Results 11,721-11,740 of 24,635 for speaker:Mary Harney
- Written Answers — Long-Term Illness Scheme: Long-Term Illness Scheme (31 Jan 2008)
Mary Harney: Under the 1970 Health Act, the Health Service Executive may arrange for the supply, without charge, of drugs, medicines and medical and surgical appliances to people with a specified condition, for the treatment of that condition, through the Long Term Illness Scheme (LTI). The LTI does not cover GP fees or hospital co-payments. The conditions are: mental handicap, mental illness (for people...
- Written Answers — Hospital Services: Hospital Services (31 Jan 2008)
Mary Harney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 35, 41, 68 and 133 together. I acknowledge the need to improve services to persons with cystic fibrosis. The negative experience recounted by some patients is a matter of much concern to me. Following publication of the Pollock Report in 2005, the Health Service Executive established a Working Group to undertake a detailed review of cystic fibrosis services....
- Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (31 Jan 2008)
Mary Harney: The Health Service Executive (HSE) established an Orthodontic Review Group in 2006. The Group was broadly representative of the orthodontic profession and also included representation from the HSE, my Department and the dental schools. The terms of reference for the group were: to review the recommendations of the Joint Oireachtas Committee Reports (February, 2002 and June, 2005); to...
- Written Answers — Fuel Poverty: Fuel Poverty (31 Jan 2008)
Mary Harney: There are a number of initiatives currently undertaken that aim to tackle fuel poverty. Sustainable Energy Ireland, together with a number of government departments and agencies, is involved in a research project investigating the impacts of undertaking energy efficiency improvements in low-income households. This research involves 600 homes in Cork and Donegal. The householders will be...
- Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (31 Jan 2008)
Mary Harney: The investigation by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) into the care provided by the HSE to the named individual commenced in June 2007. I have been informed by HIQA that this report is expected to be published before the end of February 2008.
- Written Answers — Medical Cards: Medical Cards (31 Jan 2008)
Mary Harney: At present, medical cards are granted primarily on the basis of means and individual circumstances. Under the Health Act, 2004, determination of eligibility for medical cards is the responsibility of the Health Service Executive. Persons aged seventy years and over are automatically entitled to a medical card, irrespective of means. The HSE has discretion, in cases of exceptional need, to...
- Written Answers — Cancer Treatment Services: Cancer Treatment Services (31 Jan 2008)
Mary Harney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 42, 74 and 111 together. The delivery of cancer services on a programmatic basis will serve to ensure equity of access to services and equality of patient outcome irrespective of geography. The decisions of the Health Service Executive (HSE) in relation to the designation of four managed cancer control networks and eight cancer centres will be implemented on...
- Written Answers — Medical Cards: Medical Cards (31 Jan 2008)
Mary Harney: At present, people with disabilities may retain their medical card for three years on taking up employment. My Department is at present considering the most appropriate approach to the implementation of the commitment to extend this retention period.
- Written Answers — Hospital Services: Hospital Services (31 Jan 2008)
Mary Harney: The number of births last year was over 70,000. The Health Service Executive Service Plan for 2008 estimates that the number of births for the year will be nearly 73,000. The transformation of maternity services nationally is a key project within the HSE Transformation Programme. As part of this work, an independent review of maternity and gynaecology services in the greater Dublin area is...
- Written Answers — Hospital Staff: Hospital Staff (31 Jan 2008)
Mary Harney: The Health Service Executive (HSE) has informed my Department that the review of pathology services at Cork University Hospital is currently being completed. The HSE has also informed my Department that the Pathologist concerned no longer works in any of its Hospitals.
- Written Answers — Departmental Investigations: Departmental Investigations (31 Jan 2008)
Mary Harney: The investigation by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) into pathology services at University College Hospital Galway in the context referred to by the Deputy was commenced in September 2007. I am informed that significant progress has been made in this investigation. While it is difficult to predict precisely at this stage when the work will be completed, it is hoped that...
- Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (31 Jan 2008)
Mary Harney: The Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) provides for a range of dental services for adult medical card holders from participating dentists holding contracts with the Health Service Executive (HSE). The DTSS Review Group was established in May, 2006 to undertake a comprehensive review of Primary Care Oral Health Services provided under the DTSS. Represented on the Review Group are the HSE,...
- Written Answers — Medical Aids and Appliances: Medical Aids and Appliances (31 Jan 2008)
Mary Harney: Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004 and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall vote. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular issue raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the...
- Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (31 Jan 2008)
Mary Harney: Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004 and funding for all health services, including the National MRSA Reference Laboratory which is operated by St. James's Hospital, is provided in its annual vote. The HSE was allocated a total sum of almost â¬14bn for 2007 and...
- Written Answers — Infectious Diseases: Infectious Diseases (31 Jan 2008)
Mary Harney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 64, 138 and 139 together. I would like to assure the Deputies that tackling Health Care Associated Infections (HCAIs), including MRSA and C Difficile, continues to be a priority for the government and for the Health Service Executive (HSE). It should be noted that the HSE does not have a remit in relation to private hospitals. The European Antimicrobial...
- Written Answers — Cancer Screening Programme: Cancer Screening Programme (31 Jan 2008)
Mary Harney: The National Cancer Screening Service which amalgamates BreastCheck and the Irish Cervical Screening Programme (ICSP) was established on 1 January 2007 and will deliver both programmes nationally. This will maximise the expertise in both programmes, ensure improved efficiency and develop a single governance model for cancer screening. The Service compiles a register of women eligible for...
- Written Answers — Hospital Waiting Lists: Hospital Waiting Lists (31 Jan 2008)
Mary Harney: The management of out-patient waiting lists is a matter for the Health Service Executive and the individual hospitals concerned. My Department has asked the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to respond directly to the Deputy in relation to the details contained in the relevant newspaper article. I might add that in 2005, at my request, the National Treatment Purchase Fund...
- Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (31 Jan 2008)
Mary Harney: 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.
- Written Answers — Hospital Services: Hospital Services (31 Jan 2008)
Mary Harney: I met with Mr. Michael McGimpsey, MLA, Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety in October and November last year to discuss a range of co-operation issues in the health sector, including hospital services. As both Health Departments have established a Project Board to take forward a Feasibility Study on the potential for future co-operation across a range of health service...
- Written Answers — Cancer Treatment Services: Cancer Treatment Services (31 Jan 2008)
Mary Harney: The Report 'Early Detection in Cancer: A Needs Assessment of General Practitioners' was a joint study involving the Irish Cancer Society and the Irish College of General Practitioners. The aim of the study was to identify the barriers experienced by General Practitioners to early diagnosis of cancer in order to improve early detection, increase the number of patients diagnosed at an early...