Results 281-300 of 1,371 for speaker:Máire Hoctor

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Second Stage (12 Dec 2008)

Máire Hoctor: This is very important legislation, yet there was only one person in the Visitors Gallery all morning. Go raibh maith agaibh.

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2008)

Máire Hoctor: I am satisfied that section 1 should remain part of the Bill. The aforementioned decision yesterday was made by the Ceann Comhairle and not by the Department of Health and Children.

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2008)

Máire Hoctor: I wish to clarify my reference to the one person who remained in the Visitors Gallery this morning. We all know that the Visitors Gallery is open to all members of the public.

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2008)

Máire Hoctor: I just want to say that it was a clear indication to me that, from the day of the protest to today, which was an important day for legislation, the revised income thresholds have been duly recognised by the public, as was the fact that 95% of people over 70 retain their medical cards.

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2008)

Máire Hoctor: Amendment No. 1 refers to a new capitation rate introduced in October last. The new capitation rate, recommended by Mr. Eddie Sullivan, is not due to commence until 1 January next. Second, the matter referred to here is of an administrative nature and does not warrant a report to the Oireachtas. I do not propose to accept the amendment.

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2008)

Máire Hoctor: There will not be a difficulty in providing Senator Fitzgerald with that information, should she request it.

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2008)

Máire Hoctor: I do not propose to accept this amendment. The matters to which it refers are not specifically related to the Bill and I do not consider that such a sweeping obligation should be imposed on the Minister. While it is standard practice to release reports when called upon to do so, I am conscious that the information contained therein may have implications for sensitive commercial practices....

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2008)

Máire Hoctor: I do not propose to accept this amendment. The form of words used in the Bill to describe cohabiting couples is the standard form used in many Acts of the Oireachtas. To amend the language of the Bill in the manner proposed could have implications for other legislation referring to cohabiting couples. I cannot indicate what these implications might be, but for that reason the safest course...

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2008)

Máire Hoctor: I understand that the civil union Bill will impact on a range of legislation.

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2008)

Máire Hoctor: Senator White is correct that the legislation to which she referred makes provision for cohabiting same sex couples. However, the fair deal scheme is different in that it is concerned with the assets of a couple.

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2008)

Máire Hoctor: Long-term residential care could impose an extreme burden on the finances of a same sex couple but that is not the case in respect of applications for medical cards. For that reason, I do not propose to accept the amendment.

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2008)

Máire Hoctor: We are not here to debate the fair deal legislation. The Senator is speaking about two entirely different pieces of legislation and there is no reason we cannot have differences in the approach. I will not accept the amendment.

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2008)

Máire Hoctor: No as it would be premature to debate the issue at this stage in light of the fair deal scheme, which is only on Second Stage. The Civil Unions Bill has not been brought in yet.

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2008)

Máire Hoctor: I do not propose to accept this amendment. Such a provision could have implications for eligibility for health services generally and requires more detailed consideration, rather than being rushed in by way of amendment to this Bill. Furthermore, the gross income limits are set at a level at which it is expected that the vast majority of persons over 70 will continue to hold a medical card....

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2008)

Máire Hoctor: A divorced person, in applying for a medical card, would be considered a single person, as opposed to separated.

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2008)

Máire Hoctor: Separated people are not divorced so they would still be considered a couple.

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2008)

Máire Hoctor: The Bill applies to people who are either married or single so a person in the case mentioned by the Senator would have to apply under the 1970 Act.

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2008)

Máire Hoctor: He or she would apply for a medical card as a single person.

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2008)

Máire Hoctor: The person would apply as a single person for assessment under the normal medical card scheme under the Health Act 1970.

Seanad: Health Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Dec 2008)

Máire Hoctor: As I pointed out earlier, there are still options for such people to apply. They can apply under the discretionary card scheme, leaving the decision at the discretion of the general medical officer. They can also apply under the existing scheme, where the income threshold is no more than €201 per week.