Results 20,861-20,880 of 46,095 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Health: Cannabis for Medicinal Use (28 Jun 2018)

Simon Harris: Prescribing of cannabis for medical treatment by medical consultants, for their individual patients, is facilitated via Ministerial Licence. Irish-based medical practitioners who wish to prescribe cannabis products containing THC may apply to me as Minister for Health for a licence under the Misuse of Drugs Acts.  The CMO has advised me that the granting of such a licence...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Respite Care Services (28 Jun 2018)

Simon Harris: As this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff Recruitment (28 Jun 2018)

Simon Harris: The Health Business Services (HBS) Recruit function in the HSE has established recruitment working groups with HSE Occupational Therapy Managers, Principal Psychology Managers, Physiotherapy Managers and Speech & Language Therapy Managers. The purpose of these working groups is to provide a collaborative, profession-led approach to the recruitment of these grades within the HSE. ...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Cancer Screening Programmes (28 Jun 2018)

Simon Harris: The Scally Inquiry, which the Government established on 08 May 2018, is examining all aspects of CervicalCheck, and all relevant documents within the Department and the HSE. As part of the Terms of Reference of the Inquiry, Dr Scally will examine the tendering, contracting, operation, conflict of interest arrangements, performance information and performance management, accreditation and...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospitals Funding (28 Jun 2018)

Simon Harris: In the light of the conclusions of the Health Service Capacity Review that the system will need nearly 2,600 additional acute hospital beds by 2031, I have asked my Department to work with the HSE to identify the location and mix of beds across the hospital system which can be opened and staffed this year and into 2019 in order to improve preparedness for Winter 2018/2019. A submission...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Speech and Language Therapy Waiting Lists (28 Jun 2018)

Simon Harris: I share the Deputy’s concerns about waiting lists for primary care services, but I can assure him that every effort is being made to reduce waiting times and that the available resources are being used to best effect in order to provide assessment and ongoing therapy to those that need it in line with their prioritised needs. At a national level, funding has been provided for a...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Ambulance Service (28 Jun 2018)

Simon Harris: As this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly. 

Written Answers — Department of Health: HSE Staff (28 Jun 2018)

Simon Harris: The recruitment competition for the appointment of a Director General to the Health Service Executive has commenced. It was advertised on Friday 22 June 2018 with a closing date of Thursday 9 August 2018. It is expected that an appointment will be announced by year end.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Overcrowding (28 Jun 2018)

Simon Harris: Against a background of rising demand for unscheduled care, €30m was allocated to the HSE in 2017 and a further €40m provided in 2018 to respond to winter pressures and alleviate overcrowding in hospital Emergency Departments (EDs). This Government is committed to breaking the cycle of overcrowding in our health service. In the light of the conclusions of the Health Service...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Consultant Recruitment (28 Jun 2018)

Simon Harris: I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly on this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists Action Plans (28 Jun 2018)

Simon Harris: The waiting list data from the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) for the end of May 2018 indicates that there were 395 people waiting for Cork University Maternity Hospital (CUMH) gynaecology inpatient services, compared with 495 waiting in May 2017. Of these, 54% were waiting for less than 6 months, and 81% were waiting for less than 12 months.  The outpatient waiting list...

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Children's Hospital (28 Jun 2018)

Simon Harris: The new children's hospital on the campus shared with St James's Hospital, is scheduled to  become operational in 2022. Until such time as all inpatient services transfer to the new hospital, they will continue to be provided in the facilities on the site of Our Lady's Children's Hospital Crumlin. The potential future uses to which the Crumlin land and buildings, or the proceeds of...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Vaccination Programme (28 Jun 2018)

Simon Harris: The outcome of a health technology assessment carried out by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) for the National Screening Service was that the HPV test is a more accurate testing mechanism than the current liquid-based cytology, that the use of the HPV test would result in fewer false negative results, and that the use of the HPV test would result in more cancers...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Consultant Recruitment (28 Jun 2018)

Simon Harris: The need to increase the numbers of consultants and other health professionals in the public health service is a priority for me against a backdrop of global shortages in health professionals and international competition for staff trained in Ireland. The HSE has been focused on addressing issues associated with the creation and approval of consultant posts and successful...

Written Answers — Department of Health: General Practitioner Services (28 Jun 2018)

Simon Harris: General Practitioners play a crucial role in the provision of primary care services.  The number of GPs on the specialist register continues to increase – up from 2,270 in 2010 to 3,668 in 2018 and the number of GPs contracted by the HSE has also risen from 2,098 in 2008 to 2,497. The Government is aware of workforce issues facing general practice, including the influence of...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Long-Term Illness Scheme Coverage (28 Jun 2018)

Simon Harris: The LTI Scheme was established under Section 59(3) of the Health Act 1970 (as amended). The conditions covered by the LTI are: acute leukaemia; mental handicap; cerebral palsy; mental illness (in a person under 16); cystic fibrosis; multiple sclerosis; diabetes insipidus; muscular dystrophies; diabetes mellitus; parkinsonism; epilepsy; phenylketonuria; haemophilia; spina bifida;...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointments Administration (28 Jun 2018)

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...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Commencement of Legislation (28 Jun 2018)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 182 and 213 together. The Children and Family Relationships Act 2015  reforms and updates family law to address the needs of children living in diverse family types, the commencement of Parts 2 & 3 of the Act is the responsibility of the Minister for Health. During the preparation of regulations to facilitate the commencement of Parts 2...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointments Delays (28 Jun 2018)

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...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff Recruitment (28 Jun 2018)

Simon Harris: As this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.