Results 41,841-41,860 of 46,575 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drugs Payment Scheme (17 May 2016)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 945 and 946 together. These are matters which I intend to consider in the context of the implementation of the health commitments in the Programme for Partnership Government and having regard to the funding available to facilitate such measures. Detailed financial analysis will be required in order to establish as accurately as possible the expected costs to...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Home Care Packages Funding (17 May 2016)

Simon Harris: The Home Help service is provided to assist older people to live independently in their own homes. The service is focused primarily on providing a range of personal care supports, following an individual assessment of needs. The HSE also provides enhanced home care services through the Home Care Packages (HCP) scheme for persons whose needs cannot be met by the mainstream Home Help service...

Written Answers — Department of Health: General Practitioner Contracts (17 May 2016)

Simon Harris: Following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding by the Health Service Executive, the Department of Health and the Irish Medical Organisation in February 2015, the parties commenced talks on a new GP contract. A priority of these discussions is the inclusion of chronic disease management for patients. As a first step in this process, agreement was reached on the introduction of a...

Written Answers — Department of Health: General Practitioner Training (17 May 2016)

Simon Harris: I understand that the Deputy is referring to medical education tutors for GP training. As the training of GPs is currently a matter for the Health Service Executive, the question has been referred to the HSE 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: Medical Card Administration (17 May 2016)

Simon Harris: I understand that the Clinical Advisory Group is working on the development of a framework for assessment and measurement of the burden of disease and appropriate operational guidelines for the medical card scheme. I look forward to the Group's report to the Director General of the HSE on the matter. I recognise the importance of having a medical card scheme that is more sensitive to...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Vaccination Programme (17 May 2016)

Simon Harris: The HSE National Service Plan provides for additional funding of €2.5 million for the addition of meningitis B and rotavirus, along with associated changes, to the childhood immunisation programmes. Requirements for 2017 and subsequent years will be finalised as part of the HSE service planning process.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Cancer Screening Programmes (17 May 2016)

Simon Harris: The HSE National Service Plan 2016 provides €1.5 million towards the cost of extending the BreastCheck screening programme to women aged 65 to 69 years. The BreastCheck extension is being implemented on a phased basis up to 2021. When fully rolled out the annual cost of the age extension is likely to be in the region of €5 million. The extension will increase the eligible...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Mental Health Services Funding (17 May 2016)

Simon Harris: Funding for mental health services will increase this year, no matter what developments take place during 2016. Funding for mental health in 2016 will increase from the 2015 outturn of €785 million, to a projected budget of €826 million in the 2016 NSP, an increase of €41 million or 5.2% which includes the €35 million ring fenced for mental health. In 2016, it is...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Home Care Packages Data (17 May 2016)

Simon Harris: As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointments Administration (17 May 2016)

Simon Harris: Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual. The scheduling...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (17 May 2016)

Simon Harris: Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual. The National...

Appointment of Taoiseach and Nomination of Members of Government: Motion (6 May 2016)

Simon Harris: Hear, hear.

Nomination of Taoiseach (Resumed) (6 May 2016)

Simon Harris: I apologise. I did not think I was meant to speak now.

Nomination of Taoiseach (Resumed) (6 May 2016)

Simon Harris: All of us must thank the Irish people for their patience and forbearance in what has been a very difficult period since the general election, as all of us in the House in all parties grapple to come to terms with the new political reality. We have been presented by the Irish people with a very diverse political position and I acknowledge the efforts by many in this House to try to ensure the...

Crime: Statements (5 May 2016)

Simon Harris: I am delighted to have such attention for my wrap-up speech. On behalf of the Minister for Justice and Equality, I thank Deputies on all sides of the House for their contributions to this useful and constructive debate on crime. It is clear that there is much common ground between us on the need to continue to resource An Garda Síochána and protect our urban and rural communities....

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Prevention Measures (5 May 2016)

Simon Harris: Kildare County Council (KCC), in consultation with the Office of Public Works (OPW), engaged consulting engineers to carry out a Full Feasibility Study, Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the Lower Morrell River and the surrounding river catchment in order to resolve the outstanding localised flooding issues in the Straffan area. A Steering Group which...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Land Ownership (5 May 2016)

Simon Harris: I am advised by the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland that further investigation is required to determine ownership of the plot of land in question. A full response will issue upon receipt of such clarification.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Heritage Sites (4 May 2016)

Simon Harris: A key-holding arrangement is in place at Carrigafoyle Castle, Co. Kerry and this year access for the public is being facilitated from 1 May to 30September, a total of five months. It is considered that this will adequately facilitate any summer and early autumn visitors who wish to visit the site. It is not considered advisable to extend opening arrangements later in the year because of the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Risk Management (4 May 2016)

Simon Harris: The core strategy for addressing the significant flood risks nationally, and in the Shannon River Basin District generally, is the Office of Public Works' (OPW) Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme. There are 66 locations in the Shannon River Basin District and 300 locations nationwide that are being assessed under the Programme, the purpose of which is to...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Public Works Properties (4 May 2016)

Simon Harris: The 2012 and 2013 policing plans for An Garda Síochána identified 139 Garda stations for closure. Many of these properties reverted to the Office of Public Works (OPW) to identify an alternative State use or manage their disposal. The policy of the Office of Public Works (OPW) with regard to non-operational (vacant) Garda Stations is to: 1. Identify if the property is...