Results 12,121-12,140 of 49,836 for speaker:Stephen Donnelly

Written Answers — Department of Health: Healthcare Policy (11 May 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: According to the Implementation Roadmap for Europe's Beating Cancer Plan, the EU Commission's Proposal for a revision of the Tobacco Products Directive will be adopted in 2024. The relevant Impact Assessment will also be published next year. My Department and the Health Service Executive will continue to engage with the Commission throughout this process, via surveys, consultations and...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Departmental Data (11 May 2023)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Disability Services (11 May 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: Disability Services (11 May 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: Medical Cards (11 May 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: Hospital Appointments Status (11 May 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual. In relation to...

Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) (Amendment) Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (10 May 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: I take Deputy Connolly's point but the continuous professional development piece is not related to that case and would not have had an impact. In response to Deputy Shortall's point, she can divide the House if she wants. She is a seasoned and experienced Member of Parliament and has been a Minister of State at the Department of Health herself. She is fully aware that there is no chance...

Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) (Amendment) Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (10 May 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: I will go through that in a moment. I am in agreement with the intention behind the amendment, and there is work taking place. I just cannot accept the amendment in the context of this Bill, and I will explain why. However, this is a matter on which we need to work. My Department is consulting the Dental Council of Ireland to identify the steps needed to support mandatory continuing...

Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) (Amendment) Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (10 May 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: I will revert to the Deputy with a timeframe. I do not have one now but I will revert to him with a timeframe in that regard. We are looking at bringing in mandatory continuous professional development but we do need further engagement with the Dental Council of Ireland and with dentists, and further general consultation. That is the reason I cannot support the amendment, although I...

Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) (Amendment) Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (10 May 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: I will do so, if I may.

Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) (Amendment) Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (10 May 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: Respectfully, Deputy-----

Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) (Amendment) Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (10 May 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: I am in the Chair's hands.

Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) (Amendment) Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (10 May 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: I have one request of Deputies, which is that they would support my request of the Irish Dental Association and dentists to recognise that the scheme needs to be made fit for purpose. In the meantime, there are men, women and children in this country who cannot afford private care.

Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) (Amendment) Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (10 May 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: We need dentists to re-engage with the dental treatment scheme in the short term while it is being updated.

Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) (Amendment) Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (10 May 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: I thank the Deputies. The amendment raises a very important issue. I appreciate that it is being sought by the profession. I am in full agreement that dentists, along with other healthcare professions, should strive to maintain professional competence and that regulators should have appropriate powers in this area. I fully agree. We have a reputable dental profession and we all know that...

Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) (Amendment) Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (10 May 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: I thank Deputy Shortall for her amendment. We had a very useful discussion on this on Committee Stage, and I committed to looking at whether we would bring forward an amendment to do what the Deputy is looking for after six months. As I said on Committee Stage, I agree that it is a useful amendment. It would be a good forcing mechanism. There have been too many delays over too many years....

Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) (Amendment) Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (10 May 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: Yes, athletic therapists. There is, however, no legal impediment to their being hired, so the HSE can keep an eye on that. As we invest more in prevention, Healthy Ireland and healthy living, the HSE should be very open to that. Similarly, the other group Deputy Shortall mentioned has a very direct impact, potentially, and a very direct benefit in acute care and maybe community-based care...

Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) (Amendment) Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (10 May 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: That is no problem at all. I have the table here. The Deputy may take it away with her after the debate and I will make sure that everyone gets a copy. I want to correct myself. Clinical measurement physiologists are already employed by the HSE. Sorry, that was my mistake. I will ask the HSE for a note on athletic therapists. My understanding is the same as the Deputy's, that it is...

Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) (Amendment) Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (10 May 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: Yes. I am more than happy to get the Deputy a list. The three being actively looked at and worked on are councillors and psychotherapists, psychologists and social care workers. There are two more designated in the future, so they are further along, and they are orthoptists and clinical biochemists. The list of others is as follows: acupuncturists; athletic therapists; audiologists;...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (10 May 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: As the Deputy said, a lot of progress has been made on primary care teams and typically children who have needs, be they mild, moderate or complex, are getting access to the primary care teams earlier. We have allocated funding this year through the waiting list action plan to bring in private providers. My view is that we should use every scintilla of healthcare provision available,...