Results 5,141-5,160 of 45,510 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (24 May 2016)

Simon Harris: As this is a service matter, it has been 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: Hospital Appointments Status (24 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 scheduling...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Nursing Homes Support Scheme (24 May 2016)

Simon Harris: The legislation underpinning the Nursing Homes Support Scheme requires each private nursing home to negotiate and agree a price for long-term residential care services with the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) should they wish to be an approved nursing home for the purposes of the Scheme. Section 41 of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act 2009 provides that the NTPF shall notify the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff Recruitment (24 May 2016)

Simon Harris: With effect from 1 January 2014, operational and financial responsibility for the Finglas Addiction Support Team was transferred to the HSE. In the circumstances, I have referred this matter to the HSE for direct reply. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days he should contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Negligence Claims (24 May 2016)

Simon Harris: The management of clinical negligence claims arising from the diagnosis, treatment and care of patients in public healthcare enterprises is delegated to the State Claims Agency which has a statutory mandate to investigate and manage these cases to completion. The information requested by the Deputy is not readily available. Accordingly I have asked the State Claims Agency to collate the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Cross-Border Health Services Provision (24 May 2016)

Simon Harris: The particular issue raised by the Deputy is a service matter for the Health Service Executive. Accordingly 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: Cross-Border Health Initiatives (24 May 2016)

Simon Harris: Under the Cross-Border Healthcare Directive, insured patients are entitled to have costs of cross-border healthcare service reimbursed if the healthcare service in question is among the benefits to which they are entitled in their Member State of affiliation. The HSE endeavours to reimburse the cost of treatment incurred or the cost of providing such healthcare in the State, which ever is...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Applications (24 May 2016)

Simon Harris: The issue raised by the Deputy is a matter for the Health Service Executive. Accordingly, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working day, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Care Services Provision (24 May 2016)

Simon Harris: As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply. 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: Nursing Staff Recruitment (24 May 2016)

Simon Harris: As part of Budget 2015, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform announced that the previous employment control framework, primarily based on a general moratorium on recruitment and promotion, would be replaced by a Pay and Staff Numbers Strategy which would focus on operating within pay allocations. The HSE are currently working with the Department of Health on the preparation of...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Nursing Staff Recruitment (24 May 2016)

Simon Harris: Arising from Budget 2015, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform announced an easing of restrictions on the employment of additional staff. Submission of a Pay and Numbers Strategy, outlining planned staffing levels and pay/pensions expenditure was required to obtain sanction for the lifting of the moratorium and Employment Control Framework arrangements. The HSE are currently...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointments Status (24 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 scheduling...

Adjournment Debate: Speech and Language Therapy Provision (25 May 2016)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Calleary for raising this very important matter and for presenting the starkness of the difference between what he was informed by the HSE by way of parliamentary question and the reality facing families in the community he represents. It is important that we hear that difference. It is something I will take back to HSE officials. I advise the Deputy that each individual...

Adjournment Debate: Hospital Services (25 May 2016)

Simon Harris: I wish to take this opportunity to thank Deputy Connolly for raising this matter and for her good wishes. I am pleased to have this opportunity to update Members regarding hospital developments in Galway. Galway University Hospitals, GUH, which encompasses University Hospital Galway and Merlin Park University Hospital, provide a comprehensive range of services to emergency and elective...

Adjournment Debate: Hospital Services (25 May 2016)

Simon Harris: In respect of all the health care issues.

Adjournment Debate: Hospital Services (25 May 2016)

Simon Harris: Obviously, there will be an opportunity for the hospital, through the hospital group structure, to raise whatever issues it wishes to raise with me. This will be a meeting for me to ascertain the priorities of that hospital group in terms of the development of health care facilities in the region. The Deputy also made a valid point regarding the ongoing need to tackle the trolley crisis,...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Ambulance Service Provision (25 May 2016)

Simon Harris: As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Assisted Human Reproduction (25 May 2016)

Simon Harris: When the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 was enacted in April last year, the Minister for Justice and Equality indicated that Parts 2 and 3 of the Act, which deal with donor-assisted human reproduction, would not be commenced for at least a year following enactment. This period was agreed between the then Minister for Health, Leo Varadkar, and the Minister for Justice and Equality...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Primary Care Centres Provision (25 May 2016)

Simon Harris: The Health Service Executive has responsibility for the provision and operation of Primary Care Centres. Therefore, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this issue. 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: Cancer Screening Programmes (25 May 2016)

Simon Harris: The Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test is an initial test in the diagnosis of prostate cancer. While raised PSA levels can indicate prostate cancer, they can also arise in cases of certain benign prostate conditions, e.g. prostatitis. On average, two out of every three men who have a raised PSA level will not, on further examination, turn out to have prostate cancer. Also, there...