capacity. The initiatives I have described are designed to...

Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (3 Apr 2008)

Pat Gallagher: Over the years we have punched above our weight and have been highly regarded in Europe. I think, in particular, of the periods when we held the Presidency, in 1994-95 when Deputy Quinn was a Minister and more recently when we negotiated this treaty. There is no major change in the treaty. Why would the Government negotiate a treaty which would be anti-Ireland? Much depends on our...

Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (3 Apr 2008)

Pat Gallagher: I am very pleased to participate in this very important debate on the future of Europe, and more particularly the future of the entire island of Ireland. The treaty is designed to ensure that the European Union will become more efficient and effective in carrying out its business and making decisions. Any good company, after 50 years in existence, will always update its organisational...

Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (3 Apr 2008)

Pat Gallagher: ——being geographically North and politically South, with the Atlantic Ocean on one side, Northern Ireland on the other and a border of seven or eight kilometres with the South, I remember in those days it was very difficult to attract tourists and industry. I remember when Senator George Mitchell played such an important role in the peace process a business conference was held in...