Results 11,581-11,600 of 21,128 for speaker:James Reilly

Written Answers — Department of Health: Departmental Staff (2 Oct 2012)

James Reilly: The information requested is being collated and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is available.

Other Questions: Mental Health Services Provision (27 Sep 2012)

James Reilly: My colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Lynch, has been working hard on this issue and has done a tremendous amount of work. No one on the Government side underestimates the problem that is the tragedy of suicide. Sadly, it is something that affects a great many of us through friends or loved ones who may have taken their lives. It always leaves more questions than answers. I believe...

Other Questions: Services for People with Disabilities (27 Sep 2012)

James Reilly: I have already made it clear people will not lose their services. Those who need them will have them. The consultants' pay issue has been addressed, as we discussed earlier. I also believe the talks with the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association, IPHA, which represents the pharmaceutical industry, are approaching a conclusion and I expect the results to be beneficial to the health...

Other Questions: Mental Health Services Provision (27 Sep 2012)

James Reilly: The development of the child and adolescent mental health service, CAMHS, has been prioritised by the HSE in recent years and considerable progress has been made to date. A special allocation of €35 million was provided in budget 2012 for mental health in line with commitments in the programme for Government. Funding from this special allocation will be used primarily to strengthen...

Other Questions: Dental Services Provision (27 Sep 2012)

James Reilly: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue as this discussion, in itself, helps raise awareness. I, too, am concerned not only about this case, which involves clinical dental technicians and the provision of dentures, but about other areas where there is confusion, particularly in respect of people who describe themselves as counsellors. While some counsellors have excellent training, others...

Other Questions: Services for People with Disabilities (27 Sep 2012)

James Reilly: I assure the Deputy that in the context of the current financial challenges facing the Health Service Executive, I have instructed the executive to continue to provide services to people in receipt of personal assistant services in accordance with their needs. While savings have to be achieved out of the total disability budget of €1.4 billion per annum, the HSE has been requested to...

Other Questions: Services for People with Disabilities (27 Sep 2012)

James Reilly: I understand the value of the personal assistant service to someone who has a disability, the difference between the service being available and not being available and the counter-productive result the absence of such a service has for an individual in terms of his or her ability to maintain his or her independence and reach his or her full potential in terms of daily activities and the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Hospital Waiting Lists (27 Sep 2012)

James Reilly: As I indicated in response to a previous question, we have only begun to get a handle on outpatient waiting times. A major difficulty in this regard is that the relevant statistics were never accurately counted in the past. The validation of all outpatient waiting lists commenced in June 2012. In respect of regional ear, nose and throat, ENT, services, GP referrals from the five...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Hospital Waiting Lists (27 Sep 2012)

James Reilly: I will not go into detail now, but I can certainly revert to the Deputy on this issue. A plan is being put to place to address this problem and to ensure those waiting longest are seen first. I will get back to the Deputy in regard to the exact plan as it applies to ENT services at Waterford Regional Hospital. That situation will be addressed in much the same way as we are addressing...

Other Questions: Dental Services Provision (27 Sep 2012)

James Reilly: The Dental Council is the regulatory body with the authority to bring a prosecution for breaching section 51 of the Dentists Act 1985, which prohibits the practice of dentistry by unregistered persons. The council has undertaken a significant amount of work investigating the matters raised in the article referred to by the Deputy and its investigation in this regard is ongoing. A range of...

Other Questions: Dental Services Provision (27 Sep 2012)

James Reilly: The Deputy is correct that there are 15 clinical dental technicians on the register, but we must not forget that all of the dentists on the register are equally qualified and legally permitted to provide dentures. As I said, the Dental Council intends to pursue those practitioners who are operating without a licence and will co-operate with the Garda in bringing prosecutions against such...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Hospital Waiting Lists (27 Sep 2012)

James Reilly: We had a good debate in the other House yesterday and this area was touched on. I will rehearse some of the issues which were mentioned with regard to outpatient statistics. A total of 360,000 may seem an extraordinary figure and a daunting prospect but it should be put in context. Approximately 200,000 patients are treated in outpatient departments every month. Some of the issues are...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Hospital Waiting Lists (27 Sep 2012)

James Reilly: We have shown that we can work differently. If an analysis shows up the root cause of a problem we can deal with it. I think this has been achieved in the accident and emergency departments. We are not finished yet by any means and similarly with inpatient treatments. The Deputy is correct that we face a serious challenge with this year's budget although our activity levels are ahead of...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Hospital Waiting Lists (27 Sep 2012)

James Reilly: Data on inpatient and day case waiting lists are collected by the National Treatment Purchase Fund. There are currently 136 adults on the in-patient and day case waiting list for ear, nose and throat services at Waterford regional hospital. A total of 73 adults are waiting for an inpatient procedure and 63 adults are waiting for a day case procedure. One patient is waiting longer than nine...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Services for People with Disabilities (27 Sep 2012)

James Reilly: Assessments of people with disabilities are conducted for many reasons. The type of assessment conducted reflects the purpose for which the assessment is being completed. Assessments for mobility aids are generally carried out by an occupational therapist or a physiotherapist. Items which are essential to ensure safety, dignity and independence are prioritised on the basis of the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Services for People with Disabilities (27 Sep 2012)

James Reilly: I am very disturbed by what the Deputy has just told me. We want to support people in maintaining their independence. It is unacceptable, therefore, that a person would not be consulted and that advice would be given over his head on his needs and preferences. I give the Deputy an undertaking that I will have the matter investigated. If a policy directive is required in respect of it, it...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Services for People with Disabilities (27 Sep 2012)

James Reilly: Is Mr. Walsh here?

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Services for People with Disabilities (27 Sep 2012)

James Reilly: Okay, I will do that.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Hospital Waiting Lists (27 Sep 2012)

James Reilly: The draft HSE July performance report was received in my Department on 7 September. The figure reported therein of 339,441 patients waiting for an outpatient appointment is not new. The HSE's May performance report indicated that 342,665 patients were waiting for outpatient appointments, while the June report showed that 361,000 were waiting for appointments. Representatives from the SDU...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Cancer Screening Programme (27 Sep 2012)

James Reilly: I am very pleased to confirm that the colorectal screening programme will commence, as promised, on a phased basis in the fourth quarter of this year. This delivers on a key commitment of the Government. Colorectal cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer among both men and women in Ireland. Approximately 2,200 new cases are diagnosed each year and it is cause of death in...