Results 14,761-14,780 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr
- Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2006)
Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Deputy is not prepared to do that in the context of this legislation.
- Consultancy Contracts. (29 Jun 2006)
Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am replying on behalf of the Tánaiste and Minister for Health, Deputy Harney. I thank Deputy Glennon for raising the matter. The Health (Repayments Scheme) Act 2006 was signed by the President on 23 June and provides a clear legal framework for a scheme to repay recoverable health charges for publicly funded long-term care. The Health Service Executive has responsibility for administering...
- Pension Provisions. (29 Jun 2006)
Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am delivering this reply on behalf of the Minister for Social and Family Affairs. I must deliver a considerable amount of the reply before Deputy Hayes arrives at the reason for the delay. That said, I thank him for raising this matter on the Adjournment because I am aware of these delays. The Department of Social and Family Affairs is committed to providing a quality service to all its...
- Prison Building Programme. (29 Jun 2006)
Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am replying on behalf of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. As mentioned in Seanad Ãireann yesterday, the need for a new prison to alleviate the current overcrowding at Cork Prison has been well documented, which the Deputy acknowledged in raising the matter. Recently, the Inspector of Prisons in his inspection report on Cork Prison condemned the facility and acknowledged...
- Prison Building Programme. (29 Jun 2006)
Brian Lenihan Jnr: The late Deputy, Mr. Jim Mitchell, opposed the construction of a prison that he subsequently opened as the Minister for Justice. Outline plans for the island prison facilities are being developed at present and these will be finalised later this year. The Minister is not at this stage in a position to give an estimate of the amount of land required for the prison development or the costs of...
- Local Authority Access. (29 Jun 2006)
Brian Lenihan Jnr: I thank Deputy Catherine Murphy for raising this matter. I reply on behalf of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government but I am conscious that the reply does not address the precise points raised by the Deputy. It is more general in scope but I assure Deputy Murphy that the complaints she makes are not unique to herself as a Member of the House. Irrespective of whether...
- Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2006)
Brian Lenihan Jnr: The transfusion board is in surplus at present so there is no cut-back here.
- Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2006)
Brian Lenihan Jnr: I will deal with the matter in due course.
- Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2006)
Brian Lenihan Jnr: Regarding the reassurance programme mentioned by Deputy O'Sullivan, it was originally funded at a time when the Irish Blood Transfusion Service was in deficit. The board has subsequently been in surplus and has met the costs from its own resources. While in public financial terms it may appear the Health Service Executive, HSE, is no longer funding the programme it has had no effect on the...
- Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2006)
Brian Lenihan Jnr: That is a play on words. The programme is being delivered.
- Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2006)
Brian Lenihan Jnr: The reason the HSE is no longer providing the funds is they are provided by the blood bank from its profits. To suggest there has somehow been a cutback in the services that are rightly provided, in terms of the reassurance people need, is simply not correct. There has been no cutback in services; there is an allocation of resources from a different source. We all acknowledge the pain and...
- Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2006)
Brian Lenihan Jnr: I will deal with that in a moment. Claimants may appeal their awards to the High Court. Infected persons, their spouses, partners and next of kin have been presenting claims to the tribunal since its establishment. The total cost of the tribunal to the end of 2005 is more than â¬660 million which includes legal costs, fees and administration costs. The actual amount of awards is â¬580...
- Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2006)
Brian Lenihan Jnr: The number of claims is far more substantial. There have been around 2,200 awards and the total cost of the tribunal has been more than â¬660 million. The actual amount of awards is almost â¬580 million. That has been provided by the Exchequer.
- Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2006)
Brian Lenihan Jnr: The State has a proud record on this issue under this Government. The second prong in providing support to infected persons is the Health (Amendment) Act card, which entitled the holder to a range of health care services free of charge. I will not take the House through all of the details relating to the card, but health care costs under the Health (Amendment) Act are approximately â¬15...
- Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2006)
Brian Lenihan Jnr: I will deal with that matter. I am entitled to speak without interruption.
- Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2006)
Brian Lenihan Jnr: This Government has a very good record in this area and I will deal with the issue of compensation. The National Haemophilia Council was set up under statute in 2004. It is chaired by Professor John Bonnar and includes clinicians, nurses, representatives of the Irish Haemophilia Society and health service officials, who work together to advise the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and...
- Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2006)
Brian Lenihan Jnr: ââbut it cannot be conclusive for evidential purposes.
- Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2006)
Brian Lenihan Jnr: It was suggested in the House that clinical diagnosis is not being taken into account.
- Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2006)
Brian Lenihan Jnr: On the contrary, clinical diagnosisââ
- Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2006)
Brian Lenihan Jnr: If I could continue, please. Clinical diagnosis will continue to be taken into account but it cannot be conclusive for evidential purposes.