Results 12,381-12,400 of 21,128 for speaker:James Reilly

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (26 Jun 2012)

James Reilly: There has been a growing body of evidence over recent years that the use of sunbeds, especially by children, should be restricted because of the associated increased risk of skin cancer and other health problems. Currently, there are no statutory regulations governing sunbed use. Government has approved the drafting of the Public Health (Sunbeds) Bill. e Bill will prohibit the use by those...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (26 Jun 2012)

James Reilly: The information requested by the Deputy relating to retirees from my Department is set out in tabular form below. 2009 2010 2011 2012 (to date) Number of Staff Retired 40 8 9 22 Total Gratuity Payments made to Retiring Staff €1,647,647 €1,010,189 €529,351 €2,059,260 Under the terms of the Incentivised Scheme of Early Retirement (ISER) of 2009, retiring officers received 10% of...

Written Answers — Universal Health Insurance: Universal Health Insurance (26 Jun 2012)

James Reilly: The Programme for Government commits to reforming the current public health system by introducing Universal Health Insurance with equal access to care for all. As part of this, the Government is committed to introducing Universal GP Care within its first term of office. Primary legislation is required to give effect to this commitment. The Department of Health is currently drafting...

Written Answers — Special Delivery Unit: Special Delivery Unit (26 Jun 2012)

James Reilly: Improving access for patients, to both unscheduled and scheduled care in hospitals across the country, is central to the role of the Special Delivery Unit . Since the SDU become operational in September 2011, it has worked with hospitals across the country, including University Hospital Galway. The hospital works closely with the SDU Liaison Officer and there are weekly meetings held with...

Written Answers — Hospital Waiting Lists: Hospital Waiting Lists (26 Jun 2012)

James Reilly: I am determined to address the issues which cause unacceptable delays in patients receiving treatment in our hospitals. In this regard I have established the Special Delivery Unit (SDU), which will work to unblock access to acute services by improving the flow of patients through the system, and by streamlining waiting lists, including the management of referrals from GPs by hospitals. The...

Written Answers — Redundancy Payments: Redundancy Payments (26 Jun 2012)

James Reilly: In early November 2010 the then Government approved a voluntary early retirement (VER) scheme and a voluntary redundancy (VR) scheme for certain categories of staff in the HSE, as well as bodies funded by the HSE. The purpose of the schemes was to achieve a permanent reduction in the numbers employed in the public health sector from 2011 onwards and to facilitate public health sector...

Written Answers — Food Safety Standards: Food Safety Standards (21 Jun 2012)

James Reilly: I am aware of the model for nutrient profiling as developed by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) in the UK for use in regulating broadcast advertisements for children and that the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland are proposing using this nutrient profiling model for the purpose of regulating the advertising of foods and drinks high in fat, sugar and salt to children in Ireland. There are a...

Written Answers — Professional Qualifications: Professional Qualifications (21 Jun 2012)

James Reilly: The Health and Social Care Professionals Council, established in 2007 and the 12 registration boards being established under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 (the Act), will be responsible for protecting the public by regulating health and social care professionals in Ireland. The object of the Council is to protect the public by promoting high standards of professional...

Written Answers — Hospital Services: Hospital Services (21 Jun 2012)

James Reilly: As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Written Answers — National Lottery Funding: National Lottery Funding (21 Jun 2012)

James Reilly: My Department administers a national lottery discretionary fund from which once-off grants are paid to community and voluntary organisations, providing a range of health related services. If an organisation wishes to make an application for national lottery funding they should send in a formal application. Detailed procedures, along with the application form are set out on the Department's...

Written Answers — Vaccination Programme: Vaccination Programme (21 Jun 2012)

James Reilly: As the Deputy's question relates to service matters I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Primary Care Centres: Primary Care Centres (21 Jun 2012)

James Reilly: As this is a service related matter it has been referred to the HSE for a direct reply.

Written Answers — Hospital Services: Hospital Services (20 Jun 2012)

James Reilly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 151 and 152 together. Improving access for patients to both unscheduled and scheduled care in hospitals across the country is central to the role of the Special Delivery Unit which I established in my Department. Since the SDU become operational in September 2011, it has worked closely with a range of hospitals across the country including Our Lady of Lourdes...

Written Answers — Prescription Charges: Prescription Charges (20 Jun 2012)

James Reilly: Medical card holders are required to pay a 50c charge for medicines and other prescription items supplied to them by community pharmacists, subject to a cap of €10 per month for each person or family. Charges are not payable in respect of items supplied under the Long Term Illness Scheme. Prescription charges do not apply to children in the care of the HSE or to methadone supplied to...

Written Answers — Hospital Staff: Hospital Staff (20 Jun 2012)

James Reilly: As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Written Answers — Hospital Services: Hospital Services (19 Jun 2012)

James Reilly: As the Deputy is aware this country is facing a great economic challenge. In the current economic climate the acute sector must reduce its costs in order to deliver the agreed level of activity within the resources available to it. In terms of service delivery, we must concentrate on getting the best possible services for patients from the budgets available to us. This means we need to focus...

Written Answers — Primary Care Centres: Primary Care Centres (19 Jun 2012)

James Reilly: I can confirm that I have been approached by numerous companies with a view to funding the provision of primary care centres in Ireland. It is my Department's policy to work with all interested parties to facilitate the provision of primary care infrastructure which delivers value for money. There are always more construction projects than can be funded from the Exchequer's capital health...

Written Answers — Health Insurance: Health Insurance (19 Jun 2012)

James Reilly: I am strongly committed to protecting the principle of community rating in the private health insurance market. Community rating means that everybody is charged the same premium for a particular plan, irrespective of age, gender and state of health. Community rating needs a robust system of risk equalisation. Otherwise insurers will have a strong incentive to avoid older customers and retain...

Written Answers — Cosmetic Surgery: Cosmetic Surgery (19 Jun 2012)

James Reilly: In 2000 the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) in the USA raised concerns in relation to Poly Implant Prosthese (PIP) saline breast implants. Although produced by the same manufacturer, the Poly Implant Prosthese (PIP) silicone gel implants, which were recalled in March 2010, are a separate product to the saline breast implants which were of concern to the FDA in 2000. In 2000 my...

Written Answers — Hospital Services: Hospital Services (19 Jun 2012)

James Reilly: I fully accept the thrust of this report, which is first and foremost about patient safety. I have moved quickly to address one of the key recommendations, the establishment of a committee to oversee the implementation of the report. The oversight committee, which I announced on 11 June, will be chaired by Dr Tony Holohan, the Chief Medical Officer. Confirmation of some members is awaited and...