Results 14,881-14,900 of 15,508 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospitals Data (14 Jul 2016)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 199 to 201, inclusive, together. As these are service matters they have has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them

Written Answers — Department of Health: Home Help Service (14 Jul 2016)

Helen McEntee: As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Suicide Bereavement Support (14 Jul 2016)

Helen McEntee: Console provides counselling, therapy and support to people who have been bereaved by suicide. It operates a national Freephone 24/7 Helpline and provides counselling and therapy at Console centre or outreach locations in several centres countrywide. All of Console’s services are delivered by fully qualified and accredited counsellors, psychotherapists or psychologists who...

Topical Issue Debate: Charitable and Voluntary Organisations (13 Jul 2016)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. As he rightly stated, the revelations relating to Console in recent weeks have, unfortunately, once again sent shockwaves through our very small nation. While we are a small nation, we are very generous and have always given to charitable organisations. Therefore, something like this is very upsetting not only for those who are availing of the...

Topical Issue Debate: Charitable and Voluntary Organisations (13 Jul 2016)

Helen McEntee: I assure the Deputy, the staff, counsellors, patients and service users of Console that how this issue has affected and will affect them has been to the forefront. The reason we have not heard many comments on it from me, the Department of Health and the HSE in recent weeks, in the past week in particular, is it is sensitive and we want to ensure they are briefed and happy with what is...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Charities Regulation (13 Jul 2016)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Senator for raising what is a very sad issue. As she said, services such as Console and many others that deal with suicide, bereavement or trauma are important to those who attend the services and those who work for them. When people avail of such services it is often at a very difficult time, or even the lowest point, in their lives, and it is traumatic for something like this...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Charities Regulation (13 Jul 2016)

Helen McEntee: The Senator will understand that there are certain elements of this that I cannot discuss at present but I hope that we will have a resolution and that the details will become more public in the coming days and weeks. The priority has always been - and should continue to be until we reach the end of this process - ensuring that the services remain in place whether that be through a different...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Mental Health Services Provision (13 Jul 2016)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Senator for raising this issue and I welcome Mr. Baker to the Public Gallery. One of the key aims of the Government is to provide services and supports for people with disabilities. The aim is to empower them to live their own lives, as the Senator rightly put it, and provide them with greater independence so that they can access services, choose to live their lives how they...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Nursing Homes Support Scheme Eligibility (13 Jul 2016)

Helen McEntee: When the Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS) commenced in 2009, a commitment was made that it would be reviewed after three years. The Report of the Review was published in July 2015. Arising out of the Review, a number of key issues have been identified for more detailed consideration across Departments and Agencies, including the treatment of business and farm assets for the purposes of...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Nursing Home Inspections (13 Jul 2016)

Helen McEntee: The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) is an independent statutory authority established to drive high quality and safe care for people using health and social care services in Ireland. Since 2009 all nursing homes whether public or private are registered and inspected by HIQA. This includes a number of nursing homes operated by religious organisations. However, HIQA's remit does...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Home Care Packages Provision (13 Jul 2016)

Helen McEntee: As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Mental Health Services Provision (13 Jul 2016)

Helen McEntee: As this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. If you have not received a copy within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.

Regulation of Charities: Motion [Private Members] (12 Jul 2016)

Helen McEntee: A Leas-Cheann Comhairle, I wish to congratulate you on your new role and wish you well. I thank the Social Democrats for moving this motion in the House. Sadly, it is a timely motion, as has been pointed out by many Deputies. In total, the regulator is engaged with in excess of 12,500 charitable organisations active in Ireland at the moment. These charities and the broader community and...

Topical Issue Debate: Home Care Packages Funding (12 Jul 2016)

Helen McEntee: This is a priority for me. There is a major flaw in the system, in that significant amounts of money are being used to keep people in hospital and acute units when we know that the financial benefits to the HSE and the Department in keeping them at home are considerable. There are also the physical benefits. When people are surrounded by their families and involved in their communities,...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions: Mental Health Services Report (12 Jul 2016)

Helen McEntee: I agree with the Deputy that progress has been slower than initially anticipated but it continues to be made in implementing the report's recommendations. As the Deputy rightly pointed out, the vision has not changed. While the review is under way, we are continuing to implement the report. In recent years, the Government has provided an additional €160 million in ring-fenced...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions: Mental Health Services Report (12 Jul 2016)

Helen McEntee: To reiterate, it is my view that we should have some form of oversight committee. While the review may seem like a long time, if we wait until the end of the year to implement the committee, it will have oversight of what we have implemented to date and of the recommendations being put in place by the review committee itself. We must continue to focus on moving towards a more...

Topical Issue Debate: Home Care Packages Funding (12 Jul 2016)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue, which we know is extremely important from the questions which were asked during Question Time. Our population is ageing rapidly. Advances in health care are leading to a dramatic rise in our older population. Each year, the total number of persons over the age of 65 grows by approximately 20,000. We can see what the figures will be in the coming...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions: Mental Health Services Report (12 Jul 2016)

Helen McEntee: A Vision for Change has guided national mental health policy over the past ten years and, as the Deputy rightly said, its term has come to an end. The Department published a request for tender last month to invite parties interested in undertaking a review of A Vision for Change to express an interest in doing so. The Department's requirements are for experts to review and analyse national...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions: Home Help Service (12 Jul 2016)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Deputy for his question and agree that we would all live longer, healthier and happier lives if we live in and are part of our communities. The HSE provides a range of community based services aimed at ensuring older people receive safe, timely and appropriate care and treatment at the lowest level of complexity and as close to home as possible. Home support services in...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions: Home Help Service (12 Jul 2016)

Helen McEntee: We all recognise that there are serious problems in the system. When I say that I am happy, I mean that I am happy we have been able to allocate an additional €40 million in funding, which will help in the different cases mentioned by the Deputy. Unfortunately, we all know of similar cases within our constituencies. They are brought to my attention daily. As I pointed out, the...