Results 11,601-11,620 of 21,128 for speaker:James Reilly

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

James Reilly: I agree with the Deputy that this programme will save many lives and it will save money, but it will not save money now. It will save money in the years to come. It has always been the struggle with preventative medicine and with screening that the savings come later but the saving of lives is immediate and that is something on which we have to put the priority. However, most people would...

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

James Reilly: The Deputy mentioned the Irish Cancer Society which does fantastic work in terms of fund-raising to create awareness among people of the dangers of lifestyle, the risks people take if they smoke and in encouraging men in particular who had a notoriously poor attitude to self-care in the past. I have often said that they are inclined to wait until they have a serious pain in their chest, as...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Primary Care Centres Provision (27 Sep 2012)

James Reilly: I agree absolutely that primary care centres should be chosen on the basis of need. The widening of the criteria helped to meet those needs in a much more complete manner. That manner and those criteria are transparent and I have outlined them to the Deputy today. I also indicated that as long ago as 2007, when his Government was in power - which is purely coincidental - the HSE identified...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Primary Care Centres Provision (27 Sep 2012)

James Reilly: I have no wish to enter into argy-bargy with the Deputy opposite and I know that is not the tenor of his comments. However, I must point out that in my initial answer I stated that the deprivation index was but one of three criteria used in this process. There were also the service priority as identified by each integrated service area or local health office, and an accommodation...

Topical Issue Debate: Redundancy Payments (27 Sep 2012)

James Reilly: I am responding to this matter on behalf of the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Joan Burton. I thank Deputy Mattie McGrath for raising the issue. The job initiative, JI, programme provides full-time employment to those who are long-term unemployed over the age of 35 years. In 2004, a Government decision was made to allow participants on the job initiative programme to remain on it...

Topical Issue Debate: Redundancy Payments (27 Sep 2012)

James Reilly: In these tough times nobody wants to see anybody lose their job. However, on behalf of the Department I must point out a number of facts. Tipperary Hostel Limited was the employer. All the JI participants were offered similar, alternative positions with the same terms and conditions. No one was made redundant. Only one of the JI participants opted to continue on the programme. The...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Primary Care Centres Provision (27 Sep 2012)

James Reilly: Early in 2012 the HSE embarked on a prioritisation exercise for primary care, PC, centres across the country. It is the intention of the Government to develop as many centres as possible by one of three separate methods: direct investment; by way of leasing arrangements; or by way of public private partnership. The locations were then considered for development by way of PPP as part of the...

Topical Issue Debate: Industrial Relations Issues (27 Sep 2012)

James Reilly: I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. The Government has confirmed on a number of occasions the unprecedented nature and scale of the financial pressures facing the State. Ongoing reform and increased efficiency in service delivery is essential. It is imperative that consultants, given their role within the health system, lead this process. The recent discussions with the...

Topical Issue Debate: Industrial Relations Issues (27 Sep 2012)

James Reilly: The proposals agreed with the representative organisations put a range of productivity flexibilities on a formal basis. The organisations have agreed to present the agreed proposals on reforms to their members for consideration. I expect this to be done in a timely manner, having regard to the relevant provisions in the public service agreement. Separately, new consultants will be...

Topical Issue Debate: Job Retention (27 Sep 2012)

James Reilly: It is important to remember that Ireland continues to be competitive in attracting new investment. Over 1,000 multinational corporations have chosen Ireland as their strategic European base. Multinationals currently employ 146,000 people directly and many more indirectly. In spite of the latest CSO figures, the positive impact of the Government's policies on job creation are beginning to...

Topical Issue Debate: Bullying in Schools (27 Sep 2012)

James Reilly: I thank the Deputy for giving me the opportunity to outline some of the ongoing developments that are most pertinent to the matter he has tabled for debate. I will take on board his concerns about bullying in the workplace, particularly that involving teachers in schools. Thankfully, this country has not yet reached the stage that has been reached in other countries where teachers feel...

Topical Issue Debate: Job Retention (27 Sep 2012)

James Reilly: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. The facility in question which manufactures safety and anchor bolts used in the construction industry has been in operation in Killorglin since establishment by Liebig in 1970. In 2008 the business was acquired by Simpson Manufacturing, a California-based manufacturer of metal fixings and hangers used in the construction of wooden frame housing....

Topical Issue Debate: Bullying in Schools (27 Sep 2012)

James Reilly: I am taking this Topical Issue debate on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Ruairí Quinn. I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. Suicide is a tragedy that we strive constantly to prevent and also we are working to give more support to the families and school communities affected. Changes in society and technology have added...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Services (27 Sep 2012)

James Reilly: The funding pressures now being experienced in the health services mean that the acute sector must reduce its costs in order to deliver the agreed level of activity within the resources available to it. This means that we must concentrate on maximising efficiency and getting the best possible services for patients from the budgets available to us. However, this on its own is not sufficient....

Written Answers — Department of Health: Ambulance Service Provision (27 Sep 2012)

James Reilly: In relation to the ambulance stations and services in Tallaght, Swords and Maynooth, I can confirm that there will be no reduction in staffing levels. Current overtime will, however, be reduced. Following a referral to the Labour Court under the Public Service Agreement, the HSE National Ambulance Service is currently progressing a number of efficiencies arising from LCR 20313, including...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Primary Care Centres Provision (27 Sep 2012)

James Reilly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 11, 19, 26, 32 and 66 together. Early in 2012 the HSE put together a list of high priority locations for the development of primary care centres across Ireland. It is the intention of Government to develop as many centres as possible by one of three separate methods: - by direct investment; - by way of leasing arrangements; - by way of Public Private...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Services (27 Sep 2012)

James Reilly: The future organisation of our acute hospitals is a major policy issue for the Government. It is essential that all hospitals provide care in the right way, at the right location, and in a manner that ensures a safe, high quality service for all. The Government is committed to securing and further developing the role of our smaller hospitals which will see them provide more, not fewer...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Products (27 Sep 2012)

James Reilly: The prices of medicines vary between countries for a number of reasons. These include different prices set by manufacturers, different wholesale and pharmacy mark-ups, different dispensing fees and different rates of VAT. Negotiations are ongoing between officials of the Department/HSE and the two bodies that represent pharmaceutical manufacturers in Ireland regarding reductions in the price...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Primary Care Centres Provision (27 Sep 2012)

James Reilly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 14, 21, 23, 25 and 68 together. The Deputies have asked about the development of primary care centres at a number of specific locations. I can confirm that each of these locations is included in the published list of thirty-five potential locations for the delivery of primary care centres by public private partnership. The initiative is part of the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Departmental Expenditure (27 Sep 2012)

James Reilly: The financial situation in the HSE continues to be extremely challenging. In the short term, to address the 2012 position, a range of measures are being undertaken in order to achieve a balanced budget. These include the use of capital to fund revenue on a once-off basis and the transfer of Department funds to the HSE on a once-off basis. The HSE has been required to review all pay and...