Results 4,881-4,900 of 45,510 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Health: HIQA Funding (17 May 2016)

Simon Harris: The exchequer funding provided to the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) in the years 2009 to 2016 as follows: 2009: €11.1m (Outturn); 2010: €9.5m (Outturn); 2011: €8.8m (Outturn); 2012: €9m (Outturn); 2013: €10m (Outturn); 2014: €9.4m (Outturn); 2015: €10.7m (Outturn); and 2016: €12.358 (Allocation). Any increase in...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Departmental Funding (17 May 2016)

Simon Harris: The Health and Wellbeing Programme in my Department is responsible for co-ordinating the implementation of Healthy Ireland which is the National Framework for Improved Health and Wellbeing 2013-2025. The Framework is based on evidence and experience from around the world which clearly shows that to create positive changes in health and well-being takes the involvement of the whole of...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Nursing Staff Recruitment (17 May 2016)

Simon Harris: The Suicide Crisis Assessment Nurse (SCAN) Initiative was first set up in 2008 in line with A Vision for Change's proposed shift towards community-based provision of multidisciplinary services. Under this initiative, GPs can refer directly to SCAN Nurses for assessment and advice on management of their patients who attend their surgeries with suicidal ideation. In each of these settings, a...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Mental Health Services Data (17 May 2016)

Simon Harris: As this is a service issue this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. If you have not received a reply within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Accident and Emergency Departments (17 May 2016)

Simon Harris: The HSE has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office who will follow up the matter with them.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointments Status (17 May 2016)

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: Mental Health Services Expenditure (17 May 2016)

Simon Harris: The previous Government provided additional ring-fenced mental health funding totalling €160 million over 2012 - 16 inclusive. The Budget for Mental Health Services for the years 2011 to 2016 is as follows: 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 NSP Budget €712 m €711 m €737 m €766 m €791.8 m €826.6 m* NSP Outturn __ __ €709 m €735.8...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointments Status (17 May 2016)

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 Reform (17 May 2016)

Simon Harris: A major programme of health reform is underway, the aim of which is to deliver universal healthcare with access to services based on need and not on ability to pay. It is the intention of the newly formed Government to increase access to safe, timely care, as close to patients’ homes as possible. As well as progressing health reform, I am also determined to push ahead with key...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Mental Health Services Funding (17 May 2016)

Simon Harris: Since 2012, significant efforts to prioritise mental health care have been made. We have provided €160 million in additional ring-fenced funding up to the end of 2016 and approved approximately 1,500 new posts for mental health, to modernise services in line with A Vision for Changeand Programme for Government 2011-2016 commitments. This includes €35 million provided for 2016,...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Positive Ageing Strategy Implementation (17 May 2016)

Simon Harris: The 2011-2016 Programme for Government committed to completing and implementing the National Positive Ageing Strategy (NPAS) so that older people are recognised, supported and enabled to live independent full lives. The Strategy provides a vision for an age-friendly society and includes four National Goals and underpinning Objectives to provide direction on the issues that need to be...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Home Care Packages Provision (17 May 2016)

Simon Harris: The creation of a statutory entitlement would not be possible in this context as services can only be provided in line with the resources that are available. However, it is my objective to ensure that available resources are deployed to achieve the best possible outcomes for older people. With a Budget of €324m in 2016 the HSE’s projected target, set out in its National Service...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Ambulance Service (17 May 2016)

Simon Harris: A significant degree of co-operation already exists between the National Ambulance Service (NAS) and the Fire Services in providing an emergency first responder service. However, there may be scope to further utilise fire services as a first responder for certain types of calls, where this is warranted. This will be explored with the Department of the Environment, Community and Local...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (17 May 2016)

Simon Harris: I wish to thank the Deputy for the matter raised. Given that this is an operational matter, it is appropriate that it should be dealt with by the NMBI. I have referred the Deputy's question to the NMBI for attention and direct reply. If you have not received a reply from the NMBI within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Expenditure (17 May 2016)

Simon Harris: The preliminary results of the System of Health Accounts for 2013 (the latest year available) were published by the Central Statistics Office last December and according to this, the current total health care expenditure as a percentage of GDP in Ireland in 2013 was 10.2%. The full statistical release is available on the CSO's website at .

Written Answers — Department of Health: General Practitioner Data (17 May 2016)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 844, 845, 944 and 949 together. The new Programme for Government emphasises the need to focus on enhancing primary healthcare services including building up GP capacity, increasing the number of therapists and other health professionals in primary care. It also commits to expanding the role of community pharmacists, in managing the health of their...

Written Answers — Department of Health: General Practitioner Services (17 May 2016)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 846 and 847 together. GP care without fees has been successfully introduced for children under the age of 6 years and all people aged 70 years and over. This has resulted in approximately 800,000 people now being eligible for GP care without fees, without having to undergo a means test. The under 6s service includes age-based preventive checks focused on...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Prescriptions Charges (17 May 2016)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 848 and 852 together. I am informed by the HSE that prescription charges for medical card holders yielded an estimated €116 million in 2015. Therefore, the cost of abolishing prescription charges at current activity levels is approximately €120 million. The annual cost of abolishing this charge on an incremental basis would depend on the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Diabetes Strategy (17 May 2016)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 849, 921 and 924 together. As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Dementia Strategy (17 May 2016)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 850 and 910 to 912, inclusive, together. The Irish National Dementia Strategy was launched in December 2014, with the objective of increasing awareness, ensuring early diagnosis and intervention and developing enhanced community based services. Preparation of the Irish National Dementia Strategy was informed by - a Research Review, which included a review of...