Results 11,341-11,360 of 21,128 for speaker:James Reilly

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Children's Hospital (11 Oct 2012)

James Reilly: As you will be aware, I established an independent Review Group to consider the implications of the decision of An Bórd Pleanála, received on 23 February 2012, to reject the planning application for the proposed construction of a national paediatric hospital on the site of the Mater Misericordiae Hospital. The aim of the Review was to consider all the possible options for the...

Seanad: Primary Care Centres: Motion (10 Oct 2012)

James Reilly: There is a new Secretary General in the Department of Health and a new chief executive officer and a new chairman in the VHI. Things have changed greatly, and will continue to change. I said previously that as we reach that point where the status quo is really changing, the noise and din from those who are comfortable with that status quo, which does not put patients first, will grow to a...

Seanad: Primary Care Centres: Motion (10 Oct 2012)

James Reilly: I can answer that question. She was given a delegation-----

Seanad: Primary Care Centres: Motion (10 Oct 2012)

James Reilly: I welcome the opportunity to speak on this motion and in support of the Government amendment. The central objective of the Government's reform programme is to deliver a fair, efficient, single-tier health service supported by a strong primary care system and underpinned by universal health insurance. The latter will mean people are treated on their need; not what they can afford. The...

Seanad: Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (10 Oct 2012)

James Reilly: These individuals are not advisers to me; they are advisers and consultants to the special delivery unit. In the broader sense, employees of the HSE are subject to the same taxation arrangements as other employees working in Ireland. As Senator Burke stated, taxation arrangements are not appropriate to the Bill and therefore I will not accept the amendment.

Seanad: Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (10 Oct 2012)

James Reilly: Normally I receive on my phone information on the highest numbers of people on trolleys every day but I do not have them today. Yesterday 45 people were on trolleys in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital. In the past the number has reached above 50 so to say it is the highest is not accurate. In January last year we had 569 people on trolleys throughout the country and today the number is...

Seanad: Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (10 Oct 2012)

James Reilly: In regard to devolution of powers, this has been the cornerstone of this Government's policy. We want local people to have the say over their services. This is the reason for the establishment of hospital groups. We will shortly be publishing a document on hospital groups and on small hospital frameworks. I cite the situation in Galway following the appointment last January of Mr. Bill...

Seanad: Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (10 Oct 2012)

James Reilly: Further reform and more powers are needed. Much more can be achieved with further devolution to local management in respect of their hospitals.

Seanad: Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (10 Oct 2012)

James Reilly: We have already discussed the matter.

Seanad: Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (10 Oct 2012)

James Reilly: The section as drafted provides for the appointment of not fewer than four people who have the relevant skills and experience to perform the functions of the audit committee established under the Bill. These functions include advising the Director General on financial matters relating to his or her functions, risk management and other related matters. I understand the Senator?s purpose and...

Seanad: Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (10 Oct 2012)

James Reilly: The provision relating to amendment No. 18 is: "The Director General is not required to give an account before any Oireachtas Committee of any matter relating to the general administration of the Executive that is, or is likely to be, the subject of proceedings before a court or tribunal in the State." This is found in much other legislation, as it would be important not to interfere with...

Seanad: Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (10 Oct 2012)

James Reilly: I would like an opportunity to respond to some of the Senators' comments. In fairness to Senator Byrne, he was not present for the early part of the debate. Perhaps he did not hear the arguments.

Seanad: Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (10 Oct 2012)

James Reilly: That is fine.

Seanad: Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (10 Oct 2012)

James Reilly: No. I merely pointed out that the Senator was not present to hear the argument.

Seanad: Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (10 Oct 2012)

James Reilly: I stated, "In fairness to", but the Senator is so scratchy and itchy, he just wants to row no matter what.

Seanad: Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (10 Oct 2012)

James Reilly: I am trying to point out that this is not a new organisation, but a reorganisation of the top of the existing organisation. This is not the abolition of the HSE, but of the board of the HSE. I am sure Senator MacSharry will agree that I did not claim that anyone would struggle on ¤195,000 per year. I clarified that it was a saving to the taxpayer. I also pointed out-----

Seanad: Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (10 Oct 2012)

James Reilly: No, I stated that we were lucky to have someone so good. One might not be able to find many people who are prepared to enter into a three-year contract. The time may be even less, depending on the rate of progress with the interim care agency, which is planned to replace the HSE.

Seanad: Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (10 Oct 2012)

James Reilly: I accept what Senator MacSharry is trying to do in terms of the perception of safeguarding the employee, but there are many examples in legislation of removing someone from office when, in the opinion of the body or person responsible for the matter, the officeholder has become incapable through ill health of effectively performing his or her duty. The Bill's provision is based on these...

Seanad: Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (10 Oct 2012)

James Reilly: These are technical drafting amendments on the subdelegation of functions within the HSE and I ask Senators to accept them.

Seanad: Health Service Executive (Governance) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (10 Oct 2012)

James Reilly: I could easily start by saying we all know what drives the public mad. What has driven it mad is our financial sovereignty being handed over to a troika due to the actions of the previous Government. Let us call a spade a spade. A number of issues arise. This Bill is an interim measure on the way to the abolition of the HSE. I refer to an interim structure at the top of the HSE to...