Results 14,541-14,560 of 21,128 for speaker:James Reilly

Seanad: Health Services: Statements, Questions and Answers (27 Oct 2011)

James Reilly: With due respect to the Senator who asked the question, it was put to Primary Care Reimbursement Services and this is the response it gave.

Seanad: Health Services: Statements, Questions and Answers (27 Oct 2011)

James Reilly: As I listened to the Senator, I ask to be allowed to speak.

Seanad: Health Services: Statements, Questions and Answers (27 Oct 2011)

James Reilly: We will not say what is revolting. My assistant telephoned the PCRS this morning to check the veracity of this reply. Some 83% of applications are dealt with within 15 working days. However, there can be delays because the information required is not provided. If there are delays of the nature mentioned by the Senator and she can cite a specific case, if she gives me the details, I will be...

Seanad: Health Services: Statements, Questions and Answers (27 Oct 2011)

James Reilly: I will certainly inquire about the case. I know there were a lot of difficulties, but it is my understanding — I have spoken to the Minister of State, Deputy Shortall, who was also very concerned about delays — the position has improved considerably. On the long waiting list for children who need orthodontic treatment, this has been a long-standing problem. I could read a long answer,...

Seanad: Health Services: Statements, Questions and Answers (27 Oct 2011)

James Reilly: I nearly made a fatal error, one that would have dire consequence, namely, not reply to Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell.

Seanad: Health Services: Statements, Questions and Answers (27 Oct 2011)

James Reilly: Her question primarily addressed the recruitment moratorium, the numbers of people who have left and those who may leave before February. The moratorium is a blunt instrument but we are trying to refine it to make special exceptions in areas where we believe they need to be made. We are caught between a rock and a hard place, given the IMF-EU troika and its requirements of us. It will not...

Seanad: Health Services: Statements, Questions and Answers (27 Oct 2011)

James Reilly: I can understand Senator D'Arcy's concern about Drogheda hospital. It is a serious concern for us too. We have put in place this week initiatives around that hospital to support the earlier discharge of patients and more home care. We are considering one or two other options also. The Senator will see an improvement in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in the next few weeks and I will keep in...

Seanad: Health Services: Statements, Questions and Answers (27 Oct 2011)

James Reilly: I cannot, I am very sorry. I have to take two Adjournment matters and then I must be somewhere else at 2.15 p.m.

Seanad: Health Services: Statements, Questions and Answers (27 Oct 2011)

James Reilly: Absolutely. I will respond in writing to all the Senators who did not get an opportunity to ask questions. There is no question about that. Positive things are happening. We have now a new colposcopy unit in the Coombe hospital. We have allocated it the money to do up its labour suite and its theatre, which were located on two different floors. That was unacceptable. We have the new...

Seanad: Medical Cards (27 Oct 2011)

James Reilly: I thank the Senator for his inquiry. I will explain how the Health Service Executive assesses eligibility for a medical card and takes account of one's circumstances. Eligibility criteria for health services are set out in the Health Act 1970, as amended. In accordance with the legislation, eligibility is primarily determined by reference to a person's residence and means. Ordinarily,...

Seanad: Health Services: Statements, Questions and Answers (27 Oct 2011)

James Reilly: We inherited that legacy and we shall deal with it. Not for the first time, a Fine Gael and Labour Party Government will clean up the mess left behind by a Fianna Fáil-led Government. A hospital must fix the problems in its emergency department by addressing their cause. What causes them are the actual numbers coming to the emergency department and the lack of primary care facilities....

Seanad: Health Services: Statements, Questions and Answers (27 Oct 2011)

James Reilly: The Senator makes a great deal of noise for a man who has been silenced.

Seanad: Health Services: Statements, Questions and Answers (27 Oct 2011)

James Reilly: I think I had better deal with the questions that have been posed.

Seanad: Health Services: Statements, Questions and Answers (27 Oct 2011)

James Reilly: I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach and Senators for providing me with this opportunity to brief them on a broad range of health issues that they indicated they wished me to address. First, however, I wish Ms Finola Cassidy who is in the Visitors Gallery a happy birthday.

Seanad: Health Services: Statements, Questions and Answers (27 Oct 2011)

James Reilly: I will begin with some remarks about the financial crisis which the Government is tackling and the resulting challenges for the health service. At the beginning of the year hospitals had overrun by €70 million their budgets carried over from last year. In the first three months of the year, for whatever reason, there was a massive overrun in hospital budgets, as activity outstripped...

Seanad: Health Services: Statements, Questions and Answers (27 Oct 2011)

James Reilly: The problem must be dealt with. It arose as a result of the mishandling of the health service and the economy by the Senator's party in the past 14 years.

Written Answers — Hospital Waiting Lists: Hospital Waiting Lists (26 Oct 2011)

James Reilly: The issue raised by the Deputy is currently being considered by the HSE.

Written Answers — Hospital Waiting Lists: Hospital Waiting Lists (26 Oct 2011)

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 dramatically improving the flow of patients through the system, and by streamlining waiting lists, including referrals from GPs. The SDU is working...

Written Answers — Hospital Waiting Lists: Hospital Waiting Lists (26 Oct 2011)

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 dramatically improving the flow of patients through the system, and by streamlining waiting lists, including referrals from GPs. The SDU is working...

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (26 Oct 2011)

James Reilly: Provision of quality public long term care is expensive and it is fair and equitable that those in receipt of such care should pay towards its cost in accordance with their means. The funding derived from charges is directly applied by the HSE towards the provision of health services. The Health (Amendment) Act 2005 and the subsequent Health (Charges for In-Patient Services) Regulations 2005...