Results 19,001-19,020 of 21,128 for speaker:James Reilly

Written Answers — Health Service Reform: Health Service Reform (20 May 2009)

James Reilly: Question 160: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of consultancies currently contracted by the Health Service Executive to assist in devising and implementing a reform strategy for its management structures including the names of each contracted individual or company, the value of each of these contracts and the dates on which it is expected that each of these contracts...

Order of Business (Resumed) (19 May 2009)

James Reilly: I am given to understand that HIQA is commencing nursing home inspections in the next month. When will the Minister publish the inspection guidelines, as they have not yet been put before the House? When will the nursing home Bill that we were promised two and a half weeks would be with us in two weeks be published, especially in light of the fact that we have had a 50% increase in delayed...

Order of Business (Resumed) (19 May 2009)

James Reilly: It is nice to have a bit of background.

Order of Business (Resumed) (19 May 2009)

James Reilly: When will the guidelines be published?

Health Insurance (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Second Stage (19 May 2009)

James Reilly: I find the House a rather lonely spot. I call a quorum. Notice taken that 20 Members were not present; House counted and 20 Members being present,

Health Insurance (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Second Stage (19 May 2009)

James Reilly: Such is Deputy Woods's reputation that I shrank in fear up at the back. I wish to comment on some of the issues the Minister raised in her contribution. She said: The court found the [risk equalisation] scheme to be ultra vires because the legislation did not provide for an explicit link between community rating and the specific mechanism provided in the 2003 regulations. The Chief Justice...

Health Insurance (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Second Stage (19 May 2009)

James Reilly: If the Minister is concerned about niche products, all she has to do is establish a real regulator who could rule on the content of standard packages and add-ons. Given that the HSE has put the arm on VHI for €50 million up-front for next year, perhaps this is a revenue gather exercise on the part of the Government as much as anything else. She also claimed that the levy would not lead to...

Health Insurance (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Second Stage (19 May 2009)

James Reilly: We simply want to know whether the Exchequer will be fortunate enough to find itself in a positive balance for once.

Health Insurance (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Second Stage (19 May 2009)

James Reilly: We would like to see it ring-fenced for health services. The Minister is propping up the VHI's dominant market share. Her actions are anti-competitive and anti-consumer and reflect an ideology which was not associated with her in the past. It is feared that the levy will make private health insurance unaffordable and will result in a contraction of the market by at least 10%, or 200,000...

Health Insurance (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Second Stage (19 May 2009)

James Reilly: Others must wait six or seven years to see a consultant to get on a waiting list. People are not fools and while the Minister can fool some of the people all of the time, she cannot fool all of the people all of the time. That is why people have woken up to the fact that under the Government the future will remain extremely bleak economically and in our health service and education system....

Health Insurance (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Second Stage (19 May 2009)

James Reilly: I do know any doctor who has increased fees. As far as I know, they have all decreased them.

Health Insurance (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Second Stage (19 May 2009)

James Reilly: The Minister is travelling in the right circles. I must tag on to her some time.

Health Insurance (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Second Stage (19 May 2009)

James Reilly: An 8% reduction in GMS income of €250,000 for a surgery comprising two or three doctors, two or three nurses, three or four secretaries and a practice manager equates to the loss of €20,000 or the salary of a staff member. Service will be reduced.

Health Insurance (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Second Stage (19 May 2009)

James Reilly: It does not apply to grants or allowances.

Health Insurance (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Second Stage (19 May 2009)

James Reilly: That will reassure doctors.

Health Insurance (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Second Stage (19 May 2009)

James Reilly: Yes, everybody needs to put his or her shoulder to the wheel and I am glad this will not affect grants and allowances for the retention of nurses and secretaries because that would be detrimental. I refer to the problems faced by US and other multinationals. It is important for them to offer a quality health insurance benefit to remain competitive on benefits as well as to attract high...

Health Insurance (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Second Stage (19 May 2009)

James Reilly: Is it encouraging competition to give a major State player the right to enter into all other areas of activity with the advantage of a State guarantee? Even within that context, it is not properly regulated and does not have to play by the rules under which other insurers must operate. This is grossly uncompetitive in my view.

Health Insurance (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Second Stage (19 May 2009)

James Reilly: We could end up with a situation, not just with our banks, but where the VHI could decide to become expansionist - it clearly intends to be - and go on a little adventure which could cost us €100 million and, whack, the taxpayer is caught again to bail it out because money, which was supposedly put aside for health, was used in a misadventure elsewhere. I do not believe the taxpayer or the...

Health Insurance (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Second Stage (19 May 2009)

James Reilly: Yes.

Health Insurance (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Second Stage (19 May 2009)

James Reilly: I do not know if they have gone to its competitors.