Results 1,361-1,380 of 3,665 for speaker:Seán Power

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (7 Nov 2006)

Seán Power: I propose to take Questions Nos. 320, 322 and 323 together. The Deputy's question relates to the funding, 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...

Written Answers — Food Safety Authority: Food Safety Authority (2 Nov 2006)

Seán Power: The responsibility for implementation of the Health (Country of Origin of Beef) Regulations 2006 (SI 307 of 2006) lies with the Food Safety of Ireland (FSAI). There are over 44,000 food businesses in Ireland of which 29,000 are in the service sector, which includes restaurants, hotels and pubs. These food businesses are inspected on a routine basis by the Environmental Health Officers...

Written Answers — Nursing Home Subventions: Nursing Home Subventions (2 Nov 2006)

Seán Power: 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, the 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. In relation to...

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (2 Nov 2006)

Seán Power: 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, the 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 — Food Safety Authority: Food Safety Authority (2 Nov 2006)

Seán Power: The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) is the competent authority in Ireland for the enforcement of EU legislation regarding genetically modified (GM) foods. The FSAI has not yet taken samples of Chinese rice due to the absence of a validated test method for the detection of Bt63 rice. Once a validated test method is confirmed by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC),...

Health (Nursing Homes) (Amendment) Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed) (1 Nov 2006)

Seán Power: Deputy McManus's amendment proposes doing just that by increasing the principal private residence threshold to €500,000 for the entire country. In responding to the Deputies' proposals it is crucial that I clarify a certain point in taking into account a property for the purposes of considering subvention applications. When carrying out financial assessment for the purpose of subvention,...

Health (Nursing Homes) (Amendment) Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed) (1 Nov 2006)

Seán Power: I must make the point that what we are doing here is converting regulations into primary legislation. With regard to the financial assessment, we are not proposing any change here. We are not proposing any great change in the way the scheme will operate. From the point of view of looking after older people, the Government has treated them very much as a priority. We have seen that in...

Health (Nursing Homes) (Amendment) Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed) (1 Nov 2006)

Seán Power: I hope they never oppose power in Kildare.

Health (Nursing Homes) (Amendment) Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed) (1 Nov 2006)

Seán Power: As with all constituencies, old people live in Kildare and I am familiar with the difficulties and pressures exerted on those families that find themselves in the unfortunate position where they are obliged to provide for long-term care for a family member. The Deputy is asking me to exclude the principal residence from the Bill. While that proposal might be desirable, it is not possible to...

Health (Nursing Homes) (Amendment) Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed) (1 Nov 2006)

Seán Power: More constructive debate.

Written Answers — Care of the Elderly: Care of the Elderly (1 Nov 2006)

Seán Power: My Department is currently examining, in consultation with the HSE, the Department of Finance and the Revenue Commissioners, the scope within the relevant EU directives to exempt the provision of homecare services by commercial suppliers from VAT. In relation to VAT already paid, the Department of Finance has advised that non taxable persons cannot recover VAT incurred on goods and services...

Written Answers — National Cancer Strategy: National Cancer Strategy (1 Nov 2006)

Seán Power: Prostate cancer is the second most common cause of cancer deaths in men. There are approximately 1,150 new invasive prostate cancer cases annually. It is predominantly a disease experienced by older men with the majority of cases occurring in the 70–74 year age group and the majority of deaths in the 80–84 year age group. The Department of Health and Children published a National Strategy...

Written Answers — Health Service Staff: Health Service Staff (1 Nov 2006)

Seán Power: The recruitment process referred to is a function of the Health Service Executive, which has informed my Department that the campaign to fill these posts is proceeding. The closing date for applications was 6th October, 2006 and the HSE will now be proceeding to the next stage of the recruitment process.

Written Answers — Nursing Home Subventions: Nursing Home Subventions (1 Nov 2006)

Seán Power: As the Deputy may be aware, the Health (Nursing Homes) Act 1990 and the Nursing Homes Regulations 1993 provide for the payment of subvention for private nursing home care for applicants who qualify on both medical and means grounds. General rules for the assessment of means in respect of an application for nursing home subvention are set out in the Second Schedule of the Nursing Homes...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (1 Nov 2006)

Seán Power: A recommendation contained in the Interim Report of the Strategic Task Force on Alcohol calls for a reduction in the exposure of children and adolescents to alcohol advertising, marketing and sponsorship. In response to this, my Department entered into negotiations with the broadcasting, media and drinks industries while at the same time pursuing the development of legislation to restrict...

Written Answers — Nursing Home Inspections: Nursing Home Inspections (1 Nov 2006)

Seán Power: The inspection of private nursing homes is the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health (Nursing Homes) Act, 1990. The 1990 Act provides for the registration of private nursing homes and procedures for attaching conditions to the registration and for de-registering homes. The Nursing Homes (Care and Welfare) Regulations, 1993 set out the standards which private...

Written Answers — Care of the Elderly: Care of the Elderly (1 Nov 2006)

Seán Power: The Deputy will be aware that significant funding has been made available to the HSE in the 2006 Budget in respect of home care packages — €30m. for 2006 and a further €25m. for 2007, giving a full year cost of €55m. The aim of Home Care Packages is to enable older people to remain at home who would otherwise be cared for in a residential setting. A home care package consists of a...

Written Answers — Eating Disorders: Eating Disorders (1 Nov 2006)

Seán Power: Obesity is a major public health problem both for Ireland and for our European neighbours. The National Taskforce on Obesity published a report in 2005 containing 93 recommendations to halt the rise in levels of overweight and obesity. The Taskforce recognises that a multi-sectoral approach is necessary, involving other State agencies and Government Departments and real engagement of the...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (1 Nov 2006)

Seán Power: The Deputy may be aware that work has commenced on a new legislative framework to provide for clear statutory provisions on eligibility and entitlement for health and personal social services for the whole population. The aim is to produce a clear set of statutory provisions that ensure equity and transparency and to bring the system up to date with developments in service delivery and...

Written Answers — Hospital Accommodation: Hospital Accommodation (1 Nov 2006)

Seán Power: 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, the 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.