95 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps the health services and health care providers have taken in supporting the population in healthy eating and active living in the prevention of overweight and obesity in view of the recommendations of the Report of the National Task force on Obesity; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[8298/08]
104 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children if, in view of the recommendations of the Report of the National Task Force on Obesity, guidelines for physical activity, food and nutrition have been developed according to age and gender; if these guidelines have been independently proofed by the relevant authority; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[8307/08]
94 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps the health services have taken to promote a change in emphasis from the primacy of individual responsibility to environments that support healthy food choices and regular physical activity in view of the recommendations of the Report on the National Taskforce on Obesity; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[8297/08]
106 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps taken to support parents attending antenatal visits in developing skills which encourage healthy eating and active living in view of the recommendations of the Report of the National Task Force on Obesity; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[8309/08]
74 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children if, in view or the recommendations of the Report of the National Task Force on Obesity, as part of pro-active approach in addressing overweight and obesity, her Department has sought the views of children and young people who are at present overweight or obese; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[8314/08]
100 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children if, in view of the recommendations of the Report of the National Task Force on Obesity, the curriculum for undergraduates and postgraduates in relevant health sciences provide training in appropriate and sensitive obesity prevention and management; if not, the steps being taken to introduce such training; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[8303/08]
73 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps she has taken to take the lead responsibility in providing an integrated and consistent proactive approach to addressing overweight and obesity; the action taken to monitor and evaluate the implementation of recommendations of the National Strategy on Obesity; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[8312/08]
70 Deputy James Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if, in view of the recommendations of the Report of the National Task Force on Obesity, his Department has carried out research to examine the influence of fiscal policies on consumer purchasing and their impact on overweight obesity; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[8313/08]
234 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Transport if, in view of the recent accident on the northern rail line near Skerries involving a goods train, he will ensure that there are adequate alternative emergency transport services made available for commuters using the service and that an audit or report is carried out to ensure the safety of the line and the rolling stock using that line in order to ensure passenger safety and confidence in the train service; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[7963/08]
233 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Transport the measures being taken by his Department to provide increased services in the short to medium term, to commuters on the northern rail and DART line where demand for such services is already at a peak, leading to dangerous overcrowding and more demand is projected as the towns along the rail line grow in line with projections in the Fingal development plan and further north in County Meath and County Louth.
[7962/08]
133 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children if additional staff will be recruited to operate the MRI scanner installed at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin in October 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[7479/08]
132 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will confirm that an operating theatre at Louth County Hospital remains unused; the reason this facility is not in use; the cost to put this facility in place; when it will be used; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[7478/08]
131 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will confirm that 21 beds and an operating theatre at Cavan General Hospital remain unused; the reason these facilities are not in use; the cost to put these facilities in place; when they will be put to use; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[7477/08]
130 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will confirm that a 23 bed unit completed in June 2007 at St Joseph’s General Hospital, County Tipperary, remains unused; the reason it is not in use; the cost to put this facility in place; when it will be put to use; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[7476/08]
129 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will confirm the number of extra beds supplied to hospitals in 2007 that remain unused; the location of these beds; the cost to put these beds in place; the reason they remain unused; if these beds will be used in 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[7475/08]
31 Deputy James Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he plans to amend the legislation governing the Standards in Public Office Act 2001 in order that it can initiate its own investigations of matters which may breach proper behaviour by persons in its area of responsibility.
[7833/08]
80 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children if there is a waiting list for stereotactic radiotherapy particularly for patients with arteriovenous malformation who are not suitable for either surgery or embolisation; if so, if a contributing factor is that equipment used to do this procedure at St Luke’s is no longer available or functioning; the length of time this has been the case; the arrangements to address the problems with the equipment and the needs of patients who are awaiting treatment; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[7323/08]
349 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Transport if he will report on the application by Dublin Bus to use the port tunnel to service the fastest growing town here and possibly Europe, namely Swords, County Dublin and in particular the application for the express Dublin Bus service the 41X to use the port tunnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[6314/08]
344 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Education and Science her plans for new schools in the Balbriggan area and in particular her Department’s plans to accommodate schools (details supplied) in County Dublin; the reason the school lands at Castlelands north of Balbriggan are not used to accommodate the schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[5491/08]
376 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if a recipient of deserted wife’s benefit who transfers to one-parent family payment due to the increase in earnings limit on that payment, can re-qualify for deserted wife’s benefit if their earnings should drop below €20,000 per annum in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[5117/08]
375 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his views on whether the earnings limit which applies to some recipients of deserted wife’s benefit is a barrier to full time employment in view of the fact that many of these women will not qualify for a contributory State pension; if he will amend the legislation to allow women who exceed the earnings limit to re-qualify for deserted wife’s benefit at age 66 or earlier should their employment cease; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[5116/08]
266 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children if the persons (details supplied) were made aware of the review of ultrasounds at Midlands Regional Hospital, Portlaoise; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[5205/08]
206 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of meetings and detail of same with the tobacco industry or their representatives and the number of meetings and detail of same with retailers of tobacco products or their representatives which were conducted by her officials regarding the commencement of further provisions of the Public Health (Tobacco) Act 2002 and the Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Act 2004 in advance of the public consultation process; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[4575/08]
205 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children if the tobacco industry or their representatives were appraised of options that her Department were considering with respect to the commencement of further provisions of the Public Health (Tobacco) Act 2002 and the Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Act 2004 in advance of the public consultation process; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[4574/08]
