Results 25,781-25,800 of 46,260 for speaker:Simon Harris

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Discussion
Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Discussion (6 Feb 2019)

Simon Harris: Yes. I have been very clear on that and-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Discussion
Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Discussion (6 Feb 2019)

Simon Harris: Point taken. For the record, that is a political priority of mine because I believe the mid-west region has been let down-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Discussion
Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Discussion (6 Feb 2019)

Simon Harris: -----and it will be delivered. The reply to the parliamentary question, which I do not have, is pointing out that the capital plan has yet to be agreed.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Discussion
Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Discussion (6 Feb 2019)

Simon Harris: I am letting the Deputy know that it will be in it.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Discussion
Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Discussion (6 Feb 2019)

Simon Harris: When we have the capital plan, perhaps I can meet with representatives from the mid-west, including the Chairman and Deputy Kelly and we can discuss that matter.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Discussion
Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Discussion (6 Feb 2019)

Simon Harris: He was the deputy director general of the HSE and the acting director general.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Discussion
Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Discussion (6 Feb 2019)

Simon Harris: That is a fair point. My Department engages with the IMO on contractual matters. The IMO is a member of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions. We have a framework agreement with it. Issues with FEMPI etc. would have been introduced as part of discussions with the broader union movement - I am not saying they were in any way agreed. There is a role for the NAGP to play in terms of being...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Discussion
Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Discussion (6 Feb 2019)

Simon Harris: GPs cannot collectively negotiate because they operate on an individual contract basis. Any GP can sign up to any contract being offered by the State without necessarily being a member of one organisation or the other. I am happy to reflect on the issues the Senator raised. We are in intensive negotiations with the IMO. I believe the outcome of these negotiations will benefit all GPs. It...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Discussion
Quarterly Update on Health Issues: Discussion (6 Feb 2019)

Simon Harris: I thank the committee for having me.

Nurses and Midwives Industrial Action: Statements (7 Feb 2019)

Simon Harris: I very much welcome the opportunity to discuss this matter. The industrial action taken by the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, INMO, and the Psychiatric Nurses Association, PNA, is clearly creating significant challenges and disruption for the health service and more importantly, has created a worrying time for patients and their families. I acknowledge this is not an action nurses...

Nurses and Midwives Industrial Action: Statements (7 Feb 2019)

Simon Harris: I do.

Nurses and Midwives Industrial Action: Statements (7 Feb 2019)

Simon Harris: I am.

Nurses and Midwives Industrial Action: Statements (7 Feb 2019)

Simon Harris: I did not say that.

Nurses and Midwives Industrial Action: Statements (7 Feb 2019)

Simon Harris: I believe it is possible to find a resolution to this dispute if all parties to it work innovatively within the confines of the Public Service Stability Agreement. We have consistently spoken about it, as have the general secretaries of ICTU and the INMO. Everyone has said it. There is a duty on us to show how it can happen. We want to engage within those confines. Will I pick up the...

Nurses and Midwives Industrial Action: Statements (7 Feb 2019)

Simon Harris: I am answering the Deputy's question. She is using my time now.

Nurses and Midwives Industrial Action: Statements (7 Feb 2019)

Simon Harris: If the Deputy is looking for a signal from Government, perhaps she should allow me to speak. The signal from Government is clear. We want to find a resolution and believe it is possible to do so within the Public Service Stability Agreement. Other parties to the dispute have said that. We will only do it through intense engagement, which I hope can start imminently and that everybody can...

Nurses and Midwives Industrial Action: Statements (7 Feb 2019)

Simon Harris: Regarding the question from Deputies Boyd Barrett and Bríd Smith about safe staffing levels, I am pleased that we ended the embargo on recruitment and are recruiting more nurses and midwives but I accept and do not dispute that we have a way to go. The Deputies are right. We have agreed a task force on safe staffing and skill mix, which the unions have accepted, which is the framework...

Nurses and Midwives Industrial Action: Statements (7 Feb 2019)

Simon Harris: The Minister, Deputy Donohoe, will respond to the question on the pay commission and his engagement and on the issue of the negotiations. On Deputy Pringle's question regarding the comment in my opening statement about the need to do more to keep our student nurses, on becoming graduate nurses, in this country, we have taken a number of steps, which have been acknowledged by the nursing...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Dental Services Provision (7 Feb 2019)

Simon Harris: As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Primary Care Centres Staff (7 Feb 2019)

Simon Harris: 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.