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The plan could cost in the region of €50m

Plans to demolish Department of Health buildings

The Office of Public Works has lodged planning permission to demolish the Department of Health headquarters in Dublin city centre.

News • 03 Jun 16

NHI says extending the deadline will create a double standard between private and public nursing homes

Concerns over standards at public nursing homes

Nursing Homes Ireland has expressed grave concern over Government plans to allow public nursing homes another six years to meet physical standards.

News • 09 Nov 15

The Fair Deal scheme was introduced in 2009

No major changes to Fair Deal scheme - Lynch

Minister of State Kathleen Lynch has said nursing home residents under the Fair Deal Scheme will not have to pay an increased contribution towards their care.

News • 21 Jul 15

Catherine Cox of the Carers Association said funding cuts have been very hard on carers

Calls for better funded resources for carers

Cuts to housing grants and respite care have been highlighted as particular challenges for people caring for a loved one at home.

News • 19 May 15

It will be up to each individual doctor to decide if they wish to take up the new contract

HSE issues proposed contract for free GP care

The Health Service Executive has started to issue proposed contracts to over 2,400 GPs for the provision of free GP care for children under six from later this year.

News • 28 Apr 15

The report compares deaths in hospitals, covering heart attacks and strokes, as well as waiting times for different procedures

Patients 'have right to know' hospital death rates

The Department of Health has published the first report comparing deaths in hospitals, covering a range of conditions, as well as waiting times for hip fracture surgery and Caesarean section rates.

News • 05 Mar 15

Anthony Doolan cares full-time for his severely autistic teenage son Paul

'Many cases' of carer payment being unfairly cut

The Carers Association of Ireland has said that there are many cases like that of Anthony Doolan, who had his carer's allowance payment cut and then restored after protesting.

News • 27 Nov 14

Brendan Howlin said half the population would have medical or GP visit cards next year

Department of Health to get €13.1bn budget in 2015

The Department of Health is to be given a budget of €13.1bn in 2015, according to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.

Business • 14 Oct 14

The negotiations will be held in parallel with discussions on free GP care

IMO set for talks on new GP contract

The Irish Medical Organisation has said it will enter substantive talks with the Department of Health and the Health Service Executive next month on a complete new GP contract.

News • 17 Sep 14

Minister Varadkar said the priority is to "bring stability to the service and get a reasonable budget in place"

FF queries Reilly's future role in Government

Fianna Fáil has called on the Government to question the former Minister for Health, James Reilly's continued participation in Government.

News • 06 Sep 14

The Department of Health is seeking to enforce compliance with pay policy

24 health agencies not compliant with pay policy

Twenty-four voluntary hospitals or health agencies have told the Health Service Executive that they are not compliant with public pay policy.

News • 22 Nov 13

Protesters travelled to Dublin from around the country

Protest at Dáil over cuts affecting older people

Thousands of pensioners have converged on Leinster House to demand the reversal of a range of Budget cuts affecting older people.

News • 22 Oct 13

James Reilly said calls for his resignation were a 'bit rich'

Minister for Health rejects calls for resignation

Minister for Health James Reilly has said he has no intention of resigning.

News • 21 Oct 13

The HSE has 21 days to prepare a national service plan for next year

240,000 families to benefit from free GP care move

Minister for Health James Reilly has said the delivery of free GP care to children aged five and under is an important step on the road to universal health insurance.

News • 16 Oct 13

Frances Fitzgerald said extended parental leave will be dependent on resources

Expert group recommends longer parental leave

Over the next five years the Department of Health and Children hopes to extend the length of paid leave for parents after the birth of each child to one year.

News • 10 Oct 13

There was a small drop in the number of children who said they had been drunk

Research shows fewer children smoking and drinking

Fewer children are smoking, drinking and using cannabis, according to research launched by the Department of Health.

News • 23 Sep 13

The group wants a national strategy to deal with childhood obesity

Dieticians call for national obesity strategy

An organisation representing dieticians has called on the Department of Health to develop a national strategy for childhood obesity prevention.

News • 15 Apr 13

James Reilly said the department is operating a much better financial system than it was in April 2012

Health Dept keeping 'tight reins' on spending

Minister for Health James Reilly has said that he has no problem providing monthly reports to the Troika on the Department of Health's efforts to rein in spending.

News • 03 Apr 13

Work history of locum consultant with Hep C probed

The Health Service Executive has confirmed it has begun to trace what hospitals in the State a locum consultant in obstetrics and gynaecology infected with the Hepatitis C virus worked.

News • 21 Nov 12

James Reilly had asked the HSE to ensure no patient is waiting longer than nine months

365,000 waiting for outpatient appointments

The Department of Health's Special Delivery Unit says it believes that around 365,000 patients are waiting to be seen at an outpatient clinic.

News • 18 Oct 12

The new deal will provide for cuts in prices for patients who pay for drugs

New drug price deal to save over €400m

A three-year agreement has been reached between the pharmaceutical industry and the State on drug prices, which is expected to yield savings of over €400m.

News • 15 Oct 12

Eamon Gilmore told the Dáil the two ministers were committed to delivering an improved health system

Tánaiste insists 'strong team' in charge of health

Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore has insisted there is a strong team in charge of the Department of Health.

News • 21 Sep 12

Up to 350,000 patients on consultant waiting list

The Department of Health suggests that up to 350,000 patients could be on a waiting list to see a consultant at an out-patient department.

News • 21 Jun 12

Irish Pharmacy Union in medicines warning

The Irish Pharmacy Union has claimed that the health of some patients is being put at risk by a shortage of vital medicines.

News • 30 Apr 12

Senator John Crown questioned the Department of Health's spending priorities

Senator John Crown alleges cancer drug crisis

Independent Senator John Crown has told the Seanad there is a crisis in the availability of cancer treatment drug Ipilimumab, which is used to treat melanoma.

News • 18 Apr 12

Department of Health