Results 32,981-33,000 of 46,522 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Provision (18 Dec 2019)

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

Written Answers — Department of Health: Nursing Home Accommodation Provision (18 Dec 2019)

Simon Harris: The CNU Programme, launched in 2016, aims to replace, upgrade or refurbish up to 90 public centres across the country to bring them in line with the regulatory requirements, having regard to the scheduled funding available.    The HSE expects that by the end of 2019, thirty-one centres will have completed construction, while others will be at various stages of the design and...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Primary Care Centres Provision (18 Dec 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.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Services (18 Dec 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: Departmental Expenditure (18 Dec 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.

Seanad: Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) (Amendment) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (18 Dec 2019)

Simon Harris: This is an example of politics and engagement on an issue working. A number of concerns were raised in the other House about the issue of minor sanctions. The Bill as drafted provides that so-called minor sanctions of advice, admonishment or censure will require confirmation by the High Court before they take effect, as is the case with the more serious sanctions provided for in the Bill,...

Seanad: Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) (Amendment) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (18 Dec 2019)

Simon Harris: As with the previous set of amendments, we had quite a discussion on this here and in the other House. This is similar to the High Court confirmation of minor sanctions. Senators will recall that concerns were raised in this House about the mandatory publication of minor sanctions. It was suggested in particular that this measure would have a disproportionate impact on those receiving even...

Seanad: Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) (Amendment) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (18 Dec 2019)

Simon Harris: I thank Senator Devine for raising this matter. The Bill, as the Senator correctly says, amends the Health Act to give me, as Minister, the power to designate the HSE as the competent authority to compare the equivalence of non-Irish qualifications to the qualifications it sets for certain health professionals. These are professions which are not regulated on a statutory basis but which are...

Seanad: Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) (Amendment) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (18 Dec 2019)

Simon Harris: That is fine.

Seanad: Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) (Amendment) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (18 Dec 2019)

Simon Harris: I will be brief as I am conscious that we are endeavouring to make as much progress on Committee Stage as we possibly can today. First, I sincerely thank pharmaceutical assistants across the country. It is important that I as Minister for Health say that, because I know the job they have done and currently do, as well as the difference they have made to pharmacies and communities in towns...

Seanad: Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) (Amendment) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (18 Dec 2019)

Simon Harris: It can be frustrating at times but it is hard to dispute her expertise when it comes to the law and her knowledge of these matters. As the Senator knows, because I articulated such comments to her earlier, I have a concern about the practical implications of some of these amendments. Having said that, however, I do not intend to oppose them. I intend to engage with Senator Bacik and...

Seanad: Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) (Amendment) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (18 Dec 2019)

Simon Harris: These are essentially technical amendments. I am proposing amendments to the sections of the Nurses and Midwives Act and the Medical Practitioners Act which enable the relevant bodies to make rules. The Bill as passed by the Dáil inserts a new subsection (15)(c) into section 20 of the 2007 Act. Section 20 of that Act deals with membership functions and procedures of the committee and...

Seanad: Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) (Amendment) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (18 Dec 2019)

Simon Harris: These are simply typographical or minor drafting errors in the Bill, the majority of which relate to the internal numbering of section 71 of the Medical Practitioners Act 2007. They are also intended to flag that as a result of Committee Stage it may be necessary for me to introduce further correcting amendments on Report Stage.

Seanad: Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) (Amendment) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (18 Dec 2019)

Simon Harris: This also is effectively a technical amendment. Section 38 of the Medical Practitioners Act 2007 addresses areas that overlap between the practice and other health professions. Under existing legislation where a person holds a dual qualification in medicine and in another profession, for example, dentistry, this section allows that person to lawfully practice those areas of dentistry which...

Taoiseach a Ainmniú - Nomination of Taoiseach (20 Feb 2020)

Simon Harris: Thanks, a Cheann Comhairle and congratulations on your re-election. I suppose this effort shows how you are very much protecting the individual rights of every parliamentarian to have his or her say today. I congratulate you on your re-election. I stand in support of the motion to elect Deputy Varadkar as Taoiseach. He is a man and a parliamentarian who has served our country with...

Coronavirus: Statements (5 Mar 2020)

Simon Harris: I very much welcome the opportunity to update the House on the ongoing situation relating to Covid-19, coronavirus. I begin by sincerely thanking colleagues for what has been real cross-party and cross-grouping co-operation. On the floor of this House today I commit to continue to keep Members of this House briefed, but more than that: we will hear from them, interact with them and ensure...

Written Answers — Department of Health: State Claims Agency Data (5 Mar 2020)

Simon Harris: The State Claims Agency (SCA) has a statutory remit to manage personal injury claims, including claims in respect of clinical negligence, on behalf of Delegated State Authorities (DSAs) including the Health Service Executive.  I have been informed by the State Claims Agency that it regrets that it is not in a position to release to the Deputy the estimated cost of this cohort of...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Home Help Service (5 Mar 2020)

Simon Harris: The Deputy is referring to home help workers who are employed by voluntary providers of home help services which are funded under section 39 of the Health Act 2004. I advised the Deputy previously on a number of occasions that as these home help workers are not employed by the HSE, the HSE and the Department have no role in determining the salaries or other terms and conditions applying...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health and Social Care Professionals (5 Mar 2020)

Simon Harris: The WRC agreement reached in October 2018 in relation to pay restoration for section 39 organisations provided for pay restoration in relation to 50 ‘pilot organisations’ in the first instance.  Pay restoration for these bodies commenced in April of this year with further payments due in 2020 and 2021 as appropriate. The WRC agreement also states: “It is recognised...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Long-Term Illness Scheme Coverage (5 Mar 2020)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 493, 507, 597 and 862 to 864, inclusive, together. The Long Term Illness 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...