Results 14,921-14,940 of 21,128 for speaker:James Reilly

Health Insurance (28 Sep 2011)

James Reilly: We made it clear during and since the election campaign that completing this development would take two terms of Government. The idea that we will have a White Paper before Christmas is a non-runner, as that will certainly not be the case. The Deputy's questions were not unreasonable, but these measures will not be delivered within the timeframe to which he alluded. They are a number of...

Health Insurance (28 Sep 2011)

James Reilly: I would be delighted to answer.

Health Insurance (28 Sep 2011)

James Reilly: We might have a white Christmas.

Health Insurance (28 Sep 2011)

James Reilly: I am sure it might be three years in the Deputy's mind. In mine, it means ten years, but this does not mean that introducing these measures will take ten years.

Health Insurance (28 Sep 2011)

James Reilly: I would love to be in a position to deliver full universal health insurance by the end of this term, but I am a realist and a pragmatist and I know it will not be possible. However, we will be well advanced along the road by the time of the next general election. For this reason, I stated that a second term would be required to bed things in fully. It is too early to say how many items of...

Health Insurance (28 Sep 2011)

James Reilly: Absolutely. I welcome debate and full discussion. One should bear in mind it took the Dutch 20 years to achieve their model. We are learning from their mistakes and what they did right. Therefore, we do not need to reinvent the wheel. None the less, Ireland is a very different country, geographically, culturally and in terms of population. We know there are many variations on the Dutch...

Hospital Staff (28 Sep 2011)

James Reilly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 and 11 together. I am pleased to advise the Deputies that excellent progress has been made in filling vacant non-consultant hospital doctor, NCHD, posts over the past three months. I appreciate the co-operation of the Deputies opposite in achieving this. The decision to recruit from abroad was made due to an ongoing vacancy level of approximately 150...

Hospital Staff (28 Sep 2011)

James Reilly: There is the old phrase, "belt-and-braces approach". In more rural areas, we say, "to be sure to be sure". It is absolutely the case that the doctors are extremely well screened and trained. They have been interviewed by the consultants in respect of language skills and ability and have gone through the documentation and examination processes. In their places of work they have been...

Hospital Inspections (28 Sep 2011)

James Reilly: The control of health care associated infections, HCAIs, continues to be a policy priority for the Department of Health and the Health Service Executive, HSE. Maintaining hospital hygiene practice is an essential component of the drive to reduce HCAIs. Under section 8 of the Health Act 2007, the Health Information and Quality Authority, HIQA, has statutory power to set standards on safety...

Hospital Inspections (28 Sep 2011)

James Reilly: HIQA is responsible for standards and inspections but that does not remove the obligation on the Health Service Executive, HSE, to maintain its standards and continue its own in-house inspections. That is currently the case. The position is clear from the reduction in antibiotic consumption since 2008 and also the continuing drop in cases of MRSA from 592 in 2006 to 536 in 2007, and to 439...

Hospital Inspections (28 Sep 2011)

James Reilly: I will make a number of points. In recent months the HSE has made great strides in getting its budget in order and many other innovations which will become more clear as the special delivery unit makes more recommendations, which I would expect the HSE to put in place. The Deputy is right, however. It is part of our policy that the HSE would be replaced by a different organisation. I will...

Vaccination Programme (28 Sep 2011)

James Reilly: It is estimated that approximately 250,000 Irish children and adolescents aged five to 19 received Pandemrix vaccine to protect them against pandemic, H1N1, swine flu. Thirty potential cases of narcolepsy have been identified, 16 of which have been confirmed by the Irish Medicines Board as having been vaccinated with Pandemrix. Of the 16 cases, 15 were under 18 years of age. The remainder...

Vaccination Programme (28 Sep 2011)

James Reilly: First, I reiterate that no link has been established as yet. It is interesting that some of the Nordic countries such as Finland and Sweden are concerned about large numbers of cases there, but other countries such as the UK and the US do not seem to have an issue. Like Deputy Ó Caoláin, I remain concerned about the matter. As a parent, I am concerned about the possible damage the...

Vaccination Programme (28 Sep 2011)

James Reilly: It is easy to forget the situation that pertained. The reality is that we were facing a swine flu epidemic.

Vaccination Programme (28 Sep 2011)

James Reilly: Excuse me. I did not interrupt the Deputy. We were dealing with an epidemic. I was not in charge at the time, but nonetheless I believe in fairness, and the Minister of the day was faced with this enormous threat to the wellbeing of the people, and to younger people in particular. Given the genetic make-up of the flu and the fact that it related somewhat to an epidemic that occurred years...

Cancer Screening Programme (28 Sep 2011)

James Reilly: International evidence does not support the introduction of a population-based screening programme for prostate cancer at this time. The Department and the HSE are keeping the emerging international evidence under review, including the results of randomised trials that are being conducted internationally. However, I am pleased that Deputy Halligan has raised the issue and the recent publicity...

Cancer Screening Programme (28 Sep 2011)

James Reilly: I have to accept what the medical experts tell me and they say at this moment in time, particularly when we have to make hard choices about where the limited resources we have are spent, decisions and responses must be informed. On many occasions since I entered office, I said our policy would be evidence-based and so it will be. The second part of the Deputy's question related to funding...

Cancer Screening Programme (28 Sep 2011)

James Reilly: I do not want to get into a debate on the sensitivities of the prostate specific antigen blood test, which is not 100% infallible and I accept the Deputy is passionate about this and he is trying to save lives and that is the business of my Department as well. In reality, however, it happens that patients who do not have symptoms are picked up in examinations for all conditions. That does...

Industrial Action (28 Sep 2011)

James Reilly: I do not believe that any useful purpose is served by this industrial action. I am concerned that a further stoppage has happened today and would urge the INMO to reflect on the impact which these actions have on the general public. The shared focus of all those working in the health service should be on safeguarding frontline care in the face of the continuing very serious economic...

Industrial Action (28 Sep 2011)

James Reilly: As a doctor and as Minister I fail to see how patient safety is improved by taking industrial action. In my view that endangers the very patients we are seeking to protect. I accept the right of the INMO to highlight the situation but it must acknowledge we are acutely aware of the situation. The special delivery unit was down there last week, I have its report and I am studying its...