Results 461-480 of 15,268 for speaker:Kathleen Lynch

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Applications (14 Jan 2016)

Kathleen Lynch: The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible. The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to...

Topical Issue Debate: Mobility Allowance Review (13 Jan 2016)

Kathleen Lynch: Most people who know me know that I am not one to hang around and keep looking at a problem. My philosophy in life is to find a solution as quickly as possible. This one has been more difficult than most. We would have preferred it if we could have retained the old scheme and perhaps put a legislative framework around it and allow it to expand. That was not possible because of...

Topical Issue Debate: General Practitioner Contracts (13 Jan 2016)

Kathleen Lynch: While 20 practices may be more affected than others, there are more than 20 practices involved here. On that basis, this package will be offered to everyone in this category. The Deputy has suggested that something should be done "as a gesture of goodwill", but I believe what we are doing is something that will be sustainable into the future. I suggest that the Deputy should wait to see...

Topical Issue Debate: Mobility Allowance Review (13 Jan 2016)

Kathleen Lynch: I thank the Deputy, who has been persistent in highlighting this issue. I assure him that not a week goes by without some kind of engagement on this issue taking place in the Department. It has been one of the most intractable issues I have come across. I can usually find a solution to most things, but finding a solution has proved to be most difficult in this case. The Government has...

Topical Issue Debate: Mobility Allowance Review (13 Jan 2016)

Kathleen Lynch: The Department is seeking the solution that will best meet its aim of supporting people with severe disabilities who require additional income to contribute towards the cost of their mobility needs, while remaining within the available budget and satisfying all legal and equality concerns. Work is ongoing on the policy proposals to be brought to the Government for the drafting of primary...

Topical Issue Debate: General Practitioner Contracts (13 Jan 2016)

Kathleen Lynch: I thank Deputy Joe Carey for raising this issue and providing me with an opportunity to update the House on the matter. The Government is committed to ensuring that patients throughout the country continue to have access to GP services, especially in remote rural areas, and that general practice is sustainable in such areas into the future. On 1 January 2016, 15 GMS lists, out of a national...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Medicinal Products Licensing (13 Jan 2016)

Kathleen Lynch: I know a little bit about this issue because a very close friend of mine has cystic fibrosis and has benefited greatly from the drug Kalydeco which I and the former Minister for Health, Deputy James Reilly, approved and which approval we announced approximately two years ago. I am aware of the effects that very specialised drugs can have on relatively rare conditions. Cystic fibrosis is a...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Medicinal Products Licensing (13 Jan 2016)

Kathleen Lynch: Even if this House had voted differently, and I am not certain how they did vote-----

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Medicinal Products Licensing (13 Jan 2016)

Kathleen Lynch: Even if a motion was put down and this House decreed that it should be made available, it would have no impact. That is not how the process works. It is not a political decision. It is very much a decision made on scientific and economic grounds. I have been listening to the debate on this issue over the Christmas and new year period, and more recently. Even those who advocate on behalf...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Services for People with Disabilities (13 Jan 2016)

Kathleen Lynch: In line with Government policy, disability providers are delivering an increasing proportion of services and supports which are individualised, person-centred and community-based from the block grants allocated to them by the Health Service Executive (HSE). The Government’s policy is this area is set out inthe Report of the Value for Money and Policy Review of Disability Services in...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointment Status (13 Jan 2016)

Kathleen Lynch: As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, he can contact my Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Patient Safety (13 Jan 2016)

Kathleen Lynch: I propose to take Questions Nos. 538 and 616 together. I am informed that the HSE has been exploring the use of CCTV monitoring within residential facilities. The HSE is very conscious of the potential difficulties in relation to privacy and data protection. To date research has shown that there is limited evidence on the effectiveness of CCTV as a means of preventing abuse and of...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Orthodontic Service Waiting Lists (13 Jan 2016)

Kathleen Lynch: I propose to take Questions Nos. 539 and 623 together. The HSE provides orthodontic treatment to those who have been assessed and referred for treatment before their 16th birthday. It should be noted that the nature of orthodontic care means that immediate treatment is not always desirable. It is estimated that in up to 5% of cases it is necessary to wait for further growth to take place...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Mental Health Services Provision (13 Jan 2016)

Kathleen Lynch: As this is a service issue this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. If you have not received a reply within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Mental Health Services Provision (13 Jan 2016)

Kathleen Lynch: I propose to take Questions Nos. 542 to 545, inclusive, together. As this is a service issue these questions have been referred to the HSE for direct reply. If you have not received a response within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products Availability (13 Jan 2016)

Kathleen Lynch: I propose to take Questions Nos. 546, 552, 556, 561, 583, 596, 613, 662, 665 and 693 together. The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicinal products under the community drug schemes in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. Prior to reimbursing any medicine, the HSE considers a range of...

Written Answers — Department of Health: HSE Staffing (13 Jan 2016)

Kathleen Lynch: As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Long-Term Illness Scheme Coverage (13 Jan 2016)

Kathleen Lynch: The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicinal products under the community drug schemes in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. The HSE publishes agreed lists of products which are automatically approved for each of the illnesses or conditions covered by the Long Term Illness (LTI)...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Prescription Charges (13 Jan 2016)

Kathleen Lynch: Officials in my Department have been in contact with the Deputy regarding this question, and will provide the information directly to the Deputy within the next 15 days.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Provision (13 Jan 2016)

Kathleen Lynch: As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.