Results 161-180 of 1,371 for speaker:Máire Hoctor

Written Answers — Housing Aid for the Elderly: Housing Aid for the Elderly (17 Feb 2009)

Máire Hoctor: The Special Housing Aid for the Elderly previously operated by the Health Service Executive is no longer operational. The scheme was replaced by the Housing Aid for Older People (HAOP) Scheme in August 2008. The new scheme is being administered by the Local Authorities. Pending finalisation of the hand-over, a decision on all remaining applications from the original scheme, will be made...

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (17 Feb 2009)

Máire Hoctor: As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (17 Feb 2009)

Máire Hoctor: As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (17 Feb 2009)

Máire Hoctor: As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (17 Feb 2009)

Máire Hoctor: On 9 October 2008, my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, Mary Harney, published the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008 — "A Fair Deal". The legislation was introduced at Second Stage in the Dáil on 13th November 2008. The Minister intends to progress the legislation through the Houses of the Oireachtas with a view to implementing the scheme in 2009. Unfortunately it is...

Written Answers — Nursing Home Subventions: Nursing Home Subventions (12 Feb 2009)

Máire Hoctor: Both my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, and I are conscious of the financial burden being faced by individuals in private nursing homes. However, the rule referred to by the Deputy is in fact a statutory period provided for in the Health (Nursing Homes) (Amendment) Act 2007. To amend it would require primary legislation and could take longer than the introduction of the...

Written Answers — Nursing Home Fees: Nursing Home Fees (12 Feb 2009)

Máire Hoctor: The cost of private nursing homes is set by the nursing home and is not determined by the Department. The Health Service Executive can pay an approved subvention to the nursing home of the applicants' choice and the payment of the balance of the nursing home fee is a matter between the applicant and the nursing home under the contract of care agreed between these parties. The existing...

Written Answers — Care of the Elderly: Care of the Elderly (11 Feb 2009)

Máire Hoctor: As the overall operation and capacity of beds in long stay homes and hospitals for the elderly is a service matter, this has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Written Answers — Nursing Home Accommodation: Nursing Home Accommodation (11 Feb 2009)

Máire Hoctor: The provision of services for older people is a priority for Government. A commitment has been made to provide 860 additional public long-stay beds for older people under the Fast-Track Initiative and these are in the process of being put in place. Older people have also been specifically highlighted in the Social Inclusion Priority of the National Development Plan 2007-2013. The latest...

Written Answers — Hospital Accommodation: Hospital Accommodation (11 Feb 2009)

Máire Hoctor: I understand that there has been ongoing concern regarding health and fire safety issues associated with the unit at St. Patrick's Hospital, Waterford, a HSE facility. This unit is the last remaining ward on an upper floor of the hospital. Due to these fire and safety issues it is not viable to continue to accommodate patients in this area of the hospital nor is it viable to refurbish the...

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (11 Feb 2009)

Máire Hoctor: As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Hospital Services: Motion (Resumed) (11 Feb 2009)

Máire Hoctor: Last night and this evening we have heard a range of views about the planned changes in the organisation of hospital services in the mid-west. The Minister, Deputy Harney, noted that the issues being discussed and the reasons advanced for maintaining the status quo have changed little over a period of 30 to 40 years. However, there has been a shift in the nature of the debate. We are all...

Hospital Services: Motion (Resumed) (11 Feb 2009)

Máire Hoctor: It is very important that we explain clearly to the population of the mid-west what the changes will involve and the reasons for them. However, it is equally important that they are not misled as to their nature and purpose. It is sometimes alleged that the Government and the HSE want to "downgrade" smaller hospitals in order to save money. This is not so. It is in nobody's interest,...

Hospital Services: Motion (Resumed) (11 Feb 2009)

Máire Hoctor: The Opposition has no record of capital investment compared to this Government.

Hospital Services: Motion (Resumed) (11 Feb 2009)

Máire Hoctor: We will continue to invest in Nenagh hospital in the future. While complex and specialist cases will be treated in the regional hospital in Limerick, Nenagh, Ennis and St. John's will see the continued development of day surgery and diagnostic services, such as CT scanning and endoscopy. At present, approximately 700 patients per year from Nenagh and 1,000 from Ennis are referred to Limerick...

Hospital Services: Motion (Resumed) (11 Feb 2009)

Máire Hoctor: Nenagh and Ennis will continue to provide medical care on an inpatient basis and to accept medical admissions from general practitioners out of hours. This service will also come within the scope of a regional structure and arrangements will be in place to facilitate the seamless transfer of patients between the local and regional hospital.

Hospital Services: Motion (Resumed) (11 Feb 2009)

Máire Hoctor: It will mean that patients will be able to quickly access specialist care. These arrangements will be kept under ongoing review to ensure that they are working as intended and that patients are enabled to access the care they need as quickly as possible. The shortcomings of the existing accident and emergency arrangements in Ennis and Nenagh and the small patient numbers involved have been...

Hospital Services: Motion (Resumed) (11 Feb 2009)

Máire Hoctor: Once stabilised, all seriously ill patients should be brought to the major regional hospital without stopping at local hospitals. That is already happening. There is no recognition from the Opposition of the investment in the new fleet of ambulances which has taken place in the last three years in the mid-west. There has been serious investment in the ambulance fleet.

Hospital Services: Motion (Resumed) (11 Feb 2009)

Máire Hoctor: One would think there was no investment whatsoever if one listened to the Opposition Members. The general practitioners have shown a certain concern about this issue. A leaflet was recently circulated in the name of the general practitioners but I have discovered that many of the general practitioners in north Tipperary were not consulted and did not authorise the leaflet.

Hospital Services: Motion (Resumed) (11 Feb 2009)

Máire Hoctor: However, I have always been available to and supportive of the general practitioners in north Tipperary. The additional resources which undoubtedly will be needed in the reconfiguration of the hospitals in question will also be needed to support the general practitioners in their work. I will support them in that regard and, indeed, in any other way possible.