Results 31,721-31,740 of 46,456 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Data (5 Nov 2019)

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 Data (5 Nov 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: Hospital Waiting Lists Data (5 Nov 2019)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 737 to 778, inclusive, together. The HSE advise that a pilot project was commenced in 2016 by the HSE Acute Hospitals Division to progress the collection of national radiology waiting list data. The project has been supported by the Radiology Clinical Care Programme and has involved key stakeholders across the system including the National Integrated...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Nursing Staff Data (5 Nov 2019)

Simon Harris: The Strategic Workforce Planning & Intelligence Unit in the HSE publish a monthly staffing census called the Health Service Employment Report online here: This reports sets out current staffing WTE levels on a monthly basis, as well as how these levels compare to the previous month, and to the same period last year, and this is broken down by Employment Staff Group on page 2 of this...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (5 Nov 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.

Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) (Amendment) Bill 2019: Order for Report Stage (6 Nov 2019)

Simon Harris: I move: "That Report Stage be taken now."

Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) (Amendment) Bill 2019: Report and Final Stages (6 Nov 2019)

Simon Harris: I move amendment No. 1: In page 25, between lines 3 and 4, to insert the following: “Amendment of section 44 of Act of 1985 17. Section 44 of the Act of 1985 is amended by the insertion of the following subsection after subsection (3): “(4) (a) Paragraph (b) applies where— (i) a registered dentist becomes the subject of an order under subsection (3), and (ii) the...

Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) (Amendment) Bill 2019: Report and Final Stages (6 Nov 2019)

Simon Harris: The Bill amends all five Acts to require regulators to notify both the HSE and the employer when a sanction is imposed on a registrant. Provision has also been made to allow the regulator to notify the HSE and the employer where a sanction is applied by a regulator outside the State and the regulator is satisfied that it is in the public interest to do so. This provides a very important...

Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) (Amendment) Bill 2019: Report and Final Stages (6 Nov 2019)

Simon Harris: I understand the Deputy's intention and I am conscious that the Bill will go through to the Seanad, where will be another chance to have a look at this. From a technical point of view, this would be an accidental consequence of the amendment. It would also remove the express power to notify an employer when such a sanction is imposed and this approach would run contrary to the purpose of...

Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) (Amendment) Bill 2019: Report and Final Stages (6 Nov 2019)

Simon Harris: I accept the Deputy's long history and involvement in representing employees in the health service, as well as her knowledge and bona fides in this area. I am happy to engage further on this issue between now and the Seanad's consideration of this Bill. I will make two points on this amendment. I accept that there are situations where it may not be in the public interest to publish...

Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) (Amendment) Bill 2019: Report and Final Stages (6 Nov 2019)

Simon Harris: Publication suggests that something is published in a newspaper, as opposed to notification. A person's employer has a right to be notified, but people also deserve second chances. It is about striking that balance. By and large, our regulators understand how to do that and get it right. I am happy to engage further between now and the Bill's passage through the Seanad.

Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) (Amendment) Bill 2019: Report and Final Stages (6 Nov 2019)

Simon Harris: I move amendment No. 3: In page 30, line 22, after “post” to insert “or electronically”. I can be brief because this is a largely technical series of amendments. The Minister of State, Deputy Jim Daly, introduced a series of amendments on Committee Stage that would give regulators the option to send notifications about registration by email or other...

Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) (Amendment) Bill 2019: Report and Final Stages (6 Nov 2019)

Simon Harris: I move amendment No. 4: In page 32, between lines 10 and 11, to insert the following: “Amendment of section 27 of Act of 2005 26. Section 27 of the Act of 2005 is amended, in subsection (3), by the deletion of paragraph (e).”. This is another technical amendment flagged on Committee Stage. The Minister of State brought forward an amendment on that Stage to further...

Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) (Amendment) Bill 2019: Report and Final Stages (6 Nov 2019)

Simon Harris: I will comment on Deputy O'Reilly's amendments together. I note her wish to appropriately reflect the Corbally judgment in the regulatory Acts, specifically by the addition of the words "serious error" to the definition of "poor professional performance". This was the subject of a good and intense debate on Committee Stage. The issue has been considered by my officials since then, and,...

Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) (Amendment) Bill 2019: Report and Final Stages (6 Nov 2019)

Simon Harris: I caution the House against that. I do not in any way dispute what Deputy O'Reilly is trying to do. The strong advice available to me is that the definition of "poor professional performance" is provided for in four of the five health professional regulatory Acts already in place. It is not covered in the legislation relating to dentists. That has now been defined by the Supreme Court....

Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) (Amendment) Bill 2019: Report and Final Stages (6 Nov 2019)

Simon Harris: I will discuss it with the Deputy.

Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) (Amendment) Bill 2019: Report and Final Stages (6 Nov 2019)

Simon Harris: I move amendment No. 6: In page 38, between lines 9 and 10, to insert the following: "Amendment of section 60 of Act of 2005 36.Section 60 of the Act of 2005 is amended by the insertion of the following subsection after subsection (3): "(4) (a) Paragraph (b) applies where— (i) a registrant becomes the subject of an order under subsection (3) (a), and (ii) the Council...

Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) (Amendment) Bill 2019: Report and Final Stages (6 Nov 2019)

Simon Harris: As Deputy O'Reilly said, we have already had a discussion. I will reflect further on this issue before the Bill goes to the Seanad. I make the following point to be of assistance should the Deputy decide to have an amendment tabled in the Seanad. The amendment, as drafted, would cover three of the five regulatory bodies and would not cover dentists and pharmacists. I only point that out...

Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) (Amendment) Bill 2019: Report and Final Stages (6 Nov 2019)

Simon Harris: I move amendment No. 8: In page 41, line 31, after “post” to insert “or electronically”.

Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) (Amendment) Bill 2019: Report and Final Stages (6 Nov 2019)

Simon Harris: I move amendment No. 11: In page 55, between lines 8 and 9, to insert the following: “Amendment of section 45 of Act of 2007 60.Section 45 of the Act of 2007 is amended by the insertion of the following subsection after subsection (5): “(6) (a) Paragraph (b) applies where— (i)a registered pharmacist becomes the subject of an order under subsection (1), and...