Results 12,381-12,400 of 24,635 for speaker:Mary Harney

Written Answers — Health Levy: Health Levy (27 Nov 2007)

Mary Harney: The estimated receipts from health contributions (the health levy) for 2007 are €1,265,734,000. Any changes in relation to the rates, threshold and ceilings for 2008 will be announced as part of the provisions of Budget 2008.

Written Answers — Drugs Payment Scheme: Drugs Payment Scheme (27 Nov 2007)

Mary Harney: The Drug Payments Scheme, which protects against excessive medicines costs, is available to non-medical card holders. Under this scheme, no individual or family unit pays more than €85 per calendar month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The scheme is available to all age groups, is easy to use and significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals incurring...

Written Answers — Hospital Charges: Hospital Charges (27 Nov 2007)

Mary Harney: The Pre Budget Outlook provided for the same level of charges for attending public hospitals as a public or private patient as are in force in 2007. Any change related to the charges will be announced as part of the provisions of Budget 2008.

Written Answers — National Treatment Purchase Fund: National Treatment Purchase Fund (27 Nov 2007)

Mary Harney: As the Deputy's question relates to the operation of the National Treatment Purchase Fund, my Department has asked the Chief Executive of the Fund to reply directly to the Deputy in relation to the information requested.

Written Answers — Nursing Home Charges: Nursing Home Charges (27 Nov 2007)

Mary Harney: The rate of charges applicable to long stay care have not been increased since their introduction in July 2005. These charges are currently under review and a decision will be taken in the matter in due course.

Written Answers — Hospital Services: Hospital Services (27 Nov 2007)

Mary Harney: Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services is a matter for the Health Service Executive 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 Parliamentary Affairs Division...

Written Answers — Data Protection: Data Protection (27 Nov 2007)

Mary Harney: All data held in my Department, both paper and electronic are handled in accordance with the requirements of the Data Protection Acts 1998 and 2003. The Department has policies in relation to the acceptable use of ICT facilities and the handling of manual records including personal information as set out in the Department's Records Management Protocol. The policy in relation to usage of ICT...

Written Answers — Medical Cards: Medical Cards (27 Nov 2007)

Mary Harney: The assessment of eligibility to medical cards is statutorily a matter for the Health Service Executive (HSE) and, with the exception of persons aged over 70 who have an automatic entitlement to a medical card, is determined following an examination of the means of the applicant and his/her dependants. Under Section 45 of the Health Act, 1970 medical cards are provided for persons who, in...

Confidence in Minister for Health and Children: Motion (27 Nov 2007)

Mary Harney: I move amendment No. 1: To delete all the words after "Dáil Eireann" and substitute the following: expresses its sympathy and regret to the women who were patients at the Midland Regional Hospital at Portlaoise and their families, who were affected by errors of misdiagnosis and miscommunication; deeply regrets, most particularly, that a review of diagnoses became necessary; expresses its...

Confidence in Minister for Health and Children: Motion (27 Nov 2007)

Mary Harney: In everything I have done since I became the Minister for Health and Children, I have put patients first. Tonight, I apologise to the patients of the former Midland Health Board, particularly those at Portlaoise Hospital. I apologise for the anguish and distress caused. I want in particular to apologise to the nine women whose treatment was delayed as a result of misdiagnoses. I want to...

Confidence in Minister for Health and Children: Motion (27 Nov 2007)

Mary Harney: Yesterday, I said I would not quit and walk off the stage, and tonight I will tell the House why. Since I became Minister for Health and Children, putting patients first is important to me. When introducing new legislation on medical practitioners, Ireland was the first country to put a lay majority on the fitness to practise committee. In seeking that I faced huge vested interests from...

Confidence in Minister for Health and Children: Motion (27 Nov 2007)

Mary Harney: Sheila O'Connor from Patient Focus was appointed to the board of HIQA, while another member of Patient Focus was appointed to the board of An Bord Altranais. Patients advocates have also been appointed to the boards of the health and social care professionals. I have established a Commission on Patient Safety and Quality Assurance, chaired by Dr. Deirdre Madden, to advise me on what policies...

Confidence in Minister for Health and Children: Motion (27 Nov 2007)

Mary Harney: After 29 August, when I was informed of a review to be carried out by Dr. Ann O'Doherty. She reviewed clinical evidence of 3,027 mammograms. Up to 2,000 of those women also had an ultrasound but she was reviewing the mammograms. As the House knows, she completed her review and submitted it to the HSE last Friday. The HSE has sought legal advice on the matter. Dr. Ann O'Doherty was not...

Confidence in Minister for Health and Children: Motion (27 Nov 2007)

Mary Harney: I will deal with that.

Confidence in Minister for Health and Children: Motion (27 Nov 2007)

Mary Harney: On ten separate occasions, we were on to the HSE about the review. Last Wednesday during Question Time, although no oral question was going to arise on Portlaoise Hospital, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan tabled a question about the appointment of Professor Keane. I assumed the Deputy would ask a supplementary question, which she did, and I wanted the latest information. I was informed nine cancers...

Confidence in Minister for Health and Children: Motion (27 Nov 2007)

Mary Harney: I did not know the number and the first time I knew——

Confidence in Minister for Health and Children: Motion (27 Nov 2007)

Mary Harney: Do Deputies want to hear me or not?

Confidence in Minister for Health and Children: Motion (27 Nov 2007)

Mary Harney: Some of the Members opposite are lawyers — Deputy Shatter is — and they should at least give me a chance to defend myself and put forward the record.

Confidence in Minister for Health and Children: Motion (27 Nov 2007)

Mary Harney: In any civilised society one can put forward one's case.

Confidence in Minister for Health and Children: Motion (27 Nov 2007)

Mary Harney: In response to Deputy Burton, as I understand it, Dr. Naughton decided to undertake this review but he informed the HSE locally. It was aware at regional level and I am not trying to say it was not. I was not aware. My Department was not aware, despite being in contact with the HSE on ten different occasions about this matter. Neither the head of the HSE nor the head of the hospitals...