Results 17,501-17,520 of 49,836 for speaker:Stephen Donnelly

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Cards (20 Oct 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: The Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) provides dental care, free of charge, to medical card holders aged 16 and over. I am aware that a significant number of dentists chose to leave the Scheme during the pandemic, which led to difficulties for medical card patients in accessing dental care in some parts of the country. Following discussion with the Irish Dental Association, a €26...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (20 Oct 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: The HSE Winter Plan for 2022-23 was published on the 11th of October. The Plan will support acute and community services this winter to respond to anticipated high levels of emergency attendances and admissions across the acute sector, long waiting times in EDs, and high occupancy rates in acute hospital settings.  The plan is estimated to cost up to €169 million to implement. Key...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (20 Oct 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: Section 38s and 39s have service provision arrangements with the HSE across a range of health and social care areas. Funding for current expenditure for these organisations is allocated on an annual (single- year) basis through the Estimates process. There has been a discussion paper published by the Department of Public Expenditure that highlights the benefits of introducing multi annual...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff (20 Oct 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Overcrowding (20 Oct 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: I am aware of the current pressures facing the Mater hospital and I wish to acknowledge the distress overcrowded Emergency Departments cause to patients, their families, and frontline staff working in very challenging conditions in the hospital. The question of staffing of acute hospitals is a service matter, as such, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy...

Written Answers — Department of Health: General Practitioner Services (20 Oct 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: GPs are self-employed practitioners and therefore may establish practices at a place of their own choosing. There is no prescribed ratio of GPs to patients and the State does not regulate the number of GPs that can set up in a town or community. Under the GMS scheme, the HSE contracts GPs to provide medical services without charge to medical card and GP visit card holders....

Written Answers — Department of Health: Departmental Strategies (20 Oct 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: The Programme for Government Sharing our Future contains specific commitments in recognition of the contribution of Family Carers to care provision in Ireland, which will build on the progress to date in the implementation of the National Carers’ Strategy.  One of these commitments is to review and update the National Carers’ Strategy. Before commencing work to update...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Departmental Projects (20 Oct 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: One of the strategic priorities under the national drugs strategy for 2021-2025 is to address the social determinants of and consequences of drug use in disadvantaged communities.  This priority recognises the additional challenges arising from drug use in communities. It will tackle the criminality and anti-social behaviour associated with the drugs trade that impose a heavy burden on...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Aids and Appliances (20 Oct 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: The Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for pricing and reimbursement decisions under the community schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. Therefore, this matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Vaccination Programme (20 Oct 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: Ireland's COVID-19 vaccination programme is based on the principles of safety, effectiveness and fairness, with the objective of reducing severe illness, hospitalisations and deaths from COVID-19 infection. The immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The NIAC makes recommendations on vaccination policy to my Department...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff (20 Oct 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff (20 Oct 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff (20 Oct 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Dental Services (20 Oct 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: The Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) provides dental care, free of charge, to medical card holders aged 16 and over. I recognise that there is a need to substantively review and reform the DTSS to align with best international evidence and practice, as outlined in the National Oral Health Policy, Smile agus Sláinte (2019). An unprecedented allocation of €15...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (20 Oct 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: Awaiting reply from Department.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Disability Services (20 Oct 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: I propose to take Questions Nos. 337, 357, 358 and 359 together. Regulation (EU) 2017/745 on medical devices (‘MDR’) has been fully applicable as of 26 May 2021 and Regulation (EU) 2017/746 on in vitro diagnostic medical devices (‘IVDR’) became fully applicable as of 26 May 2022. The overarching objectives of these new regulations is to...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Disability Services (20 Oct 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: Under the National Disability Inclusion Strategy 2017 - 2021, the Department of Transport has responsibility for the continued development of the availability of accessible public transport and is committed to this in recognition of the importance of such services to the lives of people with disabilities. Under the National Disability Inclusion Strategy, a Transport Working Group has been...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Nursing Homes (20 Oct 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: I am aware that a number of nursing homes have closed this year, and of how upsetting such closures are for residents, their families and staff. The closure of any nursing home reduces bed capacity and puts pressure on other local health and social care facilities, including acute hospitals. Ensuring the welfare and safety of residents is secured when nursing homes close is the most important...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Substance Misuse (20 Oct 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: The National Drug and Alcohol Survey, is conducted every four years  to survey the general population aged 15 years and over, about the prevalence of drug use in Ireland. It examines the use of a variety of drugs and includes alcohol and tobacco consumption. The results of the 2019/2020 survey show that overall, the use of illegal drugs has remained at a similar level to that...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products (20 Oct 2022)

Stephen Donnelly: The general scheme of the Patient Safety (Licensing) Bill - which will introduce a licensing requirement for hospitals, public and private, and certain designated high-risk activities in the community - was approved by Government on the 12th of December 2017; it underwent Pre-Legislative Scrutiny at the Oireachtas Joint Committee of Health on the 13th of June 2018; and it is currently with...