195 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children when she expects to receive the Health Service Executive report on the Irish Psychiatric Association, Lie of the Land; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[4099/08]
194 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children if the fourteen additional fast-tracked single-room beds for people with cystic fibrosis will be ring-fenced for cystic fibrosis patients only; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[4098/08]
193 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the engagement that has taken place with relevant stakeholders to date with regard to the fair deal scheme; the further engagement she plans to have with stakeholders following the publication of the Bill; the mechanism that will be in place to address stakeholders’ concerns; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[4097/08]
192 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the category of staff to be recruited with regard to the 34.5 WTE infection control staff that have to be recruited out of the 52 infection control staff announced in 2006; when this recruitment process will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[4096/08]
308 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children if, in view of her statements (details supplied) she will make a statement on the unilateral action taken by the Health Service Executive issuing a new contract without recourse to an arbitrator, as agreed before Christmas 2007 and with a January 2008 deadline for signing of same contract; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[3776/08]
16 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will report on recent discussions with pharmacists and if progress has been made; if she will appoint an independent body to provide an independent and fair assessment of all aspects of the pharmacy contract; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[2697/08]
4 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the date cervical screening will become available nationally; the reason this was not made available by the end of 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[2926/08]
3 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children if it is the policy of the Government to implement the recommendations of A Vision for Change; the reason funding allocated for mental health services has not been spent on those services; the reason moneys realised from the sale of property assets associated with mental hospitals here have not been reinvested in the development of capital projects envisaged in A Vision for Change; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[2925/08]
1 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the date investigations (details supplied) into a number of cancer diagnostic scandals will conclude; the reason for the delay in publication of these reports particularly the Dr. Ann O’Doherty report promised by the end of November 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[2924/08]
352 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the action she will take to address the concerns expressed by cystic fibrosis patients on national radio recently and in particular if she will ensure that isolation beds and specialist staff are provided in hospital grounds immediately via the use of modular buildings; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[1524/08]
300 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the arrangements in place to provide medical practitioners with locum cover in order that they can fulfil the required time commitment as supervisors of the new nursing prescribing scheme (details supplied); her views on whether if no such arrangements are in place the value of the nursing prescribing certificate will be in serious doubt due to inadequate professional medical supervision and training; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[1081/08]
282 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children when the new nursing home scheme Fair Deal will become operational in particular in the Dublin area; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[36096/07]
281 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will intervene and ask the Health Service Executive to continue to fund a group (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[36088/07]
43 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans to proactively test drivers for the presence of illegal drugs in a similar manner to the successful random alcohol testing campaign which is the norm and which is an effective tool in curtailing the use and abuse of alcohol while driving; his views on whether such a zero tolerance testing regime, using drug testing systems already available and used here in places of detention, should be immediately put in place taking into account the recent tragic cases in the media; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[34378/07]
23 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of drug sniffer dogs available and used in the fight against illegal drugs here (details supplied); his views on making more widespread use of such dogs in the community to aid detection of drugs in communities and to inhibit the free sale of drugs in places of public entertainment; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[34377/07]
926 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on whether a zero tolerance testing regime using drug testing systems already available and used here in places of detention should be immediately put in place taking into account the recent tragic cases in the media; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[34384/07]
675 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will review, resource and fund extra transport services for a school (details supplied) in County Dublin which is under pressure taking pupils in from nearby Balbriggan and where parents and students are having severe difficulty getting to the school which is located in a rural location; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[33296/07]
336 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Transport his plans to proactively test drivers for the presence of illegal drugs in a similar manner to the successful random alcohol testing campaign which is the norm and which is an effective tool in curtailing the use and abuse of alcohol while driving
[34384/07]
333 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the person who carried out the review of recruitment procedures for locum consultants as announced in Dáil Éireann on 13 June 2000; the date the review was completed; the recommendations made by the review; if the recommendations have been implemented; if she will make a copy of the review available; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[34563/07]
283 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on the current stay in payments on the risk equalisation scheme; the way a company (details supplied) is being forced to make the payment due to its failure to litigate against the Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[33849/07]
282 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on whether it is wise and fair that the smallest insurer in the market (details supplied) should be the only health insurer forced to make money payments under the risk equalisation scheme in March 2008; the way she sees this system as encouraging choice and competition in the market; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[33848/07]
281 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the length of time she expects the health service employment recruitment ban to continue; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[33847/07]
280 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the status of her co-location initiative; the number of contracts that remain at tender stage; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[33846/07]
277 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress achieved in meeting her target to reduce health care associated infections by 20%, to reduce MRSA infections by 30% and to reduce antibiotic consumption by 20%; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[33843/07]
279 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children if she is satisfied with the complement of infection control staff employed by the Health Service Executive; the number of infection control staff recruited to date in 2007; the number of infection control staff vacancies that remain to be filled; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[33845/07]
278 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children if a clinical nurse specialist has been identified in each ward and area with responsibility for overseeing the implementation of the infection control committees as recommended in the Health Service Executive infection control action plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[33844/07]