Results 16,641-16,660 of 46,575 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Health: Primary Care Centres Provision (6 Sep 2019)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1348 and 1349 together. As the HSE has responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres and other Primary Care facilities, the Executive has been asked to reply directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (6 Sep 2019)

Simon Harris: As this question relates to an operational matter I have referred it to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland for attention and direct reply.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospice Services Provision (6 Sep 2019)

Simon Harris: I met a delegation from the South Westmeath Hospice Committee on Tuesday 3 September to discuss their concerns about the HSE's proposal to realign palliative care support beds located on the St Vincent's Care Centre campus in Athlone. A working group is being established by the HSE, which will include representatives of palliative care staff and members of the South Westmeath Hospice...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Cross-Border Health Services Provision (6 Sep 2019)

Simon Harris: The HSE is responsible for the operation of the Cross Border Directive and the management of the HSE Cross Border Directive (CBD) office is an operational matter for the HSE. Officials of my Department recently met with the HSE to discuss this matter and have requested the Executive to examine current resourcing of the CBD office, and to identify necessary actions to mitigate waiting times...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Funding (6 Sep 2019)

Simon Harris: The implementation of the 2014 National Dementia Strategy is being led by the National Dementia Office in the HSE, which has made substantial progress in developing evidence-based care pathways for people with dementia. Actions are being implemented progressively as resources allow and Dormant Accounts funding is allowing a number of key projects to proceed. The HSE is working with key...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products Reimbursement (6 Sep 2019)

Simon Harris: Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospitals Capital Programme (6 Sep 2019)

Simon Harris: The Health Service Executive recently published its Capital Plan for 2019-2021 outlining 250 projects to be progressed over the three-year period. The Capital Plan includes a number of projects at Naas General Hospital, including the development of new units for endoscopy, day procedures, physical medicine and oncology, for which planning permission has been granted. The Capital Plan...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products Reimbursement (6 Sep 2019)

Simon Harris: Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Seanad: CervicalCheck Tribunal Bill 2019: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Jul 2019)

Simon Harris: I welcome the chance to be in the Seanad for what I hope will be an opportunity to pass the CervicalCheck Tribunal Bill 2019 so that we can provide an alternative pathway to the courts system for women who are seeking justice and answers in respect of a botched retrospective audit and all the pain, suffering and damage that caused. I am happy to take the opportunity in Seanad Éireann,...

Seanad: CervicalCheck Tribunal Bill 2019: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Jul 2019)

Simon Harris: I would love to be able to accept the amendment now as it would be easier to do so and would save coming back in the autumn. Being frank, the challenge in accepting it is that it would go much further than I am willing in terms of broadening the scope. Following very significant engagements on the matter, including with members of the Senator's party, I am happy to widen the scope based on...

Seanad: CervicalCheck Tribunal Bill 2019: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Jul 2019)

Simon Harris: We are not not interested in anyone because of their standards but as we all know from Dr. Scally's two reports, it is absolutely true that labs were used that were not properly accredited and the governance structures were questionable. He did not find safety issues, as we all acknowledge, but that does not take away from the fact that there were serious shortcomings in governance dating...

Seanad: CervicalCheck Tribunal Bill 2019: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Jul 2019)

Simon Harris: I do not have the figures sought by the Senators. I am sure the HSE will provide them and, I, indeed, have sought them. Senator Higgins made a fair point about procurement that is very much aligned with Dr. Scally's findings. He did not quite say this but he certainly alluded to the fact that during certain years, price became a bigger ratio than it had been previously. That is something...

Seanad: CervicalCheck Tribunal Bill 2019: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Jul 2019)

Simon Harris: I thought that the Senator would do so. That is now the agreed policy of the Oireachtas. We have come a long way from very different views, including within my own party, on how the delivery of healthcare should be provided through insurance models, Dutch models, etc., to an agreed platform now that is through universal healthcare. I regularly get misrepresented on this but that is...

Seanad: CervicalCheck Tribunal Bill 2019: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Jul 2019)

Simon Harris: I could not agree more with Senator Bacik. For people who have every reason to lose trust in parts of our health service or who, like Vicky, Lorraine, Stephen, Emma and so many others, have gone through bad experiences to still come out and promote screening is something for which I, in my role as Minister, am extremely grateful. It is also something that I know will help continue to save...

Seanad: CervicalCheck Tribunal Bill 2019: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Jul 2019)

Simon Harris: -----but he often believes he has better legal advice than me - perhaps he does - although I am very satisfied with the advice I receive.

Seanad: CervicalCheck Tribunal Bill 2019: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Jul 2019)

Simon Harris: The Senator's party has a proud tradition of attracting barristers, and many eminent ones. I sought legal advice from the Attorney General and the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel, OPC, and they confirmed to me that the current structure of the provision is very much in line with the drafting practice that takes place in these Houses and that it allows for either or both categories of...

Seanad: CervicalCheck Tribunal Bill 2019: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Jul 2019)

Simon Harris: It was ruled out of order.

Seanad: CervicalCheck Tribunal Bill 2019: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Jul 2019)

Simon Harris: It was ruled out of order not by me but by the Ceann Comhairle.

Seanad: CervicalCheck Tribunal Bill 2019: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Jul 2019)

Simon Harris: Senator Nash is correct. Deputy Kelly and I have had very long and intense discussions on this, for good reason. As the Cathaoirleach, and the Leas-Cheann Comhairle in the other House, made very clear, the Minister has no role in ruling amendments in or out of order, despite assertions to the contrary. There was a bizarre situation in the other House when an amendment was ruled to be in...

Seanad: CervicalCheck Tribunal Bill 2019: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Jul 2019)

Simon Harris: I understand absolutely what Senator Higgins is trying to do here. While I agree with what she is trying to do, I am not in a position to accept her amendment today. However, I would like to do more work on this whether through the legislation or through the tribunal setting out greater clarity on its own rules and procedures, which will not, of course, be a matter for me. One hopes the...