Results 19,241-19,260 of 46,575 for speaker:Simon Harris

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2019
Vote 38 - Health (Further Revised) (10 Apr 2019)

Simon Harris: I expect to have a general scheme before Cabinet this summer, and as early as possible this summer. This is a priority for me. Unfortunately, Brexit and other things have dominated a lot of time for a lot of our drafters and the likes. I still expect to have safe access and a general scheme of legislation to Cabinet this summer. I look forward to being back here and interacting with...

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2019
Vote 38 - Health (Further Revised) (10 Apr 2019)

Simon Harris: The Chairman has asked a good question. The central waiting list validation, according to my note, was established in June 2018. Let us remember that these are estimates because obviously it is to be a legitimate exercise where one has to decide one does not need an appointment. The general estimate is that about 30,000 outpatient appointments will be validated during the course of the...

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2019
Vote 38 - Health (Further Revised) (10 Apr 2019)

Simon Harris: It is estimated that 30,000 people will be removed by the end of the year. That figure is subject to people not needing the appointments. It is not an exact science.

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2019
Vote 38 - Health (Further Revised) (10 Apr 2019)

Simon Harris: That is an estimate, yes.

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2019
Vote 38 - Health (Further Revised) (10 Apr 2019)

Simon Harris: There are two parts to the Deputy's question, the first of which concerns the governance structures in place in the health service in general which the Sláintecare committee decided unanimously were inadequate. That is a view I expressed when I came to the committee and why I have worked hard to put a board in place. One could argue that the HSE has had a board before now. That is...

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2019
Vote 38 - Health (Further Revised) (10 Apr 2019)

Simon Harris: Overruns are not free of consequences. Even if the taxpayer can find the money needed from buoyant tax receipts, as we could this year, it is money that could be spent somewhere else. The first area should not always be the politically sensitive or patient sensitive area. I am not involved in politics as long as the Deputy and do not have the same experience, but I share his viewpoint in...

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2019
Vote 38 - Health (Further Revised) (10 Apr 2019)

Simon Harris: A figure of €360 million has been budgeted for this year for the State Claims Agency. Of course, that is not all for legal fees - nor am I suggesting it is - but that is the Estimate for the State Claims Agency this year. As a Government, we are doing a number of things to try to address the issue and reduce the amount involved, of which open disclosure is one element. We all know -...

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2019
Vote 38 - Health (Further Revised) (10 Apr 2019)

Simon Harris: Yes, it is. The figure was €320 million in 2018. We have introduced periodic payments through the Department of Justice and Equality. When people go to court, they often do not want to receive a massive lump sum, but they need to know that they will be able to care in an orderly manner for themselves or their loved ones affected by an adverse incident. The third element is a...

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2019
Vote 38 - Health (Further Revised) (10 Apr 2019)

Simon Harris: That was a comment, rather than a question, but, as always, an informed one.

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2019
Vote 38 - Health (Further Revised) (10 Apr 2019)

Simon Harris: We are beginning to roll out additional bed capacity. The Chairman asked when new builds or extensions would open. There are 40 beds due to be opened this year in Clonmel. I think there are approximately 50 due to be opened in Drogheda, while 60 are under way in University Hospital Limerick. When we publish the capital plan shortly, it will show how we will endeavour to roll out further...

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2019
Vote 38 - Health (Further Revised) (10 Apr 2019)

Simon Harris: I am aware of the Deputy's commitment to general practice and pleased that we could collectively make some progress on the issue. Being very blunt, there is an issue with consultants' pay. How we resolve it requires the Government's collective thinking. Quoting from memory, the Public Service Pay Commission was clear that there should be a process in place to consider the issue. The...

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2019
Vote 38 - Health (Further Revised) (10 Apr 2019)

Simon Harris: There is no provision made in the Vote because the issue of new entrants' pay is dealt with centrally by the Government. It is generally dealt with through the Vote for the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2019
Vote 38 - Health (Further Revised) (10 Apr 2019)

Simon Harris: Not necessarily. The issue of new entrants' pay could be dealt with centrally. We have dealt with GPs' issues, or at least I hope we have dealt with them. It is a matter for them to decide. We have made good progress in dealing with the issue of restoration issue, among others. I accept that consultants' pay is the next big issue from a human resources perspective, with the staffing of...

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2019
Vote 38 - Health (Further Revised) (10 Apr 2019)

Simon Harris: There are two parts to that question. I think the Deputy knows I do not accept there is €20 million for Sláintecare this year; there is €20 million in the Sláintecare integration fund. I will not rerun my view from my opening statement. Even the €27 million for the GP contract this year is clearly Sláintecare. The DPS and prescription charges are...

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2019
Vote 38 - Health (Further Revised) (10 Apr 2019)

Simon Harris: Yes. To be clear on this, I accept the overall cost estimate of the Sláintecare report over a ten-year period, but I do not accept its sequencing. Even the ramping-up period was not, in my view, taken into consideration. The Sláintecare report is an excellent report and I fully accept where it wants to get us. It was not an operational or implementation plan. We did...

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2019
Vote 38 - Health (Further Revised) (10 Apr 2019)

Simon Harris: I am happy to provide the Deputy with all that I have on Sláintecare. In some areas I will not have the level of specificity pending negotiations, big policy decisions and legislative change that the Oireachtas must make.

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2019
Vote 38 - Health (Further Revised) (10 Apr 2019)

Simon Harris: When setting out a drugs budget, for obvious reasons we do not outline at the start of the year all the drugs we will provide because new drugs come on stream, negotiations go on etc. I hope we can make Spinraza available. The legal responsibility lies with the HSE. I know many parents are very anxious and stressed. While I do not have a note on it, I understand the company has now...

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2019
Vote 38 - Health (Further Revised) (10 Apr 2019)

Simon Harris: No, nor was it available to me.

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2019
Vote 38 - Health (Further Revised) (10 Apr 2019)

Simon Harris: To be very clear, this is not a criticism of my officials. I believe they behaved entirely appropriately in how they dealt with this and indeed showed great leadership. The email was not made available to me or the Cabinet. It was not passed on to me because all my officials believed all the risks outlined in that were risks that were readily identifiable to them. There was nothing in...

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2019
Vote 38 - Health (Further Revised) (10 Apr 2019)

Simon Harris: I think I became aware in February of this year - in recent weeks or months.