Results 26,541-26,560 of 46,267 for speaker:Simon Harris

Seanad: National Children's Hospital: Statements (7 Mar 2019)

Simon Harris: I thank all the Senators who made contributions to the debate today. I have listened carefully to the views and concerns, many of which I share. What I have heard from most speakers is two things: will we please get on and build the hospital, which we are going to do, and will we please make sure, in the building of the hospital, that we get value for the taxpayer and that lessons are...

Seanad: National Children's Hospital: Statements (7 Mar 2019)

Simon Harris: The Senator may call it pie in the sky.

Seanad: National Children's Hospital: Statements (7 Mar 2019)

Simon Harris: The Senator may call it pie in the sky but let the record show those comments in due course. That is the intention and has been the intention. With regard to the site, the Senator talked about accountability and standing over the decision. I did not pick the site and I was not a member of the Government when the site was picked, but I fully support it. It was a decision taken after great...

Seanad: National Children's Hospital: Statements (7 Mar 2019)

Simon Harris: The Senator talked about democratic accountability. Deputies in the Dáil had an opportunity to vote before construction started, thanks to the Independent Deputies who tabled the motion, and that House spoke very clearly in that regard. There is a benefit, which the Senator somewhat accepted, of being co-located with an adult teaching hospital.

Seanad: National Children's Hospital: Statements (7 Mar 2019)

Simon Harris: Let me tell the Senator what the benefit is first. I have not slandered the Senator or used unparliamentary language in my contribution.

Seanad: National Children's Hospital: Statements (7 Mar 2019)

Simon Harris: And more people do not.

Seanad: National Children's Hospital: Statements (7 Mar 2019)

Simon Harris: I want to do that. I want to make a point about the children in our paediatric hospitals today, for example, teenagers who travel to hospitals like St. James's for their cancer treatment. As many of us will know from personal experiences and political experiences concerning our constituents, teenagers of 17 or 18 might not want to go to adult services and the idea of being co-located...

Seanad: National Children's Hospital: Statements (7 Mar 2019)

Simon Harris: Senator Humphreys makes a very fair point that, clearly, lessons need to be learned, and that is 100% correct. I am pleased to inform him and the Seanad that, when we were looking at this issue recently, the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, brought forward a number of sensible, constructive proposals in regard to the approval process and the oversight process, not, as the Senator rightly said, just...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Cannabis for Medicinal Use (12 Mar 2019)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 255, 331, 336 to 338, inclusive, 343, 344 and 387 together. My Department is working towards the introduction shortly of a Cannabis for Medical Use Access Programme. While the arrangements that will enable this programme to begin are being finalised, it is open to a registered medical practitioner to apply for a Ministerial Licence under the Misuse of Drugs...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (12 Mar 2019)

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: Assisted Human Reproduction Legislation (12 Mar 2019)

Simon Harris: Currently there is no specific legislation in Ireland governing assisted human reproduction (AHR). There is limited existing regulation relating to the use of gametes and embryos under SI No. 158 of 2006 (Quality and Safety of Human Tissues and Cells) Regulations, which governs the quality and safety standards in the donation, procurement, testing, processing, preservation, storage and...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Healthcare Infrastructure Provision (12 Mar 2019)

Simon Harris: As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Ministerial Meetings (12 Mar 2019)

Simon Harris: I have not met with the person identified by the Deputy, in my role as Minister for Health.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Assisted Human Reproduction Services Provision (12 Mar 2019)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 264 and 473 together. In October 2017, the Government approved the drafting of a Bill on assisted human reproduction (AHR) and associated areas of research, based on the published General Scheme. The process of drafting this Bill will be completed in conjunction with the Office of the Attorney General. In addition, the Joint Committee on Health is...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Cancer Screening Programmes (12 Mar 2019)

Simon Harris: As set out in the response to Parliamentary Question No. 363 of 26 February 2019, on 28 April 2018, I made the decision to provide for a free out of cycle smear test for any woman who was concerned, where her GP felt she should have a further test as part of her reassurance. Neither I nor my officials received advice that recommended against these tests in advance of the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: HSE Staff Data (12 Mar 2019)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: General Practitioner Data (12 Mar 2019)

Simon Harris: As this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for it to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Staff Recruitment (12 Mar 2019)

Simon Harris: As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly, as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Health: General Practitioner Services (12 Mar 2019)

Simon Harris: As this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for it to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Treatment Purchase Fund Waiting Times (12 Mar 2019)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 270 and 271 together. I am conscious that waiting times are often unacceptably long and of the burden that this places on patients and their families. In this regard, I committed to improving waiting times for hospital appointments and procedures. I published the joint Department of Health, Health Service Executive (HSE) and National Treatment Purchase Fund...