Results 12,701-12,720 of 49,836 for speaker:Stephen Donnelly

Written Answers — Department of Health: Mental Health Services (25 Apr 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 619 to 621, inclusive, together. The Long-Term Illness (LTI) scheme was established under Section 59(3) of the Health Act 1970 (as amended). Regulations were made in 1971, 1973 and 1975, prescribing 16 illnesses covered by the scheme. These are: acute leukaemia; mental handicap; cerebral palsy; mental illness (in a person under 16); cystic fibrosis; multiple...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (25 Apr 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: Last year the Government announced a once-off, ex-gratiaCOVID-19 pandemic recognition payment for certain front-line public sector healthcare workers, to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. Eligibility criteria for the payment were set following significant consideration and consultation. While the Department does not comment on individual cases, I can confirm that in order to...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (25 Apr 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: Health Services Staff (25 Apr 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: Health Services (25 Apr 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 Aids and Appliances (25 Apr 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: Medicinal Products (25 Apr 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: Cybersecurity Policy (25 Apr 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: There is no suggestion that the Secretary General was hacked. It is the long-standing practice for sound reasons of security not to comment in detail on the arrangements in place with regard to the security of the devices and communications of office holders. What I can say is that in March 2022 concerns were raised regarding my devices and I was advised by the NCSC not to use my devices for...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (25 Apr 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.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Hospital Services (20 Apr 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: I acknowledge the Deputy's ongoing advocacy for Ennis Hospital to improve resources and, ultimately, services for his constituents. The medical assessment unit, MAU, pathway for 999 patients was introduced in Ennis Hospital on 9 January and Nenagh Hospital on 7 February. This pathway allows patients who meet agreed clinical criteria to be transported to an MAU rather than an emergency...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Hospital Services (20 Apr 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: I will correct what I said. The 51 WTEs are not a national but a regional deployment. It is just within the hospital group. Ennis Hospital will see an additional 20 WTEs just for this programme. It is a very significant increase in investment. The hospital group has been approved for more than €5 million in funding to essentially extend the opening hours, as the Deputy quite...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Hospital Services (20 Apr 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: I thank the Deputy very much for that. There has been and will continue to be ongoing investment in Ennis Hospital. We will need to see exactly what the final opening hours for the MAU will be. Local clinicians will gauge patient demand. If we are to have staff there at night, patients need to be coming in to warrant them being there. Otherwise, we would employ them during the day to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Healthcare Infrastructure Provision (20 Apr 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: I will try to give each 20 seconds. Regarding Galway and the smaller projects, I fully agree that is an issue in Galway and right across the country. It takes us too long. A few things need to happen. Capital allocation needs to be sufficient and, second, there needs to be much more efficient processing of these. I could not agree more. We are working with the HSE. I am engaged...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Hospital Services (20 Apr 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: I was reviewing the Deputy's question yesterday and was not sure whether he was specifically interested in the new genetics strategy, in the heel prick test, or in some other localised services. I asked the Department to make contact with the Deputy. I do not know if that happened. I apologise if my answer does not exactly reflect where the Deputy wants it to go.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Hospital Services (20 Apr 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: The Deputy might clarify in his response and I will try to be more useful. I will answer about the new genetics and genomics strategy, which will address exactly the issues the Deputy has raised. A number of important developments are under way. I start by acknowledging the premise of the question, which is that Ireland's genetics and genomics services are not where they need to be. We...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Hospital Services (20 Apr 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: Regarding how many staff have been recruited and the plans to scale up the service, I will ask the Department to revert about its thinking and aims on that. The Deputy asked a question specifically about Crumlin. Children's Health Ireland Crumlin is a hospital which currently provides genetic tests. The genetics lab conducts cytogenic analysis and molecular genetic analysis. I am aware of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Hospital Services (20 Apr 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: I will ask the Department to revert to him on the intended timescales.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic (20 Apr 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: I agree with the Deputy on all that. The good news, as he said, is that for the vast majority of people, a relatively short amount of rehabilitation and health support leads to full recovery. I have met patients whose lives have just been turned upside down. I have met patients in my own constituency. I have met patients in Tallaght hospital who are being treated in the long Covid...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic (20 Apr 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: We do not want anybody waiting long for this for obvious reasons. Part of what we are doing now with these new clinics around the country is staffing having them. We will have 14 clinics, and then the St. James's facility as well. People can also get initial treatment from their GP, which is an important message. Where more specialist care is required, we are putting these new services in...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Healthcare Infrastructure Provision (20 Apr 2023)

Stephen Donnelly: I fully agree with the premise of the Deputy's question. Before getting into what we are doing to speed it up, it is important to state that in spite of an extremely cumbersome process that leads us to being able to put new infrastructure in place, the Government has over the past three years expanded infrastructure, added critical care beds, diagnostics and primary care centres at a rate...