Results 1,601-1,620 of 3,665 for speaker:Seán Power

Written Answers — Nursing Home Subventions: Nursing Home Subventions (27 Sep 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 — Health Services: Health Services (27 Sep 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.

Nursing Homes: Motion. (27 Sep 2006)

Seán Power: We are almost there.

Nursing Homes: Motion. (27 Sep 2006)

Seán Power: That is a complete misrepresentation.

Nursing Homes: Motion. (27 Sep 2006)

Seán Power: If it was that simple it would have been done.

Seanad: Office of Tobacco Control Annual Report 2005: Statements (27 Sep 2006)

Seán Power: I thank the Senators for their contributions this afternoon. It was interesting to listen to people give honest opinions rather than feel they must defend a particular party line. As Senators are aware, the impact of tobacco consumption on public health has been well documented in numerous reports from many agencies and organisations, both nationally and internationally. The range of...

Seanad: Office of Tobacco Control Annual Report 2005: Statements (27 Sep 2006)

Seán Power: We will believe the Senator.

Care of the Elderly. (27 Sep 2006)

Seán Power: Home care packages for older people deliver a wide range of services. They are delivered through the Health Service Executive by a range of providers, including the Health Service Executive, voluntary groups and the private sector. They consist of a mixture of grants, contracted care services, therapeutic input and equipment and other such community services to facilitate the older person...

Care of the Elderly. (27 Sep 2006)

Seán Power: Will the Deputy let us know if he has a magic wand or is doing something we are not? As I explained, the Government must comply with the relevant EU directive. Officials from the Department and the HSE are working with the Revenue Commissioners and officials from the Department of Finance to see if there is some way to overcome the issue. We appreciate the value of home care packages and...

Care of the Elderly. (27 Sep 2006)

Seán Power: It is not a matter of putting people before profit. As I explained, home care packages are provided by several different bodies, some of which are private and one of which is the HSE. The current VAT treatment of such services is in accordance with the EU's sixth VAT directive, with which we must comply.

Care of the Elderly. (27 Sep 2006)

Seán Power: We are developing a much more flexible approach in dealing with home care packages. In some instances, people are given the money when they can provide the required service themselves. We have entered into discussions, as I outlined already, with the view to reaching a situation where this service can be provided without VAT. If we can do so, we will be in a position to provide a far...

Care of the Elderly. (27 Sep 2006)

Seán Power: We had a number of pilot projects throughout the country providing these home care packages and the feedback suggested they worked exceptionally well. We decided, on that basis, to increase our investment from 1,100 to 3,000 home care packages throughout the country. The Health Service Executive and also the private sector provide this service and competition must be welcomed in this area....

Care of the Elderly. (27 Sep 2006)

Seán Power: We have not reached a conclusion on it. We are seeking a solution and our experts in different areas are examining it to see if it can be overcome.

Seanad: Office of Tobacco Control Annual Report 2005: Statements (27 Sep 2006)

Seán Power: I apologise for being late which was due to questions in the other House taking longer than anticipated. I thank Senators for this opportunity to address the House on the 2005 Annual Report of the Office of Tobacco Control. Last year saw the first anniversary of the introduction of the smoke free at work initiative introduced by the then Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Martin, and...

Seanad: Office of Tobacco Control Annual Report 2005: Statements (27 Sep 2006)

Seán Power: Over 130 countries were represented at the conference. From listening to some of the contributions during the conference and from chatting to people on the sidelines, it was very encouraging to hear people talking about the miracle that had taken place in Ireland, how a small country in which many had pictured people with the pint in one hand and the cigarette in the other could be so...

Care of the Elderly. (27 Sep 2006)

Seán Power: The interdepartmental working group was established to review a number of complex and fundamental policy issues pertaining to long-term care for older people. Some of these issues were the subject of the Mercer report on financing long-term care and the O'Shea review of the nursing home subvention scheme. Following consideration of the group's report, a series of key principles to inform...

Care of the Elderly. (27 Sep 2006)

Seán Power: We have plenty of ideas, and the notion that we are all at sea on this could not be further from the truth. It is obvious that we have given the matter extremely serious consideration and that the entire issue has been through the social partnership process. That is one reason it has been delayed to some degree. However, it gives one an understanding of the priority we have accorded the...

Care of the Elderly. (27 Sep 2006)

Seán Power: We will certainly share our proposals, and if the Deputy has any views or suggestions he wishes to put forward, we will be more than happy to take them on board. He mentioned standards, and it is intended that the Health Bill 2006, whose heads were published for consultation some months ago, should establish the Health Information and Quality Authority. This Bill will also put the social...

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (6 Jul 2006)

Seán Power: I propose to take Questions Nos. 54, 55, 57, 112 and 113 together. 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, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this matter investigated...

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (6 Jul 2006)

Seán Power: Type 2 diabetes accounts for 90% of all cases and affects mainly middle aged or older people. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is increasing due to a number of factors including the aging population and lifestyle factors such as obesity. It is estimated that there are approximately 140,000 people with diabetes in Ireland. The majority of patients, particularly those with type 2 diabetes,...