Results 11,541-11,560 of 49,836 for speaker:Stephen Donnelly

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (1 Jun 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: I agree with the implication in the Deputy’s question that, despite historic investment by this government to date, we can do more to increase the pace of delivery of capital health projects. The approach to date has simply been far too slow, had too many stages and projects have been too susceptible to delay. I am working with my Department on this matter and have met with the HSE to...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Pharmacy Services (1 Jun 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: Thank you for your question Deputy. The HSE has established a national ePharmacy programme with several key initiatives being pursued in parallel. These include the replacement of legacy pharmacy systems with hospitals, the establishment of a national medicinal product catalogue (required to enable several ePharmacy initiatives) as well as an ePrescribing project that will transform the way...

Written Answers — Department of Health: General Practitioner Services (1 Jun 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: GPs are self-employed practitioners and therefore may establish practices at a place of their own choosing. There is no prescribed ratio of GPs to patients and the State does not regulate the number of GPs that can set up in a town or community. The Government is aware of the workforce issues currently facing general practice, including the limited access to GP services in certain areas,...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Facilities (1 Jun 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: As this is a service issue I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (1 Jun 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: I regret that children can experience a long waiting time for scoliosis treatment and remain conscious of the burden that this places on them and their families. Last year I approved an ambitious plan from Children’s Health Ireland to reduce the number of children waiting for spinal orthopaedic procedures (scoliosis/spina bifida) by the year end. Some €19 million of current and...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Healthcare Infrastructure Provision (1 Jun 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: I have asked the HSE, as Sponsoring Agency with day-to-day responsibility for the delivery of the new Elective Hospital in Galway, to respond to you directly in relation to the matters raised.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Cards (1 Jun 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: Eligibility for a Medical Card is primarily based on a financial assessment which is conducted by the HSE in accordance with the Health Act 1970 (as amended). The HSE assesses each medical card application on a qualifying financial threshold. This is the amount of money that an individual can earn a week and still qualify for a card. It is specific to the individual’s own financial...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products (1 Jun 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) detained some 940,000 dosage units of falsified and other illegal medicines in 2022. The HPRA warns of the serious health dangers posed by sourcing prescription medicines online and from unauthorised sources. Supply of these products into and within Ireland is illegal and consumers can have no guarantees about the safety or quality of...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Overcrowding (1 Jun 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: I wish to acknowledge the distress overcrowded Emergency Departments (EDs) cause to patients, their families, and frontline staff working in very challenging conditions in hospitals throughout the country. This Government is doing a huge amount to increase capacity in our health service by funding an unprecedented increase in staff and beds. On 29thMay I announced the publication of the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Facilities (1 Jun 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: The HSE have confirmed that construction of the new four-storey building at Mallow Hospital is due to be complete by the end of Q2 2023. This will include the 48 beds on floors two and three. The project will provide a mix of replacement beds and new beds. The wards will then be equipped and commissioned in early Q3. The use of the two “shell and core” floors, between the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Staff (1 Jun 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Pharmacy Services (1 Jun 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: I appreciate the value and importance of pharmacists and pharmacies in conserving, protecting and enhancing the health of our citizens. I recognise that the provision of pharmacy care and service has the potential to be optimised and to evolve, and I am open to consideration of any scheme or proposal that is evidence based to support best patient outcomes, and realise the effective and...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Healthcare Infrastructure Provision (1 Jun 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: The Government is committed to delivering new national standalone Elective Hospitals in Cork, Dublin and Galway, which will enable separation of scheduled and unscheduled care. The new Hospitals will cater for low complexity / high volume cases and will see a large number of patients every day across a range of disciplines. Once established, the Elective Hospitals will provide some 977,700...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff (1 Jun 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.

Written Answers — Department of Health: General Practitioner Services (1 Jun 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: The Government is committed to the continued development of general practice to ensure patients across the country continue to have access to GP services and that general practice is sustainable in all areas into the future. I recently published the Terms of Reference for a Strategic review of General Practice which is to be completed this year. The Review will examine the issues...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Cancer Services (1 Jun 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: Successive National Cancer Strategies have delivered continuing improvements in outcomes for Irish cancer patients in terms of earlier diagnosis, better treatment, and improved rates of survival. This Government’s commitment to implementation of the National Cancer Strategy is evidenced by significant investment in recent years. €20m new development funding was allocated to...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Emergency Departments (1 Jun 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Vaccination Programme (1 Jun 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: My Department and the HSE work continuously to monitor and improve patient safety, reduce incidents of harm and to minimise risk. Government recently approved the establishment of an Interdepartmental Working Group to examine the rising cost of health-related claims and consider mechanisms to reduce costs. The Group will examine the rising cost of clinical negligence claims in the health...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Strategies (1 Jun 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: The National Audiology Review Group Report, published by the Health Services Executive (HSE) in 2011, identified shortcomings in the audiology services available at the time (including access issues, poor information, inadequate staffing, and unacceptable waiting times) and made recommendations to address these issues. While most of these recommendations have been implemented, and the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Primary Care Centres (1 Jun 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.